Ace was central to the ascent.
His presence eliminated the need for fuel—finding reliable fuel would have been a problem.
Modern hot air balloons use methane or propane; before that, kerosene.
Finding kerosene was good enough, but Alistair doubted it could lift a balloon in One Piece—the energy efficiency was too low. Balloons already have limited payload; adding kerosene would further reduce capacity.
Ace weighed around 120 pounds; in his elemental form, he was weightless. He could provide ample heat and allow another person in the basket.
Three experimental hot air balloons were ready.
The baskets were large, woven from vines. William could fit two, while others could fit six or seven.
Thick ropes were attached to the corners—normally used for ships to withstand waves, now to withstand air currents.
Waves, aside from currents, were mostly caused by air currents. Hot air balloons rely on air currents for movement; a navigator was crucial.
Even Shiki, with the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, capable of flying islands, was affected by severe weather.
This was common sense: ungrounded objects are easily destroyed by severe weather. But it was also a matter of intelligence: why risk destruction instead of descending to avoid storms?
Even ships furl their sails in storms; Shiki didn't know to avoid storms.
It might have been related to the rudder lodged in his head.
Ace stretched, surrounded by officers.
Alistair's consistent success made his plans readily accepted.
But failure would damage his prestige among the new recruits and future revolutionaries.
"Focus your flames—intense, but don't ignite anything nearby, understand?"
Alistair instructed Ace.
Most Logia users didn't initially master elementalization.
Sabo, despite mastering Haki, didn't achieve full elementalization; he only used Ace's signature move: Fire Fist.
Even Logia users need training to master elementalization.
After five days of training, Ace could freely control his flames—Luffy had struggled with this, his limbs stretching uncontrollably.
But after years of training, Luffy improved. His strength, combined with his rubber powers, allowed him to kill a sea cow with one punch.
Ace had previously struggled with uncontrolled flames, sometimes burning his clothes.
For four days, he trained alone; approaching him was dangerous.
The Mera Mera no Mi's destructive power was undeniable.
Now, he stood firmly in the vine basket, with Sandersonia, Marigold, and William lifting it—effortless despite the steel frame.
The balloon was initially deflated; they lifted it, and Ace began to ignite the flames.
He joined his hands, like Kamehameha, and began to breathe fire into the large opening (capable of holding seven or eight people).
Initially, the flames were small, but his hands became engulfed in flames, and the deflated balloon began to inflate.
"Wow~!!!" The onlookers exclaimed. They knew about balloons, but inflating them didn't make them fly.
A normal inflated balloon needs hydrogen to fly; special hydrogen balloons can reach the troposphere; many drone shots of Earth are taken from high-altitude hydrogen balloons.
Hot air balloons require continuous heating because they use rising air currents.
With air and heat, it could fly.
The balloon stood tall, like a bobblehead, under the townspeople's gaze.
Merchants saw business opportunities, reduced risks.
Others felt longing; they wanted to see the world from above.
As the balloon slowly rose, the "wows" grew louder.
Most people in this world were unsophisticated.
Even Hancock, covering her mouth in surprise, was amazed.
Did the Kuja women not want to fly?
Everyone wants to fly.
The joy of flight is unimaginable.
Seeing the basket lift off the ground, Ace worked harder, his hands becoming flamethrowers.
Intense blue flames filled the balloon, heating the air, the balloon rising higher, passing William, reaching six or seven meters above ground. Only the thick ropes prevented it from taking flight!
The whole town erupted in cheers.
____________________
for more advance chapters visit my p@treon
[email protected]/kane45
Casual Reader - 20 Advance Chapters
Intermediate Reader - 40 Advance Chapters
Expert Reader - 60 Advance Chapters