The Mad Doctor of One Piece - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ace hopped onto his skiff. He was closing in on Teach, he could feel it. The bastard had been on Drum Island not to long ago. If his path continued... Ace looked into the distance as he decided where to go next, Arabasta.

He felt bad leaving so soon and not offering more help to clean up the mess Teach had made during his visit, but he didn't have time. If he wanted to prevent it happening again, he needed to catch and kill Teach. That would be the best way to help people in the long run.

As he prepared to leave he spotted a ship on the horizon. Seeing the pirate flag waving from the top of the main mast made him pause. Normally, he wouldn't bother with another pirate crew if they didn't bother him first. In this case though? He could do something about the pirates and prevent them from doing more damage to Drum Island as a sort of apology for not sticking around to help.

It sucked for the people on the ship, but he was going to sink them. If they got lucky they could swim to shore and get arrested or something. This was the Grand Line and anyone willing to sail it with a jolly roger had to be willing to put their life on the line.

Mind made up, he shifted his left foot into flames and fed it into the custom designed engine on his skiff. It roared to life and shot him across the glassy water. As he got closer, he could see that someone on deck had noticed his approach. Man, that guy was about to get scorched! The ship wasn't to large, a single blast aught to do it. He cocked his arm back then launched it forward while shouting, “Hiken!”

His fist and his arm up to his elbow transformed into a massive column of flames that roared toward the ship. He was already turning to leave when he heard a shout come from the ship, “MERA!”

Curious he glanced over his shoulder and felt his jaw drop as he watched a massive wall of water roar out of the ocean and completely block his Hiken attack. His view was blocked by the cloud of steam that resulted from his fire meeting the ocean water.

“Well, this just got interesting. A Devil Fruit to control water maybe? I thought that was a myth though.”

Frowning, he turns his ship back in the direction of the pirates and accelerates again. As he draws near, the wall of water calmly sinks back into the water without so much as a ripple. He's not too surprised to see the ship is intact. He is surprised, however, to see a gorgeous red-head standing next to the guy he'd spotted.

He felt regret that they were currently at a winter island. Oh, the cold hadn't bothered him since he ate the Mera Mera no mi, but ti clearly bothered her since she was wearing a warm looking coat. Even so, he could clearly see feminine curves that hinted at what lay beneath. He couldn't help lamenting that they weren't at a summer island so she could be wearing something skimpier.

As he watched her, she waved her hands an the ocean moved. Before he realized it, he was completed surrounded by water, trapped within a hollow sphere. He looked around frowning slightly. It looked like a dangerous situation, but his Observation Haki wasn't warning him of any danger. Still, he muttered, “I'm in danger.”

A moment later a small hole opened up in the sphere letting him see out of it. He was surprised to find himself within feet of the ship he'd attacked. He could now clearly see the woman and the man next to her. She was even more beautiful up close. He was also surprised to see the man looked to be around the same age as his brother, Luffy.

Surprisingly it was the boy who spoke, “So, would you mind not attacking us anymore? Not sure what we did to piss of 'Fire Fist' Ace, but we're not here to attack anyone and would really prefer not to fight one of Whitebeard's Division Commanders.”

Ace studied the guy, he didn't seem to be lying, which kind of made Ace feel like a bit of a dick for attacking them out of the blue. Still, he wanted to be sure, “So, you're not going to raid Drum Island?”

The guy shook his head, “Nope. We've never attacked any islands. We've only defended ourselves against aggressors.”

Ace could tell the guy wasn't lying so he laughed, “My bad, my bad! I thought you might be here to raid and they're still recovering from the last ass that attacked them. Whaddaya say, bygones?”

-----Line Break-----

Peter looked at Ace through the gap in the water ball and shrugged, “Sure. Besides, if we fought and did manage to kill you, my chances of helping out Whitebeard would drop to nothing.”

Ace's face was suddenly super serious as he stared at Peter hard, “What did you say?”

Peter glanced at Mera and nodded toward the sphere. She slowly lowered it, but kept Ace elevated so they were eye to eye. Meanwhile Peter answers Ace, “Allow me to introduce myself, Dragon D. Peter, the greatest doctor and alchemist in the world.”

He even gave a little, somewhat mocking, bow, “At your service.”

Ace glared at him a little of his Conqueror's Haki leaking out and putting pressure on them, “Talk. Fast.”

Peter, slightly disturbed by the feeling of Ace's Haki pressing down on his body and mind, put on an outward appearance of calm, “I've been hoping, for quite some time, to have the chance to help Whitebeard with his disease. I am not lying when I say I am the greatest doctor and alchemist in the world. I can cure anything, heal anything. I can even restore his youth.”

