Bullet woke up the next day, still feeling a bit dazed, his eyes somewhat vacant. He went outside the stone house and sat under the eaves, basking in the sun without saying a word, staring blankly at the distant sea!
Vic didn't come to find Bullet immediately, and no one else came to disturb the dejected and frustrated man!
Do you know why you lost so badly?
When the sun was high in the sky, Vic, having eaten and drunk his fill, arrived with Ace. Attacking Bullet wasn't Vic's ultimate goal; Vic needed Bullet to work for him, so he wanted to give him new hope!
What is new hope? It's the hope of defeating oneself, of course. Although Vic knows that's highly unlikely, hope is hope, and that's Bullet's pursuit!
Upon hearing Vic's words, Bullet's empty eyes lit up slightly, but he didn't speak. He simply turned to look at Vic, waiting for Vic to continue.
"I defeated you using Conqueror's Haki, not a Devil Fruit ability, nor any power beyond comprehension. You should have known that back then!"
You think my Conqueror's Haki is far superior to yours, which is why you couldn't withstand a single attack? Actually, no, it's just that you haven't fully mastered how to use Conqueror's Haki yet!
Conqueror's Haki isn't just for intimidating henchmen and lowly soldiers. True powerhouses use Conqueror's Haki in battle. I will teach him advanced uses of Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki, Fire Fist Ace!
He's also Whitebeard's adopted son; you should recognize him if you watch the news. If you want to learn these advanced techniques, fight him and learn through battle. That's what I need you to do for me.
Two years! Stay here and fight him for two years, then you'll be free. How much you learn from him is up to you. I don't need you to hold back, just don't kill him!
Vic originally intended to teach Ace himself, but upon seeing Bullet, he changed his mind. Simply practicing wouldn't suffice; necessary real combat experience was indispensable, and an opponent like Bullet was even rarer!
Ace has a long way to go to surpass Bullet, and Vic also has his own plans to implement. He can't stay on Titan Island forever. Letting Ace grow in battle might be more efficient. Of course, Vic won't completely let go. He will also provide necessary guidance and training in the illusionary realm, especially when Ace suffers a crushing defeat!
"What did you say? You even have Armament Haki?"
Bullet had guessed that Conqueror's Haki must have effects he didn't know about when he saw the crimson giant hand that Vic had released, so he wasn't surprised when Vic brought it up.
But when he heard that Armament Haki also existed, he completely snapped out of it. His eyes were no longer filled with confusion or defeat, but with hope!
With Bullet's talent, if he really knew these things, there's no way he wouldn't have learned them. It's just that no one has ever told him these things. Now, hearing Vic's words, his eyes lit up unusually. He has a new goal!
" Mr. Vic! Aren't you going to teach me yourself?"
Ace, standing to the side, was also somewhat taken aback and confused. Of course, he wanted to train with Vic, not Bullet, who had been defeated by Vic in one move. Who wouldn't want to train with the strongest person?
"I'll teach you everything I need to, but you need to solidify and strengthen these skills through combat. Battle is the best teacher. Defeating Bullet won't be easy. If you can defeat him quickly, I'll personally teach you!"
"Kid! What do you mean, Vic?! I agreed, you said it yourself, as long as I don't kill you, I'll do whatever you want. You dare to look down on me? You'll regret this!"
Bullet was also furious. Ace was clearly looking down on him. He had already intended to agree after hearing Vic's words, so he immediately agreed. For no other reason than that he could beat up this kid who looked down on him all the time.
What's more, you can learn a lot of things you've never encountered before and become stronger, so why not? This is also the effect Vic wants: the harder you fight, the faster you improve, just look at Luffy's battles with Katakuri and Kaido!
Rebecca and the others weren't involved in the battle because they were afraid they'd be too soft-hearted to fight. But Bullet wouldn't hold back; he really went all out. Anyway, Ace would be in for a rough time Ace. Vic just hoped he could improve faster and catch up with Bullet!
"That's settled then! I'll give you another chance to challenge me. You can challenge me again in two years. If you can't even beat Ace by then, then don't come looking for me. I'd be ashamed!"
Vic left after saying a few words, leaving Ace and Bullet staring at each other, neither willing to back down.
Ace's training is now arranged, so Vic doesn't need to rush. Using the illusion, one night is enough to teach Ace the advanced uses of Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki, and there will be plenty of time left for Ace to fully comprehend them within the illusion.
