Looking at this scene, Moke once again sighed inwardly.
Devil Fruits truly lived up to their reputation as shortcuts to becoming stronger.
At this moment, his strength was probably already unmatched in the East Blue.
Even Smoker would have no way to deal with him.
However, he still had one major weakness.
His own physical strength had not improved.
He was relying entirely on his Devil Fruit ability.
In this kind of situation, it was very easy for someone to seize an opening and kill him in a single counterattack.
Just like Enel, who possessed strength close to that of an admiral, yet was counter-killed by Luffy, whose overall strength was far inferior to his.
Although the fact that Luffy’s fruit allowed him to be immune to lightning damage was an important factor, there was another crucial reason.
Enel relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit and did not train his own physical abilities.
As a result, his body was too weak…
That was why Luffy was able to beat him down with a flurry of punches.
So Moke had to make up for this weakness.
But to do that, he needed to find a suitable material to absorb and turn it into a permanent ability.
That was right.
Devil Fruit abilities were also divided into realms: Control, Manipulation, and Awakening.
When someone first ate a Devil Fruit, the fruit’s ability became like a natural talent.
The user could freely control the ability, while techniques were merely the ability user’s applications of that power.
It was just like Sabo, who was immediately able to use the Flame-Flame Fruit freely after eating it.
By continuously developing the fruit’s ability, and by raising one’s understanding and application of that ability to another level, one would reach the Manipulation Realm.
After reaching this realm, even the same technique would no longer have the same level of power as before.
It could be said that any ability user who reached this realm would have a place even on the Grand Line.
Finally, there was the Awakening of a Devil Fruit ability…
Once one reached the Awakening level, the ability and the ability user themselves would have completely fused into one.
The user would be able to fully unleash the true power of the Devil Fruit itself.
Fruit Awakening was the strongest state among ability users.
Anyone who reached this level could become a famous major figure even in the New World.
However, those who could reach this level were extremely few…
And Moke was currently at the initial Control Realm.
The Absorption Fruit at the Control Realm could absorb an entire object or a material and turn it into a permanent ability.
It could be regarded as forming a permanent passive skill.
For example, with his current soil ability, he could immediately transform into a Logia-type Soil Fruit user.
However, this was not what Moke wanted.
Because even if he became a Logia-type, he could only dominate in the East Blue and the first half of the Grand Line.
Once he entered the New World, the moment he encountered someone with Armament Haki, he would immediately be finished.
So Moke’s original intention had not changed.
He still wanted to alter the potential of his own body.
Only that way, aside from his Devil Fruit ability, would he also be able to improve his own strength through training and constant battle.
His gaze could not help but fall on the swords and blades scattered on the ground.
To be honest, swords and blades were not a bad choice.
As long as he absorbed one, he would be able to turn into an iron man.
His body would also undergo a complete transformation, giving him room to grow stronger.
But…
Ordinary swords and blades were not good enough for him.
At the very least, it had to be something on the level of a named blade.
Because if he absorbed something like that, his physical toughness would reach the level of a named blade.
The moment he thought of named blades, Moke immediately thought of Loguetown, where Smoker was stationed.
Because there was more than one named blade there.
Zoro’s Yubashiri, the Sandai Kitetsu, and Tashigi’s Shigure were all good choices.
So, his next target would be Loguetown…
Moke was a very decisive person.
Once he had a goal, he would not hesitate.
So he picked up the two boxes that had contained Devil Fruits.
One was used to store the Paramecia-type Slip-Slip Fruit.
As for the other, he filled it with some small but valuable items from this place.
After all, no matter what world he was in, money was indispensable.
Then he walked out.
But when he returned to the surface, he discovered that Buggy had already brought his subordinates and was waiting at the entrance.
The moment they saw Moke appear, their gazes immediately became malicious.
Moke also looked toward Buggy the Clown and was momentarily lost in thought.
After all, this man was a true child of fortune.
Even Baccarat, who had eaten the Luck-Luck Fruit, did not have luck as good as his.
With the strength of a complete weakling, he had somehow become one of the Seven Warlords, and even one of the Four Emperors.
Tell me, are you convinced or not?
In front of him, even Luffy had to step aside.
After all, Luffy had fought his way forward with his fists.
It would not be an exaggeration to say he had survived countless near-death situations.
Without the protagonist’s halo, who knew how many times he would have died?
But this guy was simply the king of picking up leftovers!
By picking up opportunities all along the way, he became one of the Four Emperors.
He could be said to have won while lying down.
“Kid, hand over the things in your hands.
Otherwise, this great lord will make you wish you were dead…” At this moment, Buggy’s face was filled with greed.
If it were someone else, Moke would have killed him directly.
But this guy…
Forget it!
If this world lost him, it would lose a lot of fun.
Besides, this guy had a very sharp eye.
As long as you displayed enough strength, he would disappear on his own.
So Moke ignored Buggy.
Instead, he stretched his hand toward the sun.
Right now, the blazing sun hung high in the sky.
The intense sunlight shone down, and Moke could clearly feel the warmth of the sunlight.
The next second…
Moke’s hand lit up.
The corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably.
“As expected, it works…” Only then did he look at Buggy.
With a playful chuckle, he said, “Buggy the Clown, right?
As a great pirate of the East Blue, you should have an Eternal Pose to Loguetown on you, shouldn’t you?” “A Devil Fruit user!!!” Buggy had once followed the Pirate King, Roger.
Although his own strength was rather lacking, his knowledge was definitely not something these ignorant pirates of the East Blue could compare to.
So he immediately saw the key point.
His expression changed drastically, and his pupils could not help but shrink.
However, Buggy only lowered his head to the strong.
In front of others, he was still arrogant and domineering.
He immediately stared coldly at Moke and said, “I do have an Eternal Pose to Loguetown.
But who the hell are you?
Just because you tell this great uncle to hand it over, I have to hand it over?” Moke did not get angry because of that.
Instead, with a hint of wicked amusement, he said, “Have you ever been kicked by light?” “???” Hearing this, Buggy was first stunned.
Then his face filled with question marks.
Finally, his expression turned disdainful.
“You think you’re—” Before he could finish speaking, he saw light beginning to gather around Moke’s right leg.
In the end, his entire right leg was emitting dazzling radiance.
Buggy had seen Kizaru take action before, so he was truly shocked for a moment.
However, he quickly came back to his senses and roared angrily, “Kid, I don’t care what kind of trick you’re playing!
Today, you’re going to die by this great uncle’s hands!” He knew very well that there could not be two identical Devil Fruits in this world.
Kizaru was still alive and well, so how could the guy in front of him possibly possess Kizaru’s ability?
At this moment, a man riding a unicycle and holding a long sword stepped forward.
“Captain Buggy, why would someone like this require you to act personally?” Moke glanced over and immediately recognized him.
This person was Buggy’s capable subordinate, Cabaji.
Hearing this, Buggy glanced at Moke’s glowing right leg and thought to himself, Letting him test the waters first isn’t a bad idea.
Although the other party could not possibly have Kizaru’s Glint-Glint Fruit, no matter what, he was still an ability user.
So Buggy nodded and gave an instruction.
“Don’t hold back.” Hearing this, Cabaji also nodded.
Then he launched his strongest move.
“Acrobatic Murder at the Steam Bath!” He used his spinning motion to stir up smoke, then leapt into the air and slashed toward Moke.
It looked as if he intended to cut Moke in half.