Chapter 43 - Two Days

Ace looked at Bob for a moment before a grin spread across his face.

"Bob! What a surprise seeing you here."

Bob laughed.

"Same here. Figured you'd be a big shot pirate by now, but you're still hanging around here."

Hearing Bob's words caused Ace to laugh.

"What do you know? I'm pretty famous now and i've joined a good crew too. The only reason i'm back here is because i'm chasing someone."

"How famous are we talking and what made you join a crew? I thought you were making your own pirate crew."

"Things change Bob, I found some people I enjoy and a man thats great. I decided to help him become king of the pirates. As for how famous I am, the marines put a 550 million bounty on me."

Bob made a surprised face.

"That really is a lot."

"So, how's Luffy? Did you go out to sea with him?"

"No, we went our separate ways not too long ago."

"I see, I was hoping to meet with him. Seems like i'll have to wait for him in Alabasta."

"How about you stay here for a few days, do a little catching up. Also, I want to see how strong you've become."

Bob said.

"If I recall, weren't you the weakest out of all of us?"

"Things change, I can't stay weak forever."

Bob put his hand on Black Death.

"Besides, you might not even be able to handle me now."

Ace laughed.

"Sure, sure. I'll entertain you for a bit."

Bob grinned as he put on his demon like ask.

"Let's go."

Ace followed Bob outside.

When the two of them went outside into an open field, Bob drew Black Death.

He wasn't planning on using his newly obtained devil fruit powers, as there wouldn't be much use for it during this fight. His real goal was to test out Mortal Reminder and see if it worked on logia users.

"That sword of yours won't be much use against me."

Ace said.

"Yeah, but it has its perks."

Bob replied as he dashed towards Ace.

Ace was agile but Bob's sword was quick. Bob planned to use limit himself to using his skills during this fight.

He shouldn't rely on them too much, as they had a long cooldown time. Instead he should focus on his sword technique and movement.

Ace was greatly surprised by Bob's speed, it wasn't what he remembered. Seeing Bob's sword inches away from him Ace jumped back.

"You've gotten good, what happened in the time I was gone?"

Ace asked.

"Not much, but you should focus. Hate for you to lose so soon."

Ace laughed.

Ace darted to Bob and aimed his fist at Bob's gut. Bob was able to react and twist his body dodging Ace's attack.

Bob knew that Ace had insane physical strength, but that wouldn't be enough against Bob. Bob was able to move faster than Ace, so unless Bob messed up, Ace wouldn't be able to hit him.

Not unless he used his devil fruit abilities, then things would change.

Bob saw an opening and took it, he swung Black Death and it sliced through Ace's body.

"If you had devil fruit powers Ace, you should have used them from the start."

Ace grinned.

"Thought i'd be able to beat you without them, but your a bit slippery. However, speed isn't everything."

Bob knew this would happen so he quickly made space between him and Ace. As Bob was creating distance between them, Ace dashed forward. His body became a ball of flame and he flew behind Bob in an instant. Ace's body quickly materialized and he kicked Bob.

Bob was already in the air, he couldn't dodge.

Bob took the attack, and he felt intense pain on his back. Bob was sent flying forward and tumbled in the snow.

He quickly recovered and used Grand Blessing.

"Alright Ace, try to dodge this."

Bob said as he appeared in front of Ace with speed quicker than before.

"You just don't learn do you?"

Bob already had three charges saved up from fighting with beast here and there. He was planning on using them all on Ace.

Bob stopped right in front of Ace and punched towards Ace. He activated Mortal Reminder, causing this attack to hit Ace no matter what, it would also ignore all his defense.

Bob's left fist had a glow to it, Ace tried to block the blow but nothing he tried worked. His body felt heavy, and his devil fruit ability seemed to be locked.

Bob's fist connected with Ace's stomach and Ace was knocked back.

He was only knocked back, that was all.

Bob didn't want to put too much strength into his punch, because he did not want to harm Ace. That was also why he decided not to use Mortal Reminder with Black Death.

Bob looked at his hand and started to squeeze it.

Ace looked at Bob.

"You know how to use armament haki? I'm honestly impressed!"

Bob shook his head.

"That wasn't armament haki, it was something else."

Bob sheathed Black Death.

"Let's stop for now, I can't win against you. At least not right now."

Ace nodded his head.

"If you've gotten this strong, I can only imagine how strong Luffy is."

Bob laughed a little.

"I have a favor to ask of you Ace."

"Yeah? What is it?'

"Teach me armament haki. So far I can only cover the tip of my finger, but I must be doing something wrong."

Ace rubbed his chin.

"Hmm, I don't know about that. It'd take too long to learn, and I have something to do."

"You're chasing Blackbeard right? Let's make a deal. You teach me the basics of armament haki, and i'll tell you where he'll be."

"How do you know about Blackbeard?"

Ace asked Bob.

"You and Luffy might be pirates, but i've joined an organization. We have various information at hand, so it's not hard to find out something. A large figure like Blackbeard is sure to have been seen somewhere."

"Two days, I'll teach you what I know but it's up to you if you learn it or not. After two days, I really need to go."

Ace said.

"Alright."

Bob did not mind telling Ace about Blackbeard's location. Reason was simple after Ace and Luffy part ways, Ace would find out where Blackbeard was anyway. Bob was simply telling Ace what he'd know later.

'Hope nothing messes up in the timeline.'