Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Saber Tiger

The Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Saber Tiger is an Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit that allows the user to transform into a hybrid and full version of a saber-toothed tiger at will. It was eaten by Who's-Who.

Etymology

 * Neko (猫) is Japanese for "cat".
 * Sāberutaigā (サーベルタイガー) is a Japanese way of referring to the saber-toothed tiger, loaned from the English "Saber Tiger" (though the latter is not used in English).

Strengths and Weaknesses
A user of this fruit's power can turn into a "saber-toothed tiger" (Also known as a Smilodon)—a powerful, predatory big cat from prehistory that is characterized by its elongated, curved fangs on its upper jaw. The ability's current user Who's-Who, who is an already large man, grows to a very notable size in his full Beast Form, dwarfing his human-sized subordinates and a 3m-tall fish-man.

As with other Ancient Zoans, this fruit's transformation bestows greater strength and durability than regular Zoans'. The user gains a pair of long, sharp canine fangs usable for biting attacks, as well as retractable claws on their hands and feet, much like other feline Zoan powers.

No weaknesses of the fruit's power are known beside the standard Devil Fruit weaknesses.

Usage
Who's-Who was first shown in his full Beast Form relaxing at the "Nekoka-fé" in Kaido's fortress. In combat, Who's-Who seemingly uses his sharp canines to bite foes with.

Being a former CP9 agent and user of Rokushiki, Who's-Who is able to combine his martial arts prowess with the physical strength boost and animalistic features granted by his transformation, enhancing his general combat skills much like other Zoan-using members of CP9, such as Rob Lucci or Kaku.

Techniques

 * Gagan: A technique that employs the use of Shigan in conjunction with Who's-Who's human-beast form. Who's-Who thrusts his maw forward, releasing a blast of compressed air that is shaped like his fangs. The blast makes a biting motion once it connects to a surface, gouging a clean, round hole out of the struck target. The attack was first used against Jinbe, who successfully dodged it. In the VIZ translation, the attack is called Fang Pistol.

Trivia

 * The saber-toothed tiger (correctly named Smilodon) constitutes the best-known genus of saber-toothed cats and is, overall, one of the most famous prehistoric mammals. Despite its popular name, it is not closely related to the modern tiger or, for that matter, any extant feline.
 * It is theorized that the Smilodon actually possessed a short, stubby tail, unlike modern large cats as well as Who's-Who's transformation, which respectively bear long tails.
 * Smilodon have been artistically restored with plain coats (like Who's-Who's) as well as spotted ones (seemingly the ancestral condition for feliforms), both of which are considered plausible.
 * Befitting his Devil Fruit ability, Who's-Who's closest subordinates appear to follow a cat theme, including several feline SMILE users.
 * While Who's-Who seems to use his elongated canine fangs as a weapon, the real animal only used its maxillary canines to deal quick finishing blows after subduing its prey with its strong forelimbs and claws and by swiftly severing arteries in the neck and throat area (as opposed to the slow, suffocating bites seen from modern cats). The fangs of a Smilodon were actually brittle and could easily break if used in a fight.

Site Navigation
Neko Neko no Mi (Model Tigre de dents de sabre) Felis Felis modello tigre dai denti a sciabola Kot-kotowoc, model szablozębny Neko Neko no Mi, modèle Tigre à dents de sabre ru:Нэко Нэко но Ми, модель: Смилодон