ace the conqueror

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the bustling village as Ace stood in front of Shanks and his crew. His heart was racing, the fire of his training and his newfound strength itching to be tested. The feeling that had drawn him here now pulsed through his veins—he wanted to see how far his abilities had truly come.

Luffy stood by, his eyes wide with excitement. He had been following Ace's every move since the moment they met, eagerly soaking in every ounce of information he could.

"What do you think, Luffy?" Ace asked, his voice calm but with an undeniable challenge in his tone. "Do you think I'm strong?"

Luffy grinned, his usual confidence in full swing. "I don't know, Ace! But if you're gonna fight Shanks, then it must be pretty serious, huh?"

Ace smirked. "I think it's time to see if my power is worth anything. I'm not looking for a crew, but I want to know just how strong I've gotten."

Shanks, leaning against a nearby post, raised an eyebrow at Ace's words. "You want to fight me, huh?" Shanks asked, his voice light but laced with curiosity. He knew what Ace was capable of from watching him earlier, but testing his limits was another matter entirely.

"I do," Ace replied, his eyes locked onto Shanks. "I want to see if I can make it as a real pirate. If I want to stand among the strongest, I need to know where I stand. No offense, but I'm confident in what I've learned."

Luffy's jaw dropped. "You're gonna fight Shanks?!" He looked at the rest of Shanks' crew, who also seemed a bit taken aback by Ace's boldness.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Shanks asked, his voice much more serious now. He took a step forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I don't want to crush your spirit, kid, but I don't hold back."

Ace nodded, his expression unwavering. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Without another word, Shanks unsheathed his sword, the red blade gleaming in the afternoon light. He got into a ready stance, his eyes focused intently on Ace. "Let's see what you've got."

The moment the words left Shanks' mouth, Ace was already moving, his body a blur of motion as he charged at Shanks with incredible speed. The golden flames of his Zoan fruit swirled around him, rising like a flame that refused to be contained. He aimed a powerful kick at Shanks, but the pirate captain was faster.

Shanks parried the attack with a swift slash, the sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Ace barely managed to dodge, his body twisting mid-air to avoid the strike, but the wind from the sword's arc brushed past him.

Luffy watched with wide eyes as Ace and Shanks exchanged blows, Ace's fiery abilities flaring as he attacked, his movements fast and fluid. He was clearly holding his own—something no one had expected. His golden flames crackled and burst as he dodged and countered, but Shanks' skill with his sword was beyond anything Ace had experienced.

Ace leaped into the air, his body enveloped in golden fire as he aimed a fierce punch at Shanks. But just as his fist neared, Shanks' sword came down in a single, fluid motion, knocking Ace back with an effortless strike.

Ace landed on the ground, skidding a few feet before he regained his footing. He looked up at Shanks, his chest heaving as he stared at the man who had so easily deflected his attack.

"You're fast, Ace," Shanks said, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You've got power, no doubt. But you're not quite there yet."

Ace wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, grinning despite himself. "I didn't expect to win. But I'll keep coming. I'll push harder."

Shanks' grin widened. "I like your spirit, kid. But there's a difference between being strong and being truly dangerous." In an instant, he was before Ace, the tip of his sword pressed lightly against his chest.

Ace froze, feeling the cool steel against his skin. His flames flickered, but they didn't burn any hotter. He was outmatched, and he knew it.

"You're strong, Ace," Shanks said, stepping back. "But you're still not ready to face someone like me head-on. Not yet."

Luffy blinked rapidly, his excitement turning into awe. "That was amazing!" he shouted, pumping his fist in the air. "You're so strong, Ace! But Shanks is something else!"

Ace nodded, the feeling of defeat sitting strangely with him. He was used to pushing his limits, but today he'd learned that strength was not something you could just summon with raw power alone. It had to be honed.

"I see now," Ace muttered under his breath, his mind racing as he watched Shanks return his sword to its sheath. "I've got a long way to go. But I won't stop until I'm stronger."

Shanks looked at him, the glint of respect in his eyes. "That's the spirit. Strength isn't about just being strong physically. It's about understanding your limits, and then surpassing them."

Ace smiled, his resolve hardening like steel. "I'll be back. Next time, I'll be stronger."

"Good," Shanks said with a chuckle. "Don't let this defeat stop you from growing. Every great pirate has their own path. You've just started yours."

Luffy ran up to Ace, grinning. "You were amazing, Ace! One day, I'll fight Shanks, too! And then I'll be a great pirate, just like him!"

Ace chuckled, patting Luffy's head. "You've got the heart for it, Luffy. But don't be in such a rush. Strength isn't something you can just wish for. It takes time and effort."

The two shared a laugh, a moment of camaraderie that transcended time, as Shanks and his crew watched quietly. It was clear that Ace had potential, a fire that burned brighter than any ordinary person could understand. The Golden Crow was just beginning its flight, and the journey ahead would be one of countless battles and hard-earned victories.