Ace's eyes narrowed while his glare intensified and his Haki leaked more. He could tell Peter believed what he was saying, but it sounded like bullshit to him, “Prove it.”

Peter slowly reaches down to grasp the handle of Inazuma at his hip. Making sure to not come off as aggressive, he draws the blade slowly. While Ace watches him closely, Peter calmly drags the razor sharp blade across his forearm. Even with the light touch, the blade easily slices through his flesh down to the bone.

Ace is shocked enough that his Haki fades as he stares incredulous at the gaping wound. His jaw drops when the wound rapidly closes and heals within seconds of being made. His eyes bounce between the wound and Peter's eyes. He quickly calms down and crosses his arms, “That could easily be a Devil Fruit that heals you.”

Peter sighed and looked at Mera, “Pull me out after a bit.”

Ace was surprised when Peter casually jumped off of the ship and into the freezing waters of the ocean, “Are you trying to kill yourself moron?!”

His jaw nearly hit the floor when Peter calmly surfaced and began to swim around. Through chattering teeth Peter asked, “I-is th-th-th-this e-e-e-e-nough?”

“Yes! Now get out of the water before you freeze to death IDIOT!”

Peter looked at Mera who acted quickly, with a twist of her hands she used her hydrokinesis to pull Peter up in a pillar of water and gently set him on the deck of the ship. Another twist of her hands and she pulled all of the water out of his clothing. He still shivered from the cold though so Ace, kind understanding young man that he was, ignited himself a bit and began putting out more heat. Peter gave him a nod of appreciation.

After a moment Ace speaks, “Okay, so you can clearly swim, which means not a Devil Fruit. What is it then?”

Feeling better thanks to the heat Ace is putting out, Peter answers, “I made a drug that gives anyone I give it to a healing factor like I have. My entire crew has it. I can give Whitebeard the same thing, though it wont cure him. I'd have to make something special for that, but I can do it.”

Ace studies Peter seriously. After letting the silence drag on, Ace asks, “Is there anything else you can do to prove your claims?”

Peter grinned and pointed toward Drum Island, “That place is known for it's great doctors right? We can have one quiz me while you watch.”

Ace scratched the back of his head and looked at Drum Island, “As long as it doesn't take too long. I've got to get moving.”

Peter nodded, “We'll sail in, find a doctor, and get you all the proof you need of my skills and knowledge.”

Peter's grin grew as he started calling out orders to get them to Drum Island as soon as possible. Not only was one of the better doctors in the world on the island, but he could prove to Ace that he could de-age Whitebeard using her as an example. Doctor Kureha was going to give him all the proof he needed!

-----Line Break-----

Okay, so his plan hadn't been perfect. It took some convincing from Ace that the Stormbringer Pirates weren't going to attack. Then they had to locate Dr. Kureha. Peter just sent Domino out to find the old lady with no advice what-so-ever. Seeing her leave the village in a random direction, he smiled and planned to do something nice for her. He had no proof, but he'd be willing to bet anything that it was her mutation that led to them running into Ace so early.

The silence was awkward as everyone just sat around in the cold waiting for Domino to return with Dr. Kureha. Thankfully, luck prevailed and Domino returned in less than an hour riding on a sleigh with an old woman sitting next to her and being towed by a blue nosed reindeer.

As soon as the sleigh came to a stop, the old woman hopped out of it with a graceful ease that belied her age. Getting his first look at her in person, Peter is fairly impressed. She's clearly taken good care of herself to live to over one hundred and thirty years and look as good as she did. Old Admiral Cain could have taken a lesson or two from her.

Kureha dressed like a woman in her twenties with her clothing being mostly purple leather decorated with orange flame designs. Her eyes, covered in sunglasses, sweep the gathered group before landing on Dalton, a former Royal Guard that was the current leader of the village, “Dalton! You have some nerve summoning me!”

Dalton grimaced, which looked kind of funny on such a large ox of a man. He held his hands up defensively, “It wasn't me.” He gestured to Peter and Ace, “It was these pirates.” and immediately threw them under the bus.

Kureha's eyes instantly locked onto the pair. She studied them and frowned a little, “Neither of you look even remotely sick!” Her eyes focused on Peter, “And you're too goddamn healthy!” She crossed her arms under her breasts, “So? The hell do two perfectly healthy boys wants from me?”

Peter was the one to answer before Ace could say something about being referred to as a 'boy', “I'd like our help proving to this guy,” he jerked his thumb at Ace, “that I'm a competent doctor. If you help out, I've got a gift for you that I'm sure you'll love.”

Kureha scoffs, “You? A doctor? At your age? Bullshit!”

She immediately started by firing off a basic question, which he answered easily. She quickly began increasing the difficulty of the questioning but he continued to answer them easily. Even when she brought up obscure diseases he gave the proper treatments for them. Surgery questions failed to stump him as well. In just twenty short minutes, Peter proved his medical knowledge with ease.

