Chapter 25 The Impossible Alliance

"So it's understood then?" The gruff voice of Whitebeard spoke with finality. Bringing a conclusion to our hour-and-a-half conversation.

"Yes, my business will only go through you, in return when I make it to the New World you will personally train me for three years." I said once again repeating the terms we've come to.

"Good, I will be waiting for you, expect to find me on Fishman Island in 22 months, I will wait there for 3 months. If you don't make it in time it's up to you to find me yourself." Whitebeard replied.

"Yes, I understand" I said, still slightly dumbstruck at the conversation. A few seconds later the line was cut and the snail went to sleep, but I just sat there holding it in disbelief. 'I have Conqueror's Haki….. What even are the chances….. This confirms a theory I've had for a long while though, this isn't my body….' I thought to myself as I looked down at my mildly chiseled physique with trepidation.

'If there was a skill for negotiations I'd bet I'd have it at the Divine level….. A few promises and guarantees and now I will have the 'strongest man in the world' teach me, not just combat, but everything Haki I can learn in three years…. The worst thing about it is I know the Old bastard has a hidden agenda because he took my terms without a second thought…. I need to find out what his game is' I thought to myself as I finally hung up the snail.

'Either way, I've been guaranteed to have the 'strongest' Logia in my possession in six months time….. So at least the first part of my plan has gone off without a hitch… Though I know some problems may arrive with a certain individual once the fruit is found, I wonder if he'll have the balls to try and kill Marco for the fruit this time' I thought with a devilish smirk at the possible scenario of one of my kills being taking care of without me having to lift a finger.

'But a possible subclass ability, of course, I speculated there to be some. But to be born with one is crazy, though I doubt I'll be able to unlock it on my own.' I thought while annoyed at having to rely on the old man. 'Though two years is a long time, I might not even need him when that time comes… Hell the old man and Vista may also be reading too far into a random occurrence' Finishing the thought with a sigh I decided to head back out to see how far Monet had progressed in two hours.

Opening the door I'm greeted by the perfect Christmas morning. 'Except it's summer and I'm on a ship' I thought mildly annoyed as I sidestepped a bundle of snow that was held up by the door I had just opened. Looking around I noticed everyone on the crew using makeshift shovels to get a rid of at least some of the snow and a depressed Monet apologizing as she controlled chunks and guided them into the sea. 'Hmmmm, this is interesting... Whatever she did when she was experimenting could honestly be considered a Domain ability, though the degree of coldness is laughable if it was met to cause adverse effects.' I finished analyzing her failure as I made my way over to them. It was only a few seconds before they all noticed me trudging through the snow.

"Captain! I'm sorry I won't do i…"

"Do it again" I said, causing her and the rest of the crew to look at me dumbstruck.

"What do you mean?" The crew said as one. Obviously annoyed with snow in summer.

"This is impressive, though I'm surprised you figured out how to make a Domain ability this quickly. This is a boon, continue! Don't worry about the ship, she's been treated'' I order causing everyone to disperse and I watch Monet quickly go through the motions of summoning what I can guess was supposed to be a snow Tornado. In seconds it began spinning to life quickly growing to around 20 meters tall until it dispersed in a freezing explosion. 'So that's how it works... When the tornado explodes it releases a 'freeze wave' turning all water in the air and on the ground into snow, amazing….'

"Impressive, congratulations your first AOE move is completed. You are just full of surprises huh… huahaha" I said busting out laughing at her insane progress with the Snow Logia.

"Yeah, I guess….. But what's the point of just summoning an area of snow?" Monet asked confused. Looking up at her like she was crazy I can't help but remember she was a novice at all of this.

"Imagine, Monet…."

"I won't need to waste time conjuring snow, my attack speed will double as I use this as a setup move" She said after a look of realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Precisely, now for a name.... What do you think of 'Domain: Frozen Tundra'?" I asked with excitement as the girl seemed more concerned about how to use it in combat as she just nodded absentmindedly.

"Well why don't you practice using normal snow, I was actually coming to help you with target practice" I said which caused the girl to get out of her stupor.

"Try everything you can think of, spikes, freezing wind, anything to force me to dodge." I ordered as I wrapped a piece of cloth over my eyes. 'I need to finish this last level today, then I'll have a whole week to try out the new abilities I'll get from the orbs'

"Yes, Captain!" Monet yelled, easily getting my hint as I had to jump back because a spike appeared right under where I was. Impressively another formed right where I would've landed, proving that she's giving this training everything she has. Turning in a spin I easily destroyed the hastily made spike showing her that she'd have to come up with something more surprising to catch me.

