Chapter 176 - Chapter 178 (1/2)
A week later in the desert of Alabasta, two people were fighting with each other. Both of them were controlling fire, and one swipe from their hands or one casual kick created waves upon waves of fire that could easily burn down cities. Whenever the flames of these two individuals clashed pillars of flames would appear and incredible explosions occurred around them. These two were Ace and Amell, and they had been doing this for three days now. Ace's crew stayed in the nearest city because no one could be near their location when they were fighting. Amell taught Ace how to combine his powers with martial arts. Previously, Ace had relied too much on his invincibility as a logia user.
”It's IMPOSSIBLE!” Ace fell backwards on the scorching sand with sweat pouring down his body. It looked like he had just gone through an hour-long torture session, and that wasn't that far from the truth of the situation. Amell didn't pull any punches during this intensive training camp. He gave Ace the very feared, Gotei training session.
”Nothings impossible, it's all a matter of finding the silver lining in things. you are a lot stronger than you were three days ago. I taught you proper martial arts, and I showed you how you can master your flames. Now, you just have to do it, and all you need is some talent and hard work. Talent, you have plenty of, and hard work shouldn't be difficult either.” Amell stood casually on the sand with not an ounce of sweat visible on his body. ”Don't give up, Ace!”
”Give up? I have thrown everything I have at you, and I'm not even close to getting you to use your other hand!” Ace lifted his head and glared at Amell.
”Do not compare yourself to me, brat! I killed Kaido almost without touching him, and I could kill Whitebeard just as easily. First, you should focus on beating an admiral, then move on to emperors.” Amell hit him with a teasing smile.
”Uncle, are you even human?” Ace's head found its place on the sand again.
”Of course not! Hahaha!” Amell waved his hand and Ace was lifted on his feet by the wind.
”Now, come attack me again!” Amell gestured with his hand for Ace to attack. ”AAAH!” Ace gave in to the taunting and flew at Amell, he threw out hundreds of concentrated and accurate punches. The longer they spent together and the more Ace observed Amell fight, the more he started to adapt to that style of fighting himself. He started fighting more like a fire bender instead of how he usually fought, which consisted of simply pumping out as much fire as possible on his opponent.
Amell used the back of his hand to counter all of Ace's punches, and every time Ace used his fire to attack either up close or from a distance, Amell always managed to redirect the fire. ”Be more accurate with your power. When fighting powerful opponents, small concentrated flames rather than giant waves.”
Ace glared at him in frustration, ”I know, concentrated fire means more power and more damage.” He dodged a punch from Amell by quickly leaning to the side. He rushed in and delivered a punch against Amell's stomach, but he performed a sideways spin and dodged it. Amell delivered a palm strike against Ace's head making him plunge into the sand with his face first.
”It's IMPOSSIBLE!!” Ace flew up on his feet with a big red mark on the side of his face. Suddenly soft clapping was heard from the side. ”Reminds me of when grandpa used to train me!” Robin's sweet and seductive voice was heard from the side. She and her guardian, Minerva stood off to the side with Minerva holding a black umbrella over Robin to shield her from the sun.
”Who're you guys?” Ace calmed down and observed the newly arrived party of beautiful women. Their arrival was so random and unexpected that Ace didn't bother analysing the context of what Robin said.
Robin stopped looking at Ace and turned her gaze to Amell, and she quickly left the comfort of the black umbrella and ran over and hugged her grandpa. Ace looked on with confusion, ”You two know each other?”
”This is Robin, she is my granddaughter,” Amell said and let go of her after their hug. ”It's good to see you again, little one,” Amell winked at her and flicked her softly on her forehead. ”It's really good to see you too. Why don't you visit more often?” She wanted to look angry but she couldn't stop her beautiful smile from spreading across her face.
”A lot of things going on, you know. Had a war with Kaido, and now I have three other emperors to take care off.” He said with a smile.