One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

The Devil Fruit in Ace's hand appeared pristine white, with sharp contrasts in its design that set it apart from other known Mythical Zoan Fruits. Unlike the dragon-like blue scales on Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon form, or the brilliant red feathers of Raki's Bird-Bird Fruit, Suzaku form, this pure white fruit bore sleek, pitch-black claw markings, emitting a chilling, menacing gleam. Just gazing at it, one could feel an intense killing intent radiating outward.

"Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: White Tiger"

Gion's gaze was locked on the fruit, her beautiful eyes wide with shock, and she swallowed unconsciously. This was no ordinary Devil Fruit. It was on par with the powerful Mythical Zoan Fruits wielded by some of the sea's most feared figures.

Both Kaido's Azure Dragon and Raki's Suzaku are powers of legendary scope, yet this Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, White Tiger form, stands equal to them—a Devil Fruit that places its user among the strongest forces on the sea.

After all, it had been ages since such a powerful Devil Fruit ability had surfaced on the seas. 

Such a rare and formidable ability was scarcely described in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, which listed only a single line about it:

"Stronger in attack than any Logia-type Devil Fruit, this power is the most potent among the elusive Mythical Beast types."

In terms of sheer destructive force, this Devil Fruit even surpasses Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit – Mythical Beast variety – Azure Dragon form. 

Anyone who consumed and mastered it could ascend to the highest ranks among the seas' elite, relying solely on its inherent power. Combined with her Haki and swordsmanship, she might well rival the strength of the Four Emperors, the acknowledged titans of the ocean.

With the legendary fruit's presence before her, Gion was stunned into silence for the first time in years.

"Cat Cat Fruit Model: White Tiger. You actually found this Mythical Devil Fruit?"

Rayleigh, who saw the Devil Fruit, couldn't hide his amazement. Even the World Government would treasure such a prized Devil Fruit. 

One famous example is the Valley of the Gods incident, in which the Fish-Fish Fruit – Azure Dragon form was awarded to the top contender among the Knights of God. 

Yet such high-level mythical Devil Fruits seemed to have a will of their own. Even when the World Government tried to hunt and hoard these fruits, they were nearly impossible to obtain.

If he had acquired such a top-tier Devil Fruit in his prime, Rayleigh's power might have reached even the levels of legends like Roger or Whitebeard. But age had sapped his strength and diminished his physical abilities. Even with this fruit, he would be unable to wield its full potential.

Therefore, it was only fitting that Gion should be its new bearer.

As to her allegiance, Rayleigh held no doubts. After all, Ace is not a man without a plan.

Ace's eyes held a glimmer of amusement. "Yesterday, while I was helping Raki try to awaken her devil fruit through the Realm of Comprehension, Suzaku's will sent a signal. This Devil Fruit resonated with that will… The White Tiger chose me."

Ace's lips curled into a smile.

Though Suzaku's summons had momentarily delayed Raki's awakening, obtaining such a Devil Fruit was well worth the wait. After all, Raki's awakening was assured; the greatest risk in awakening a Zoan Devil Fruit lay in the will embedded within it.

Should the user fail to awaken, they would revert fully into a beast. 

Being the rarest and most formidable of all Zoan types, the Mythical Beast held an exceptionally fierce will, making the awakening process daunting and fraught with peril. Yet, when Suzaku's call echoed yesterday, Ace, using Nika's power, made brief contact with this will.

It communicated a friendly intent, signaling its readiness to submit. Ace understood that, once Raki achieved the conditions for awakening, Suzaku's will would not interfere.

Thus, the primary risk associated with awakening a mythical beast type Devil Fruit had been entirely removed. Ace felt a surge of relief.

For Raki to fully master Suzaku's power of rebirth, she would need to complete her awakening. Only through awakening could one access the unique abilities these Mythical Beasts bestowed upon their users.

After summoning the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: White Tiger, Suzaku's will went into a brief slumber. Through Nika's abilities, Ace sensed that it was best to wait until Suzaku's will recovered, allowing Raki to awaken smoothly. The wait wouldn't be long.

——

The sight of the legendary fruit led Gion to murmur, "Cat-Cat Fruit Model: White Tiger… have you truly chosen the Flame Emperor?"

