ace the conqueror

Ace stood at the edge of the clearing, his golden wings shimmering under the sunlight. It had been a few days since he had consumed the mysterious *Tori Tori no Mi*, Model: Golden Crow, and the changes in him were undeniable. The power of fire, wind, and the sun pulsed through him, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. Each day, he grew more familiar with it, his control strengthening, though there was still much to learn.

Garp's voice broke the silence. "Ace!" he called, his tone serious. "I need to talk to you."

Ace turned to face him, curiosity rising. "What is it, Garp?"

Garp walked into the clearing, eyeing Ace's wings with a sharp gaze. "I've been watching you, kid. You've been hiding something. Your fruit isn't a typical one, is it?"

Ace raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? It's a Zoan fruit."

Garp shook his head, a deep frown crossing his face. "That's what I thought at first. A *Flame Logia*, maybe. But no... looking at you now, I realize what it is. That's not just fire you're controlling. The *Tori Tori no Mi*, Model: Golden Crow… You've got the power of a mythical creature."

Ace blinked, surprised by Garp's assessment. "Golden Crow? That doesn't sound right. I thought it was just a regular fire-based fruit."

"No," Garp said, his voice serious. "The Golden Crow isn't just about flames. In legend, the Golden Crow represents the sun itself, with the power to control fire, wind, and even the essence of life. The Golden Crow is a creature of immense power. Its fire is different from what you've seen in a *Flame Logia*—it's not just destruction. It can also bring light, sustain life, and manipulate the wind."

Ace's mind raced as the weight of Garp's words sank in. "So… I can control fire and wind… but there's more to it than that?"

Garp nodded, eyeing him carefully. "Exactly. That power inside you—it's deeper than you think. You've got to be careful. The Golden Crow is a creature of legends for a reason."

Ace looked down at his hands, feeling the weight of the fruit's power course through him. "I've felt it… this fire, this wind... It's like nothing I've ever experienced before."

Garp's voice was firm. "And that's why I'm going to test you, Ace. You need to learn how to control it."

Ace looked up, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

Without another word, Garp dashed forward, moving faster than Ace anticipated. His fist shot out, a powerful *Gomu Gomu no* punch aimed straight at Ace. But Ace was already in motion, his golden wings flaring behind him. He was fast—faster than he had ever been before. His body reacted instinctively, his newfound strength giving him the edge. He ducked under Garp's punch and retaliated with a blast of wind from his outstretched hand.

Garp's eyes widened slightly as the gust sent him stumbling back. "Not bad, kid. But you'll need more than wind to beat me."

Ace grinned, his body feeling lighter than ever. "I'll show you more."

He flicked his wrist, and in an instant, flames erupted from his hand, swirling around him like a fiery tornado. The heat was intense, but Ace barely noticed, the flames flowing with a grace he hadn't expected. It was as if the fire was an extension of his very will.

Garp leapt into the air, avoiding the flames, and aimed a punch down at Ace. But before he could strike, Ace's wings beat once, sending a shockwave of air and flame toward the old man. The force of the blast knocked Garp back, though he landed on his feet, his face a mixture of surprise and approval.

"You're getting the hang of it," Garp said, wiping sweat from his brow. "But you're still not fully there yet. That fruit's power is wild. You've got the fire and wind down, but there's still more to this. The Golden Crow represents the sun, right? Don't forget about the other half of its power—life. You need to figure out how to tap into that."

Ace was panting, but a grin spread across his face. "Life, huh?" he repeated, his mind whirring as he thought about it. "Guess I've got more to learn."

"You've got the strength now," Garp said, his tone softer but still serious. "But you need discipline. Fire and wind can be a blessing or a curse. Learn to control them, and you'll be unstoppable. But the power of life—that's something different. You need to understand it, Ace. It's not just about destruction. It's about creation, balance."

Ace nodded, his golden wings folding behind him as he calmed his breathing. "I understand. I'll figure it out."

Garp chuckled. "You're a lot more stubborn than I gave you credit for. Alright, one last round. Let's see how well you handle my punches now."

Ace didn't hesitate. The moment Garp moved, Ace was ready. He blocked with a blast of wind, dodged the old man's counterattacks, and unleashed a powerful stream of fire. But this time, he focused on control, not just raw power. The flames moved in a precise arc, surrounding Garp but not burning him, just holding him back.

Garp grinned as he danced around the flames, but he was clearly impressed. "You're starting to get it."

Ace lowered his hands, his chest heaving with exertion. "I'll keep getting stronger. This fruit, this power—it's just the beginning. I'm going to be the strongest."

Garp stopped in his tracks, looking at Ace with a glint of pride in his eyes. "Keep that fire burning, Ace. But remember—there's always a balance. Power isn't just about being the strongest. It's about knowing when to strike, and when to hold back."

Ace's golden wings flickered as he nodded, a sense of understanding growing inside him. "I'll remember, Garp. I'm not just going to burn everything down. I'll control it."

Garp grinned broadly. "Good. Because with that Golden Crow fruit of yours, the world better watch out. You've got the potential to change everything."

Ace's eyes gleamed with determination as he looked into the sky. The golden flames around him flickered, and he felt the wind shifting, as if the world itself was responding to his will. With the strength of the Golden Crow, he would rise to the top.

And this was just the beginning.