Chapter 40

"Sunny Day!"

Ace hurled the giant fireball above him to the nearest building. When the fireball came into contact with the building, it exploded. A great flash of fire and searing hot winds surged out in all directions.

Buildings nearest the explosion instantly dissolved into nothingness. Debris flew as it burned. Hot winds blew out from the garrison and into Colo Village. The explosion was much more powerful than Ace initially thought.

'Shit. Well, that's it for making this place a territory. If I still want to, I'd have to kill all the locals. But what's the point of having a dead land in your rule?'

The initial explosion eventually receded. The circle of fire around Ace died down. It was what he used to defend himself from the explosion he made. Ace looked around to see the burning crater he created.

Where the garrison used to be was no more. No building left. Just charred soil and debris from the buildings that were destroyed. Fire was still burning here and there.

'Shit… I really underestimated the power of my own move.'

Ace prayed that Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles weren't hurt. He Flickered to where he left them. He got to the edge of the crater. He was relieved to see that they were there, waiting for him.

"Sorry about that. Were you hurt?" Ace asked his friends.

"No, we're fine. Some locals probably aren't, though," Vash said., looking at the sight around them.

Ace looked around to see what Vash meant. Some blocks of stone flew all the way to the village and crashed on houses. Those stones were on fire, which slowly started spreading. Some people were buried underneath. Many locals were working to drag people out from under the rubble.

A pang of guilt gripped Ace. He'd rather that this didn't happen to innocent people. But he quickly swallowed it down. Having no collateral damage is impossible. That was the price he needed to pay for learning that he still didn't have a full grasp of what he can actually do.

Some of the locals finally saw Ace, Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles. They quickly surrounded them. They were unfamiliar faces for the locals, so it's normal that they are the perpetrators.

The locals didn't do anything. The chaos inside the garrison was one that the whole village was there to hear. It didn't take a genius to find out that the ones responsible for all that chaos were these strangers in front of them.

The locals glared at Ace and his friends. They didn't do anything else. They held back all the words and things they wanted to do. They put all their anger, frustration, pain, and hatred in their glares.

Ace, Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles didn't mind the glares, but it was obvious that they should go now. They're no longer welcome. So, they walked.

The locals parted and gave way to Ace and his friends like they were the plague. They stepped back in fear. Their legs were shaking, but their eyes were burning strong.

Ace didn't speak a word. Neither did Vash or Doppol. There were no words that needed to be said. A silent agreement passed between them. Ace looked at a Double, and the latter nodded. The Double left two sacks of gold on the ground, leaving it for the locals.

It was not adequate compensation, but something was better than nothing.

Finally, Ace called to the residual flames that spread from his attack. The flames obeyed their master. They all gathered in Ace's palm, condensing into a small fireball. Ace ate it. His body let out steam. Once the steam receded, Ace checked his flame.

From the original yellowish flames, Ace's fire is now orange in color.

…

"Look, Kotatsu! We're on a pirate ship! A real one! Hehehe, this is great!"

"Mreow!"

The sight that greeted Ace, Vash, and Doppol after their heavy exit from the village was the complete opposite. The main deck of the Ashen Dragon seemed so… vibrant.

Eri was already fully healed. She was running around the ship, followed by her big pet Kotatsu. Hepha, Terzo, Mihar, and Teach were just standing on the side to watch the adorable display of a little girl who felt not an ounce of fear despite being on a pirate ship.

Eri ran around without a care in the world, observing each and every detail she could of the Ashen Dragon. Her eyes would widen every time she sees something. Despite looking at something that amazed her for the second time, her eyes would still widen.

Ace jumped aboard the ship first. He lowered a plank for Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles to walk up on. Vash wasn't as strong as him and he was carrying two sacks full of gold ore. He can't jump up like Ace did.

Doppol and the Doubles also can't jump up. Doppol normally could jump like Ace did while still carrying the same weight, but creating Doubles cost him his strength. He wasn't at the strongest he could be, and neither were the Doubles.

Ace knew all of that, so he set a plank for them to walk up on. Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles walked up on the plank and went to Hepha.

"What do you have there?" Hepha asked.

"Gold ores," Vash and Doppol said.