Entei had absorbed the abilities of the Devil Fruit. Thanks to his unique powers, he could wield the capabilities of any Devil Fruit. Yet this did not change the immutable fact that Flame Emperor could only consume one Devil Fruit.

In other words, even if he couldn't eat the Cat-Cat Fruit Model: White Tiger, this powerful Devil Fruit had still chosen him. It was willing to be consumed by others, as long as it served under the Flame Emperor's command.

Was the Bird Fruit, Model Suzaku, which Raki had eaten, truly drawn to Raki, whose talents were relatively unremarkable? Or, rather, was it Flame Emperor himself who had attracted it?

Even though these two legendary Devil Fruits could not be consumed by him, they had still submitted themselves to his will, ready to be wielded by the Flame Emperor.

What a terrifying notion!

If the White Tiger form had chosen him this time, then what other formidable Devil Fruits would be drawn to him in the future?

Gion found herself smiling bitterly, grappling with this overwhelming realization.

"Eat it, Gion. Become a part of my strength."

Ace's gaze turned toward Gion—with a soft smile.

A conflicted look spread across her face.

To join the Entei Pirate Fleet… and fall under Ace's command?

Gion's expression was deeply complicated. She knew this man possessed a Conqueror's Haki against which she had no defense. Should he wish, his sheer presence could compel her to follow any command.

Yet, despite this power, he extended a sincere invitation and even offered her this legendary Devil Fruit.

As she took in Ace's gentle smile, she couldn't deny the incredible charisma he exuded. Even Kuzan had resigned from the Marines to follow this man with unwavering loyalty.

Reflecting on the Flame Emperor Incident, it was impossible to deny the profound impact it had on her sense of justice. Though she was part of the so-called "righteous" side, the World Government had, under the Five Elders' orders, unleashed a Buster Call that annihilated every soul on the Sabaody Archipelago.

It was the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, who saved the people that day.

Moreover, Flame Emperor Ace's philosophy had resonated with her deeply.

The most compelling factor, however, was her inability to resist this man's influence. And yet, he didn't exploit this but rather approached her as an equal, inviting her sincerely.

This genuine regard moved her more than anything.

"Are you worried about Vice Admiral Tsuru?"

Ace's knowing smile widened as he addressed Gion's concern.

"Yes…" she replied softly.

This man's Observation Haki was unmatched on the seas, so her worries were all too transparent to him. Her thoughts were easily within his grasp.

"If you join my crew, you may not be forced to oppose Vice Admiral Tsuru. Remember, my own old man is Garp."

Ace's words were cryptic, leaving Gion stunned.

Could it really be?

The possibilities raced through her mind, and, almost instinctively, her hand reached out, taking the Devil Fruit Ace had offered.

Holding the extraordinary fruit in her hand, Gion bit her lip before taking a bite.

Immediately, her body began to transform, shifting into the majestic, almost dreamlike form of a white tiger. This was no ordinary tiger; her massive form could rival the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger, exuding an overpowering aura of deadly intent.

All the beasts on the island quivered under the weight of her presence, collapsing to the ground in submission.

The tiger, the sovereign of beasts—the White Tiger was the undisputed king of its kind, the supreme ruler of the wild. Gion was now the embodiment of that fearsome power.

With a thunderous roar, the tiger's cry filled the air.

Rayleigh, Tashigi, and Gion's blade all began to shudder in resonance.

A strange aura emanated from these renowned weapons, wrapping itself around the White Tiger's form, creating a fierce gale that seemed to tear through the atmosphere itself.

"Cat-Cat Fruit Model: White Tiger, the ultimate killer, the Golden King," Ace recited, his eyes gleaming as he observed the aura surrounding Gion.

"This form can bestow the wielder with a unique ability to command all weapons, transforming the aura of their blades into the Breath of the Slayer, creating the White Tiger Gale. Its destructive power even surpasses the elemental might of the Azure Dragon form!"

Grinning widely, Ace revealed what he'd learned from his comprehension—this awe-inspiring White Tiger form held the power to grant its user unparalleled abilities.