Peter ducked, his spider sense blaring a warning about the incoming fist. Yet even as he ducked, another warning went off to alert him of Alex's second fist coming at a different angle. This was the problem with sparring against someone else who was also enhanced with the spider venom. Their speed and reflexes were nearly identical, for now, meaning the spider sense was nearly useless. Peter got his hand in the path of Alex's second blow and caught it his palm with a thunderous crack that launched a weak shock wave out.
Peter had started to take his training more seriously now that they were at sea. He'd spent a lot of time making potions for just about any scenario he could think of and neglected his own training in the process. As it stood, he wasn't as strong and skilled as a leader should be. Though he expected he would never be the expert that Alex would, he could still do his best to at least not hold back his supernaturally gifted crew.
He definitely needed to find a way to make himself stand out like they did. Sure his Essence helped but... He wanted something more visible. Maybe he really should see about hunting down Ace for his Mera Mera no Mi. He did always like fire.
The spar continued in earnest for nearly an hour with Alex taking the time to correct any mistakes Peter was making. That was why he'd made Alex after all. By the time Peter called a break, he'd gotten back into the swing of brawling with Alex throwing in some of the martial arts he'd observed at the marine base. Sadly the man had never seen the Captain practicing so he'd not learned anything ground breaking.
As he sat down, Sakuya presented him with a cold drink and a light lunch made by Erina using ingredients he'd stocked the fridge with. His power was so convenient sometimes. He could get food ingredients from any world he could think of. So, naturally, he picked food ingredients from the food world of Toriko. Not only did the food taste amazing, but it also strengthened the crew just by eating it!
He hummed with enjoyment as he chewed on his sandwich and watched as Alex and Artoria sparred using swords. Artoria had already mastered everything that Alex could teach her, now they were just refining their basic skills to perfection together. Peter hoped they would come across a master at some point so Alex could copy them. It was supremely tempting to head to the East Blue in the hopes of running across the battle between Mihawk and Zoro.
He considered that for a moment. It was possible the events hadn't happened yet. If not, he wouldn't mind just sitting in the background letting Alex watch the events as they unfolded. They could leave after and head into the Grand Line from there...
No, he shook his head. He didn't want to do that as he might end up wanting to follow Luffy. That was Luffy's journey and adventure, not his. He had his own path and goal that he would follow to the end. Maybe they could have a friendly rivalry? He also wouldn't mind joining the alliance in a few years.
Until then, he needed to work on expanding and improving his crew. He very much wanted to add magic to his crew but he still hadn't thought of someone with innate magic and talent extreme enough to teach themselves. He had some knowledge distilled into skill potions, but he was worried it wasn't good enough.
He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of metal shattering. His eyes snapped back to Alex and Artoria, both now holding broken blades. He sighed deeply, he also needed the magic user to make magic weapons for that pair. They kept breaking their blades! He didn't need something on the level of Excalibur, just indestructible would be nice! Probably needed a blacksmith too at this rate.
He sighed but smiled fondly when Artoria turned to him and gave him a sheepish look. She didn't talk very much but she was very expressive. He opened his mouth to let her know it was fine, but froze as an idea hit him like a freight train.
Merlin!
Fucking Merlin was supposed to be the greatest magic user of all time in all the stories about him. Even the ones where Merlin was a woman. He had King Arthur, so why not complete the set? Hell, he could even create a 'Lady of the Lake' while he was at it! Magic weapons for everyone!
He jumped to his feet, "Don't worry about the sword Artoria, Alex, just grab some more. They were pretty cheap."
A pair of 'Yes, sir's' came from behind him as he spun on his heel and headed down into the ship to where the brig used to be. He didn't see any reason they would actually imprison someone so he'd designated the brig as the lab area, which he shared with Valeria. The gorgeous blonde was already in the lab working on bits and pieces as she tried to make a more modern rifle using the crude tools she had on hand. Mostly, she spent her time making tools to make tools.
There was a small forge/foundry area where she could cast different parts and melt down any failures. He wasn't the least bit worried about fire thanks to Mera's hydrokinesis. That woman could easily flood the ship enough to sink it, let alone put out a fire.
Valeria looked up and gave him a bright grin when he stepped through the door, "Hey boss! I didn't think I'd see you down here so soon. Something happen?"
Peter shook his head, "No, just had a brilliant idea and needed to get onto it A.S.A.P."
"Oh?" She smirked when he pulled the large tank out of his storage ring, "A new crew member I take it?"
He nodded and followed the tank with his table and a flow of ingredients, "That's right. I want a magic user and I just had a brain blast up on deck."
"Well, I can't wait to meet her boss."
He smirked and didn't argue with the assumption that the new crew mate would be a woman, because it would be. He quickly began making the brew and filling the tank. He couldn't help wondering how the liquid mana he poured into it would effect someone with actual magical powers. The Merlin he planned to create had innate magic and was an unparalleled genius on top of that.
Soon enough it was time for the final two ingredients. He held his hand out and summoned the blood of Merlin from Nanatsu no Taizai. Not only would Merlin be a total babe, but she had the innate magical ability 'Infinity'. Infinity allowed Merlin to stop the time of her spells to make them last forever. It was so broken it wasn't even funny. He could already think of dozens of uses for such an ability.
He grinned like a maniac as he dropped the last tow ingredients into the tank, her blood and his own. In just twenty-four hours he would have a magical genius on the crew! That wouldn't be the end though. No. Thinking of Merlin had brought to mind the third being that was responsible for the legend of King Arthur, the one who gave Arthur his most well known weapon, Excalibur.
The Lady of the Lake.
Depending on the source, the Lady of the Lake could be anything from a simple spirit or fae holding onto Excalibur to a badass warrior queen who crafted Excalibur and enchanted it herself. The one he decided on was a version that made one of the more interesting versions of the sword using means of magic and alchemy said to tread on the territory of God. Though she never appeared in the series, she was mentioned making her cannon. He might not know her name or appearance but her work spoke for itself, the Lady of the Lake from High School DxD.
Peter's cackling was brought to an end by a light smack to the back of his head courtesy of Valeria. Peter gave her the hairy eyeball, "Spoilsport."