POV CHANGE X DRAKE

'Ok, so he's a powerful swordsman and maybe even as good as the captain at pure swordplay. Obviously, I'll have the advantage of speed but I'm lacking in the attack power department.' I finished the thought with a sigh as I continued to practice my fire abilities. 'The only quick way I could possibly gain the attack power is to create something with my fire that could deal real damage.'

The thought led me back to a short but informative conversation I had with Kal after I proved I could use my fire in different ways besides a breath attack.

FLASHBACK ONE MONTH AGO...

"Well damn, you lucked out on your fruit huh? Real fire manipulation, that is just… bs…" Kal or my captain said with a sigh as he looked over at me with a ball of fire in each hand and one in my beak.

"It seems it has a weakness though…" Kal said after Observing me shooting multiple at once.

"What do you mean? Hasn't my damage doubled now that I can shoot more?" I asked in confusion because usually with weapons more are better.

"Well yeah, at this level of combat. But people with over 50 million berries bounties will brush it off like it's nothing. What I'd recommend you focus on would be trying to increase the intensity of your fireballs, considering you still haven't figured out how to make anything other than balls at the moment'' He advised me.

"So just make them bigger?" I asked slightly confused by what he meant, he seemed to think it over for a minute before he started laughing.

"Huhaha, I've got the perfect thing for you. So yes make it bigger, but then condense that destructive power into a palm size ball. Though it will be a melee attack instead of long-range, it should fit in your arsenal perfectly….." Kal advised me to which I began to focus on only the ball in my left hand until I made it around 3 feet in diameter.

"Ok.. I understand this part but how do I condense it?" I asked raising the ball closer for him to get a look.

"Well, that's going to be the tougher part, spin the flame. If you can create a rotational force then the following explosion of flames would probably quadruple in damage. I'd recommend using your off hand to help you control it, if only you had clones" Kal trailed off and ended with something that made absolutely no sense to me. Though the concept of adding a force to the fire sounded plausible.

FLASHBACK END…..

'Now the concept? Simple. Real word? Not so much. I've been able to lower it a foot in diameter and a spin to it, but any farther and the technique collapses. I'm very close but there is something I'm missing.' I finished the thought as I began summoning a ball of fire in my palm. 'Though it has increased my control by miles, now I can straight summon the ball in less than a second'

'Now what if I try changing the process? Instead of increasing size first, why don't I start with containment…..' I thought while summoning a new ball of fire between both of my hands, in seconds it clicked.

"I actually did it…. One month" I thought to myself as I held up the ball of fire. Almost pure black but spinning dark red in the middle with wisps of flames decorating the outside. Holding it in my hand I can feel the weight and the destructive power in the move. 'Damn, definitely can't try this one on the ship' I thought to myself as I took flight.

Seconds later I was above the ocean as I slammed my palm into the water. "ASHENGAN" I yelled as the move exploded into a sphere of pure fire. Creating a 15-meter hole in the sea that was quickly filled. 'Yeah, that swordsman's fucked' I thought with excitement as I flew back to the ship with newfound confidence.

'Now I just need to focus on pushing my Soru to fifteen steps. I've been stuck at 14 for a month and a half…' I thought with a sigh as the never-ending training continued. 'Though I'd rather be here than anywhere else'

3 DAYS LATER-KAL POV

SKILL EVOLVING....

*(INTERMEDIATE) OBSERVATION HAKI LVL 1/75-USING YOUR WILLPOWER YOU CAN OPEN A SIXTH SENSE TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU, SENSING ATTACKS AND EVEN GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR THREAT LEVEL OR INTENT. *ABLE TO SENSE DANGER AND STRENGTH LEVEL OF ENEMIES PASSIVELY WITHIN YOUR RANGE

CURRENT RANGE:25-(35)METERS.

"Finally….." I said with a sigh as I motioned Monet to stop our little game of human target practice. 'So now I can sense the strengths of people, which is very useful.' I thought with a smirk as I sent my Haki to 'scan' Monet.

{LOW-THREAT}

'Well, that was kind of rude…. She's still learning' I thought to myself in between chuckles.

"Are we done for the day?" She asked me tiredly. 'Well, we have been at it for 10 hours a day for three days straight, though her Domain ability has improved tremendously.'

"Yeah… I finally improved. But I want you to keep practicing on creating an actual Tornado attack, your Domain ability can wait until we get to land" I advised her as I began walking towards my office.

