"Hu! Hu! Sizzle! Sizzle!"
On a cliff overlooking Wanokuni, the aroma of sizzling fish filled the air as the flames licked at the succulent flesh. The sea breeze carried the mouthwatering scent far and wide, teasing the senses with the promise of a delectable meal.
Ace, standing over the fire, expertly sprinkled a special blend of seasoning onto the fish. "This is a Dish my chef prepared. You should try it," he said with a grin, glancing at Yamato, who was watching the grilled fish with wide, eager eyes, her mouth watering in anticipation.
The seasoning was crafted by Laki, Ace's masterful chef, whose culinary skills had been honed to perfection, thanks in part to the field of understanding. Laki could take any ingredient, no matter how ordinary, and transform it into a dish that would delight even the most discerning palate. Under her care, Ace had become accustomed to the finest flavors the sea had to offer. Even when venturing out alone, he never forgot to bring along the special seasonings Laki prepared in advance, ensuring that he could still enjoy delicious meals no matter where he was.
Ace took a bite of the grilled fish, savoring the flavors. "Not bad, but it's not quite the same. I miss Laki's cooking," he sighed. Despite his field of understanding granting him exceptional control, he knew he could never match Laki's skill. The subtle nuances of seasoning and timing were things only a true master could perfect, and Ace couldn't help but long for the dishes Laki could create when she had full control over the process.
Yamato, sitting beside him, was devouring her portion of the fish with an almost childlike enthusiasm. Her cheeks were puffed out as she chewed, her eyes sparkling with delight. This was unlike anything she had ever tasted before. For someone who had spent years imprisoned on Onigashima, deprived of the pleasures of fine cuisine, this grilled fish was nothing short of a revelation. It was as if she was tasting true freedom for the first time.
Hearing Ace's sigh of longing for something even better, Yamato's eyes widened in disbelief. There's something more delicious than this? she thought, astonished. This simple grilled fish was already so good that it made her forget all the hardships she had endured. The idea that something could surpass it was almost unimaginable.
"What? Want to try something even better?" Ace asked, noticing the surprise on her face. He smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a knowing grin. Yamato's reaction was exactly what he had expected. After all, food is a primal desire, especially for those who had been deprived of it for so long. And to a carbon-based creature like Yamato, who had never known the joys of truly exquisite food, the allure of something even more delicious was impossible to resist.
Yamato nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with a mixture of hope and curiosity. Ace chuckled softly. He knew that after this, Yamato would be more open to his influence, more willing to listen to what he had to say. Because in the end, the way to someone's heart is often through their stomach.
"Hmm!"
Yamato nodded vigorously, but then her expression shifted dramatically. "You… don't think you can bribe me with food!" she declared loudly, though her conviction was undercut by a loud, unintentional burp that escaped after swallowing the last bite of grilled fish. Her attempt at defiance seemed less than convincing, especially with her stomach clearly satisfied.
Ace couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Hahaha, don't worry. I'm not trying to bribe you with food. Soon enough, you'll see for yourself what the right outcome is," he said, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Yamato fell silent, contemplating his words. She knew the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates were already on their way to Wanokuni, summoned by this man in Kozuki Oden's name. These were the two strongest pirate crews of their era, and they were about to clash with the Beasts Pirates and the cowardly Kurozumi Orochi, who were far from being the formidable force they would one day become. Even a toddler would know what is going to happen, Yamato couldn't deny the likely outcome. The answer was all too clear.
"With your strength, you could easily kill Orochi and Kaido here and now, couldn't you? Why go through all this trouble…?" Yamato's voice faltered as she asked the question, though she already suspected the answer. But admitting it, even to herself, was difficult.
Ace's gaze met hers, calm and steady. "We're just spectators here, watching the events unfold as they should have," he replied, his voice low and filled with an ominous resonance. "I'm not here to change things with my power. What I want to show you is that Kozuki Oden could have ended this tragedy himself. But because of his selfish, self-righteous, and idiotic decisions, Wanokuni was plunged into despair. The real culprit behind all of Wanokuni's suffering is Kozuki Oden."
Ace's eyes darkened, swirling with heavy black and purple hues as he spoke. "Your father, Kaido, might seem like a drunken brute and a warmonger, but he's far more cunning than people give him credit for. He understands human nature all too well. Kaido manipulated Kozuki Oden into a corner, knowing full well that Oden wouldn't ask for help from Whitebeard or Roger, even when he was reduced to dancing naked in the streets. He played on Oden's pride and ignorance, leading to his downfall and turning him into a figure of public ridicule in Wanokuni."
Yamato's face twisted in confusion and disbelief as she absorbed Ace's words. Could it really be true? Could the man she had idolized, the hero of her childhood, have been nothing more than a fool? Ace had summoned the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates with just two phone calls in Oden's name. If Kozuki Oden had done the same, or even gone out to sea himself to seek their help, the Beasts Pirates, who were far weaker at the time, would have been easily defeated. The crisis in Wanokuni could have been averted. But instead, Oden chose the worst possible course of action.
