Chapter 55: The Limit Of Power! 

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"Gyagagagaga! I really thought I was going to die this time."

"Kababababa ! Thank you so much, little girl."

After waking up, Dorry and Brogy looked at Kaya, their eyes filled with gratitude. While dying in battle is the honor of every Elbaf warrior, surviving is, of course, the better outcome.

"Ace, you're incredibly strong. You destroyed the combined power of the two of us with such ease, Gyagagagaga!

Dorry laughed, admiration and gratitude clear in his eyes as he looked at Ace. He was thankful that Ace had not held back during their battle.

"Ace, were you using Conqueror's Haki infusion?"

Brogy, now serious, asked directly.

"Oh? You recognize it, Uncle? Yes, it was Conqueror's Haki—Infusion."

Ace was slightly surprised but then realized it made sense. After all, Brogy and Dorry were giants from Elbaf.

"So, it really was that legendary power..."

Brogy murmured, recalling that those who possessed Conqueror's Haki were once fearsome figures who ruled the seas.

"Being defeated by a Supreme King... Our lives as warriors are complete. Kababababa!" Brogy broke into laughter.

"We must fulfill our promise as well."

Dorry smiled, relieved, and exchanged a glance with Brogy. 

"The battle that has lasted for more than a hundred years ends today, Brogy (Dorry)."

Dorry and Brogy shared a knowing look and laughed.

"Yes! Ace, you saved us, helped us break free from our obsession, and gave us a chance to return home. Yet, we haven't given you anything in return."

Dorry looked at Ace, guilt and unease filling his expression. Brogy felt the same. As Elbaf warriors, they could not accept such a great favor without reciprocating—it would dishonor them.

"What I wanted, I've already obtained."

Ace smiled, thinking of the newly acquired insights and training methods now imprinted in his mind.

"Hakoku (Modification): The ultimate fusion of physical strength and Conqueror's Haki! With a single punch, the world crumbles!"

Ace clenched his fist, feeling the change. The power of the body could now be materialized and fused perfectly with Conqueror's Haki. As long as his Haki and physical strength continued to grow, there would be no limit to the power of his Hakoku!

And then, the other technique:

"Strength Training Method: Unlock the secret of 'strength' and use it to temper the body."

Ace took a deep breath. Every cell in his body seemed to exhale with him, emitting an invisible force. His physical power was becoming fully materialized! He let the airflow circulate throughout his body.

Breathe!

Even Ace's muscles and bones seemed to be "breathing" now, steadily strengthening his body. His physique was increasing at an extraordinary pace.

"So, this is the strength training method."

Ace murmured to himself as he felt the incredible surge of power. His body strength had almost doubled!

Dorry and Brogy were watching in awe as Ace's transformation unfolded before their eyes.

"Dorry, Brogy, take a punch from me," Ace said, looking at the giants.

"Huh? Ace, we can't beat you," Dorry said with a chuckle.

"No, no Haki or Devil Fruit powers—just pure physical strength," Ace clarified with a smile.

Dorry and Brogy shared a grin. Pure strength? As giants, they feared no one in terms of raw power.

"Then, I'll take the challenge," Dorry said, stepping forward.

"Alright, here goes."

Ace clenched his fist and threw a punch.

Boom!

The punch caused a sonic boom, and Dorry instinctively focused all his strength into his right fist.

Crash!

Their fists collided, and Dorry's massive body was sent flying, smashing into a rock wall.

"This... this..." Brogy stood frozen, utterly stunned by what he had just witnessed. Ace, with pure strength alone, had knocked Dorry down? Giants prided themselves on their physical strength—how could they lose in this regard?!

"See? I told you, I've already gained what I wanted," Ace said, clenching his fists, clearly satisfied with the results of the strength training method.

"Incredible! Your physical strength is even greater than mine!" Dorry said in astonishment as he got up. Giants had always taken pride in their strength, yet they had just been bested by a human.

"Still, it puts our minds at ease that you've gained something from us."

Dorry and Brogy knelt down on one knee, giving Ace the highest form of respect among the warriors of Elbaf.

"From this moment on, no matter where we are," Dorry began.

"No matter where Ace may be," Brogy continued.

"If destiny wills it, we will come to your aid with all our strength."

"By the honor of Elbaf!" they both declared solemnly.

"Wow, that's amazing. Ace, you've earned the loyalty of giants," Vivi said, covering her mouth in awe as she watched this incredible scene unfold. The two giants, Dorry and Brogy, had given Ace their highest honor and pledge.

Nami, Nojiko, and Kaya exchanged smiles, filled with pride. It was no surprise their captain had achieved such a feat.

——

After accepting Dorry and Brogy's vows, the two giants decided to stay in Little Garden for the time being. Having lived there for over a hundred years, they needed time to figure out their next steps. Luckily, their long lifespans allowed for such deliberation.

One thing was certain, though—if Ace ever needed them, they would come, no matter the cost.

——

"Set sail! Next stop, Alabasta!" Ace called from the bow of the ship, laughing as they departed Little Garden. They had loaded up on dinosaur meat, courtesy of Dorry and Brogy.

"Thankfully, we have a permanent pointer," Vivi said with tears of joy, holding the pointer in her hands.

"That's wonderful, Vivi," Nami said with a smile.

"Yes!" Vivi nodded, beaming. Finally, she could return to Alabasta.

"Ace, up ahead is what I mentioned—the biggest obstacle to leaving this island," Dorry and Brogy said, standing on either side of the boat as it prepared to leave Little Garden. Both pointed forward, signaling the danger ahead.

"Our weapons are broken, so we can't use Hakoku, but a man like you doesn't need us to escort you through this," Dorry chuckled.