"Ok Captain, I'll come to find you if I get it!" She yelled after me. 'She's definitely going to slack off, ehhh I got abilities to get and draw so she can do whatever she wants for a while' I thought with a smirk as I pulled up my Berrie counter

BERRIE COUNTER:3.102,658,000

'You heard it here first! I'm filthy rich' I yelled internally with a chuckle as I entered my office and took a seat in my chair.

'Hmmm, so skill orbs or Gacha first…. No, I've been waiting forever. Let's see what my first Epic grade skill is…' I thought as I brought out the orbs and crushed the purple one.

SKILL LEARNED

(NOVICE) HASSHOKEN-A POWERFUL MARTIAL ART THAT IS PRIMARILY USED BY THE HAPPO NAVY, THE ART ENABLES ITS USER TO PRODUCE SHOCK WAVES FROM ANY PART OF THEIR BODY TO ATTACK.

CURRENT MASTERY: CAN ONLY PRODUCE SHOCKWAVES FROM EXTREMITIES

'Well out of everything I could think of this might be the 2nd worst for me with fishman karate being the worst. Though I may be able to take it to a point where I can use it with my sword. But an investment like that would be tremendous.' I thought while sighing, not really sold on the Martial art just yet. 'I will try it out though, it could be a powerful card up my sleeve' Finishing the debate I immediately crush the red orb.

GEPPO 1/50- ONE OF THE SIX SECRET AND POWERFUL MARINE TECHNIQUES, GEPPO IS A MOVEMENT TECHNIQUE MEANT TO HELP IN AIR-BASED COMBAT.

CURRENT MASTERY: CAN ONLY BE USED 5 TIMES CONSECUTIVELY.

'Couldn't have asked for better, easily one of the most useful Rokushiki arts. Now I have something I need to grind again'

'Though it does look goofy... but who cares what you look like when you can fly under your own power.'

'With only a week left until we clash with the Ghost Hand pirates, I'm going to focus on Geppo and Soru exclusively. My movement ability will be my focus for the next few months, it won't matter how good I am with a sword if I can't get to the position I need to be in to make my attack land'

'Now let's focus on some draws... I guess I'll do one legendary and ten epics and save the last billion berries for a celebratory one after the fight'

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRADE 2 BILLION BERRIES FOR 20,000 GACHA COINS…..

20,000 COINS ADDED!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO A 10,000-COIN LEGENDARY GUARANTEED DRAW?

DRAWING...

Like every other time, I waited thirty seconds for something to fall on the table. After waiting a normal-looking red fedora hat came into existence. A legendary draw but I got a hat, at least that's what you'd think if you weren't cultured.

Looking over the hat I made a few quick deductions, a dark red fabric, and a few clips in the middle to adjust the size that fastened together with blue buttons.

LEGENDARY EQUIPMENT ACQUIRED

FEDORA OF THE VAMPIRE KING

EFFECT: 1.5X BOOST TO BOTH DEXTERITY AND ENDURANCE. GRANTS THE SKILL VAMPIRIC PHASE

'Well, my first piece of armor is fucking awesome….. Though I am wearing too much red now' I thought with a smirk as I looked at my red cloak, without another thought I donned the hat. In less than a second I felt the difference, as it felt like my speed doubled. Though I know it was only a fifty percent boost. Though with every point I gain in Dexterity and endurance will now be worth 1.5 instead of just one. Truly a legendary piece.

LVL 15 (105,000/380,000XP)

TITLE: FRIEND OF THE BEARD-(boosts learning speed on skills by 15%)

NAME: FATE D. KAL

STR-172

END-220-{330}

WILL-265

INT-88

DEX-260-{390}

STAT POINTS: 220

GACHA COINS:1000

BERRIE COUNTER:1,102,658,000

'Awesome...…though it does feel a little cheap to gain power that quick. Not even to mention this skill.."

VAMPIRIC PHASE LVL 1/100- BECOME A SHADOW THAT CAN PASS THROUGH THE WORLD AROUND YOU.

CURRENT MASTERY: ABLE TO BE USED ONCE A DAY FOR 5 SECONDS

"Broken…. Though the limit is extreme, hopefully, it will lessen after I level it up. How do I train an ability I can only use once a day... Years... It will take years. Can't even imagine complaining about it though. I can use it to pass through an attack that might have killed me or catch somebody off guard for a finisher'

'Yeah that's enough for today, let's go mess with Mori and phase through him' I decided as I dashed through the door laughing menacingly.