Kureha grunted, “Well, I guess you know some stuff, kid.”

That gets and exclamation of shock from Dalton and the reindeer. Peter grins and with a wave of his hand conjures up a small vial, “Thanks for the acknowledgment. This is something of my own creation. If you drink it you will be de-aged to your prime, somewhere in your mid to late twenties. It is not a cosmetic change but a real permanent physiological change.”

Kureha scoffs, “Bullshit. You might know some stuff, kid, but there's no way to make anything like that. Peddle your snake oil somewhere else.”

Peter sighs and hands the vial to Domino before carefully drawing his sword. Dalton, Kureha, and the reindeer tense, until Peter uses the edge of Inazuma to slice his arm once again. Jaws drop as they watch the wound vanish and leave only blood behind. Peter eyes Kureha, “I'm not just a doctor but an Alchemist as well. The vial contains a potion that will revert your age just as I described.”

Kureha eyed him speculatively. Silently she holds her hand out. Domino passed over the vial which was quickly consumed by Kureha who promptly gagged, “That tasted horrible!”

Peter nodded, “All the potions I make do. I can't add flavoring of any sort to them or it ruins the potency or even renders to concoction completely useless.”

As he was speaking, Kureha's body was undergoing drastic changes. While her age really only showed in her face and hair, the potion revealed that despite how good she looked for her age, she looked even better when younger. Her already smooth stomach became even smoother, the wrinkles on her face faded, and her gray hair shifted to golden blonde.

The 'looks good for her age' Kureha had been replaced by 'Daaaaaaaamn she's fine' Kureha in a mater of minutes. Kureha looked her body over in shock, then walked over to a window to use it as a mirror. Seeing herself back in her prime, she spun around and glared at Peter, “How'd you do it?!”

Peter calmly shrugged his shoulders, “Sorry, trade secret. But here,” He pulled out and tossed her another vial, “that one grants the same healing power that I have. Drink it, study it, do whatever you like with it.” His gaze swiftly turned to Ace, “That proof enough for you?”

Ace nodded and stared at Peter with as serious a look as possible, “What will it take for you to help pops?”

“Let's return to the ship and talk about it. But, I will tell you that I only have three requests and they're all extremely simple to fulfill.”

Ace still looked a little suspicious, but followed Peter and Domino back to the ship anyway. Once they were inside the galley where it was nice, warm, and Erina was cooking, Peter explained what he wanted for helping Whitebeard, “Two of the three things I want can be granted to me by you, only the third can be granted by Whitebeard and I will only explain it to him in person, he has the right to refuse it and I will still help him.”

“Explain.”

Peter nodded, “The first thing I want from you is your Devil Fruit.” Seeing Ace about to explode he rushes on, “It will not hurt you and you will still have your power! I've done it before.” He waved his hand and set the Doru Doru no mi on the table, “This is the Doru Doru no mi, the guy I extracted it from can still use his powers just fine and there is no side effect.”

Well, that wasn't one hundred percent true. There was one single side effect. Anyone he extracted a Devil Fruit from could never reach its awakening state. Considering how unbelievably rare that was, then he didn't think it mattered much.

Ace narrowed his eyes and stared at Peter hard, “And your second request?”

“I have a concoction I can create called a Skill Potion. It requires the help of someone with the skills I want the potion to have. In your case, I would like to create skill potions for Haki, and your use of the Mera Mera no mi.”

Ace stared hard at Peter for a long moment, weighing his options. In the end, he really only had one choice to make. He'd seen Peter heal from grievous wounds twice, swim to prove he had no Devil Fruit, and had shown he really could reverse someone's age. Even if all he could do was reverse the Pop's age, it would help immensely. It also sounded like he wouldn't be hurt by anything Peter wanted. If Peter turned out to be lying, well the consequences for Peter would be dire and he seemed to know that.

“Fine. What do I have to do?”

Peter smiled and began pulling syringes and potions out of his storage ring. As he did Ace practically shouted, “Where are you pulling all of that from?!”

Peter laughed and showed the ring on his hand, “This is a storage ring. It's got a space inside of it that I can put thing into or pull them out of.”

“Huh, that sounds really handy.”

Peter nodded, “It really is. You want one?”

Ace blinked, “Seriously?”

“Sure, why not? They're pretty easy to make. They can hold anything that's not living, so no people inside of them, but food and drink is fine, it even keeps them at the same temperature they went in at.” Peter replied.

To prove his point he waved his hand and two steaming cups of coffee appeared on the table, “I'll make you one after we do this.”

Ace picked up the steaming beverage, sniffed it, then took a sip. He gagged and pushed the coffee away, “Too bitter.”