However, Ace will probably only be able to truly use these advanced techniques after fighting Bullet for a period of time. Only when he is severely beaten will he be more eager to become stronger and force others to learn these techniques more quickly. That will be the time when Ace improves the most.
After Vic left, he spent most of the day with Rebecca and the other friends, saying and asking what he wanted to say, expressing some of his feelings!
In Rebecca's eyes, Vic hadn't been gone for long, but Vic had lived alone for over twenty years. Their emotional needs were different. Fortunately, Vic's mental strength was exceptionally strong, and his self-control was absolutely superb. Half a day was enough to soothe most of his loneliness.
Vic can control desires with his abilities, but he cannot control emotions. The difference between the two is quite significant. Desires are mostly caused by the synthesis of various hormones, proteins, or pheromones from the body's internal reactions, which can be eliminated with abilities. However, emotions are different. Emotions are related to the brain and memory, and even if Vic could act, he wouldn't act on them!
That night, Vic took Ace into the world of illusion, where Vic gave Ace his initial instruction, giving him a clear understanding of the advanced use of the Three Types of Haki!
This is the first step. With these concepts as a foundation, Ace knows the direction to move forward and will not get lost on the path to becoming stronger.
That evening, Rebecca wanted to talk to Vic, but when she opened the door and saw Vic and Ace sitting cross-legged, she quietly left. Rebecca stood outside Vic's stone house for a long time!
Rebecca gazed at the bright moon hanging in the sky, her mind filled with countless thoughts. Just as she sighed and prepared to leave, a warm hand grabbed her.
Rebecca turned around in surprise, but froze. The person who grabbed her wasn't the one she was thinking of, but Olvia lived next door to Vic!
That night, Rebecca and Olvia shared a bed and whispered a lot. Olvia did most of the talking, while Rebecca listened and occasionally asked questions. Before they knew it, dawn had broken.
The next day, Vic arranged a battlefield for Bullet and Ace in an area on Titan Island with thirty times the gravity, after which they could proceed deeper as their strength increased.
Inside Ace's residence, Vic also left some Pure Gold. The gathered Primal Spirit could be used for cultivation and rapid recovery after battle. Bullet's residence, on the other hand, had nothing. He was already stronger, and if everything was arranged for him, how could Ace catch up?
Vic decided to go and teach Ace once a month, and not to bother him at other times. Rebecca and the others could go and watch if they wanted, but they couldn't interfere.
After settling the two men in, Vic left. He hadn't gone far when he heard the sounds of battle and the two men shouting at each other.
Vic wasn't particularly worried about Ace. Even though he had told Bullet to beat him to a pulp as long as he didn't kill him, Ace was Logia user who could transform into his own element in critical moments. Bullet wouldn't be able to seriously injure Ace so easily. Ace wasn't stupid; wouldn't he run away if there was a life-or-death situation? So Vic didn't need to keep a close eye on Ace for fear of him being killed.
" Vic! Will Ace be our partner from now on?"
Rebecca asked somewhat uncertainly. After Vic left, she followed Vic. Seeing how much Vic cared about Ace, she asked this question.
"He'll probably be a crewmate in the future! Like Luffy, Ace will likely be the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. You probably already know that Ace is Mr. Garp's grandson, so you don't need to ask any more questions. I'll tell you when the time is right!"
Even with his God Realm strength, Vic remained wary of Imu and the Celestial Dragons. It was best not to tell them about these formidable enemies for now, since they hadn't stopped training and getting stronger!
Even though Vic hadn't said anything, their keen senses had allowed them to perceive something. So now, even without Vic's prompting, they were consciously cultivating and improving themselves, which Vic was quite satisfied with.
"Are you free tonight? I have some questions about spiritual practice that I'd like to ask you!"
"It's alright! You can come!"
Rebecca tucked her burgundy hair behind her ear and asked somewhat casually.
Vic turned to look at Rebecca's face, until Rebecca looked a little embarrassed and turned her head away, before he finally agreed.
Rebecca has been with Vic for over twenty years, it feels like just yesterday. That little girl with wine-red hair has truly matured, with a graceful and curvaceous figure, a beautiful face with a touch of charm, and when she turns her face, she looks like a cool and aloof older sister!
She has become a famous and powerful beauty in the New World, with admirers stretching across the first half of the Grand Line, but her feelings for Vic have never changed!