S.R: Hello all it's time for the next chapter, but before we begin I have to respond to a guest review.
Hopefully, the "Maa" thing won't be permanent since it seems like it will get annoying – Guest
S.R: Well Mr/Mrs. Guest, that was the point. I have a whole chapter centered on it later on, like around the time Sanji joins where he gets pissed off at Luffy for it because of that fact, and before he can do anything at all after saying that… Well I'll end that statement there so I don't spoil it. Anyway lets get on with the story then.
"Maa Marco why can't I use my Devil Fruit around anyone but you?"
"Luffy, we've been over this, yoi. You already know animals have their own instincts."
"Yeah, I remember that lecture, their instinct and will are why we have to train animals to do what we want for the most part."
"Right. Our animal forms also have their own instincts, so I won't let you use your fruit around anyone else until I'm certain you've got complete control over the animal yoi."
"Maa, sorry Marco, I remember now. It's just I've never had any problems so I forget there's a chance of that happening."
"We've been lucky so far kiddo. But your Thunderbird is a mythical creature just like my Phoenix, yoi."
"Maa, does that mean its harder to control our instincts since they are mythical animals and not normal animals?"
Marco just nodded at the young boy. Despite having to remind Luffy why he wasn't allowed to use his Mythical Zoan fruit with anyone other than himself, he was proud of the straw hat wearing boy. Luffy was showing remarkable control over his powers, especially once he learned to fly properly. It became something the two would do once a month, they'd take their bird forms and just fly for hours. It was a great bonding experience for both of them, which in turn helped improve Luffy's lessons from the blonde that was essentially Whitebeard's right hand man.
On top of Luffy's progress with his Devil Fruit, he and the other four boys that Whitebeard had taken in were making remarkable progress with Haki. It had taken them two months to unlock it but after they did, all of their skills jumped up even further. But because Marco knew how hard Pops would be on Luffy and Ace when it came time for them to unlock their Conqueror's Haki he pushed the two even further than the others during their sparing sessions. Since having their Haki unlocked all five boys had trained day in and day out with it, forcing themselves to grow even more powerful. In the year that they'd been working with Haki Marco was continually being impressed by their drive and determination.
The five boys had been on the ship for almost four years now, and had just celebrated Luffy's tenth birthday, Ace, Zoro, and Luffy celebrating by getting Tattoos. Which they all got an earful for from both Makino and Marco. Thatch as the more playful 'guardian' of the group in charge of the boys were called by the rest of the crew was the one that took them to do it and gave the consent.
Ace had gotten a purple cross made out of bones with a purple skull sitting on top of them and it had a white mustache and teeth shaped exactly like Whitebeard's smile. It was rather large since he wanted it to cover most of his back.
Zoro however got his own jolly roger design on his left bicep. Instead of bones it had two swords crossed, with a purple skull over top and inside it's mouth was a third sword. The sword inside its mouth was the only one that had any details, and it was modeled after his Wado Ichimonji. The top of the skull was wrapped with a black bandanna.
Luffy Had done the same back tattoo as Ace but in blue. However his had purple sparks of lightning coming off of the bones. The mustache was a little less curved than the normal so that it wouldn't touch the most important part of the tattoo in Luffy's eyes. Sitting on top of the blue skull was a straw hat. He came up with the idea to place his own personal touch on the Whitebeard jolly roger, to show his connection to Whitebeard even though he planned to have his own crew and one day become a pirate even more legendary than his pops.
Though Makino and Marco scolded the trio, they actually got of easier than anyone else thought. At least until the two turned to Thatch and ripped into him for allowing it. While they were all happy for the tattoo's Luffy's mood turned bad after a few days had passed and he still had yet to get a letter from Nami. They had been exchanging letters at least once every week since Luffy had started living on the Moby Dick, but around a month before his birthday she stopped responding. At first he thought it was just because she wanted to send one really special letter for his birthday but when a few days went by and he got nothing, he was very upset.