Chuckling, Peter set out some milk and sugar, “That'll help. Now, let me explain these.” He picked up the syringe filled with pink liquid, “This will allow the extraction of your Devil Fruit. It wont hurt, but it might feel a little weird and look a little alarming. What it does is...”

Ace waved him off, “Just do it.”

Peter shrugged, “Alright, hold out your arm for me.”

When Ace does, Peter goes through the process of disinfecting the sight and then injecting the brew using a seastone coated needle. Ace watches, wide eyed, as a portion of his chest swells out. It did feel weird but definitely didn't hurt. Disinfecting a spot on the swell, peter used the same syringe to extract the black goo.

Seeing the goo, Ace gagged a little, “That's what was in me?”

Peter nodded, “Yup. Go ahead and check that you've still got your powers.”

Flames immediately pop up from Ace's hand, “Huh, doesn't feel any different.” He looked at Peter, “Just to be sure, try an cut me.”

Peter pulls out a normal knife from his ring and gently cuts the tip of Ace's finger. Only flames greet them showing he still had all the powers of a Logia fruit, “See? No change. Though, I do want to check something, if you're willing.”

Ace looked curious so he explained, “I have a theory that removing the essence of the Devil Fruit also removes your weakness to the sea. If you're willing...” He pulls out a hunk of seastone and sets it on the table, “Give it a try.”

Looking curious himself, Ace gently poked the seastone chunk. Feeling nothing, he wrapped his hand around it. Still feeling nothing he picked it up and pressed it to his bare chest, “I don't feel anything. No weakness, or dizziness, nothing. It just feels like any other rock.”

Peter grinned, “After we're done you're welcome to try taking a bath and seeing if submersing in water has any effect at all.”

Ace nodded, “I'll take you up on that. If it works... it might be worth it to have you do this to all the Devil Fruit users in Pop's crew!”

Peter felt a thrill at the possibility and grinned, “If they want it, sure.”

He didn't want to look too eager but... holy shit! If Ace could convince Whitebeard and the others to go through with it he could get his hands on a ton of potent Devil Fruits. The power he could convey to his crew with their fruits... It was unimaginable.

“What's next?”

Ace's question brings Peter out of his fantasies, “Right, skill potions. These work similar to the extraction serum, except you drink them, then your hand swells a bit. After a small cut, which will heal, the potion will drain back out. While you drink it, focus on everything you know about the skill in question. We'll start with your skill in using the Mera Mera no mi.” He slid a potion bottle with a clear liquid in it to Ace, “Drink this, think of everything you know on the use of the Mera Mera no mi. Once you finish drinking,” he pushes the knife across the table to Ace, “Use your Armament Haki to give yourself a little cut and let it drain into the vial.”

Soon enough Peter had seven completed skill potions sitting in front of him. One for the Mera Mera no mi, then two each for the three kinds of Haki. Peter looked over his collection of vials and one syringe with a bright grin, “Well, that's your part of it covered. All you have to do now is set up a meeting.”

Ace climbed to his feet and made his way toward the railing of The Coming Storm. He hopped over the side onto his little skiff, “I'll be back in a minute. Don't even think about going anywhere.”

Peter waved him off, “Wouldn't dream of it.”

Ace nodded and took off at high speed to get some distance for privacy. Peter spun on his heel, collected his gains, and made his way below deck. One apple injected with black goo later and he had the beautiful orange flame like Mera Mera no mi held within his hands. He set it down next to the other three fruits in his possession and looked them over with pride. He was only missing a Zoan to have an example of all three types.

While he looked them over, the door opened and Merlin walked through to join him, “Oh good, you're here.”

Peter looked over at her a grinned, “Yeah. I finally got it. It's so tempting to eat it right now.”

Merlin looked at the practically glowing Devil Fruit, “I wouldn't just yet, Captain.”

He arched an eyebrow, “Why is that?”

“I'm almost finished writing up my findings on them. I think you'll find it pretty interesting.”

“Can you give me a preview?”

She chuckled and shook her head, “It'll be worth the wait, I promise.”

Peter sighed but accepted it. He put the Devil Fruits away and went to relax in the galley. Soon enough, Ace walked through the doors and sat down at the table. With a huff, he set a Den Den Mushi on the table, “Alright pops, you can speak to him now.”

A deep, powerful voice echoed out of the small snail's mouth, “My son has been telling me some interesting things. Impossible things.” The voice became darker while the snail took on a scowling visage, “Things that had better be the truth. I do not take kindly to people lying to my sons. If you have used me to take advantage of my son...”

The threat hangs in the air. Peter swallows thickly as he answers, “I've only spoken to truth to Ace, I swear it.”

“Yeah pops! I told you I saw it myself when that old witch got young again.”

