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"Whitebeard, I'll take your head!"
Suddenly, a cold, indifferent voice echoed from above.
Crocodile, a cigar clenched between his teeth, descended from the sky in a whirlwind of sand, forming a fierce sandstorm. The gleaming golden hook on his hand aimed at the back of Whitebeard's neck. The angle was cunning, and his timing was ferocious, drawing gasps from the onlookers.
"Pops!"
"Behind you!"
"Damn it! That sneaky guy actually launched a surprise attack!"
The fierce wind surged behind Whitebeard, yet he didn't seem to notice, standing completely still. "You bothersome Crocodile brat, gurarara~~"
Just as Crocodile was about to believe he had succeeded, an angry voice shattered his triumphant fantasy.
"Ocean Current Shoulder Throw!"
Wow~~~
A powerful surge of water launched by Jinbei struck Crocodile.
Boom!
This sudden turn, combined with water's natural opposition to sand, sent Crocodile flying.
"Jinbei!"
"I'll bury you in a sandstorm!" Crocodile roared, seething with rage, as he charged directly at Jinbei.
Just recently, they had been allies in their escape, yet now, in an instant, they faced each other in a battle of life and death.
"Bring it on! I won't let you harm Pops, Crocodile!" Jinbei's presence grew more formidable, fully prepared to counter Crocodile.
...
"What a mess…"
The chaotic scene left Ace increasingly frustrated.
No matter how he directed them, unforeseen incidents continued to occur.
For example, taking down Crocodile in the midst of it all.
Or, for another, facing off against Akainu.
Akainu, unwavering in his ruthless determination, sought to assert the might of the Lava-Lava Fruit.
"Hellhound!"
A wave of magma transformed into a massive dog's head and lunged forward with a vicious roar. The scorching heat filled the air with a scent of burning.
"Alright then! Let's start with you! Bring it on!" Ace's aura flared, every bit as intense as Akainu's.
Both arms whirling, he summoned golden flames that spiraled into the shape of a colossal dragon's head.
"Blazing Sky Dragon!"
The dragon formed from unquenchable flame clashed head-on with Akainu's magma hound. The fierce collision unleashed a heat so intense it melted everything around it.
The ground seemed to dissolve beneath the flames and magma. Initially, the magma had the upper hand.
But with Ace's evolved flame, it stood equal to the magma's strength.
The heatwave surged outward, so intense that it was blinding.
"Blocked!?"
Akainu's disbelieving voice sounded, soon swallowed by the roaring heatwave.
If Akainu's face were visible, it would reveal his shock and fury.
The sheer power of the golden flames surpassed all expectations.
The heads of the dragon and hound gradually distorted under the pressure of their collision, leaving Akainu's magma and Ace's golden flames in a primal struggle.
"This flame… It's as powerful as magma!"
Sengoku stared in shock, finding it hard to believe.
Even now, he was baffled by the changes in Ace's powers.
The molten magma continued to drip, though some of it still blazed with golden flame.
"Get out of here!"
Ace shouted suddenly.
He unleashed a burst of strength, and waves of golden flames surged toward Akainu, bombarding him relentlessly and leaving him no chance to retaliate. The immense energy radiating from the golden flames struck with unmatched force.
Boom!
Akainu gritted his teeth but was still flung backward by the force. He tumbled across the ground, struggling to regain his footing, and finally stood, his expression dark and menacing.
But Ace didn't give him a moment to recover. His arms turned into golden flames as he charged forward like a blazing, human volcano.
Golden fists descended in rapid succession.
Boom!
Akainu swung his arms to block, gritting his teeth to resist.
Ace attacked again, and Akainu countered.
The two clashed repeatedly, fighting head-to-head with relentless determination. But each time their attacks collided, golden flames clung to Akainu's magma-covered arms, spreading until he was forced to shed layers of magma to prevent his entire body from being consumed by the golden fire.
By now, Akainu finally understood the terrifying strength of the golden flames.
Trying to withstand them left him at a severe disadvantage.
The battle was already gnawing at his confidence.
As they fought fiercely, the surrounding crowd stared in shock.
"Gulp—"
The nervous sound of someone swallowing echoed.
"It's… horrifying!"
"The magma and flames are scorching the very earth!"
"How is this happening!? Admiral Sakazuki is being overwhelmed!?"
"What is that golden flame? How has Ace become so powerful?"
"Get out of the way—"
A Marine cried out in terror as a stray ball of magma discarded by Akainu engulfed him, the searing temperature—well over 1,000 degrees—leaving not even bone fragments behind.
Akainu grew increasingly alarmed.
The Lava-Lava Fruit should be superior to the Mera-Mera Fruit, so why did he feel utterly helpless?
"Take this! Hound of the Crimson Lotus!"
Refusing to back down, Akainu launched another attack.
Ace sneered inwardly.
The power of the Mera-Mera Fruit had increased fivefold!
Claiming it's an elite Devil Fruit wouldn't be an exaggeration, and it was impressive that Akainu's magma could even withstand it. And he dared speak of superiority?
Ridiculous!
"Flame Commandment: Pillar of Fire!"
Ace's arms wrapped in golden flames as he spun his body, causing the flames to spiral around him.
A massive, golden pillar of fire erupted into view, leaving everyone stunned!
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