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The air on PokeIsland was electric, but not from the three legendary birds that usually roamed the skies. This time, the charge came from an entirely different source—Ace stood before his brother, holding the Quake-Quake Fruit in his hands, his eyes wide with gratitude and disbelief.
"Are you… are you serious?" Ace asked, staring down at the Devil Fruit with a sense of awe.
"Yeah, I'm serious," Xpovac replied with a nod. "You died back there, and now that you've come back, your Flame-Flame Fruit's powers have already left you. You need a new strength. If anyone's fit to take up Whitebeard's mantle, it's you."
Ace gripped the fruit tightly, tears welling up as he struggled to find the words. "Thank you… thank you so much…" he repeated. Then, without hesitation, he bit into the fruit, its bitterness causing him to grimace. Power surged through his body almost immediately as the vibrations of the Quake-Quake Fruit settled into his very being.
"There you go," Xpovac said, watching Ace carefully as the newfound strength radiated from him. "You have the power now… use it well."
Once the moment of awe had passed, Xpovac turned toward Tyranitar, who had been silently observing from the side. "You're going to be training Ace and Uta," Xpovac commanded. "Be as ruthless as you need to be, especially with Ace. Teach Uta Haki while you're at it. Push them to their limits."
Tyranitar gave a deep growl of approval, its eyes glinting with anticipation. It was a perfect fit for the job, with its raw power and ferocity in battle.
"Alright, you two," Xpovac said to Ace and Uta. "Get to work. I expect progress." As Ace and Uta began their training with Tyranitar, Xpovac took his leave.
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Xpovac found a secluded area of the island and summoned his Zanpakutō. He could feel its power coursing through him, and with a single command, he called out its name for the first time. "Ascend, Kaminari Ryuujin!" The air crackled with energy as the sword transformed into a small black and yellow chibi dragon, its eyes gleaming playfully as it flapped its tiny wings.
"Raiun no Hōkō!" Xpovac called out, and the dragon let out a fierce roar, sending a shockwave of thunderous energy across the field. The sheer force of the blast stunned the nearby wild Pokémon, who had come too close out of curiosity.
The little dragon zipped around him, its exaggerated features adding an unexpected cuteness to the otherwise intense display. "Inazuma Kougeki," Xpovac whispered, and the dragon coiled around his arm, channeling electrical energy into his hand. The lightning surged outward, creating a small burst that charred the ground in front of him.
Hours flew by as Xpovac explored the abilities of his Zanpakutō's Shikai. There was something both endearing and powerful about Kaminari Ryuujin. It was playful and mischievous, yet capable of unleashing devastating power at a moment's notice.
After a few hours of playful testing and learning, he finally sheathed the Zanpakutō and began pondering his next move. That's when the system's voice echoed in his mind, presenting him with a new opportunity.
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*System Notification*
- *Quest Initiation: Travel to the New World.*
- *Destination: Wano Country.*
- *Preparation Time: 10 Days.*
- *Optional Objective: Transport your island to a safe location in the New World.*
Xpovac agreed to the terms immediately, a grin spreading across his face. "Wano, huh? This should be interesting." With ten days to prepare, he began making plans to transfer PokeIsland to a spacious area of the sea in the New World.
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The Training Room – Checking on Progress
After several days of preparing for the journey, Xpovac decided to check on Ace and Uta's progress. As he entered the training room, the sight that greeted him was one of intense focus and effort.
Uta was on the ground, struggling to maintain a Haki-enhanced stance while Tyranitar stood over her, roaring in encouragement—or perhaps intimidation. Nearby, Ace was locked in a mock battle with Tyranitar, but it was clear that he was on the losing end. Each strike from Tyranitar rattled Ace's bones, forcing him back repeatedly.
"Not bad," Xpovac remarked, making his presence known. Instantly, the three turned toward him, stopping their actions.
"Tyranitar," Xpovac said calmly, "you're done here for now. Send Swampert in." Tyranitar nodded and lumbered off, its massive footsteps echoing as it left the room.
Turning back to Ace, Xpovac extended his hand and channeled a healing aura, mending the bruises and scrapes from the sparring. "You've still got a long way to go," he told Ace. "Don't get cocky just because you have Whitebeard's old power."
A moment later, Swampert bounded into the training room with an enthusiastic roar. Xpovac patted the Pokémon on its head and said, "You're with me, buddy. We're going to Wano in ten days, just the two of us."
Ace and Uta looked at each other in surprise, then back at Xpovac. "Wano?" Ace asked, curious but also concerned. "Why are you heading there?"
Xpovac simply grinned. "I've got some business to take care of. As for this island, it will be moved to the New World while I'm gone. It'll still be our base—just in a different location."
Though still confused, Ace and Uta had learned not to question Xpovac's decisions. "We'll keep training," Ace promised. "By the time you get back, we'll be stronger."
"Good," Xpovac replied, nodding his approval. "Now go and eat—you've earned it."
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Wano Bound
With preparations in place and Swampert by his side, Xpovac stood on the beach, gazing out toward the sea. "Just you and me for this one, Swampert," he said, looking down at his loyal partner.
Swampert gave a joyful cry, leaping up and knocking Xpovac over in a playful tackle. Laughing, Xpovac hugged his Pokémon before getting back up. "Alright, alright," he chuckled. "Let's get going."
As the waves rolled in, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The journey to Wano was about to begin, and Xpovac knew it would be full of surprises and challenges. But with Kaminari Ryuujin by his side and Swampert as his trusted companion, he was more than ready for whatever lay ahead.
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