“Be quiet, Ace. Brat, what's your name?”

“Dragon D. Peter. No relation to the other Dragon. Otherwise I'd be related to Ace.”

That got a totally confused look from Ace but a laugh from Whitebeard, “So it would. Ace, give the brat the number to my personal line. Brat, you will call me the moment your ship arrives at Sabaody Archipelago and I will send someone to find you. If I do not hear from you within six months...”

There was no need to explain the implicit threat. Peter fully understood that if he screwed over Whitebeard the man would try to kill him. Even as he was, even with Whitebeard sick and weakened, Peter still wasn't sure if he could actually beat the man. Aside from that, he honestly respected a liked Whitebeard. If Whitebeard ended up asking him to become one of his sons, Peter wasn't sure he'd be able to say no.

“Ace, you should come home already. Teach will pay for his crime against the family. You do not need to do this alone.”

Ace sighed deeply, “Yes, I do pops. Don't worry. I'll take him down and come back once he's paid with his life. I'll see you soon, pops.”

Ace hung up the Den Den Mushi before Whitebeard could say anything else. His eyes flicked to Peter, “Don't supposed you know anything about a guy named Marshal D. Teach?”

“You mean Blackbeard? Only thing I can say is he's dangerous. If you catch up to him, I suggest killing him as fast as possible. A rumor I heard once was that the scars over Red-Haired Shanks' eye is an injury given to him by Blackbeard. If he can hurt a Yonko like that, then he'd truly a dangerous foe.”

Peter already planned to ki blast Blackbeard into a red mist if they ever crossed paths. He had no idea where Blackbeard was now and only remembered that he'd be on the island just before Skypeia. Then Ace would catch up to him, in canon anyway, and lose to him.

Peter was tempted to tell Ace what he knew, but how would he explain knowing the future to the guy? No, he'd have to hope that the little flaps of the butterfly wings by delaying Ace and curing plus de-aging Whitebeard would throw everything off course. If nothing else, he would do everything in his power to rescue Ace...

Though it seemed like it would be pretty impossible for the Marines to hold Ace since he was now immune to seastone. If Blackbeard did beat him unconscious, Ace could escape the marines after he's handed over to them.

Damn, Peter wanted to be there to see the looks of shock on their faces!

Knowing what he did, Peter suddenly felt better as he watched Ace hop off of his ship and land on the little skiff. Ace looks up at Peter, “You better do what you promised!”

Peter grinned, “I will.”

Ace nodded and then took off. Peter watched him go until he was no longer visible on the horizon. His lips curled into a smirk as he made his way down into the workshop where he found Merlin waiting for him, “Alright, what did you find?”

Merlin handed him a few sheets of paper, “Here, this is everything I found.”

Peter sat down and began to read through the report on her research into Devil Fruits. He hummed at things he expected, such as how eating it would change the imbiber's genetics. It wasn't until he got toward the end of the report that he found something interesting and new, “Spirits eh?” He glanced up to Merlin, “Looked like you were right.”

Merlin preened a little at his comment, “Keep reading.”

Peter returned to reading and slowly began to smile as he did. The devil fruits were ALL artificial. Sometime in the past they were created using artificial spirits. The spirits were attuned to something, such as fire, but could also be attuned to strange things like jackets. The spirits altered the fruit they incarnated into to change a persons DNA to make them more compatible with the spirit. Once the spirit took up residence it began making less physical and more metaphysical changes.

Using the power of a Devil Fruit was an act of MAGIC. Magic required mana but no one in the world was born with any sort of mana core, or veins, or anything similar. In short, humans of the One Piece world were all born without the ability to use magic. The spirits within the Devil Fruits changed that. Only they were very specific. Once within a host the spirit would provide the host with mana to use their abilities, at the cost of their stamina. Over time the spirit would make it possible for their host to convert stamina to mana on their own. Once that happened, the spirits job was pretty much done, with one exception. Awakening.

The process of awakening was actually exceptionally simple. It was a harmonization between the user and their understanding of the concept their fruit represented. Once it reached a certain level, the user could tap into the power of the spirit once again and augment the amount of power they could exert. This let them do things that they normally could not do.

The presence of the spirit also explained why people could only eat a single Devil Fruit. The two spirits would indeed 'fight' and kill the host. Though it wasn't literal fighting. The host would, essentially, have two powerful and fast acting retroviruses within their body changing their genetic code back and forth over and over. That would lead to a massive genetic breakdown and kill the host.

Reading through it all, Peter started digging into his alchemy expertise and grinned when he found something he could use. His lips curled into a wicked smirk while he pulled out both the Mera Mera no mi and the Kaze Kaze no mi, and a small vial filled with a brightly glowing blue potion, “I think it's time I did something fun.”