Unfortunately for him by that time Marco had deemed that he and Ace had developed their Haki enough to try and unlock their Conquerors Haki with Whitebeard. Both older men knew about Luffy's feelings at the time, but Whitebeard decided to try and play those feelings and use them when he attempted to get the two to unleash their potential. Having already decided that no one else was to come anywhere near them when he gave the two their most dangerous lesson in Haki Whitebeard made his crew sail to an abandoned island that was part of his territory.
Before going through with this however he made a calls with his transponder snail. This was only possible because he received the number from the man back when Dragon and Shanks brought the boys to Whitebeard.
"Dragon I've got to tell you something."
"Luckily I'm not busy today. What's up?"
"I know your adopted sister told you about the incident a year ago with your brat and his Devil Fruit."
"She's also mentioned that you taught the boys about Haki. It's a pretty early for that wouldn't you say?"
"Well, at first our main reason was so that if they ever got lost again, that could be fixed by using Observation to find us. But, the other factor that played into teaching them is that we're not just in the Grand Line but in the New World. You know what this part of the seas is like brat."
"I'd say they did pretty well considering from what I heard Luffy and his two crew mates fought off a group of bandits."
"Marco and I looked into them. Only two of them had bounties, and they weren't really New World worthy. One was twenty five million berries, and the other was thirty million berries. The only reason the brats had any trouble was the fact they were outnumbered."
"How? How could a group that weak survive in the New World?"
"Well they were mountain bandits so they probably never really left that island to earn more or bigger bounties for the group. Besides it was in my territory so it was probably something along the lines of too strong for civilians to fight but too weak to make it at sea."
"That makes some sense. But back to the original topic. You taught them Haki to make it harder for them to get lost, and so they have a better chance to defend themselves in case something similar happens?"
"Yes. Now we've got to teach Luffy and Ace about Conquerors not just because they have it, but so that it doesn't manifest and cause harm or havoc. We only waited this long, because they'll need control over Armament and Observation to stand against me long enough for a chance to make their Conquerors awaken."
"I may not like the idea, but I asked you to keep them safe. If you feel this will prevent future issues, then I won't object."
"Just know we have the same feelings on this Dragon. I don't want to do this to the brats, but if I don't then they run the risk of harming others on accident."
"I know… Just… Just make sure they can survive whatever the world throws their way."
"I intend to."
With that Whitebeard hung up. Taking a minute to gather himself he called for Luffy, Ace, and Marco. The four of them were going to be the only ones on the ship to know about this. Marco knowing it was time just nodded as Whitebeard unplugged all his medical equipment, coughing as he did.
"Ace, Luffy the two of you are going to come with me. This will be a special lesson for the two of you only. No one else will be around."
Nodding their heads they followed the large man off of the ship. Using a small row boat to get onto the island the three traveled as far from the shore until Whitebeard felt they were far enough away. Turning to the boys he explained that they purposefully left out a type of Haki back when it was explained to the boys. Whitebeard mentioned that even then he knew that they Luffy and Ace were the only ones to have this type, but they weren't ready for it.
"Maa, why not pops?"
"Luffy if he's telling us about it know that means he's going to teach us about it."
"That's right brat. But… Luffy has a good question. First you need to know this last type of Haki which is called Conquerors Haki, is not really teachable per say. Unlike Observation and Armament, Conquerors is not something anyone can use. Only one in a million people are born with the potential to use it."
"So… how do you unlock it then? I mean you helped us with the other two types of Haki but you did mention that people who trained hard enough could learn them on their own. But if you have to be born with Conquerors then how do you learn to use it?"
"Every person I've ever know to use Conquerors has first awoken it in life threatening events. Either because you are pushing yourself past your limits and forcefully use it, or because you have to use it to avoid dying. Those are the only two ways I've ever heard of someone unlocking their Conquerors Haki."
Luffy and Ace listened wide eyed as Whitebeard told them what he knew about Conquerors, both suddenly feeling a lot more tense with the lesson. At that point Whitebeard paused for a moment.
"Now, now don't go tensing up just yet. You don't even know what Conquerors Haki is yet."
