Ruskaina, an uninhabited island northwest of Amazon Lily, is a remote land teeming with countless beasts. Unlike other creatures found across the Grand Line, the beasts on this island possess an extraordinary ferocity, capable of challenging even Naval Headquarters generals. Situated in the Calm Belt, these formidable creatures dominate their territories based on their power levels, ruling as the island's overlords despite being unable to venture out to sea.
However, this natural hierarchy was disrupted by a cataclysmic event. With a deafening roar, violent thunder and lightning tore through the island's center. The sky trembled as black and purple lightning, infused with violent energy, intertwined with the thunder, creating a spectacle of raw power. A massive hole appeared in the sky, instilling terror among the island's inhabitants.
Suddenly, a graceful figure cloaked in pitch-black armor, accompanied by a sandstorm and a strange bird, launched an assault on the tempestuous thunder. The ensuing explosion sent shockwaves across the island, obliterating everything in their path. The once-proud beasts, now cowering in fear, hugged their former enemies, watching helplessly as the shockwaves turned the landscape to ashes.
Amidst the chaos, the violent black and purple lightning gathered into a spherical film, containing and neutralizing the destructive shockwaves. As the terrifying energy dissipated, the beasts sighed in relief, grateful for another day of survival. Their eyes, once filled with fear, now held a mixture of awe and respect for the mysterious force that had quelled the storm.
"Hey, what are you doing standing still? Come here quickly," a calm voice commanded. The beasts, drenched in cold sweat, rushed towards the island's center, where Rayleigh and Ace were orchestrating the restoration efforts. Rayleigh laughed at the sight of the once-mighty Wild lions, elephants, and orangutans, now obediently assisting with the reconstruction.
Ace, observing the scene with a smile, remarked on the usefulness of the beasts despite their perceived weakness. Under his influence, these creatures had gained enhanced intelligence and strength, allowing them to utilize Armament Haki and wield weapons. Their transformation into laborers and hunters showcased Ace's innovative approach to harnessing their potential.
As night fell, Ace assigned a massive lion the task of finding dinner. The lion, displaying pitch-black claws and fangs, ventured into the sea and successfully hunted a thousand-meter-long Sea King with the help of a giant orangutan. The collaboration between the land beasts and their newfound abilities facilitated a steady supply of food for Ace and his companions.
Rayleigh, impressed by the beasts' capabilities, acknowledged the convenience of their newfound skills. Ace, with a smile, explained how Nami's enhanced Observation Haki played a crucial role in detecting and deterring groups of Sea Kings, ensuring the beasts' safety during their hunts.
Robin, curious about Ace's plans for these beasts, inquired further. Ace revealed his vision of forming a Beast Corps, a formidable force of Haki-wielding creatures with physical prowess surpassing that of giants. Kaya, diligently working on a new drug to accelerate the beasts' reproduction, promised a swift production, much to Ace's satisfaction.
"Ace, I'm stronger now."
Vivi activated her Sand-Sand Fruit ability, and her delicate body instantly transformed into sand, reappearing next to Ace. She then melded back into her physical form, throwing herself into Ace's arms with a coquettish smile.
"Well done, Vivi," Ace said, gently patting her head with a soft smile.
Kaya was the most attached to Ace, while Vivi was the most coquettish. Despite her bravery in infiltrating Baroque Works for Alabasta, Vivi was still a seventeen-year-old girl who enjoyed being playful with her lover.
Vivi's eyes sparkled with joy at Ace's praise, narrowing into crescent shapes. "But Nami is so powerful that it was very difficult for the three of us to resist her attacks head-on. The combination of her Conqueror's Haki and Thunder Fruit ability is truly overwhelming," Laki said as she and Nami approached.
Under Ace's unique training and the specialized Haki training methods of Amazon Lily, their abilities had improved drastically. Vivi and Laki, whose Haki previously lagged behind their Devil Fruit powers, now stood on the threshold of Admiral-level combat power. Vivi's mastery of the Sand-Sand Fruit and Laki's Bird Fruit - Phantom Beast Species - Suzaku form had elevated their combat abilities significantly.
On this uninhabited island, they enjoyed the best training conditions imaginable. They consumed the meat of giant Sea Kings, received healing from Kaya's awakened fruit ability, and bathed in medicinal concoctions Kaya developed. With Ace's guidance and his realm of understanding, their progress astonished even Rayleigh.
Vivi's Armament Haki had reached the level of a Senior Vice Admiral, while Laki's, enhanced by her Devil Fruit, was on par with an Admiral candidate. Together, their combined might could potentially defeat an Admiral of Headquarters.
Kaya had made the most remarkable progress in Haki. Initially recognized as a strong taijutsu expert, her awakening of the Healing Fruit during the Entei incident transformed her capabilities. The Healing Fruit's unparalleled recovery and healing abilities, combined with Ace's understanding field, allowed Kaya's physical strength and Haki to improve at an unprecedented rate. Kaya could now harden her entire body with Armament Haki, forming an impenetrable armor. Her physical skills, though not as legendary as "Black Arm" Zephyr, had reached the level of an Admiral candidate.