Merlin, ever curious, asked, “What?”

He looked at her, “After reading your report, I dug into my alchemy knowledge.” His grin turned almost feral, “I found an alchemical process that is likely nearly identical to what was used to create the original Devil Fruits. If I could make the artificial spirits I could make perfectly functional ones just like those that already exist. That's what I was missing, the spirits. Even without them I can make fruits that will let anyone with mana use them perfectly fine, they would just never be able to 'awaken' for more power.”

He set the pair of fruit and potion to the side and got some chalk so he could begin drawing a transmutation diagram, “I also discovered something far more interesting on that same branch of knowledge. How to clone artificial spirits.”

Merlin blinked and then laughed, “So you can make fully functional copies of a Devil Fruit!”

Peter chuckled and nodded, “Indeed I can, but there's more. Not only can I clone spirits, but I can combine them together to make a new spirit.”

Merlin gasped in understanding, “You can combine multiple Devil Fruits into a single more powerful one!”

Peter laughed and nodded in excitement, “I can! There's some limitations so I can't combine all of the Devil Fruits into a single 'God Fruit' or anything. The less they have in common with each other the fewer I can combine. However, the more closely related they are, the more I can combine together. For example, I can combine Fire and Rain but they're not too friendly together, being more opposites really. But Wind and Rain? Those go together extremely easily, as would Fire and Wind, or Fire and Wax.”

Merlin hummed, “So it's more a thematic closeness than a literal one.”

Peter nodded, “Right. Rain and Wax make no sense together. I can combine them, but the result wouldn't be compatible with anything else. Still, wax rain as hard as steel tapered to a sharp point sounds even worse that the nastiest hail storm so it's not like it would be a useless combination.”

Merlin nodded along in agreement while Peter went about setting up the circle. He summoned up several mangoes that he places at the five points of a star. He set the Kaze Kaze no mi into the center of the star. After setting things up, he began pulling out common regents used in transmutation alchemy and began setting them in the proper places within the circle. The last five things he places down are lightly glowing mana crysals.

Seeing the crystals, Merlin's eyebrows shoot up, “You can summon crystallized mana?!”

Looking non-plussed, he shrugs, “Why not? I can summon liquid mana, what's so different about solid mana?”

Merlin held her hand out and made a gimme gesture, “Gimme. I want to research it.”

Peter chuckled as he did just that, summoning an extra crystal for her and passing it over. She immediately loses interest in what he's doing and begins to scan the crystal in her hand. Neither of them notice when they're joined by Valeria and Momo who stick to their area and do their work quietly.

Once the final mana crystal is in place, Peter places his palms on the ground with his fingertips touching the outermost section of the circle he'd drawn. A spark of energy, not exactly mana but provided by the essence within him, brings the circle to life. The regents he set out are rendered to atoms while the mana crystals begin to glow brightly.

The circle grows brightly as it does it work using the regents and the power of the mana crystals. Slowly, the five mangoes arrayed at the five points of the central star begin to shift and change. Within minutes of activating the circle there were six identical, whole, and complete Kaze Kaze no mi fruits. Peter collected them all, making sure to keep the original separate from the clones, and hands one of the clones to Merlin, “Check this for me, make sure it's the same as the original.”

He didn't doubt his essence and the knowledge it gave him, but it also never hurt to be one hundred percent certain. Merlin accepted the fruit and cast a scanning spell. After going over it, she did the same to the original and compared the results, “I can't tell the difference at all. They're a perfect match.”

Peter grinned and set the original safely to the side and looked at his collection of five clones, “This is going to be a major game changer.”

In less than two hours, Peter had copied all of the Devil Fruits in their possession making five clones of each one and keeping the originals separated for future cloning. He wasn't about to make the mistake of cloning a clone. What was he? An Asgard?

Asgard... the alien clones from Stargate SG-1, man did that hit the nostalgia button. He chuckled to himself as he thought of the little gray men and how they'd helped the main cast fight the Goa'uld and so many other threat...s...

“Oh fuck ME!”

Peter's random exclamation had everyone looking at him in confusion. Ignoring everyone he threw everything he was working on into the corner and pulled out his homunculi tank once more. He hadn't planned on using it anytime soon but how could he not when he'd just had a brilliant idea?! He moved like a man possessed to prepare the brew that would let him make the homunculus he had in mind. As he worked, Merlin calmly asked, “So, who will our new sister be?”

Peter cackles, “I'm not cloning a human this time!”

“Oh? Then what will it be? An alien perhaps?”

Peter nodded, but didn't take his attention away from his work, “Yes! Exactly! I'm creating a homunculus clone of an alien species known as the Goa'uld.”

Merlin hummed and asked the obvious, “Why?”