Both boys let out a sigh, before the old man moved into the more important speech of their lesson. He clearly explained to them that Conquerors Haki without training is just unleashing a burst of pure willpower into the surrounding area. It's effect is an extreme imitation that forces the weaker willed people nearby to pass out, though people that are confident in their abilities and believe they could still fight aren't affected. After training and learning to control it he told the two that they'd be able to focus it so that you could target select people instead of forcing everyone in the vicinity to be affected.
"But that's just the first stage. Just like Observation and Armament, it has an evolutionary stage. Once you reach the higher stage, it condenses the burst of willpower into an oppressive aura that can also affect your surrounds."
"Maa, you mean like it'd be possible to use the advanced level to say, crater the ground around you?"
"Yes brat. When you reach that point a small burst of Conquerors is like a shock-wave, and fully utilizing it will do exactly like you suggested, or if you're at sea when you do it, you could cause a ship to tear itself apart."
Luffy and Ace both looked horrified after hearing that. The thought of using Conquerors to fight off other pirates who would attack their ship and causing that to happen made their stomachs drop. Knowing he had just given them a great reason to fear Conquerors Haki and to avoid using it unless necessary, Whitebeard smiled slightly.
"Now then. We're going to make you awaken that power. Both of you will fight me. While we all know that I am holding back, I will be fighting seriously. This is no time to play, because so long as you are still awake I will keep going. It doesn't matter how wounded you get I will not stop. Neither one of you can hold back either. Use everything you've learned, including your Devil Fruits and fight me with all you've got!"
As he spoke Whitebeard discarded his white captains coat with one hand while the other slammed his bisento into the ground. Both boys reacted instantaneously, Ace going into a wide stance as he thrust his left palm towards Whitebeard with a cry of "Heat Haze". Using his Flame-Flame Devil Fruit the palm thrust launched a pillar of fire towards the old pirate. Luffy on the other hand used his Bird-Bird Devil Fruit: Model Thunderbird to shift into a purple bird made of lighting. With an earsplitting cry he disappeared from sight taking advantage of his increased speed to circle around Whitebeard's side swiping both wings harshly in an attempt to fan the flames of Ace's attack into a violent tornado of fire.
Before he could blink a blackened fist struck him in the head, while the bisento wielded by Whitebeard flashed towards Ace. Thanks to the fist Luffy was knocked backwards. Ace was lucky enough to dodge the first thrust from the bisento, but it quickly became a barrage of attacks that forced him to retreat. Shaking his head Luffy tried to get back into the fight, cawing out while looking at Whitebeard as a gigantic thunderbolt struck the man. The light from the attack blinded Ace enough to prevent him from seeing the incoming fist, which caught him under the chin and lifted him into the air. Instinctively shoving his hands towards his attacker Ace unleashed his attack Firefly which created hundreds of floating green orbs of flame, that then homed in on his opponent in an attempt to burn him.
During this time Luffy had approached the two, flying just high enough that a swipe of his clawed legs would have left a mark on Whitebeard's chest and possibly shocked his nerves. If Whitebeard wasn't using Armament Haki to block it. With a roar the old pirate used his Devil Fruit to attack Luffy, the shock-wave from the attack causing the boy to cough up blood. Once again swinging his bisento Whitebeard used the handled to smash Luffy into the ground.
While he was distracted with attacking Luffy, Ace used his technique Saint Elmo's Fire to hurl lances of flame at him. But all the attacks did was draw his attention back to Ace. This time knowing what was coming Ace used his mastery over flames to create a circle around him and latched onto the bisento pulling it's wielder into his circle before forcing the flames up in his Flame Pillar attack.
At this point Luffy, realizing that his bird form wouldn't cut it switched to his hybrid form which allowed a faster barrage of attacks that weren't just and endless stream of lightning bolts. Dashing towards the fire he lunged into it legs first, both of which were coated in Armament Haki. But his attack was dodged, and he was forced to use his wings to block another tremor powered fist from Whitebeard, but the shock from the attack was enough to disperse the lighting wings that encased Luffy's arms.
Quickly opening his hand and grabbing Luffy, he threw the younger boy at Ace, before taunting the two. Demanding that they show they are worth the effort he and his crew have put into raising them. Ordering them to continue struggling. He berated them for not meeting anyone's expectations, which at that point caused Ace to scream in anger as a burst of willpower emerged from the Flame-Flame Devil Fruit user.
