A quiet, nameless island, by the shore…
"Bwahahaha! Brat, today you'll witness your grandpa's fishing skills in all their glory! Even in the Navy, your gramps was known for being a top-tier angler, bwahahaha!"
Garp roared with laughter as he clutched an absurdly oversized fishing rod, casting a gleeful glance at the boy beside him—Ace.
Ace, on the other hand, was fiddling with a fishing pole nearly twice his own size, completely ignoring Garp's boasting.
Then, he cast his line.
"Bwahaha, that's not how you fish, brat! You need to bait the hook first, otherwise—"
SPLASH!
Before Garp could finish, a massive greenfish burst from the ocean, rocketing through the air as Ace yanked his rod with a sharp flick.
Thud-thud-thud!
The creature—over ten meters long—flopped wildly on the rocky cliffside.
"What was that you were saying?"
Ace gave his dumbfounded grandfather a side glance, clearly puzzled.
"Ahem! Ace, my boy… That was just luck, pure and simple. There's a lot your grandpa can still teach you about fishing!"
FWOOOOSH!
Garp hadn't even finished recovering his pride when, with another explosive tug, Ace hauled up an even bigger fish—this one a colossal spearfish, its silver scales flashing in the sunlight as it slammed down next to the first.
"…"
Garp's jaw hung open as he stared in stunned silence at the two monstrous fish thrashing against the stone.
"Hm? What was that about your amazing fishing skills, old man?"
Ace looked up at him with innocent curiosity, pretending not to notice the teasing glint in his own eyes.
"Tch—ordinary fish don't count for squat!" Garp barked, his face flushed red with embarrassment. "Watch closely, kid! I'll show you how a real fisherman lands a Sea King!"
His eyes gleamed with stubborn determination as he locked his gaze on the ocean, veins popping at the edges.
He wasn't about to let his grandson outdo him—not today.
Garp had chosen this island as Ace's training ground not just for the ferocious beasts that roamed inland. The real reason? The surrounding waters teemed with Sea Kings—gigantic oceanic apex predators.
Over the years, Garp had watched Ace grow stronger. At this point, wild animals posed little threat to him.
More dangerous creatures—the kind found on Grand Line islands—were beyond reach for now.
But Sea Kings?
They were perfect for honing Ace's abilities.
Of course, Garp never planned to throw the boy into a death trap. He was always nearby to ensure Ace's safety.
Still, after being shown up not once, but twice, Garp's pride was hanging by a thread.
"Sea Kings?"
Ace peered out at the glimmering surface of the sea.
"That's right! Sea Kings!" Garp snapped. "These monsters aren't like your typical beasts or fish—they're the kings of the sea! Each one's got terrifying size and strength. You'll know one when you see it."
Just then…
SPLASH!!
Ace dove straight into the water.
He stared at a shadow beneath the waves, then grabbed hold with both hands and heaved.
The ocean exploded upward in a towering column of whitewater as an enormous creature—hundreds of meters long, eel-like, and coiled with muscle—was yanked into the air by the seven-year-old boy.
"Yup, that's a Sea King alright!"
Garp nodded proudly—then froze, realization crashing down on him.
"ROOAAAR!!"
The Sea King let out a thunderous roar and lunged toward Ace, jaws wide.
"Oi! Ace!!"
Garp's heart lurched as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to jump in.
This kind of Sea King was way beyond Ace's level!
BWMMM!
But before Garp could act, Ace's eyes narrowed.
A flicker of deep violet-black shimmered in his pupils.
Then—
BOOM!
An invisible shockwave erupted around him.
The Sea King stopped mid-lunge, its monstrous body frozen in place…
Then its eyes rolled back, and it crashed lifelessly into the ocean with a massive splash, drifting motionless atop the waves.
"…C-Conqueror's Haki?"
Garp stood rooted to the spot, staring at the unconscious Sea King being dragged to shore by Ace.
He shouldn't have been shocked by the display.
After all, Ace had already unleashed Conqueror's Haki the day he was born—stronger than this, even.
What stunned Garp wasn't that Ace had Conqueror's Haki.
It was that the boy had controlled it.
No one—not Garp, not even Gol D. Roger—could control their Conqueror's Haki at such a young age.
When it first awakens, it always erupts uncontrollably, affecting friend and foe alike.
Mastery takes years of discipline. Precision, even longer.
But Ace, without anyone teaching him, had not only awakened it—but targeted it perfectly.
At seven years old.
Unbelievable.
Unprecedented.
Garp stood there, completely stunned.
Meanwhile, Ace ignored his grandfather's internal crisis. He dragged the Sea King up onto the rocks, eyes fixed on a patch of its underbelly.
Embedded in the scales… was a strange fruit.
It burned like living flame.
Ace recognized it instantly.
The Flame-Flame Fruit.
[Your comprehension is unparalleled! The Flame-Flame Fruit has been drawn to you by your out-of-this-world comprehension!]
The words echoed in his mind like a divine proclamation.
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TL/N:
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