Summoner in One Piece

Onboard the Jackdaw, a different kind of skirmish was a frequent occurrence. A flash of white fur, a blur of dark scales, and then a yelp – Happy and Acronix were at it again. It usually started over a discarded fishbone or a particularly appealing piece of fruit. 

One moment, they'd be peacefully napping, the next, a growl from Acronix or a playful swat from Happy would escalate into a wrestling match, tumbling across the deck, often requiring Alex or Erza to step in, separate the squabbling summons, and restore a semblance of peace.

Ace woke with a groan, his body aching from the cold plunge and the subsequent rescue. He glared at Alex, who merely offered a wide, unsettling grin. 

"No way," Ace grumbled, pushing himself up. "I'm not joining your crew. A Davy Back Fight doesn't bind me." Despite Alex's victory, Ace remained defiant, refusing to acknowledge the outcome. 

Alex considered adopting Whitebeard's future method of catering loyalty, but quickly dismissed the thought. He didn't want to end up like Rocks D. Xebec, a figure whose ambition led to ruin. Instead, Alex decided to wait and observe Ace, letting time and circumstance work their magic.

Due to Ace's blatant refusal to honor the Davy Back Fight's outcome, Alex imposed a punishment.

"Since you're breaking your word and pirate rule," Alex declared, "you can catch your own fish for food." Ace grumbled but complied, though grudgingly. 

Alex then turned to Erza. "Erza, assign Ace to the harshest of the ship's work. Let him learn what happens when you defy a Davy Back Fight." Masked Deuce, in contrast to Ace, was far less defiant and began to integrate more smoothly into the crew, often sticking by Ace and subtly helping him with his burden of ship work.

They began their pirate hunting expeditions, guided by Erza's meticulously gathered intel. They hunted down quite a few pirates, their bounties quickly converted into substantial Beli, further swelling Alex's coffers. 

During this time, Tsunade subtly attempted to win Ace over through friendly gestures and even discreet Genjutsu, but he remained stubbornly aloof, his will surprisingly resilient.

After a period of successful bounty hunting, they returned to Virelio Port. They quickly set about selling their unwanted goods and resupplying the Jackdaw. 

They also took their stash of loot from Tsunade's clones, further increasing their wealth. They collected the bounties from the black market targets they had eliminated, further increasing their wealth. Upon their return, a formal letter awaited Alex: an invitation from The Broker for a private commission.

Alex and his core group: Erza, Tsunade, Olvia, and even a still-begrudging Ace and Deuce attend the meeting with The Broker in a discreet, opulent room within the Shroud Quarter. 

The Broker presents his commission: a valuable item was supposed to be delivered a week ago by a specific pirate crew, but its whereabouts are unknown. 

Alex's group is tasked with finding the pirate crew, retrieving the item at all costs, killing the pirates if they had broken the deal, or assisting them if they are facing any issue.

Alex initially refuses, his voice firm. "My crew does not work with pirates." He makes to leave, turning towards the door.

The Broker, seeing Alex's disinterest in standard monetary gain, quickly raises the offer. "I will give you 10 million Beli for this."

Alex remains unmoved, continuing towards the door. The Broker, surprised by his unwavering stance, increases the reward.

"Very well, 15 million Beli. And," he added, a sly glint in his eye, "lifetime half-price ship maintenance for your vessel." This last offer visibly surprises even The Broker's hardened men.

Alex still refuses, his hand on the doorknob. "Such money won't move me. Not many bounty hunters survive the sea on mere ship maintenance." He turns back, his gaze piercing. "I demand something of true value, something that shows your sincerity."

The Broker gave a sly smile. "A ship is a vital part of a sailor's life, but since Mr. Alex is not interested in such practicalities, perhaps we can procure other things, other merchandise that might interest you?"

"Get me Marine training methods for Haki or Marine Six Styles (Rokushiki) manuals as payment," Alex countered, his voice firm. "If you can get me complete manuals, I won't take money as well. That would show sincerity." With that, Alex and his group left, leaving The Broker to ponder his unusual demands. 

As they departed, one of The Broker's men quickly approached Alex. "Please, wait a few days, Mr. Alex. We will find those Marine training manuals."

After a few days, a person arrived at Alex's inn with an invitation from The Broker for another meeting. They met again in the same discreet room. The Broker, with a confident air, presented a manual, expecting Alex to now agree to the mission.

Alex immediately demanded to check the manual first to ensure its authenticity and quality. The Broker, surprisingly agreeable, handed it over.

Alex inspected the manual. He quickly realized it's a basic, generic training manual, clearly not a high-level Grand Line or Marine Headquarters training manual, though it might pass for a normal East Blue training manual.

Enraged by the deception, Alex threw the book back at The Broker, the manual slapping against the wall with a sharp thud. "Are you trying to mess with me?!" he roared, his voice low and dangerous. "Giving me this random trash as a Marine HQ training manual?!"

Seeing the situation escalate, The Broker's right-hand man quickly intervened, stepping between Alex and his boss. Just then, a message arrived for The Broker, delivered discreetly. 

The Broker, regaining his composure with surprising speed, took advantage of the interruption. He was inwardly surprised by how easily this man, Alex, had intimidated him, and a flicker of anger crossed his face before he masked it, resuming his facade as the unflappable head of the black market.

"Quickly, get the contact inside!" The Broker commanded his man. Soon, another figure entered, carrying a second, more substantial manual.

A conversation ensued, revealing that this new book had been acquired from Commodore Nelson Royal, but Nelson Royal had demanded an exorbitant sum: 100 million Beli for this manual. This amount clearly surprised The Broker, as it exceeded even the yearly income of his entire business.

Alex took the manual for inspection. His eyes widened slightly as he flipped through the pages. It was indeed the real thing: a genuine Haki training manual, complete with the prerequisites required for learning Haki. He looked up, a satisfied glint in his eye. "I will proceed with the deal," Alex told The Broker.

However, The Broker, still reeling from Nelson Royal's price, was no longer willing to do the deal under the original terms.

"Mr. Alex," he stated, his voice strained, "100 million Beli is far beyond my capacity for this commission. I cannot do this deal. If you want the book, you can pay the amount and take it directly. I won't even take a commission over the item."

Alex, seeing the Broker's genuine distress and the value of the manual, offered a solution. "Very well. Then we split the cost. 50 million Beli from you, 50 million from me. And I'll still do the mission."

The Broker's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in calculation. "50-50... and you still do the mission?"

He considered it for a moment, the prospect of securing the Haki manual for half the price, and getting his valuable item back, outweighs the unexpected cost. "Deal," he finally stated, extending a hand.