"...no shit. Really? All those sacks?" Hepha stared wide eyed at all the sacks they were carrying.

"Yup!"

"That's… amazing! What a haul!" Hepha said before going to the door, opening it for Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles. "Help me refine them!"

"Treasure!" Eri ran to where they were going, but her sight caught Ace. She instantly stopped.

Ace watched the energetic little girl run up to him. She stopped a few paces from Ace. Then, she saluted. Kotatsu followed Eri's example. He stopped to sit behind Eri, a paw raised to his head for a salute.

'How cute!' Ace looked at the adorable combo of a little kid and a big huggable cat saluting him.

"Good afternoon, Captain Ace!" Eri greeted Ace as her captain.

Ace couldn't really find it in him to tell her that she can't really be a pirate at her age, so she can't call him Captain. So, Ace went along playfully.

"Good afternoon, Apprentice Eri! How are you liking the ship?"

"It's great!" Eri answered. "It's better than any pirate ship I've imagined!"

"You imagine riding pirate ships?"

"Yes!" Eri nodded in enthusiasm. "I want to be a pirate! Please, take me on your journey!"

'...shit.'

"Oi, Eri!" Mihar intervened after seeing what Eri was trying to do. "Being a pirate isn't a joke!"

"I know, Sensei! I'm not joking! I'm serious!" Eri declared proudly.

"Why do you even want to be a pirate? They're evil and greedy, you know?" Mihar realized what he said so he turned to Ace. "No offense."

"HAHAHAHA! None taken!"

"My point is, being a pirate is dangerous," Mihar said after turning back to Eri. "You'll be fighting plenty of strong enemies. You'll be going against nature itself. You could die, Eri."

"I know! But I wanna do it anyway!"

"Why?" Mihar asked.

Ace observed how Mihar wasn't outright denying Eri of what she wanted to do. So far, he was only trying to remind her of the dangers of being a pirate. Ace smiled in recognition of Mihar's wisdom as a teacher, educator, and standing parent. Adults shouldn't be crushing the dreams of children.

"Because…" Eri tried to find her words. "I don't like this island."

Eri raised her hand. It started glowing pink. Ace had an idea why Eri didn't like the island.

"I have no friends. Everyone in the village doesn't want me. You and Kotatsu are the only ones I can be with."

"Eri…"

"Plus, if I don't become a pirate now, you'll grow old and weak on the island!" Eri said to Mihar, much to the latter's confusion.

"...huh?"

"Sensei, you still have that dream, right?" Eri grinned. "You want to build schools to teach children all over the world! If I become a pirate, I'm sure you'll come with me!"

"You remember that?" Mihar looked touched that his student remembered something he said in passing.

"Of course! I want to help you achieve your dream, Sensei! It's… part of my dream now too." Eri looked shy at the words she said. "You're more like a dad to me than my father ever was."

Mihar hugged Eri, which the little girl quickly returned. Kotatsu joined them and wrapped around them with his huge fluffy body.

Ace smiled. He glanced sideways at Teach who was also smiling at the sight. From what Ace knew about the Whitebeard Pirates, they value family deeply. It seems that still rings true.

"Eri… to think you remember what I only said once." Mihar chuckled. "Why can't you be like that when I'm teaching you how to do math?"

"Eurgh." Eri looked sick at the thought of doing math. "Numbers are boring!"

"They're not!" Mihar said.

"They are!"

"They're not!"

"Fine, maybe I'm just bad at math," Eri said. Mihar patted Eri who was pouting after admitting it.

"You just need more practice," Mihar said before standing up. "All this talk about becoming a pirate. You don't even know if Ace will accept you!"

"I'm already in the crew! He called me an Apprentice!"

"That's because he thought you were joking." Mihar sighed. Eri turned to Ace.

"Captain Ace! I'm serious about becoming a pirate! Please, take us with you!" Eri bowed to Ace.

"Mreow!" Kotatsu backed up Eri.

Ace didn't show the smile he used to have earlier. His face was cold as he stared at Eri. He was thinking deeply about what he should do.

On one hand, he could take Eri. Ace wasn't naive. Doing so would be very dangerous for her and the crew. A mistake of one will be the suffering of everyone especially when in the middle of the sea.

