Vic didn't sit in Ace's seat. Instead, he found a wooden box and sat down in the empty seat next to it. He accepted Ace's respect, but he wouldn't dare to overstep his bounds. At his current level, he really didn't care about that anymore!
" Ace! I have something to tell you!"
Vic didn't wait until the banquet ended to talk to Ace about serious matters. It was just a banquet for their own pirate crew; it didn't matter when it was held, they could just hold it tomorrow. The Four Emperors' crews had plenty of gifts to give, they could hold banquets every day!
"Everyone, please get back to your work. I need to speak with Mr. Vic about something!"
Knowing that Vic wouldn't come without a reason, Ace had originally planned to ask after the banquet. But since Vic had already brought it up, he might as well end the banquet first, since they held banquets very frequently anyway.
Once everyone else had left the tent, Vic released his Observation Haki, turning the entire tent into an isolated space where conversations inside wouldn't be heard outside, and Observation Haki from outside couldn't penetrate in!
" Ace! Do you remember when you and Luffy lived with the bandit Dadan when you were kids?"
"Of course I remember. Dadan is like a mother to Luffy and me. Although she's a bit older, a bit fatter, a bit rude, and a bit greedy, her concern for Luffy and me is genuine. I even went back to see them once two years ago, but I don't dare to go too often, afraid of implicating them!"
Ace didn't die in the Paramount War, Dadan didn't go down the mountain to find Garp. She has been living in the mountains all these years, looking after the three children she adopted years ago, and her life is quite good!
"Then you should remember that mysterious world I dragged you and Luffy into, right? Actually, it wasn't a real world, but an illusion I created. You were just caught in my illusion!"
"So that's how it is! That was a dream world! I kept wondering where I went. It felt like I was suddenly dreaming, and when I woke up, I was back where I started!"
But the experience in the dream was so real, and everything I learned in the dream was stored in my mind. My body also got the same workout as in the dream. It was amazing!
Even now, I still can't quite understand how this was done—how could the events in the illusion affect my body!
Would you like to experience it again?
Of course I want to!
Vic didn't explain, but asked directly. Ace didn't hesitate at all; he trusted Vic unconditionally!
It wasn't that Ace was unaware of the dangers of entering someone else's illusion, but since the illusion belonged to Vic, he wasn't worried at all. Would Mr. Vic really harm him?
The vital points were destroyed long ago; there will be plenty of opportunities. Is it really necessary to go through all this trouble? Are we going to wait for him to grow stronger? Ace isn't a brainless person!
"Okay, then close your eyes and clear your mind!"
Even though he used Observation Haki to block out detection and sound transmission, Vic still chose to tell Ace about the God Realm in the illusion. Anyway, Ace had entered the illusion when he was a child, so he might as well show off the power of the God Realm in it. It was straightforward and safe!
"Is this the world of illusion? This is a complete transformation! It's so realistic, the textures are exactly the same as the real thing. I can hardly believe this is an illusion. Mr. Vic's abilities are incredible!"
Ace surveyed the suddenly appearing scene. He had just closed his eyes, but when he opened them, he saw a completely different scene!
With feet firmly on the ground, a gentle breeze caressing the body, the fragrance of flowers inhaling the honey dripping from the honeycomb—it all felt so real. If Vic hadn't said it was an illusion, who would have realized it?
"It's not that powerful. If you don't open your mind, I can't pull you into the illusion. I wouldn't be here talking to you if it weren't something extremely important!"
Vic also appeared in the illusion and walked to Ace's side, saying that his illusion ability was a product of the combination of Observation Haki and lightning power!
With his lightning abilities having reached the pinnacle of Laws, and as long as his Observation Haki is up to par, theoretically, Vic could pull anyone into an illusion!
However, he didn't focus on his Observation Haki, so his improvement over the years has been unremarkable. Even a strong person like Marine Admiral would have a hard time being pulled into an illusion, let alone strong people like Ace and Yamato who have already surpassed the Five Elders and the God's Knights!
" Mr. Vic! What could be so important that it requires such secrecy?"
Ace also became serious. In Ace's mind, Vic was basically associated with omnipotence. Even if Vic thought something was important, Ace could hardly imagine what it would be!
Are you still developing your Devil Fruit ability?
"I haven't really developed it since I was able to reliably release white flames. Nobody can withstand white flames; even Armament Haki can easily burn through them!"
I've recently been practicing the method for advancing Conqueror's Haki that Luffy mentioned. Could what Mr. Vic was talking about be related to Devil Fruit abilities?
The stable white flame can reach temperatures of tens of thousands of degrees. Ordinary Armament Haki is instantly burned through, and even a powerhouse of Hawk-Eye's level cannot withstand his Armament Haki for long!
Only Marco, the Phoenix formed from blue flames, could withstand the attack, but this was a fire-attribute exchange, not a normal situation!
Therefore, Ace felt that his flames were already very powerful, and he wouldn't lose to anyone, even if his opponent was Vic, so there was no need to continue developing them!
Luffy didn't tell Ace about the Holy Knights or his immortality, but he taught him advanced techniques for using Conqueror's Haki, just in case!
Therefore, Ace was unaware that powerful enemies awaited him ahead, so he entered a period of stagnation in developing his Devil Fruit ability. However, this period was not very long, only starting a few months ago after the white flames stabilized!
"You think you're strong enough, that's why you've stopped developing your Devil Fruit power!"
Your idea is not wrong. As long as we can protect ourselves, we don't need to specifically pursue strength!
But what you think you can protect yourself, what you think you are powerful, may just be an illusion deliberately created by others!
Someone has been hiding behind the scenes, and their strength is terrifying. Just when you think you can challenge them and launch a major battle, they will step out and crush you!
As soon as Vic finished speaking, five tall and ferocious monsters appeared behind him. If Luffy were to enter this illusion, he would definitely recognize that these five monsters were the products of the Five Elders' transformation!
Vic had witnessed the Five Elders ' moves and abilities twice and could already simulate them in his illusions. It was time to show Ace the power of immortality!
" Ace! Let me see just how strong you really are now!"
Vic's words were like a starting gun; as soon as he finished speaking, the five monsters behind him roared and charged towards Ace, completely ignoring Vic standing in front of them!
The five-headed monster was enormous and ferocious, moving with unpredictable speed. Its Conqueror's Haki was ferocious and sustained, making Ace's scalp tingle. He quickly assumed a defensive stance, with white flames rising from his body. Vic looked at it somewhat like the state of Super Saiyan surrounded by ki!
Although Ace's flames were powerful, the Five Elders ' Haki was not weak either; both Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki could block his white flames!
Even if they couldn't hold off for long, the five of them taking turns would be enough to drive Ace crazy. Moreover, the five of them were immortal and could not be killed no matter what. Naturally, Ace was forced to retreat step by step. His detached mentality that he thought he would never be defeated was instantly shattered by the five monsters!