14 14. Thatch’s Decision. Whitebeard’s Charisma.
│3rd Person POV│
[Grand Line, New World, Whitebeard Pirates Ships…]
Hearing this, Thatch and Ace grinned.
Undeniably, the advanced version of the Six Styles was indeed powerful.
Even if they only learned one of the moves, both Ron and Ace have improved greatly.
Thinking of this, Thatch smiled bitterly and said, "Unfortunately, brothers, I don't have enough talent. I also tried learning them, but I couldn't complete the practice in a short time like you two."
Having said this, he glanced at Ron and Ace, his eyes full of envy. The two learned Flash Step and Sea Moonwalk respectively in less than a week.
He had also seen them using it in a fight.
Flash Steps's speed was about three times faster than that of Marine Six Styles. The speed of the Sea Moonwalk was also about three times more than that of a normal Marine Six Styles Moonwalk.
Why wouldn't he want to possess such a powerful move?
"You don't have to be sad, Thatch." Waving his hand, Ace said calmly: "It's true that we have learned our respective techniques in about a week. However, Thatch, you will also be able to learn it quickly if you practice more in the future.
"Although Ron and I are faster at learning, our strength cannot compare to that of you."
Hearing this, Ron also nodded.
Among the three, he was the weakest.
Although this battle had improved his strength, it was only about one stage increase from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander.
Ace was stronger than him. He was as powerful as some of the strongest Rear-Admirals of the Marines.
Even with the power of Flare-Flare Fruit, Ace's strength was only similar to some of the weaker Vice-Admirals of the Marines.
But Thatch was different. As one of the Division Commander of Whitebeard Pirates, his strength was at the level of an Elite Vice-Admiral, and could even reach the level of an Admiral Candidate while going all out.
Because of this, in order to obtain the Dark Fruit in the alternate future, Blackbeard could only carry out a sneak attack after Thatch was drunk but did not dare to start a fight when he was sober and in full strength.
It's not that Thatch had the strength to match Blackbeard.
It's just that with Thatch's strength having surpassed the Elite Vice-Admiral level when going all out, once a fight broke out, Blackbeard wouldn't be able to defeat him in a short period of time.
Once a commotion broke out because of their fight, the news of Blackbeard's betrayal would spread in an instant, and then the Whtiebead would definitely investigate the matter himself, which would result in Blackbeard's death before he even got to start his true journey.
"Hey, what's with that look?" Ron asked.
Sighing, Thatch looked downcast at the moment and said, "My strength can no longer be improved. Dad has already checked it out for me.
"I have already reached my limit and there is no further possibility of improvement for me.
"Even my Armament Haki and Observation Haki can only reach the Intermediate level at most and I will never be able to learn their Advanced Forms."
For those in the know, Haki's strength was divided into five stages: Entry level, Beginner level, Intermediate level, Advanced level, and Top level!
"Thatch! I-" Opening his mouth, Ace didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Commander Thatch, you shouldn't give up hope so quickly." On the contrary, Ron said calmly at this moment, "If your potential is exhausted, then you can just replenish it through external means.
"Devil Fruits are an extremely magical existence. If you get a Devil Fruit and develop it to the point of awakening, you can then give the Marine Admirals a run for their money.
"If you can get a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit or a powerful Logia, then your upper limit will be increased by a huge margin.
"You found the Copy-Copy Fruit and gave it to me. I will definitely help you find a powerful Devil Fruit to enhance your own strength."
Dark-Dark Fruit. This fruit would be found by Thatch in the future, it was a good choice for him.
But Ron knew very well that Teach would take action as soon as Dark Fruit appeared.
By then, Thatch would have no chance of eating it, and he would probably be directly sneak attacked at the first opportunity and killed.
Therefore, it was necessary to find a Devil Fruit suitable for Thatch before the Dark-Dark Fruit appears, so that Thatch's strength could be improved to the point of even possibly having the power to be of Teach's equal.
