Ace chuckled softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of confidence and caution. "I wouldn't get too excited about destroying Mariejois in that parallel world. They had no idea who I was there. But here, in this world, the World Government is far more prepared. The Five Elders and Imu will not hesitate to take action."
He paused, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "But when the Entei Pirates invade Mariejois, it will be countless times more thrilling than what we just did. That will be the final war, and we'll need your help in it!"
Ace's words resonated deeply with Yamato. She looked at him, momentarily lost in thought. The man before her exuded an aura of unshakable confidence, a Haki that was undeniable and commanding. His strength and vision for the future captivated her, stirring something deep within her soul.
Yamato's perspective had shifted dramatically. Having witnessed the past and the present of Wanokuni, she no longer clung to the naive ideals she once held. Kozuki Oden's so-called Bushido spirit, which she had blindly worshipped as a child, now seemed insufficient in the face of the realities she had come to understand. The future of Wanokuni, as she had glimpsed it under the rule of the Entei Pirates, was bright and full of promise—a future she wanted to be a part of.
Her resolve firmed, Yamato extended her right hand towards Ace, her eyes filled with determination. "I am willing to join you, Ace. Can you take me to that vast ocean?"
Ace grinned widely, his heart swelling with pride and joy. He grasped Yamato's hand firmly, sealing their new alliance. "Welcome aboard," he said, his voice filled with warmth and excitement.
With that simple handshake, the Entei Pirates had gained another powerful warrior, one whose strength and conviction would play a crucial role in the battles to come. The future was bright and with Yamato by his side, Ace felt more confident than ever that they could take on whatever challenges awaited them in the final war.
In the days that followed, the revitalization of Wanokuni and the establishment of a new order became the top priority for the Entei Pirates. With Ace at the helm, wielding the power of multiple Devil Fruits through the enlightenment field, the environment of Wanokuni underwent rapid and profound purification.
Laki's mastery of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Beast-Suzaku form, played a pivotal role in this transformation. The flames of Suzaku were not mere fire; they were imbued with the power of purification, a force that cleansed the land and water tainted by Kaido's war factories. Under the influence of the enlightenment field, these flames worked tirelessly to restore the fields and purify the water sources, breathing new life into a land that had long suffered under the oppressive rule of the past.
The Revolutionary Army cadres seized this opportunity to spread their message far and wide. In collaboration with former Kozuki family members who had fully pledged their allegiance to the Entei Pirates, they launched a widespread campaign to promote the legitimacy of the Entei Pirates' rule and their vision for the future. The people of Wanokuni, weary from years of hardship, were quick to rally behind those who could provide them with the essentials of life: food, clean water, and hope.
In no time, the pirate flags of the Entei Pirates fluttered across Wanokuni, symbolizing a new era. The Kozuki family, once revered, had become a relic of the past. The people no longer looked to the Kozuki name for salvation; instead, they turned to the Flame Emperor, the man who had brought them out of darkness and into the light.
The once-proud Kozuki family had been discredited in the eyes of many, their downfall hastened by Kaido's machinations and Kozuki Oden's misguided actions. In the original timeline, it was Luffy's alliance and power that had restored the Kozuki family's rule. However, Luffy had no interest in ruling Wanokuni, which left a vacuum that allowed the Kozuki family to reclaim their throne. But in this new reality, the Entei Pirates had filled that void, and their leadership was unquestioned.
As Wanokuni's resources and order rapidly recovered, the country officially became the third nation under the banner of the Entei Pirates, joining Amazon Lily and Dressrosa. These territories, too, were flourishing under the Entei Pirates' rule. Wanokuni, having been isolated for so long, lacked skilled shipbuilders, but this was quickly remedied. The shipbuilders of Amazon Lily and Dressrosa, aided by Ace's space fruit abilities and the abundant seastone resources of Wanokuni, began constructing massive warships. These vessels, larger and more formidable than even the latest seastone-plated ships of the Naval Headquarters, were launched one after another, expanding the Entei Pirates' naval might at an unprecedented pace.
With each passing day, the power of the Entei Pirates grew, solidifying their influence across the seas. The people of Wanokuni, and beyond, could see the dawn of a new era—one where the Entei Pirates stood as a symbol of strength, prosperity, and hope.
Ace leaned back slightly, his fiery gaze fixed on Zephyr and Ain as a faint smile played on his lips. "So, what do you say, Z? Will you join my pirate fleet?"
The question hung in the air like a challenge, yet there was something more—a genuine offer, laced with the weight of destiny. Behind Ace, Kuzan and Gion stood quietly, their expressions inscrutable, but their eyes betrayed a deep sense of anticipation. Both had once trained under Zephyr, and now, the future of their former mentor hung in the balance.
This wasn't the first time Ace had extended this offer. He had given Zephyr and Ain multiple chances, not out of necessity, but out of respect—for Kuzan and Gion, and for the bonds that tied them together. Ace could have easily dismissed Zephyr as an old relic, a man past his prime, whose strength had waned over the years. In his heyday, Zephyr had reached the threshold of an Admiral's power, but now, he was merely a shadow of his former self, his abilities barely on par with an Admiral candidate. In any other scenario, Ace would have overlooked him without a second thought.
