The First Inheritor Is Born

The Devil Fruit "replicas" created by Kino had one major flaw: they could not be developed.

Whatever they were like when obtained was what they remained; they could not be developed further.

For example, Luffy's Gear First, Gear Second, Gear Third, Gear Fourth, Gear Fifth, and so on...

They could not be developed, but their techniques could still be studied, such as Luffy's Gum-Gum Pistol, Gum-Gum Bullet, Gum-Gum Gatling, Gum-Gum Whip, and more.

Most Devil Fruit replicas only possessed the basic characteristics of a "Gear First" fruit and could not be developed. However, some replicas were made to an exceptionally high standard, granting the traits of Gear Second, Gear Third, or even Gear Fourth immediately upon being eaten.

Luffy's "Gum-Gum Fruit" had naturally been replicated as well, and eating it essentially granted the level of Gear Second.

Once activated, the user's skin would turn bright red and emit steam, as though they had taken stimulants. Their legs acted as pumps, accelerating blood flow and strengthening the body.

Because of the fruit's special nature, Luffy could withstand the extremely high blood pressure caused by Gear Second. His enhanced body allowed him to move at incredible speed. That speed, combined with his enhanced strength, made Gear Second attacks far more powerful than normal.

However, using Gear Second too often could shorten one's lifespan.

An ordinary person's heart would be unable to withstand such blood pressure and would burst. If one's internal organs and blood vessels were rubber, though, it would not be a problem.

But unfortunately, even rubber would constantly wear down under repeated strain, and eventually... it would inevitably snap.

That was why every use reduced Luffy's lifespan. More accurately, it reduced his body's functions.

Put simply, his body at forty might be in the condition of a sixty-year-old's.

That was