At that time, whenever Dark-Dark Fruit appeared, he would take action.
With Thatch also helping him against Teach, the possibility of Teach taking Dark-Dark Fruit away would be greatly reduced.
Although he couldn't eat the Devil Fruit, there was no doubt about the value of the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Ron didn't want it to be eaten by Teach, nor did he want the subsequent Summit War to break out.
"Yes! A Devil Fruit!" Ace's eyes lit up and he immediately raised his head, "Thatch, Ron is right. We can help you get a powerful Devil Fruit, and then your situation can change.
"In this way, you will not be unable to become stronger due to the limitation of your potential."
Hearing this, Thatch was a little conflicted.
Devil Fruit.
To be honest, he didn't really want to eat one.
Otherwise, the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that he found would not have been given directly to Ron.
And as the Commander of the Fourth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates, if he needed a Devil Fruit, Whitebeard would definitely get him a powerful one.
But after experiencing this incident, Thatch also understood his own shortcomings.
Even if his strength was good, in the final analysis, he was only a stronger Canon Fodder compared to the truly strong people.
If he wanted to go further, he could only eat a Devil Fruit.
"All right!" Taking a deep breath, Thatch's expression slowly became resolute as he declared, "I will consume a Devil Fruit.
"After I go back, I will Pops to arrange one for me. As the Commander of the Fourth Division, I must be stronger than my current self. Otherwise, things like Partridge Island may happen again."
Hearing this, both Ron and Ace smiled.
If Thatch was willing to eat Devil Fruit, then all the problems wouldn't be a problem.
After looking at each other, Ron picked up the wine bottle and said, "Okay, then I wish that Commander Thatch can get a powerful Devil Fruit."
"Yes, I also wish that Thatch will become stronger than ever."
=+=+=+=< Scene Break >=+=+=+=
[Grand Line, New World, Sphinx Island, Moby Dick…]
Five days later, the ships of the Fourth Division and the Second Division returned to Whitebeard Pirates' Base Camp.
Ron, Ace, and Thatch came to the Moby-Dick to report about the mission to Whitebeard.
At the end of the report, Thatch suddenly knelt and exclaimed, "Pops, it's all my fault."
Kneeling on one knee, he said with a complicated expression, "I misjudged the strength of the Poison Wolf Pirates, which resulted in the death of many of my subordinates. Please punish me."
As soon as these words came out, Ace also immediately saluted and said, "Pops, this time, it was not Thatch's fault. I am at fault.
"I was playing around and did not deal with Ed as soon as possible, which led to him executing the self-destruction move.
"Many of the crew members died because of the strong poisonous gas emanating from Ed's self-destruction."
"..."
On the other hand, Ron didn't know what to say for a moment.
Normally, in a situation like this, he also should step forward and try to take the blame upon himself.
However, there was no wrongdoing he could admit to.
Instead, he was the one who prevented more deaths in the ranks of the Second and Fourth Divisions.
Although Whitebeard was sad to hear that there were casualties, he was also happy with the growth of Thatch, Ace, and Ron.
After a few seconds of silence, Whitebeard suddenly laughed and said: "Gurararara~! Now that you have realized your mistakes and shortcomings, you can just work hard to change the outcome in the future.
"You are my sons. Even if you make mistakes, it's because I, the father, didn't teach you well!"
"Pops!" "Pops!"
Hearing this, Ace and Thatch both looked at Whitebeard with slight tears in their eyes.
From the side, Ron had to admire Whitebeard's charisma.
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
A/N: Well guys, if you like this FanFic and would like to support me, throw some power stones, add it in your Library, or post a Review. Your choice. Any support to help reach this FanFic to more audience would be appreciated. Thanks.
Anyway,
Shameless P@treon plug. I've got one;
👉 patreon.com/ChaosWriter;
You can read up to 20 chapters ahead of Webnovel. Your support would be appreciated, but don't feel pressured to join. I'll upload stuff outside it and not keeping it behind a paywall forever.