Unlike Zephyr, Kaya possessed a unique advantage: her profound medical knowledge, enhanced by the understanding field, gave her almost complete control over her body. This allowed her to push her physical limits, using the Healing Fruit to recover from the intense damage such exertion caused. This enabled Kaya to unleash a devastating attack, though the pain of her body's temporary collapse was excruciating. Even with her fortitude and healing, she could only endure this pain three times.
Although he loves Kaya, Ace will not stop her.
After all, Kaya worked so hard for himself, and Ace would not deny this feeling.
And Ace also gave Kaya a famous name for this move,
[Black Flash]!
The combination of Armament Haki and the physical power unleashed at the cost of tearing the flesh produces a force far superior to the ultimate secret of the Six Powers, the terrifying Rokoguan! Even compared to old man Garp's iron fist, if both were entangled with Armament Haki of equal strength, the power of Black Flash would still surpass Iron Fist. In terms of sheer move potency, Black Flash stands at the pinnacle of all martial arts. This devastating technique, performed instantaneously at the cost of bodily collapse, eclipses even the Hakoku that Ace mastered through his realm of understanding, which mobilizes cellular power into a tangible form.
Moreover, Black Flash is a move only Kaya can perform. Despite the inhuman recovery speed granted by Zoan-type Devil Fruits upon awakening, they can't match the precision required to bypass the body's self-protection mechanism and exert such destructive force. Kaya's unparalleled medical expertise allows her to control and channel this power effectively. Black Flash, Ace's ultimate martial arts move, is comparable in strength to top-tier offensive Devil Fruit abilities.
Ace's naming of Kaya's move brought her immense joy and fueled her determination to train even harder, eager to showcase Black Flash in their next battle. Kaya, who disdainfully rejected the title "Fallen Doctor" imposed by the World Government, aimed to earn the moniker [Black Flash] Kaya, a name that would embody her prowess and connection to Ace, and solidify her status within the Entei Pirates.
At this moment, Nami, Vivi, and Laki had returned, visibly exhausted yet triumphant. Their training had paid off, and they had grown stronger together. The once-wild beasts of Ruskaina had become their allies, their strength and loyalty a testament to Ace's influence and vision. The island now buzzed with a sense of purpose and anticipation for the future, driven by Ace's relentless ambition and innovative spirit.
"Ace, I feel like I'm about to awaken," Laki said, her wild nature evident as she approached Ace with excitement. Born in Shandia, Laki's innate wildness, combined with the Suzaku form of her Bird Fruit - Phantom Beast Species, enabled her rapid mastery of this top-tier Devil Fruit. On this uninhabited island in the Calm Belt, surrounded by land beast overlords, Laki's progress was astonishing. She felt the will within her Devil Fruit, a crucial element for awakening, knowing that succumbing to it would mean losing her humanity.
Awakening a Zoan Devil Fruit, especially a rare Phantom Beast species like Suzaku, posed significant risks. Ace, aware of these dangers, had previously prevented Laki from attempting it. But now, with her strength and Haki greatly improved, they could prepare for the awakening process. Ace used Observation Haki to assess Laki's readiness. "Become stronger, and when your Haki and physical strength reach the Admiral threshold, I will help you awaken."
Laki's physical growth, assisted by the Suzaku fruit, mirrored the legendary strength of Kaido's Azure Dragon form. In the same training environment, Vivi's Armament Haki advanced to the level of a Senior Vice Admiral, while Laki's reached the level of an Admiral candidate. This top-tier Phantom Beast fruit endowed its user with immense physical prowess, making the advancement of Haki to Admiral-level inevitable.
"Um," Laki nodded, determined. Kaya clenched her fists, her fighting spirit high. "Compared with Nami, we are not strong enough. We have to work harder."
Rayleigh chuckled, overhearing Kaya's resolve. "It's not that you're not strong enough; it's that Nami is exceptionally powerful." He noted that very few in the sea could match their current strength. Ace, too, glanced at Nami, whose power exceeded expectations. The combination of Conqueror's Haki and the Thunder Fruit's abilities created an overwhelming force, capable of world-shattering destruction. Nami's Conqueror's Haki, combined with her Thunder Fruit, could easily annihilate an island.
Laki and Vivi could now exhibit Admiral-level power, and Kaya's Black Flash could deliver similar force. However, even their combined attacks equaled only one of Nami's strikes. The fusion of Conqueror's Haki with the Thunder Fruit revealed why it was deemed an invincible ability. The sheer tyranny of thunder reached its zenith when intertwined with Conqueror's Haki.
"Ace!" Hancock's voice called from the distant sea. She stood on the deck of the Perfume Serpent, waving joyfully. As the emperor of Amazon Lily, Hancock frequently returned to her palace in Nine Snakes City and brought supplies to Ace and his crew. "Hey, Hancock, don't just think about Ace. Something big happened with the Marines," Grandma Ze said, her forehead covered in cold sweat, eyes wide with disbelief as she held a stack of newspapers.
"Aokiji Left the Marines?!!!