The next day, I was lounging on the deck, watching my new girlfriends spar with each other while others lazed around me. Unfortunately, I can't use Super Travel with them, but it's not too big a deal.
Last evening, Luffy and his crew invited me to join them, but I gave an excuse about needing to call my own crew. We enjoyed their banquet, and it's not that I don't want to join them, but… well, I have some other matters to attend to. Specifically, certain romantic obligations, if you catch my drift.
Thud!
Suddenly, a loud thudding sound snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked over and spotted Ace, standing there with a complicated expression on his face. I raised an eyebrow, realizing that he must have come across the truth about his father. "I guess he found out that his father wasn't just a pirate but an adventurer," I mused. "The World Government just didn't like Roger discovering their secrets, so they labeled him a pirate."
Gol D. Roger is truly a tragic figure in One Piece. If it weren't for his declining health, he could have brought the World Government to its knees. Even during his last days, when he was far from his prime, he still managed to go toe-to-toe with Garp, despite being significantly younger. If Roger had lived on, the government might not have stood a chance. But if he hadn't fallen ill, it makes you wonder how the story of One Piece would have unfolded.
"What happened?" I asked Ace as he approached.
"Where did you send me?" he asked, looking at me intently.
"I sent you to another world," I replied.
"No, it was the past," he said, still staring, his eyes clouded with a mixture of confusion and revelation.
"It was another world… just at a different point in time," I clarified. Ace fell silent, lost in thought.
"What do you think?" I prompted.
"I… don't know," Ace muttered, sitting down on the deck beside me. "I've detested my father so many times, over and over. But what I saw there… it was horrifying. My father didn't even want to be a pirate, and neither did any of them. It was the World Government and the Marines who forced him into that label." His fists clenched tightly. "Because of them, I was never able to live with my mother and father."
Tears began to fall as Ace poured out his grief and hatred. "I want to join you, maybe just temporarily. But please… keep sending me back. I want to avenge them. I want to avenge their unjust deaths," he said, slamming his hand down in anger.
It seemed things had taken a completely different turn than I'd expected. In my plans, I thought he'd only gain power and continue going after Teach, but now…
"Why the change of heart?" I asked, curious.
"I learned about the power of the Dark Logia Devil Fruit… and I…" His voice dropped, and his gaze hardened with determination. "I can't defeat him, not yet. Not until I learn to use my powers to their full extent."
"What do you think is your full power?" I asked, watching him closely.
"I want to awaken my fruit," Ace replied, but I shook my head.
"That's not your peak. Your Devil Fruit isn't just the Flame-Flame Fruit with simple orange flames. You have the potential to control all kinds of flames. The more you learn about the nature of fire itself, the more you'll understand that you're barely using 1% of your Devil Fruit's true power," I explained, meeting his gaze.
Ace looked at me, surprised, before determination lit up in his eyes. "Then train me," he said firmly.
"Weren't you planning to train under your father?" I asked with a smile.
"I'll learn Haki and swordsmanship from him. But you… you'll teach me how to unlock the true potential of my Devil Fruit," he said resolutely.
I nodded. "Alright, let's begin."
"You know what my crew is called?" I asked, watching Ace's reaction closely.
"I don't know," he replied, curious.
"We're the Celestial Slayer Pirates," I said, and his eyes widened in shock. "You… Who are you?" he stammered, realizing the weight behind the name. He knew what "Celestial" really referred to.
"What do you think?" I asked, and he just stared at me in stunned silence.
"Who… are you?" he asked again, more insistent.
"I'm just a traveler," I replied with a smirk, leaning back.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, looking even more confused.
"Find out yourself," I said with a grin. He nodded, determination sparking in his gaze.
"So, should I train under you first, or should I go back?" Ace asked.
"Train under me for now," I said as I snapped my fingers, and suddenly he was slammed down onto the deck by an intense gravity.
"Do basic exercises under this gravity. Master what your father has taught you—only then will you be able to return," I instructed. Ace struggled to raise his head, looking at me with determination, and gave a slight nod.
He then placed his hands on the deck, attempting to lift his body, gritting his teeth as he pushed against the overwhelming weight.
I watched him, shaking my head. Even Luffy could stand under this gravity, I thought to myself, wondering how long it would take for Ace to adapt.
But.. he adapted soon, thanks to absurd physique of this world people and Ace having bloodline of D. make him even more absurd.
"He adapted surely quick" Francis said looking at Ace, who in just a minute began doing pushups.
I shook my head, as it's normal for people here.
"He adapted quickly," Francis remarked, watching as Ace, in just a minute, began doing pushups under the heavy gravity.
I shook my head. "That's normal for people around here," I replied, not too surprised by his resilience.
Francis nodded, and then laid back, " Keep living under it until you are comfortable as if this new Gravity don't bother you"
Ace nodded as he kept going for more pushups.
***
Check out my other books while waiting for this one, My new Original : Absolute Cheater & Final Life Online.
These two Novels are in same universe, and much later the ML of my both will face each other.
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It's 10 chapter ahead.