The simple, crude power granted by Devil Fruits undoubtedly matched the desire and expectations for strength held by most adventurers and mercenaries, many of whom might not even have been able to read.
It even caused a massive sensation among the crowd. Everyone fervently discussed how they would use such abilities if they obtained them.
After all, life energy and Tier Magic were simply far too complicated for them.
The former required one to calm down and cultivate insight over a long period, while the latter required learning a vast amount of theoretical knowledge and was extremely difficult to improve.
Compared to those two, the professions granted by the Hunter Association were what the countless lower-ranking Trainee Hunters loved most.
They did not need insight, nor did they need to study or understand anything. They only had to kill large numbers of Alien Races, monsters, and wild beasts to level up, then learn new skills and talents.
Now, the appearance of Devil Fruits had given many people a chance to catch up with—or even surpass—those official Hunters.
And that kind of internal competition was precisely what Allen hoped to see and had been working to maintain.
As a modern man, he knew full well the dangers of entrenched hierarchy. He had to give those who joined later a chance to surpass veterans through hard work and luck.
To put it bluntly, he had to let the lower-ranking Trainee Hunters see hope and a way forward.
That way, those with ability and talent would quickly rise above the rest instead of being permanently crushed at the bottom with no chance to turn things around.
Likewise, official Hunters would not dare let their guard down with so many pursuers behind them. They would continue striving toward higher goals, eventually creating a healthy