Yamato's belief in Oden, so deeply ingrained since childhood, began to crumble under the weight of these revelations. The hero she had revered might have been the cause of all the suffering in Wanokuni. Could it be that the man she had idolized was truly a fool? The thought was almost too much to bear. But the facts were there, undeniable and objective. No matter how much she wanted to resist, Yamato couldn't escape the truth staring her in the face.
"Don't worry, you'll see the results soon," Ace said with a calm smile as he continued grilling the fish, the flames flickering beneath the succulent catch. His mind, however, was already several steps ahead, calculating every possible outcome.
Yamato, sitting beside him, remained silent, her thoughts a turbulent storm. Despite her internal conflict, Ace could sense the potential within her—a potential that far surpassed many others. Born from Kaido's powerful lineage, Yamato had inherited not only his Conqueror's Haki but also the formidable Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit: the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami. This fruit, while not quite at the level of her father's Azure Dragon fruit or the legendary Nika fruit, was still an extraordinary power in its own right.
The Okuchi-no-Makami form endowed Yamato with the ability to generate and control freezing cold air. Though its range of control couldn't compare to the vast area covered by a Logia-type like the Frozen Fruit, the intensity of its cold was more than sufficient for devastating single-target attacks. In direct combat, the chilling aura she could summon made her a fearsome opponent, especially considering the additional physical enhancements granted by the awakened state of her Mythical Zoan fruit. This awakening not only boosted her durability but also her physical strength to a level that rivaled the greatest of warriors.
Moreover, Yamato's Conqueror's Haki, a heritage of Kaido's brutal dominance, had begun to show signs of mastering the advanced technique of Infusion. With Ace's guidance through his Field of Understanding, it was only a matter of time before she could fully harness this ability, merging it seamlessly with her Devil Fruit powers. Once she achieved full mastery, combining her Mythical Zoan transformation, advanced Conqueror's Haki, and her already formidable physical capabilities, Yamato's combat power would be nothing short of terrifying.
Even though she might not reach the overwhelming might of Kaido at his peak, Yamato would still stand on par with titans like Charlotte Linlin, becoming a true force at the level of the Four Emperors. And for Ace, cultivating such potential was well worth the effort.
Yamato, deep in thought, remained quiet. She was still processing everything Ace had revealed and the implications of the truth he promised to show her.
"Then, let's get ready," Ace said, his voice breaking the silence. His Observation Haki, enhanced by the Thunder Fruit, extended far beyond the horizon, capturing even the subtle vibrations of the sea and sky. He could already sense the distinct presence of two mighty pirate crews converging on Wanokuni from opposite directions.
The Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates were closing in. The final act was about to begin.
"Buzz!"
Ace extended the Field of Understanding, wrapping the demon factor of the Staring Fruit in its embrace. He smiled faintly, his right hand slicing through the air as he uttered, "Let's Create a Screen for us to Watch the show."
The atmosphere before him shimmered, and in a swift motion, a segment of it was "cut off," transforming into a holographic screen suspended in mid-air. The demonic factor of the Stare-Stare Fruit merged seamlessly with this screen, bringing it to life.
"Buzz!"
The screen flickered to life in 4K Quality, revealing scenes from across Wanokuni. The Roger Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, Kaido, Kurozumi Orochi, and Kozuki Oden all appeared, each from different perspectives, as if they were being observed through the lenses of multiple security cameras. The clarity and detail were astonishing, as if the screen had captured every nuance of their movements and expressions.
Yamato, stunned by this Cinema-like display, could only watch in disbelief. Ace, however, remained relaxed, casually pulling out a bottle of Laki's wine. With a chuckle, he said, "What? I told you, we're just spectators. Just watch from here for now."
The power of Nika—to create anything and everything—was proving to be an extraordinary asset. As Ace reclined with his grilled fish in hand, he was fully aware that neither Roger nor Whitebeard could detect their presence. Despite the formidable strength of their Observation Haki, it paled in comparison to Ace's, which had been elevated to unparalleled heights, further enhanced by the Thunder Fruit.
Roger and Whitebeard might be able to see the future for a few seconds with their Observation Haki, but the idea of covering an entire country with it was beyond even their capabilities. Moreover, Ace's mastery of the Observation Killing technique had reached its zenith, rendering him undetectable to even the most skilled Haki users. Not to mention, the Space Fruit in his possession allowed him to distort the very fabric of space itself, further ensuring their concealment. Unless Ace chose to reveal himself, no one in the entire sea had the power to trace his whereabouts.
"Just watch quietly and chill," Ace advised, taking a leisurely bite of the grilled fish while sipping the wine beside him. His demeanor was one of complete ease, a faint smile playing on his lips as he observed the events unfolding on the screen like how he used to watch One piece back in his Life.
Yamato, with no other option, settled down beside him, sitting cross-legged. She nervously chewed on her grilled fish, her eyes fixed on the holographic screen. The tension in the air was palpable, but Ace's calm presence reassured her. All she could do now was watch and wait for the outcome Ace had promised to reveal.