9 First Steps

It wasn't even five minutes later that I lifted myself over the rocks and stepped onto Dawn island. The home of Straw Hat Luffy, Fire Fist Ace and Sabo. Three men who will go on to stake their names in the annals of this worlds history. These thoughts whirled in my mind as I stepped foot on land.

It was like an electric shock travelled through my legs and up into my spine. It was so powerful it nearly dropped me to the floor. In that moment, after ten long, hard years, I finally felt what it was like to walk again. My toes sank deep into the thick mud as a sense of profound comfort nestled within my heart.

I could no longer stop the flood of tears that poured down my cheeks. I didn't even try. There's nothing wrong with crying when your sad, so why would crying when your happy be any different?

Taking a step forward I revelled in the simple act and pure sensation of walking. Cold mist rose up as the tide licked the shore, tickling my ankles. The feeling was almost euphoric. This alone is enough to make me satisfied with coming here. I don't even care if I die tomorrow, this is enough.

With a wicked grin on my face I took off running at full speed across the shoreline. My gills, and the thin webbing between my toes and fingers already receded into slits in my skin. Even my wings are folded and pressed into my shins, making them look like intricate tattoos or some kind of ornament. Meaning the things that make me look slightly inhuman are not visible at a casual glance.

Apparently Pontus couldn't actually make me Poseidon's son, or a legitimate mutant-Atlantean like Namor. Though thats only technically speaking. I still have the same powers, but according to Pontus, while he was granting my wishes he did it in such a way that my abilities are meant to have come naturally from this world. Meaning from a technical standpoint, I'm not half Atlantean, but rather half Fish-man.

Having gills is one thing, but webbed hands and feet is kinda weird. I'm just glad they're retractable. People in this world can be quite racist towards fish-men afterall. Interestingly enough, Pontus actually left me with a rather unique choice I wasn't expecting to be given thanks to these little changes.

Since my Atlantean abilities are being explained in this world by me being half fish-man and all fish-men and merfolk share features with a species of fish specific to each individual, Pontus allowed me choose which type of fish I would take after. There were limitations of course, but he basically gave me a low down on every species I could choose from and all the possible variants and bodily changes that may entail.

The species I chose is the Blue Marlin, a species of sailfish. I went with both a practical and an aesthetic choice. I even asked Pontus to give me a medium sized dorsal fin, since I thought it would look cool; which it does.

The blue marlin is actually the fastest living animal on the planet; technically speaking. It's top swim speed is 110kph, with only the diving speed of the peregrine falcon and certain other species of birds of prey surpassing it. However when you consider the speed reached through physical exertion alone, the blue marlin is undoubtedly faster.

The only reason the peregrine falcon can reach such insane speeds is due to the nature of how it hunts, by dive bombing it's prey from ridiculous altitudes. It literally uses gravity to accelerate itself. The blue marlin on the other hand can routinely reach its top speed even when swimming against a current. Leading many to believe it to posses the fastest 'natural' speed of any animal on the planet.

This particular species of sailfish also has the ability to collapse their dorsal fin to reduce drag and help improve control. Making this species the perfect choice for someone like me. I would honestly rather not go around showing off that I'm part fish-man. For logical and personal reasons alike. Still to share the traits and characteristics of a fish is going to take some getting used to. I mean how am I supposed to lie on my back with a dorsal fin sticking out of it? What if I roll over in my sleep? Could I accidentally break it? Ok… maybe I should have thought that choice through a little more.

The other abilities I was granted were also given in world explanations. The wings Namor has on his ankles for example were explained as being the product of human experimentation. Percy's power set on the other hand will be explained due to a 'devil fruit' that Pontus created himself. It's not a real devil fruit, but it will stop people from questioning things too far.

I was even given the chance to name it. Naming a devil fruit is actually really hard. I contemplated calling it the Sea-Sea fruit, or perhaps the Tide-Tide fruit, even the Wave-Wave fruit crossed my mind at one point, but none of them felt quite right. Honestly I have a newfound respect for Oda's naming sense. Eventually, I chose a name that even surprised the ancient god of the sea.

I did what any sensible reincarnate would do in my position; I named it after him.

The Zoan type human-human fruit, mythical model, Sea God Pontus. He honestly seemed flattered by the thought. But the fact is that since this isn't an actual devil fruit it obviously doesn't have any of the normal weaknesses that typical devil fruit users poses. It's just an in world explanation for my powers.

On the other end, the in world explanation for Sinbad's ability to read the flow of all things is something similar to what Nami is capable of. Being able to read the wind and the waves almost as if it's second nature. However my ability will be even greater, to an extent. This is because my ability also allows me to read the natural flow of everything around me, not just the weather.

It's almost like a form of subconscious observation haki. I'll still have to train myself if I want to actively use it like haki though. But I was planning to do that anyway so it's not much of an issue.

But all these thoughts were the farthest things from my mind as I sprinted full tilt across the sandy beach. My excitement clouded my mind, causing me to act impulsively.

"WOOOHOOOO." I howled wildly, jumping high into the air and clicking my winged heels together like a fool.