Peter's grin turns manic, “Because they have genetic memory!”

“I'm not following. I mean, I can see how that might be useful, but can we do anything with their knowledge?”

Peter cackled, “We can! In the universe they come from they were the bad guys, at war with the humans of Earth! More importantly, there was an offshoot that fought against them known as the Tok'ra. I can give you memories later. The short of it is, one of the Tok'ra possessed an astrophysicist who was also a Captain in the US Air Force, Captain Carter, one of the smartest people in the series. Not as smart as most of you, but brilliant in her own universe. When a Goa'uld possesses someone they merge on some level and the Goa'uld gains the memories of their host.”

He paused and looked at Merlin, “Ah, context, the Goa'uld are snake-like symbiotes that burrow into the host body and wrap around the spine to gain access to the brain stem of the host to control the body. When the queens of the species give birth, they imbue their offspring with the genetic memory of their entire lineage.”

Once back at work, he continued, “Anyway! The Tok'ra that got into Captain Carter would have had full access to all of Carter's memories, which would include a deep understanding of Earth technology! But there's more, she would also have access to all of the knowledge of the Goa'uld, including their spaceships and other technology! But it gets even BETTER.” He laughs, “Alternate realities and timelines are a major point within the series meaning I've got access to several different versions of the people within the series.”

Merlin tilts her head curiously as he continues, “This includes a version of the Tok'ra Anise who has both the genetic memory of her mother, Egeria, and her father, Ra. Ra who had, before Anise was born, possessed the body of an Asgard, another alien species. One infinitely smarter than the Goa'uld. She will not only have all knowledge of Goa'uld and Tok'ra technology, but Asgard technology as well! Between Jolinar and Anise we'll instantly gain access to the technology of three advanced races that will put us millennia ahead of technology on this planet!”

He paused and turned to look at Valeria and Momo, “That is, if the two of you are willing to become hosts to the symbiotes. They both prefer female hosts and are good people, for a definition of people.”

Valeria shrugs her shoulders without much care, “That's fine by me. It sounds very interesting. I think I would prefer Jolinar with this Captain Carter's memories.”

Peter chuckled at that, “Jolinar would prefer you too, she liked to have blonde hosts.”

Momo was practically vibrating in place, “It sounds so interesting! I bet there's so much I could learn from Anise!”

Peter nodded and returned to work, “Definitely, given their both thousands of years old. Oh, yeah, Goa'uld have a natural lifespan of millennia that they further increased with technology. Though their healing technology was flawed and partially to blame for driving them all insane. The Tok'ra never used it though. Well, Jolinar might have as she started out as a Goa'uld. However, she defected so there's that.”

Silence fell after that while Peter continued to work. He ended up getting both of the symbiotes growing at the same time. They were significantly smaller than a human body so there was enough room in the tank. He'd never gotten a new larger one, he'd never needed it. Growing one human at a time was enough. Even better, with their significantly smaller size, the symbiotes would take only about eight hours to grow to maturity.

Once the symbiotes were all set, he returned to his work with the Devil Fruits. His first step was drawing a completely different transmutation circle, this one meant to combine two things into one. There were two circles built into it where he placed a copy of the Mera Mera no mi and the Kaze Kaze no mi, the first combination he wanted to make. Reagents and mana crystals were provided once more before he ignited the circle.

Slowly the two fruit combined into a single one that took on a whole new appearance. Rather than the solid orange of fire or green of wind, it was a swirling tornado of the two colors with the T shaped stem transformed to look like flames blowing in the wind.

With shaking hands, Peter picked the fruit up and left the workshop. Curious, the others followed him, collecting the others along the way. Once on deck, Peter holds up the fruit admiring it in the light of the moon where it seems to glow with power. He lowers it to his mouth and takes a large bite out of the fruit.

Peter swallowed even as the taste hit his tongue. He knew to expect it to be bad, but he'd hoped his horrendous tasting potions would have given him some semblance of immunity to the taste.

He was wrong. So very very very wrong.

There were no words that existed to describe the horrific taste assaulting his tongue. It was as if every terrible smell and horrible taste had gotten drunk and collectively vomited on his tongue before passing out and soiling themselves. The taste lasted for what felt like an eternity but was really just moments. When it faded, Peter realized he was laying on his back and staring up at the stars above.

“When did I fall down?” he wondered aloud.

Giggles and laughter came from nearby causing Peter to turn and look, only to see his entire crew laughing at his misery. Ai, the outgoing singer she was, pointed at him while giving a full bodied laugh, “The look on your face!!”

That caused a new wave of laughter to pass through the group. Giving them the stink eye while not bothering to stand up yet, he pulls a completed skill potion out of his storage ring. He pops the cork and downs the potion. After the Mera Kaze no mi's horrendously bad taste, the normally disgusting Skill Potion tasted like the Ambrosia of the Gods.

