Was strength due to Devil Fruits, or were they strong to begin with, the Devil Fruits merely enhancing them?
Alistair pondered this for a long time.
His conclusion: strong individuals were strong even without Devil Fruits. Martial arts masters like Garp were obvious examples. Even Akainu, without the Magu Magu no Mi, his Haki would still secure him an Admiral position.
Furthermore, the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, useless without strong martial arts skills, was incredibly powerful in Bartholomew Kuma's hands.
Conversely, some with Logia-type Devil Fruits were weak: the swamp-swamp fruit user, the gas-gas fruit user Caesar Clown, the snow-snow fruit user Monet—all useless.
Others with powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruits: the Noro Noro no Mi
user Foxy, the Hobi Hobi no Mi user Sugar, the Baku Baku no Mi user Wapol—all practically crippled.
Therefore, inherent strength was more important than a powerful fruit.
Was Alistair a strong warrior?
In battle, he was resolute, courageous, decisive, intelligent, and possessed strong leadership.
But he knew he was a city-dwelling intellectual who had never fought, raised with twenty years of new-age education, never having a real fight!
Before his time travel, he didn't care about fighting; the state didn't require it!
The battle on the Devils Luck was his first step.
But was he a qualified warrior?
No. He exercised leadership, but wasn't a warrior.
He often hid in safety, watching them bleed and sacrifice.
This was hypocritical, but honest. Without this honesty, the revolution was pointless.
Was admitting he wasn't a warrior difficult?
Was admitting he wasn't suited for the Mera Mera no Mi difficult?
Yes. Logia-type Devil Fruits were top-tier for combat and survival, potentially saving his life in a crucial battle.
He was from the real world, easily killed in this world. Who wouldn't cherish their life?
But he had to do this!
He was a revolutionary!
More importantly, a commander!
A Logia-type user who could utilize the Mera Mera no Mi's power was the necessary combat strength.
Their situation seemed good, but Alistair didn't know when Enel ate the Goro Goro no Mi.
He was prepared to fight Enel.
Relying solely on Hancock was risky.
Then there was the method of ascent.
Even with fifteen ships, they couldn't waste resources on trial and error.
Another method: rockets or hot air balloons.
The Mera Mera no Mi could enable flight; the propulsion of flames could lift a 70kg man high…
Then there were hot air balloons.
They lacked time to find fuel.
The only option was to use the Mera Mera no Mi and manpower to lift a hot air balloon.
Though hot air balloons were 1783 technology, they had incredible potential—besides observation towers, they could reach 20,000 meters, even 50,000 meters. Alistair believed Skypeia couldn't be higher than 50,000 meters. If Ace had enough stamina, they could reach Skypeia by hot air balloon.
Conquering Skypeia didn't require many people—Hancock's Haoshoku Haki and Ace's fire fists could handle most of the soldiers.
The real challenge was Enel, possibly with the Goro Goro no Mi.
As Alistair pondered, flames erupted from Ace.
Alistair stepped back; Hancock stepped forward.
Ace became a human torch, causing concern among the Spade Pirates.
But when Ace turned, he was smiling.
A radiant smile. The flames didn't harm him. The fire-gilded Ace extinguished the flames, then punched his chest. "Thanks, comrade!"
This reminded Alistair of something.
"We don't kneel, nor use certain gestures. Let's use this salute!"
Unified uniforms, gestures, and ideology were crucial for unity. He only realized this seeing Ace's gesture—his oversight.
Alistair punched his chest.
Then, standing straight, he shouted, "Attention!"
"Salute!"
When everyone kicked their legs and punched their chests, their hearts beat in unison.
They were one!
And as one, they were invincible!
"Bang!"
The sound startled everyone.
This unified group seemed even more united after the salute!
"Now, regarding the pirates." Alistair's words made the pirates prick up their ears.
They didn't want to die.
"Each group will train using a 1:2 ratio, with the Special Forces assisting. Five days of basic training first."
Alistair wanted to absorb them all.
But if scattered, their individual strength might threaten the revolutionaries. But with the Spade Pirates' Special Forces supervising…
With the Spade Pirates' individual combat abilities, there wouldn't be any major issues.
He had ten days to absorb these pirates.
If not, he would leave the First Army behind and go to Skypeia with Ace and the Boa Sisters.
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