"Ace, wherever you are, if you ever call for us, we'll come, no matter the distance!" Brogy shouted, his voice carrying across the sea.

"Alright, let's set sail!" Ace said, striding confidently to the bow of the ship.

"Woo!"

Suddenly, a massive goldfish—comparable in size to Laboon—rose from the sea. Its enormous, gaping mouth loomed over the ship, ready to swallow the Merry whole.

The girls on board gasped in shock at the sight, but then their eyes fell on Ace. Instead of panic, they felt reassured. With Ace at the helm, what was there to fear from a sea monster?

Ace stood tall at the bow, his gaze sharp. His eyes seemed to darken, taking on a purple-black hue as terrifying energy began to surge from him. The atmosphere crackled as purple-black lightning danced wildly around him.

The giant goldfish, sensing the immense power radiating from Ace, hesitated. But it was already too late.

"Crack!"

Ace's Conqueror's Haki wrapped around his right fist, the sheer physical force radiating from every cell of his body. His fist gleamed with power, concentrated and ready to strike.

Bang! Bang!

The energy shattered the air around his fist like glass breaking. With a wide grin, Ace swung his fist, releasing a tremendous shockwave.

"Hakoku!"

Boom!

The purple-black shockwave roared forth like a prehistoric beast unleashed. It struck the giant goldfish, tearing through its open mouth and continuing through its entire body.

Boom!

The shockwave didn't stop at the goldfish—it blasted straight through it, creating a massive cavity in the sea as water surged to fill the void.

Whoosh!

The Merry sailed effortlessly through the remains of the goldfish, speeding toward Alabasta.

"Hey, Dorry! Did I see that right?!" Brogy exclaimed, rubbing his eyes in disbelief as the Going Merry sailed away in the distance.

"You did! It was Hakoku!" Dorry replied, equally astonished.

"Did Ace really learn Hakoku just from watching us use it once? And he did it with his fist? Not only that, it's stronger than ours!" Brogy said, still in shock.

"Hakoku is supposed to be a technique that requires two people to perform... but Ace..." Dorry murmured, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

"In the near future, Ace's name will echo across the seas, no matter where he is. Gyagagagaga!" Dorry laughed heartily, the corners of his mouth curving into a proud grin.

"Indeed! And if Ace ever needs us, we'll be there in a heartbeat! Kababababa!" Brogy added, laughing along with Dorry.

The two giants stood like statues, one on each side of the shore, watching the Going Merry disappear into the horizon.

——

Alabasta, Rainbase.

Boom!

Crocodile slammed his fist onto the table, a corner of it instantly turning to sand.

"How dare that brat look down on me..." he muttered darkly, his expression stormy.

"Mr. 3 has failed. Are you going to send Mr. 2 next?" Robin asked with a playful smile as she casually petted her banana crocodile.

"No. Summon Mr. 1 and the others to Rainbase. The plan must be moved up," Crocodile responded with a sinister grin.

"Moved up? But isn't the original timeline still one or two years away?" Robin asked, surprised.

"I looked into that kid... turns out he's a Logia user, with the Mera Mera no Mi. No wonder he's so cocky. Against Logia users, Mr. 1, he'll be useless."

Crocodile's grin grew darker. "We'll bury that brat and his crew right here in Alabasta."

His mood soured at the thought of their previous conversation. That reckless kid had dared to insult him over the phone.

"But no matter. This setback means nothing in my 20-year plan. Hahahahaha!"

He laughed, his eyes gleaming with cold determination.

"I'll let them know," Robin said, observing him silently before turning to leave.

"Do it, Miss All-Sunday," Crocodile replied.

"Understood, Mr. 0," she said, smiling as she left the room. However, as the door closed, a flicker of curiosity flashed across her eyes.

Could Ace really be a Logia user? And did the girls on his crew really defeat Mr. 3 and his team without Ace even intervening?

Robin wasn't shocked by Mr. 3's defeat, knowing firsthand how strong Ace was. However, the idea that the girls on his ship had defeated Mr. 3 and the others was unexpected.

Had they really grown so powerful in such a short time? She smiled as she thought of Ace.

"I'm looking forward to it, Portgas D. Ace."

——

After leaving Little Garden, the Going Merry sailed swiftly toward Alabasta. Nami and Vivi, relieved to be out of the island's mosquito-ridden environment, had recovered quickly thanks to Kaya's care.

Without needing to stop at Drum Island for medical help, their journey to Alabasta was faster than expected.

"Ah! A desert! Ace, look—it's a desert!" Kaya exclaimed excitedly, clinging to Ace's arm as she gazed at the vast sands ahead. She had only ever seen deserts in books, but now she was seeing one with her own eyes—and with Ace by her side.

Kaya glanced up at Ace, smiling sweetly.

"Alabasta, I'm back," Vivi murmured, her eyes welling with emotion as she saw the familiar landscape. But despite her joy at returning home, anxiety gnawed at her.

"Can I really save Alabasta?"

She knew she couldn't defeat Crocodile on her own. She would have to rely on Ace and the others.

Vivi bit her lip, glancing at Ace, who stood confidently at the bow of the ship.

Would they all be dragged into the chaos of her homeland's conflict?

——

"Alright, prepare to dock! Vivi, what are you standing around for? Help us furl the sails!" Nami called out.

"Oh! Right! Coming!" Vivi quickly shook off her thoughts and forced a smile as she rushed to help.

"Ace, do you think Vivi is hiding something?" Kaya asked softly.

"If there's something she wants to tell us, she'll say it when she's ready. Don't worry," Ace replied, gently tapping Kaya's nose.

"Okay!" Kaya smiled, her eyes narrowing happily before she ran off to help Nami.

Since Ace said everything would be fine, she believed him wholeheartedly.