Knowledge flooded his mind telling him all the ways that Ace had learned to used the Mera Mera no mi. Not just combat tricks, but how to control the elemental state and even convenient little tricks. He lets the information settle into his mind before he finally climbs to his feet. Once he's standing, he holds his hand out, palm up, and ignites it. A grin grew on his face as he looked at the bright orange flames dancing merrily on his palm.

The others finally catch on and watch as Peter plays with the flames. After the flames dance for a bit, Peter puts them out. He faces the sea and makes a gun with his hand while aiming his finger out to sea, “Higan!”

A compressed bullet of flames launched from his finger tip and slammed into the ocean water sending up a small burst of steam. Peter cackled but needed to try something else. Clearly his fire was working so the wind portion should as well. Using the knowledge of how to harness fire from Ace, he applies the same idea to harnessing his wind power.

He starts by holding his hand out palm up once more. This time he focuses on creating a small whirlwind over his palm. With concentration and a bit of effort, he conjures up a small and weak tornado within the palm of his hand. Peter's grin grows at the sight of his second element coming to life.

He keeps the wind going in his right while lifting his left up and once more conjuring flames. He feeds the flames into the tornado, giving neither very much power. Yet the result is immediate and powerful. The air currents feed the fire causing it to flare up and blast a wave of heat across the deck of the ship that melts the snow that managed to collect on the deck immediately around him.

Peter threw his head back and laughed while his crew watched the flaming tornado in wonder.

“This! This is what I want! Fuck you Akainu! Being all high and mighty because your Magu Magu no mi is superior to the Mera Mera no mi! Well guess what fuck face?! Fire is only limited by the amount of fuel put into it!”

To prove his point he begins feeding more power into the flames and wind in the palms of his hands. The heat they produce instantly ramps up and continues to grow. The flames quickly shift from normal reddish orange to pure orange climbing at least two hundred degrees Celsius, or four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. More snow melted further away, but he wasn't done yet.

More power led to the flames shifting from orange to white, the temperature climbing still until the flames shift to blue. Putting the flames between fourteen to sixteen hundred degrees Celsius, or twenty-five to twenty-nine degrees Fahrenheit.

He knew he could push it further, possibly to the point he was generating plasma, but he had to stop. Even with the control he'd gotten from Ace's skill, he was having trouble containing the heat he was generating. The deck just below him was starting to smoke and blacken while everyone on the crew had moved far away from him to avoid the heat.

Thankfully putting out the fire is as easy as a thought. Even after the flames vanish the heat lingers for some time keeping the air around them fairly warm for some time.

“Holy shit!” Ai's voice broke the silence, “Captain, that was intense! I mean, holy shit!”

The others gave similar thoughts on what they'd just witnessed. The power of the Mera Mera no mi on it's own was enough that Ace could fire off a single Hiken and blast through several ships in a single blow. Enhanced by the Kaze Kaze no mi it was even more powerful. He'd barely had to exert any effort at all to produce the flames he had. He couldn't imagine just what he could accomplish if he put serious effort into it.

He was certain that he could produce enough heat to create plasma, he just wasn't certain he could do so without burning the ship to ashes in the process. He needed to find a safe place to practice before he tried to do anything like that near any one living.

Peter grinned at his crew while proclaiming, “We need more Devil Fruits. I'll have to think about creating a spymaster to hunt them, or their users, down for us. With the right ones, all of us could have a unique setup of power.” He looked at his hands, “I'm going for Plasma.” His grin grew, “We've got Rain and Wind for a Storm fruit.” He hummed, “Wax and fire could go together, but I'm not sure what the point in it would be. Might need more pieces to put it together into something great.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing, “We need to get to Jaya.”

Alex speaks up, “Jaya, Captain?”

Peter nodded, “It's where we'll gain access to Skypeia. Up there is Enel and he has the Goro Goro no mi, the lightning fruit.” He smirked, “I'm going to take it from him and add it to my current setup. Lightning is a form of plasma and heat.” He chuckles, “And it can be added to the Storm fruit as well.”

He sighed and let his mind slow down. In the last little while he'd done too much thinking. Between the Devil Fruit fusions and the creation of the Tok'ra, he was tired. He calmly makes his way toward his cabin while waving over his shoulder, “Goodnight everyone. We'll talk about the plan going forward tomorrow.”

-----Line Break-----

AN

Just a smidge over 8k words and a good spot to stop.

So, what did you all think? Are Peter and his crew broken enough yet? Did you see the Tok'ra from Stargate SG-1 coming? Because I sure as hell didn't. the inspiration for that goes to Johnworm. Thanks dude!

Let me know what you all think!