As Gu Yina's retreating figure disappeared from view, A Hua and the other two felt their resolve reignited, envisioning their own paths to greater power.
However, the thought of immersing themselves in fantasies, of truly transforming into ants, cats, or rabbits, brought a subtle, almost imperceptible flicker of unease to their faces.
Becoming lightning, or a thunder god, certainly offered vast imaginative possibilities for those with immense desires, aligning with humanity's adoration and fascination with nature.
But transforming into animals? They had absolutely no clue how that would work.
After all, they were humans.
Animals yearned to become humans, but one never heard of humans wishing to become animals.
"Who would want to become an animal?"
The three recalled Kong Tai's words:
"I'm not asking you to truly imagine yourselves as animals. Humans can't actually turn into animals. In my view, the reason animal-type Devil Fruits exist, and are the most numerous among the world's three Devil Fruit types, is because humans have the most contact with animals, and what humans desire most is animal power."
"Conversely, while humans might desire to usurp nature, mythology, or even gods, their feelings are more often fear and reverence. That's why Natural and Mythical Zoan types are so rare."
"As for you, all you need to do is understand which animal your consumed animal-type Devil Fruit and the power you've gained originates from, and then amplify that imagination."
These were Kong Tai's parting words to the trio as he left the space they occupied with Bi An.
At that moment, everyone's eyes brightened. They had emerged from the narrow passage of sea created by Gu Yina's cut waves.
"What is that..."
Though waves still greeted them, they were mere ripples compared to the hundreds of meters high tsunami behind them.
Thus, those standing at the bow of the ship could clearly see what lay ahead.
In the misty sea before them, two colossal beasts were locked in a fierce collision.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Their violent impact sent waves upon waves crashing outward.
Interspersed with their clash were the roars of the titanic beasts.
These roars, like the tolling of nearby bells, reverberated across the entire sea, piercing the ears and souls of everyone on board.
With the beasts' bellows, the very clouds above this region seemed to lower, bathing the area in an oppressive atmosphere.
"This is the power of beasts, a power that feeble humans dream of. Perhaps this is why the fantastical concept of Devil Fruits was born into this world!"
Gazing at the two sea kings, resembling colossal, enlarged plesiosaurs locked in combat, Kong Tai's eyes widened with dawning realization.
"Bi An."
Kong Tai's voice echoed in the soul sea, which resembled a starry sky.
In the boundless void, with no up, down, left, or right, the gigantic red Higanbana, seemingly rooted in the stars, quivered slightly.
"What is it?"
Bi An's childish voice emanated from the giant flower.
"Nothing," Kong Tai's form appeared. He looked at Bi An and asked, puzzled, "I was wondering, in your era, were there many beings like the two giant beasts fighting outside?"
Whether it was Zunesha, the super-colossal sea king they encountered near Fish-Man Island, the two plesiosaur-like sea kings currently fighting, or even the sea sirens, which might be extraterrestrial beings.
These creatures shared a common trait: they were no ordinary beasts. Kong Tai could clearly sense their intelligence.
Especially Zunesha, with whom he could even converse.
Such intelligent giant beasts were, in essence, no longer mere wild animals.
"The two outside?"
The Higanbana swayed, and through Kong Tai's brow, it instantly grasped the situation outside.
Looking at the image projected into Kong Tai's soul sea, it chuckled, "Such creatures, with time, naturally develop intelligence."
As it spoke, an image appeared before it.
It was a barren desert.
"I'll show you, and you'll understand."
Kong Tai nodded, watching the image.
The drawing slowly came to life, as if imbued with spirit. The desert within the painting began to flow, gradually sinking under the erosion of time, swallowed by the sea.
As time passed, numerous creatures began to appear in the water.
All these creatures were identical, resembling single-celled organisms in a rod-like shape.
However, among them was an anomaly. It was more active than the others. As time wore on, perhaps driven by an unknown impulse, it gradually broke away from its species' collective and ventured alone into the unknown.
Along its journey, it traversed various places, endured countless battles, and experienced trials of life and death.
Then, one day, a miracle, as if from nothingness, occurred.
As this creature's experiences grew, its eyes gradually became more lucid, and a spark of intelligence naturally dawned in its mind.
At this moment, Bi An's voice sounded.
"Whatever it is, as long as it experiences enough and understands more of the world, intelligence will naturally arise. This is the miracle of life, and the miracle of this universe."
"A miracle?"
Kong Tai lowered his head, stroking his chin, lost in thought.
The very existence of humans was a miracle, and this miracle was not unattainable for other beings.
When other creatures one day gain access to more external elements than they themselves know, perhaps they too will manifest the miraculous spark of intelligence.
Just as the image before Bi An depicted, given enough time, and without external interference, any life-bearing planet would inevitably give rise to intelligent beings.
This intelligent being might be human, or it might be another species, depending on who first reached the apex of the biological hierarchy to dictate the rules of this world.
Clearly, the world of Pirates was a human world; this was beyond doubt.
However, this world was unlike Earth. It was filled with miracles, a planet whose true history spanned far longer than Earth's.
With such a vast temporal span,
What allowed the weak humans to contend for dominion over this planet with these colossal beasts?
This was not Earth. On Earth, after humans emerged, no creatures completely beyond human comprehension appeared.
And in this world, teeming with oceans, it was swarming with Sea Kings!
Since Sea Kings could develop intelligence, what prevented them from surging onto land and becoming the undisputed masters of this world?
"Giants."
"Yes, it must be the Giants, the ancient Giants."
As if a realization had struck him, Kong Tai suddenly looked up and asked Bi An, "Bi An, I've never asked, in the era you belonged to, who ruled this world, besides you gods."
"Humans!"
"I know it was humans, but humans are not all the same."
Kong Tai thought of the giant skull on Onigashima, of Little Oars, of Dorry and Brogy still fighting on Little Garden.
If, besides Devil Fruits – fantastical creations that appeared only after a divine war – this world also possessed innate abilities like Haki, then the only race capable of contending with the Sea Kings would undoubtedly be the Giants.