ace the conqueror

Ace led Sabo through the dense, wild forest, his golden wings fluttering lightly with each step. The forest was alive with the sounds of wildlife—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant growl of beasts. It was the perfect place for combat training, a place where only the strong survived. And today, Sabo was going to learn what it meant to truly fight.

"Sabo, this place isn't like the city," Ace said, his tone serious. "Out here, you'll face real danger. You're not just fighting to win; you're fighting to survive."

Sabo nodded, his usual cocky grin replaced with a focused expression. He had never trained like this before, but he was determined to prove himself, especially after seeing the immense power Ace had at his disposal.

"I'm ready," Sabo said, tightening the grip on his wooden training staff.

Ace stopped in his tracks and turned to face him. "I'm not going to go easy on you, Sabo. You're not a kid anymore. You need to grow stronger if you want to survive in this world."

Sabo nodded again, his determination evident. "I get it. Let's do this."

"Good," Ace said, his eyes narrowing with focus. "First, let's start with the basics. Combat isn't just about strength. It's about control. It's about reading your opponent, predicting their moves. That's why we're going to work on your Observation Haki first."

Sabo raised an eyebrow. "Observation Haki? What's that?"

Ace grinned. "It's a form of Haki that allows you to sense your opponent's intentions, even if you can't see them clearly. You'll be able to feel their movements and anticipate their attacks before they even happen. It's not easy to master, but I think you're capable of it."

Sabo's expression was a mix of curiosity and doubt. "Sounds crazy, but if you say I can do it, I'll try."

Ace smiled, impressed by his resolve. "Alright, I want you to close your eyes and focus. Try to feel everything around you—the sounds of the forest, the wind, the movements of creatures. Forget everything you see with your eyes, and focus on your senses. It's like… feeling the world around you. Can you do that?"

Sabo squinted, looking skeptical but willing to try. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."

He closed his eyes and stood still, his breathing slow and steady. The rustling of leaves filled his ears, and he felt the cool breeze against his skin. Slowly, he let go of his thoughts and focused on the sensations around him. Time seemed to stretch out as he concentrated, trying to attune himself to the pulse of the forest.

Ace watched him, his own focus sharp. He could sense Sabo's struggles but also his potential. This would be a tough training, but Ace knew Sabo had the fire to push through.

Suddenly, a slight shift in the air brushed against Sabo's face. His eyes snapped open, and in that instant, he dodged to the side, just as a branch was about to strike him. He stumbled, but regained his balance quickly.

"You felt it," Ace said, his voice filled with approval. "You didn't see it, but you sensed it. That's the first step."

Sabo wiped the sweat from his brow, surprised at how easily he had reacted. "That was… weird. I didn't see anything coming at me, but it felt like I knew it was there."

Ace nodded. "That's the power of Observation Haki. The more you practice, the sharper it will become. You'll be able to feel attacks from anywhere, even from opponents you can't see."

Sabo took a deep breath, his mind still processing what had just happened. "Alright, I'll keep practicing it."

Ace smiled. "Good. But Haki isn't everything. Now, let's talk about power. Real power. The kind that can crush your enemies in an instant."

Sabo raised an eyebrow, sensing a challenge. "I'm listening."

Ace's grin grew wider as he raised his hand. "This is where my Devil Fruit power comes in."

With a flick of his wrist, flames erupted from Ace's palm, swirling around him in a brilliant display of power. The fire danced in the air, glowing with an intense, radiant heat. Sabo's eyes widened as he watched the flames move effortlessly at Ace's command.

"This is the Golden Crow," Ace explained, the flames flickering and shifting like living creatures. "It's not just fire. It's control over the sun, wind, and flame itself. You have to understand the power behind it. But it's not just about brute strength—it's about using your environment, controlling the fire to your advantage."

Sabo's gaze never left the flames, his fascination growing with each passing second. "That's… incredible. How do I learn to control something like that?"

Ace shrugged, extinguishing the flames with a flick of his wrist. "The first step is learning how to control yourself. You need to focus your will, your energy, and channel it into your attacks. Only then will you be able to control the flames. It's not easy, but you've got the potential."

Sabo clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "I'm not going to let you down, Ace. I'll master this."

Ace chuckled and slapped him on the back. "Good. But don't think it's going to be easy. We'll train every day—push your limits until you're ready to take on anything."

The two spent the rest of the day in the forest, training in both Observation Haki and combat techniques. Ace was tough on Sabo, but Sabo took the challenge in stride, learning faster than Ace expected. He was a quick learner, and with each passing hour, his understanding of Haki and his ability to control his powers grew stronger.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the forest, Ace and Sabo took a break, sitting on a fallen log to rest.

"You've made progress today," Ace said, giving Sabo a rare nod of approval. "But tomorrow we'll push it further. You've got a long way to go, but you're heading in the right direction."

Sabo smiled, his yellow hair rustling in the breeze. "Thanks, Ace. I won't stop training. I'll catch up to you, I swear."

Ace smiled back, the warmth of the sunset reflecting in his eyes. "I'm counting on you, Sabo. You're my brother, and I'll make sure you're strong enough to survive this world."

The two sat in silence, watching as the sky darkened. In that moment, Ace knew their journey had only just begun. And with Sabo at his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.