The Nikyu Nikyu no Mi is better known as the Paw-Paw Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that gives the consumer special powers of repulsion. This rather interesting fruit is most characteristically associated with Bartholomew Kuma, the former Warlord of the Sea and an important character in the One Piece storyline. It gets its name from the Japanese word "nikukyu," meaning "pad," which refers to its primary manifestation: paw-like pads materializing on the user's palms.
The most prominent feature of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi is the permanent manifestation of paw-shaped pads in the user's palms. These paws are not only for aesthetics; they are the focal points through which the fruit's repulsive powers are channeled. That unique visual representation of the fruit's power definitely adds an aesthetic element to the user's appearance and combat style.
Basically, the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi allows the user to repel anything he touches. The power of repulsion is rather versatile: the users can drive back attacks that are physical, push away objects or people, and even repel such intangible things as pain or fatigue. This power's use is rather basic when the palm of the hand is extended toward whomever the user intends to repel. This becomes an easy yet strong mechanism that makes Nikyu Nikyu no Mi very dangerous in both attacking and defending situations.
Probably the most interesting aspect of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi is its power to repel intangible things. Kuma, being the known consumer of the fruit, has been shown to be able to "push out" pain and fatigue from a person's body, thus healing him or restoring his stamina. This application of the fruit's power blurs the line between physical and metaphysical manipulation, showing the depth and complexity that Devil Fruits are capable of holding within the One Piece world.
The repulsive force created by the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi does not allow itself to be limited only to short-range applications. One of its most impressive feats is being able to send objects or people flying across incredible distances, such as a number of days' worth of traveling. What really makes the fruit practical is the long-range capabilities it gives the user, which he could use for great transportation, espionage, or simply to clear threats from a battlefield. If he can control these repulsions from such distances with such precision, it proves both the power of the fruit and his skill.
Another ability that the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi includes is shock waves. By utilizing the repulsive force in a certain manner, it can create powerful air pressure attacks that are able to inflict great damage on targets and the environment alike. This application serves as an example of how the fruit is greatly capable of mass destruction when its power is used offensively.
The Nikyu Nikyu no Mi holds even further reach of versatility, even across the defensive plane. One can focus and project the repulsive force outwards, allowing the user to deflect oncoming attacks with efficiency. Other than that, it would also be possible to use the power of repulsion in conjunction with physical movements to increase both velocity and mobility of the body, effectively "pushing" oneself to incredible velocities.
One of the most interesting things about the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi is the ability for creative applications to arise from the fact that it's able to repel anything. From this ability, a lot of possibilities for problem-solving and strategies in battle open up, such as the user repelling air to create vacuums, redirecting projectiles, or even affecting the flow of liquids. Not all of those have been shown, but the core nature of the fruit suggests those possibilities.
The powers of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi open up very interesting questions about the nature of force and energy in One Piece. The possibility of deterring something conceptual like pain raises the notion that the fruit's power could act on an even more fundamental level, such as acting on basic forces or basic fabric in the universe of One Piece beyond simple physical force. This part of the fruit speaks to some larger themes in the series itself, such as how the mysterious nature of the devil fruits really is, and where they all come from.
If developed to their fullest potential, the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi would be one of the most fearsome Paramecia-type fruits in combat. The ability to instantly dispel opponents from any battlefield, create shockwaves that could give mass destruction, and even affect abstract concepts like the soul makes this power versatile and powerful. This is an all-rounder ability set that can adapt to many combat situations with its defense and offense.
The Nikyu Nikyu no Mi is sure to capture the collective imagination of One Piece fans, and all kinds of discussions pertaining to its possible applications and limitations have been spawned. Being an unforgettable and unique Devil Fruit among fans, this fruit has a cool design involving paw pads and the various creative ways the repulsive force can be used. Moreover, it bears association with the mysterious and intriguing character Bartholomew Kuma.
Eiichiro Oda himself, the creator of One Piece, has revealed some details pertaining to how he came up with the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi. The idea of a power harnessed in terms of repulsion and brought forth through paw pads simply goes to prove that Oda is really innovative in coming up with Devil Fruit powers. This might be coined as characteristic of Oda's imagination when building the world of One Piece: taking something very simple, like just the repulsion concept, and adding a twist through the appearance of the paw pads.