Assigning simple and menial tasks to Eri would alleviate that risk, but it won't put her in any less danger. Someone would have to look out for her in every fight. Mihar could fulfill that role, but Ace was positive that there will be fights where everyone needs to focus and give their all.

On the other hand, Ace could take the safest route and leave Eri on the island. But, he felt that it would be very harsh for the girl. She hated her home. Plus, other pirates could come. If she tries to join them, who knows what they'll do?

Ace sighed. He made his decision. But, he had to test Eri first. He crouched down to her level.

"You know, Eri? Pirates should be strong." Eri looked up at Ace's words, only to see Ace coldly sneering at her. "How can someone as weak as you be a pirate?"

Eri paled at Ace's words. She bit on her lower lip and didn't back down from Ace's stare.

"I… I'm not weak! I'm strong!" Eri said.

"Oh yeah?" Ace scoffed. "The first time we saw you, you were all beaten up. Take anyone from my crew and they'll easily deal with the men that beat you up without breaking a sweat. You still think you're strong?"

"Ace!"

"Quiet, Mihar." Ace spat at Mihar. He didn't need to use his Conqueror's Haki to intimidate the man. Ace turned back to Eri. She was still looking at him defiantly.

"I'm still young. When I grow older, I'll be much stronger!"

"The enemies my crew will face won't wait for you to grow up, kid!" Ace poked Eri's stomach repeatedly. "You barely have muscle! How would you even fight?"

Ace didn't stop poking Eri to goad her on. He wanted to see how she'd react. Then, after a few more pokes, Eri retaliated. Her hand glowed pink and she tried catching Ace's hand, but Ace avoided it.

"I can fight!" Eri declared.

"Show me, then!" Ace beckoned Eri to attack him with a taunt.

Eri responded to Ace's provocation. Her hands glowed pink. She tried grabbing Ace, but he always stepped out of her way. For every two chances she missed, Ace would shove her away with his foot. Eri didn't give up even after being shoved away for more than twenty times.

"Does it hurt?" Ace sneered at Eri who was struggling to get up. The last ten times were more like kicks instead of shoves. "That's me being merciful. The people out there at sea won't show you something like that. Still want to be a pirate?"

"I… I do! Of course I do!" Eri said through gritted teeth, which seemed to fill her with strength. She got up and tried using her Devil Fruit power again.

Ace was impressed by Eri's grit. So, he let her hit him. Out of both curiosity and reward for her perseverance. Ace glowed pink and started shrinking. He turned into a five year old boy. Unfortunately, his clothes didn't shrink with him.

Ace wasn't bothered. He quickly tightened his belt on his waist and rolled up his trousers to fit his small legs. Ace looked at Eri who was celebrating.

"Ha! I hit you! I'm bigger and stronger than you now!" Eri tried sneering the way Ace did, but she didn't look intimidating at all.

"Is that so?" Even after becoming small, Ace's sneer was still cold.

Eri quickly learned that the captain of the Royal Aces isn't as simple as she thought. Even after being transformed into his child form, Ace was still much faster and stronger than her.

Now that he was a kid too, Ace didn't feel guilty for trying to beat Eri up. This time, Eri tried defending herself without using her Devil Fruit power. Their exchange continued, but Eri still always lost.

Eri was standing up through sheer will alone. Her fight with Ace was long and tiring. She accumulated injuries as well. She was standing shakily, but her eyes remained strong.

"Still want to be a pirate?" Ace asked. "We're evil bastards, y'know?"

"I… I don't care! Then, I'll be evil too! I want to be a pirate!" Eri declared. It was met with silence.

"Pfft! HAHAHAHA!" Ace laughed and broke the silence, much to the confusion of Eri.

Mihar was gripping his fists so tightly that his palms started bleeding. Kotatsu looked sad as he watched Eri closely. Teach was impressed with Eri's grit that many men don't even possess. Augur, who was still in the crow's nest, wasn't watching and instead did his job of scouting the surroundings seriously.

"You're a crazy little girl!" Ace grinned at Eri. "You'll fit right in with my crew! Welcome aboard the Ashen Dragon, Apprentice Eri!"

Ace's words filled Eri with much joy and relief. Her face glowed in happiness as her energy seemed to momentarily return to her. She saluted Ace.