Internally smirking at the fact Ace had done exactly what they were trying to get the boys to do, Whitebeard lashed out even harder than before smashing his fist into the side of Ace's head and instantly knocking him out. Turning to Luffy, who was glaring at the him he noticed the young boy gathering a large amount of electricity around his arms but strangely left his hands normal. Pausing he watched, interested to see what Luffy was doing, only to smirk when the boy channeled his Armament Haki into the lighting as it took on the shape of wings once more. But it was different this time, the combined Devil Fruit and Haki making the feathers of the wings appear more like blades than feathers.
Charging Luffy swiped his right wing towards the large man bending his elbow inward so that the feathers would be what made contact. Blocking it with his bisento Whitebeard wasn't surprised when the other wing was slashing through the air towards his chest. Rather than be worried he just lashed out with an Armament covered foot, kicking Luffy down before scoffing.
"Is this the best you've got? No wonder that Nami girl quit writing you. She realized you were too weak. That poor girl finally learned you weren't worth it. She'd be laughing at you if she saw this, probably saying something like 'if this is all you can do you'll never be the Pirate King'!"
Luffy tried to rise at first, but he froze when Whitebeard mentioned Nami. The two just looked at each other for a moment, the older of the two waiting for his words to actually sink in. When they did Luffy just growled. It was a fear inducing sound, even to Whitebeard who stepped back as the look in Luffy's eyes darkened.
With a howl of anger Luffy lunged for Whitebeard, his attacks being even more powerful than they were before the comment, but the rage made Luffy sloppy as he failed to land a hit on his target. As it went on his anger built and built, until he finally exploded, his Conquerors Haki blasting out of him in an enormous wave. Smirking that Luffy finally did it, the old pirate let the young boy strike him while shrieking "Never talk about Nami like that! She wouldn't laugh at someone fighting for their dream!"
As he finished yelling Luffy collapsed his anger and energy leaving him. The last thing he heard before passing out was "You did it Luffy. I'm proud of you brat." Pulling out the baby transponder snail that was inside one of the pockets on his captains coat, he order Marco to come find the three of them as fast as he could. Sighing as he let his Haki relax, Whitebeard slumped down to the ground a tired smile on his face before a coughing fit hit him.
It didn't take long for Marco to find them, and he instantly went to work using his unique flames to heal the boys, though he noted Luffy was already recovering even without the help. He moved to give a minor treatment to Whitebeard as well since the elder man had stopped using his medical equipment to do this, but was waved off.
"Should we head back now yoi?"
"Not yet. I want to apologize to them for doing this, and the things I said to coax them into unleashing their Conquerors Haki. Especially Luffy."
Nodding, Marco sat down as well, though he glared at Whitebeard for not letting him try and alleviate his health problem even it would only last until they got back to the ship. But he listened to his captain and father figure as he heard about what transpired. He was both shocked and proud after hearing that during the battle Luffy figured out how to using his Haki to enhance his lighting body, even if it was only for the feathers in his wings.
Eventually Ace and Luffy woke up, both grumpy and frustrated with Whitebeard until they heard that they succeeded in unlocking their Conquerors Haki. Luffy was still mad at him, due to the comments about Nami even though the old man apologized for his words. Luckily Marco was able to defuse the situation and get Luffy to move on. Unknown to either of the two adult pirates Luffy had taken that fight and the words to heart as a way of motivating himself to improve and do better.
READ- Okay I'll be honest, after re-reading the last chapter I realized I had to seriously bump down the bandits Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp fought because if they were able to fight at the same level as most people in the new world, the power gap between them and the others before training them would be extreme. It'd be like giving them their current canon bounties while everyone else still has their starting bounties. -READ
S.R: Speaking of bounties, their starting bounties in this story will be different yes, but unless I decide to reveal their connection to Whitebeard early on, I don't think they'll be breaking 100 million berri bounties before dealing with Alabasta.
S.R: Now because I don't want to drag the story out too much the next chapter will be the adventure back to the East Blue, maybe rescuing Coby from Alvida, but no more than that.