But this was different. Zephyr had once been a mentor, a guiding force for both Kuzan and Gion, and it was out of consideration for them that Ace had been so patient. It was a rare display of mercy in a world where second chances were few and far between. Kuzan and Gion understood the significance of this moment. They knew that if Zephyr rejected Ace's offer again, there would be no more chances—only a final farewell.
Zephyr took a deep, measured breath, his gaze steady as he met Ace's eyes. "I'll join. I've seen a different possibility in you, something beyond the usual path. If you don't mind my age and the weakness that comes with it, I'll contribute whatever I have left to your great cause."
The room seemed to exhale with him. Ace's smile widened, the warmth of victory and camaraderie spreading through his veins. Kuzan and Gion, who had been silently holding their breath, exchanged a glance and then looked at Zephyr with a mixture of relief and pride. Their old teacher had chosen wisely, embracing the new era that Ace represented, rather than clinging to the past.
Zephyr's decision was more than just an acceptance of Ace's offer; it was an acknowledgment of the new world that Ace was forging—a world where the old guard could still find a place, not as relics, but as contributors to a grander vision. In this moment, Zephyr had not just saved his own life, but he had also secured his legacy, choosing to stand alongside the man who would shape the future.
Ace nodded, satisfaction etched on his features. "Welcome aboard, Zephyr. Together, we'll change the world."
On the coast of Wanokuni, the salty breeze whispered across the waves, carrying with it the anticipation of something monumental. Ace stood at the water's edge, his gaze fixed on the horizon, where the sea met the sky. Behind him, a formidable lineup of allies stood in silence—Zephyr, Gion, Laki, and Sabo—all awaiting what was to come.
"It's time for me to fulfill my promise," Ace announced, turning to face the group. His voice held a note of finality, a promise about to be realized. He locked eyes with Zephyr, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I'll give you the Turtle-Turtle Fruit—Mythical Beast Species—Black Tortoise Form."
The words hung in the air, heavy with significance. Zephyr's once legendary combat power had faded over the years, but Ace knew that the potential within the old warrior was still untapped, waiting to be reignited. Despite not possessing a Devil Fruit or Conqueror's Haki, Zephyr had risen to the rank of Admiral, relying solely on his unparalleled Armament Haki and physical prowess. In terms of raw Armament Haki, Zephyr was on par with legends like Garp.
The Turtle-Turtle Fruit—Mythical Beast Species—Black Tortoise Form was no ordinary Devil Fruit. According to the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, it had a singular, profound ability—to restore its user to their peak condition. For a man like Zephyr, whose strength had waned but whose spirit remained unbroken, this fruit was a gift beyond measure. Among the Entei Pirates' top cadres, each already possessing a powerful Devil Fruit, Zephyr was the one most perfectly suited for this mythical transformation.
"Let's begin," Ace said, his tone decisive yet calm. He glanced at Sabo, Laki, and Gion, who nodded in understanding. They knew what was at stake.
Ace had already obtained three of the top-level Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits, each one a step closer to the pinnacle of power, just beneath the revered Human-Human Fruit—Mythical Beast Nika Form. Now, Ace would harness the power of these fruits to guide the emergence of the Turtle-Turtle Fruit—Mythical Beast—Black Tortoise Form.
As Ace extended his hand, the field of understanding—a unique domain born from Ace's unparalleled mastery—enveloped the demonic factors within Sabo, Laki, and Gion. The air around them hummed with energy, the very essence of their combined powers stirring beneath the surface.
A faint buzzing sound echoed through the air, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Slowly, from the depths of the ocean, a Devil Fruit began to rise. Its surface was marked with the intricate patterns of a tortoise shell, gleaming with a strange, otherworldly light.
"Turtle-Turtle Fruit—Mythical Beast—Black Tortoise Form," Ace murmured, a smile of triumph curling at the corners of his mouth. This fruit, emerging from the depths of the sea, was the key to Zephyr's rebirth—a new beginning for the old warrior, and another powerful ally for the Entei Pirates.
The fruit hovered before Zephyr, pulsating with potential. The air around them seemed to crackle with anticipation. Ace stepped back, giving Zephyr the space to make his choice.
Zephyr looked at the fruit, a mix of awe and determination in his eyes. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, not with fear, but with the weight of what this moment represented. He was on the cusp of regaining everything he had lost—and more.
With a deep breath, Zephyr grasped the fruit, sealing his fate and his future with the Entei Pirates. As he did, the sea itself seemed to surge in response, as if acknowledging the return of a warrior to his prime.
Ace, watching intently, felt a surge of satisfaction. The Entei Pirates had just gained another formidable force, and with it, they were one step closer to their ultimate goal.
The coast of Wanokuni, once silent, now buzzed with the energy of transformation. The future was brighter than ever, and Ace, with his growing crew of powerful allies, was ready to face whatever lay ahead.