"Thank you, Captain Ace!" She then started jumping around in celebration.

"I did it! I did it! Kotatsu! I'm a pirate now!"

"Meow!"

Eri jumped to Kotatsu and hugged him tightly. She stayed there for a few seconds before going to Mihar and doing the same.

"I did it, Sensei! We can go with them now!"

"That, we can. Good job, Eri!"

Kotatsu looked like he didn't get enough hugs. So, he went to Eri and Mihar to join their hug. Meanwhile, Ace was taking the time to examine the effect of Eri's Devil Fruit power.

Ace tried summoning his flames, but nothing happened. He wasn't a fire human anymore. It would make sense since he didn't have his Devil Fruit powers when he was five years old. This would mean that Eri's power can either seal or destroy another Devil Fruit power in a person's body if their age regresses to a point where they didn't have their powers yet.

Ace was positive that his Devil Fruit was only sealed and not destroyed. Once he returns to his original body, his power would return. If it won't, Ace won't be bothered. Just disappointed. Having a Devil Fruit wasn't a must. In the end, Haki still reigns supreme. Devil Fruit powers are more like added support. Those at the top rely more on their Haki, after all.

Slowly, Eri fell asleep in Mihar and Kotatsu's hug. Ace glowed pink, and he unfastened his belt. He rolled down his trousers too so he won't destroy his own clothes after he grows back up.

Now that he's back to his real body, Ace tried to use his power again. Orange flames erupted on his hand. He was really impressed with the power of Eri's Devil Fruit. It's definitely one of the most powerful Paramecias there are.

"Are you really willing to take Eri along?" Mihar asked as he carried the sleeping Eri in his arms.

"Yeah," Ace said. "After all that beating, she still didn't give up. Plus, she hates this island."

"That's true. Ever since she ate her Devil Fruit…"

"You're joining too. You know that, right? Both you and the cat." Mihar chuckled at Ace's words.

"A pirate teacher. I don't think there's anyone else like that."

"You're probably right. Don't worry, I'll make your job easy," Ace said. "Protect Eri and the ship whenever the rest of the crew isn't aboard."

"I'll be sure to do my job well, Captain Ace!"

-----

(MEANWHILE, INSIDE THE ASHEN DRAGON)

"Leave those there," Hepha said, pointing at one corner of the room where her forge was.

Vash, Doppol, and the Doubles set down the sacks of gold ore on the corner Hepha pointed. When Vash set down the sacks he was carrying, his eye caught a detail that he missed.

There was something written on the inside of the sack. Vash wanted to know what it was, so he opened the sack, spilled out its contents, and turned it inside out.

"What is it, Vash?" Doppol asked.

Vash didn't answer. His eyes were glued on the symbol and text written like a logo on the sack they used to carry the gold. It was a triangular symbol, as simple as it can be. What really caught Vash's eye was the text written under it.

DELTA.

"Vash?" Hepha asked. She noticed Vash's unusual silence.

"Ohh, I'm fine. I was just surprised," Vash said. Doppol looked at the symbol Vash was looking at.

"I saw that symbol on the equipment they were using to mine the gold. Does it mean something?" Doppol asked.

"Yeah. I have unsettled business with them."

-----

"Captain!" Augur called out to Ace from the crow's nest after Mihar and Kotatsu went inside the ship to bring Eri to Vash's clinic once again. "Ships are approaching!"

"How many?" Ace looked in the direction Augur was looking at. He didn't see any ships, but he trusted his scout.

"Five of them!"

"Marines?"

"No. They have no jolly rogers either. I believe they are bounty hunters!" Augur reported.

"Ha! Coming after my head, then?" Ace inhaled before shouting loud enough for the whole ship to hear. "Everyone! Hands on deck! Bounty hunters sighted!"

Ace reached out with his Observation Haki. He felt everyone rush out from where they were. Hepha, Vash, Doppol and his Doubles exited the forge. Soma put down the pen he was using in drawing the map he was working on. Terzo woke up from his room. Mihar left Kotatsu to look after Eri in the clinic. Teach got up and stretched. Soon, they gathered on the deck.

"Everyone! Let's set sail!"

"Yes, Captain!"