Ok Boys and Girls. I know I'm double posting but here are my answers to your concerns. I will be answering your points one by one and offer my solution if needed.
@Shiyonichi1.I know that canonically, devil fruits all tasted awful. The taste profile of Lee's fruit tasted peachy to him, personally. To another, it might taste like week-old Chinese that have been left on the counter. If it still bothers you, I can change it.
2. Oh no no no. He is nowhere near those levels. He might be if, and that is currently a big if, he awakens his devil fruit. I can give examples of characters I based those level off of. In terms of hand to hand combat, he is like a pre-Vinsmoke'd Sanji. That is, he cannot use haki to augment his powers, but he is pretty damn good at it since it is his main, and most likely only, form of self-defense/combat. The subject of strength stems from that. He is in peak physical condition. That, to me, does not equate to peak 'strength'. Peak strength, in terms of the straw hats, would be the likes of Zoro and Luffy. Those two are also in peak physical condition as well. However, I'd personally consider the likes of Nami to be in peak physical condition since she can hold her own in the new world, even though she is not the strongest strength wise. So, with that in mind, Lee is in peak physical condition meaning he can withstand prolonged periods of hunger, has outstanding stamina akin to a marathon runner, has enough physical durability to shrug off some injuries/attacks, and can out-lift a NFL player.
3. This is also the hardest question for me to answer. I will try my best however. So, since he murdered everyone on his island, he is naturally out to seek atonement for that grave sin. His motive in joining a pirate crew is to avoid the government. They obviously found out that he killed all those people and want him arrested and most likely hanged for that crime. His way of atonement is more unclear. He believes that his captain, whoever that might be in this RP, can do good for the world. That his/her ambitions are noble and can perhaps in someway offer him the peace he has been seeking. Please, he is a fun loving person. Just because he is the strong-silent type doesn't mean he is against fun :P In terms of position, Zoro, while technically first mate, doesn't have a position either. Nor does Luffy care, really. They're all his friends, and thats all that matters. Matter of fact, I don't think One Piece takes the idea of position with a crew super seriously. There are times where it matters, but crew positions and the mentioning of them often stop after captain. In terms of aloofness and not being a part of the family, just because he is stoic doesn't mean he is against those things. He values family above all. I didn't explicitly write it out, but his background and upbringing have always revolved around honor and harmony. He will do whatever he can to uphold those.
And yes. LoL
@jynmi881. Yup.
2. I hope my explanation up there works for you~
3. Jimbe was also a character I had in mind while working on Lee~ I also think my explanation above explains his motives and the whole atonement issue.
4. The fruit itself did not impact his personality. His training in the monastery did. The training calmed his rambunctiousness. The fruit did the opposite and exaggerated it.
Now the devil fruit explanation.
@Crimson LionHis fruit would categorize into the Mythical Zoan type. In terms of a 'official' name, I guess Hito Hito no Mi, Model Aries, would work. Aries, in astrology, has the symbol of the Ram, and are often seen as headstrong, crass or reckless. his partial transformation would be his appearance image. Lee maintain much of his human form, however gaining a golden lining from his forearm down to his finger tips, his legs from the knees down to his feet and across his back as well. I'm using the Golden Fleece of the Winged Ram idea to justify this. His full transformation would turn him into the being that I have included as his 'God Mode'. His attacks in partial mode are essentially Luffy's Red Hawks. High speed punches/kicks that sparks fire with its friction. In 'God Mode', his attacks are simply stronger. While not strong enough to crack Busoshoku like Doflamingo's strings to Luffy, they'll definitely hurt.
Hopefully, this explains everything~
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