2 Chapter 2: A Fiery Revelation
Ace's mind swirled with newfound knowledge, a tapestry woven from the threads of understanding and whispers. The words etched into his consciousness held secrets that transcended mere fiction.
"Itto Kaso," he murmured, the syllables resonating like a spell. Even in the realm of death, this technique was legendary—a forbidden hadō wielded by the indomitable Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni. The very name sent ripples through the fabric of existence.
Recalling the scenes of his past life, Ace marveled at his comprehension. Was this insight a gift from the currents of time? A golden thread woven into his destiny?
And then there were Rouge's whispers—the language of the One Piece world. Her maternal guidance had unlocked a lexicon beyond mere words. Ace concentrated, and the text materialized once more:
"Itto Kaso (Exclusive Skill): Your understanding is unparalleled. Deduced from No. 96's shattered path, this skill converges endless flames into your arm—a blade that rends worlds. No burnt body required, no broken arm needed."
These weren't the scripted panels of novels past; they were revelations forged by extraordinary insight. Ace's heart raced as he absorbed the final line—the interpretation of his exclusive skill, the one-knife cremation.
His mind connected the dots. The Mera Mera no Mi—the Flame Fruit—was no ordinary fare. It transformed its eater into a living inferno, negating the need for a burnt vessel. The arm itself became a natural flame, unyielding and unbreakable.
And so, possessing the Itto Kaso, Ace's destiny diverged from the dog-eaten fruits of legend. His power, though not on par with the apocalyptic Yami Yami no Mi, held its own. But the search for the Mera Mera Fruit lay ahead, a quest that could only begin after his birth.
His gaze fell upon his already developed form, the weight of secrecy pressing down. The Navy hunted him, and patience was their only ally.
A yawn escaped him—a weariness that transcended worlds. "Ha!" Ace blinked, surrendering to the pull of slumber. The ocean cradled him, and dreams danced on the edge of reality.
The ocean cradled Ace, its gentle currents whispering secrets of time. Six months had slipped through his grasp, a slumber that bridged the realms of existence. His understanding, honed by epochs, transcended mere mortality.
"Six months," Ace murmured, the passage of time etched into his very being. The cost of his slumber weighed against the promise of a blade—the Itto Kaso, a flame-forged legacy.
Regret tugged at him, but the calculus was clear. Six months of sleep, a cosmic bargain for the power he now held. The Navy's pursuit forced this clandestine existence, and patience was their only currency.
A yawn escaped him—a weariness that spanned lifetimes. "Ha!" Ace blinked, rousing from the depths of his dreams. His eyes, black as the void, sought answers.
And answers came, inscribed in the language of revelation:
"Combat Turtle Breath Technique (Exclusive Skill): Your understanding is unparalleled. When your body nears its limits, you slip into turtle breath sleep—a state where every waking moment births strength. No near-death required, no Saiyan bloodline invoked."
Ace marveled. The Combat Turtle Breath Technique—an optimized evolution. Unlike Saiyan desperation, it thrived on the brink of endurance. Every battle, every trial, fueled its ascent.
In this world bereft of Dragon Balls, resurrection was a distant dream. But the turtle's breath—the more war, the greater the yield—was his salvation. Six months of slumber, an investment in power.
Ace's eyes glinted with satisfaction. He delved into the technique, its rhythms familiar yet primal. And as he slept once more, the ultimate realization triggered the Combat Turtle Breath's effect.
He awoke, reborn, and felt it—the surge of vitality, the fire within. Not just for combat, but for life itself. The turtle's breath pulsed through him, a symphony of resilience.
And so, as the twentieth month dawned, the warm ocean swelled. Light pierced the depths, and Ace emerged—a flame-born child, destined for a world of pirates, mysteries, and the legacy of the Pirate King.
