4 Three Requests

Thankfully Pontus gave me plenty of time to mull it all over. I'd hate to make an impulsive choice right off the bat just because I have a time frame to work around. It also helps that Pontus actually took his time to explain the types of things I could ask for, outlining the rules of what he is capable of granting me. Having him explicitly detail whats possible gave me so many Ideas and hopes. But he also outlined exactly what I can't ask for, as it would effect the balance of the world he is sending me into.

Meaning no Omni anything, for example. Meaning Omnikinesis, Omniscience, Omnipotence and Omnipresence are all off the table. But I wasn't going to ask for any of those anyway. No devil fruit powers either. According to Pontus they are objects that oppose the sea and something not created or put in that world by him. So he has no power to bestow one upon me.

I wonder if that's why they're called devil fruits? Were they actually created by a devil? If so, why? Was it to spite the god governing this world? Or was it just for fun?

I guess I'll save those questions for later. Shaking my head of those thoughts I began to ponder the veracity of certain requests over others. It took me a decent period to sort through everything in my head. There are just too many things that come to mind when I really start to think this through.

After a prolonged period of silence I realized there was only one question I needed to ask myself when considering my future. What will allow me to live freely?

Opening my eyes with a newfound resolve I prepared to speak my desires to the primordial god of the sea. They may not let me able to go toe to toe with an Admiral or an Emperor right from the get go, but as long as there's no problem with them they'll give me the freedom to forge my own path and the upper hand in most, if not all, fights at sea.

Saying the world of One Piece isn't easy to survive in is a huge understatement, but that's mostly if you intend to sail the word or travel the Grand Line, as I obviously do.

So I need to prepare for that eventuality and make my requests accordingly. The sea has long since called out to me and I've never been able to resist it. I can thank my mother for that. So asking for things to compliment that calling is just par for the course.

"I won't waste this opportunity." I stated resolutely before steadying my thoughts and carefully phrasing my words.

"For the first request, I would like to be granted Sinbad's inborn ability to read the flow of all things. Taken from the Universe that the anime and manga series Magi: Adventures of Sinbad is from. That power allows him to find the safest route through any storm, even the most violent hurricane, with ease. It also well allows him to predict his opponent's moves to an extent. Thanks to that skill he can read the flow of battle as easily as he can read the wind and waves." I said after a moment of deep thought.

I made this request for multiple reasons, but I couldn't help thinking of how I died in a hurricane, unable to do anything to predict it or stop my ship from capsizing. That undoubtedly influenced my choice.

"A good starting point if ever there was one." With the snap of his fingers I felt the waters around me change as my ghostly body began to shine. A newfound power welled up within me but I wasn't given time to savour this change as Pontus spoke once more, "continue."

"Right… uh, so for my second request, I would like all the powers of Namor from Marvel Comics. If that's possible. Meaning I would become a High Atlantean-Human (mutant) hybrid. In certain variations of the comics Atlanteans can see perfectly in the dark, hear across vast distances both on land and underwater, can mentally communicate with marine life, use a form of echolocation, posses bullet proof skin and they are roughly 10 times stronger than the average human. Heck even their body hair generates bubbles to reduce friction as they swim underwater. And Namor can do FAR more than that since he is also a mutant. He is like Aquaman on steroids. By far my favourite thing about him are a vestigial pair of wings attached to his ankles. They not only allow him to fly, but they also increase his speed underwater. Hell, he can even generate low levels of bioelectricity! His powers would be perfect!"

I smiled broadly. While speaking I recalled the days I spent relaxing at sea with my mom while we read comics together. Those were some of the best days of my life. And Namor was always my moms favourite character.

"Another well chosen request. Now, that makes two. You have one more request and… it would seem I have a fair amount of power remaining, so feel free to make it a big one." Pontus said while snapping his scaly fingers once more. My ethereal ghost like body glowed once more causing my excitement to reach even even greater heights.

Choosing this request was quite easy. Namor can even stand his ground against the Hulk after all. I'll need that strength if I'm to travel the One Piece world without fear. That being said, the decision itself had come from the fact I had drowned. I still remember the feeling of fear and desperation as I sank deeper into the ocean, completely unable to escape as part of my ship crushed and dragged me towards my death. With powers like these I will never drown again. And I'll have more than enough strength to get out of a situation like that.

"A little advice, while it's true that this power will allow you too command lesser species of aquatic life, it will only grant you the ability communicate with larger life forms. Beings like island whales, megalodons and krakens will be able to resist your commands; while Sea Kings, Leviathan's of the Florian Triangle will be outright immune to them. Remember, just because you can communicate, doesn't mean they will listen. Think of this power like you're having a conversation and you'll do just fine." Pontus remarked sagely, but my mind was preoccupied by something he said.

"Wait… hold up… go back for a second, what the hell is a Leviathan?" I asked with mixed emotions. Mostly of worry and excitement. But my excitement soon faded and was replaced by something else as I began to think about what may be lurking in the depths of the Sea in the One Piece world, particularly in the Florian Triangle… The image of a giant silhouette towering over Thriller Bark from within the thick fog resurfaced in my mind.

What ever cast those shadow's were far too large to contemplate by earths standards. Those gargantuan creatures could have eaten OZ, the worlds largest giant, as if he were a jelly bean and crushed Thriller Bark, an island sized pirate ship, like it was a kids toy. But they didn't. They watched on from the fog with glowing red eyes.

After Zunesha, the massive Elephant carrying the city of Minks, was revealed after the Whole Cake Island arc I just assumed the Florian Triangle was home to a herd of similar creatures. It just made sense. But now that I think about it, the series did say that more than 100 ships go missing every year in the Florian Triangle. Something that wouldn't make much sense if we're talking about giant elephants. Even if they are colossal in size.

"Leviathan is a catch-all term used to describe any creature that has out grown it's natural habitat and evolved to the point it no longer possesses natural predators. Many grow to enormous proportions and live live centuries at a time as there is nothing to contest against their might. Those clever, poisonous things would chomp the whole food chain if given the chance. But you needn't worry. Most of them are unable to survive for too long out of the water and those that are have no interest in the surface world." Pontus added as if he sensed my budding hesitation during his casual explanation.

"I know of one species in particular that are rather friendly once you get to know them. But they don't much like the sun. They live in the deepest, darkest parts of the abyss, around 20,000 leagues under the sea; where no Sapient race has ever gone. Not even fish-men, or merfolk can survive for long at those depths. Though you won't have much trouble in that regard. These beings rarely ever come to the surface. When they do it's more out of curiosity, or boredom, than anything else. And they only come out in places shrouded in fog or where the sun is blocked by thick enough clouds."

"I believe the people of that world call them Umibozu. If you do come across them, be sure not to do anything stupid to piss them off like firing a cannon at them, or giving them an empty bucket when they ask for a drink. They're actually quite peaceful and have a fondness for whiskey." Pontus stated, finishing his brief lecture with a wave of his hand, brushing the topic to the side and easing most of my worries. The key word being 'most'.

"Thanks… I'll do my best to keep that in mind." I remarked half heartedly. I was once more reminded of the sheer magnitude and majesty of the world I'm about to enter.