ace the conqueror

The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the dense forest, the distant sound of animals rustling in the underbrush the only noise disturbing the peaceful evening. Ace, now five years old, stood in the middle of the clearing, his small fists raised in a defensive stance. Sweat beaded on his brow, but his eyes were sharp, focused with an intensity that belied his young age.

For the past year, Garp had returned regularly to oversee Ace's training. Each visit was a lesson—sometimes brief, sometimes grueling. Every day that passed brought a new challenge, a new opportunity for growth. And Ace had taken to it with the unwavering determination of someone who had lived far longer than five years.

Garp stood a few steps away, his massive form leaning casually against a tree, watching Ace with a critical but proud gaze.

"You've come a long way, kid," Garp said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "But we've got a year ahead of us. It's time to get serious."

Ace nodded, his young face showing no sign of fear or hesitation. He had learned quickly that Garp wasn't just any trainer. His lessons were hard, often painful, but they were the kind of training that forged warriors.

"First," Garp continued, "let's talk about the *Six Powers* of the Marines. You're already strong, but you need control, discipline, and technique. You've got a year to master the basics, or at least make a damn good start."

Ace was eager, his heart racing with anticipation. The training Garp had already shown him—the bursts of speed, the iron-hard defense—were just the beginning. He knew the Six Powers were the key to unlocking true strength.

For the next year, every day would be spent training, improving, refining. Ace's body would change, grow, and adapt, but most importantly, his mind would sharpen. He was determined to push himself to the limit. This was more than just training—it was his destiny.

---

**Training Year: Day 1 to 30**

The first month was all about *Soru* and *Tekkai*. Garp had Ace run drills until his legs felt like they would collapse. Every morning, Ace practiced sprinting, moving from one side of the clearing to the other in short, explosive bursts. At first, he couldn't even come close to matching Garp's speed, but he refused to give up.

*"Focus. Feel the ground beneath you. Move like water, like air,"* Garp's words echoed in his mind as he attempted Soru again and again.

Each day, Ace's speed improved. But it wasn't just about running fast; it was about using the ground, pushing off it in just the right way to gain speed. By the end of the month, Ace could make it across the clearing in a flash, though not without effort.

Tekkai was a different beast. It was about building endurance, hardening his body like steel. Garp had Ace throw punches at his own body, using his small fists to test his limits. The first few days were brutal. Ace's hands would ache, his arms would bruise, but each time he felt pain, he steeled himself to push through it.

Garp, who had already mastered these techniques, would smile and nod. "You're getting stronger. Keep it up."

---

**Training Year: Day 31 to 90**

The second month introduced *Rankyaku* and *Shigan*, two of the more advanced techniques. Rankyaku, the air-cutting kick, was particularly difficult. Garp demonstrated first by launching a blade of wind toward a distant tree, the sound of the slash echoing through the clearing. The tree splintered in half, falling to the ground with a heavy crash.

Ace stood, awestruck, as Garp turned to him with a grin. "You're not gonna do that on day one, kid. But don't worry, we'll get you there."

Ace spent the following days focusing on his kicks, learning to generate power from his legs and focusing it into a sharp strike. The first attempts were weak, but as time passed, he started to feel the wind ripple from his leg with each kick. By the end of the month, he was creating small gusts of air with his kicks, though nothing as powerful as Garp's. Still, the progress was visible.

Shigan, the thrusting finger strike, was a different challenge. Garp demonstrated by piercing a rock with a single finger, the crack running through it like a line of lightning.

Ace tried it for the first time, aiming his finger at a large stone. The strike wasn't perfect; it barely made an impact, but the effort left a tingling sensation in his finger. Garp's approval was a quiet grunt.

"It's about focus. Your strength is in your fingertip," Garp said. "Keep your form tight and your mind focused. Don't waste energy."

---

**Training Year: Day 91 to 180**

The next phase of training focused on the final two techniques: *Kami-e* and *Hasshoken*. Kami-e was the technique of flowing like water, avoiding attacks by turning your body into a fluid motion. Garp demonstrated by dodging Ace's attacks, his body bending and shifting like liquid, making it impossible for Ace to land a hit. It seemed impossible to Ace at first, but as Garp explained, it was about relaxing the body and letting go of rigidity.

Every day, Ace tried to mimic the flow of water. He would jump and roll, letting his body bend like a reed in the wind, trying to feel the air as it passed him. At first, it felt strange—like he was losing control—but slowly, he began to sense the rhythm of his body, the way it could bend and twist without resistance.

By the end of the sixth month, Ace could move fluidly, dodging Garp's slower attacks. But it wasn't perfect—he still lacked the speed and precision of a true master.

Then there was *Hasshoken*. This technique required focusing all of his energy into a single, powerful strike. Garp explained that it was the culmination of everything Ace had learned. Strength, focus, control—all combined into one devastating attack. To master it, Ace had to be willing to put his body through the ultimate test.

Garp demonstrated first, slamming his fist into the ground. The earth cracked under the impact, a shockwave spreading outward. Ace was in awe.

"You've got the strength," Garp said, "but you need to focus it all into one point. It'll feel like you're about to explode, but that's the point. All that power focused on one strike."

Ace spent the next month learning to gather his strength, his body, his will into a single blow. The first time he attempted it, he ended up exhausted, his body aching, but the air around him shuddered slightly. It wasn't a full blow, but it was a start.

---

**Training Year: Day 181 to 365**

The final three months of Ace's year-long training were all about refinement. Each technique Garp had shown him, each lesson, was brought to its peak. Ace honed his Soru, making his movements faster and more fluid. His Tekkai became stronger, harder, his body capable of taking more punishment.

By the end of the year, Ace had mastered the basics of the Six Powers. He was faster, stronger, and more disciplined than any child his age had a right to be. His observation skills had improved as well—he could feel things around him even without seeing them. He was starting to understand the true nature of Haki, the feeling that something else could be shaping his destiny.

Garp stood before him on the final day of training, his arms crossed, a proud smile on his face. "You did well, kid. A year ago, you couldn't even land a solid hit. Now, look at you."

Ace, panting from his final set of training, straightened up. His muscles ached, but his spirit burned with a new, unshakable resolve.

"I'm ready," Ace said, his voice steady and filled with the confidence of someone who had endured and conquered.

Garp gave him a knowing nod. "Good. But remember, this is just the beginning. There's a whole world out there, and you've got a long road ahead. But I'm damn proud of you, Ace."

Ace smiled, his eyes shining with determination. "I'll keep going. I'll become the strongest."

Garp chuckled, clapping Ace on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, kid. Just don't forget what true strength is."

As the sun set on their training ground, Ace knew that this was only the beginning of his journey. With Garp's teachings and his own resolve, there was nothing that could stop him from reaching the pinnacle of strength.