In the quiet of the night, Marineford lay still. Only the glow of lanterns and the distant croak of frogs filled the air.
Back in his quarters, Atticus, having returned from Zephyr's residence, sank onto his bed. His mind still buzzed with the rare knowledge he had gained.
Guidance from a true master was incomparable, far beyond what blind self-study could achieve. Even though Atticus had observed some events from an anime in his previous life, watching was nothing compared to living them.
An hour passed. Atticus let out a long, satisfied sigh, a spark of determination flashing in his eyes.
"Indeed, having a master makes all the difference." He felt his mental clarity sharpen and his understanding of combat and Devil Fruits expand. Mistakes he might have made in the future could now be avoided.
"With my daytime training complete, it's time to focus on developing my Devil Fruit abilities."
Atticus rose from the bed and sat cross-legged on the floor. A golden-red flame erupted from his body, spreading outward. The tiles beneath him glowed and began to soften under the immense heat.
"I still can't fully control it. Too much energy is overflowing," he murmured, frowning. If the flame's energy represented one hundred percent, he could only control about seventy.
(He doesn't mean how much power he can utilize)
He took a deep breath, centering himself. "For now, I need to set the development path."
The essence of his Devil Fruit, the Golden Crow, demanded attention. This mythical Zoan form, a legendary sun-born bird, naturally controlled flames. Atticus recalled the Mera Mera no Mi, wielded by Ace, and realized the potential of mastering fire himself.
Fire was versatile. If pushed to extreme temperatures—millions or even billions of degrees—it could incinerate vast landscapes. Combined with light properties, fire could generate cutting beams, ultraviolet rays, and even manipulate magnetic fields, such as gravity or attraction. The Golden Crow's form must be developed not only for raw power but also for versatility.
As his thoughts focused, golden-red flames coalesced into a massive figure. A majestic, peculiar bird emerged, five meters long and two meters wide. Its golden-red body radiated heat, wings folded gracefully, a crown-like feathered crest atop its head, three long feathers trailing its tail, and three ferocious legs extending from its abdomen. It seemed ready to shatter the world itself.
The aura emanating from the Golden Crow was both noble and terrifying, exuding raw power and absolute authority. Atticus felt the surge in his own strength.
Returning to human form, Atticus' lips curved into a determined smile.
He sorted his thoughts carefully. "For now, development must focus on three directions. Overreaching will only slow progress, and I still need to master the Six Powers and Haki."
"First, the essence of fire itself—its temperature and versatility—must be pushed to the limit.
Second, fire's energy can extend into light and heat-based attacks. Cutting flames, light-speed rays, ultraviolet radiation… These will multiply my combat power. Magnetic manipulation and other elemental extensions must be explored gradually. Knowledge is key."
"Third, the Golden Crow itself. Physical strength, speed, recovery, endurance—all must improve. But none of this works without a strong body. Physical training remains essential."
Turning to the Six Powers, Atticus considered Zephyr's teachings. Among Finger Pistol, Iron Body, Soru, Geppo, Rankyaku, and Kami-e, he chose three for now.
"Finger Pistol combined with the Devil Fruit will maximize offensive capability. The claws of the Golden Crow, enhanced by Armament Haki, can pierce any defense.
Soru provides a high-speed burst technique. Combined with the Golden Crow's speed, it becomes terrifying.
Geppo grants aerial mobility, equally vital for combat. These three skills will be prioritized.
Kami-e seems less practical with Observation Haki. Iron Body is redundant with my recovery. Rankyaku's power can be managed through the Devil Fruit. Life Return has limited effect against a Mythical Zoan. Patience will allow me to learn these later. Energy is limited, so focus is key."
Atticus smiled wryly. Though human with limits, he had a clear path: the three powers of his Devil Fruit, the three chosen martial techniques, and mastering Haki. Everything would come step by step. Only then could he truly harness his strength.
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