Next Bonus, 100!!
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Ochoku sought rookies with potential—strong pirates to serve as his pawns in the campaign to retake Hachinosu.
For the Straw Hat Pirates, this defeat was a baptism by fire. It was a harsh, unforgiving reminder of their own inadequacy.
BOOM!
Deep into the latter half of the night, a deafening explosion shattered the silence of the island.
Everyone was jolted awake.
What followed was a cacophony of chaotic screams.
It sounded like a slaughter.
Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Viola—all imprisoned—were startled, unsure of what was transpiring outside.
"Is it those guys?"
Zoro thought of the group that had invited them earlier.
Unease settled over them.
"Ahhh...!"
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air.
The guards outside the cell were cut down, their bodies hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
Inside the cell, shackled in Seastone cuffs, Luffy looked up. He was weak, drained of energy, but his eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? What's going on?"
A figure stepped through the doorway, flames dancing across his shoulders.
Luffy's expression shifted from confusion to pure, unadulterated joy.
"ACE!"
He shouted, his voice cracking with delight.
"Luffy. It's been a long time."
It was indeed Ace.
He flashed a grin, the firelight reflecting in his eyes.
"I didn't expect our reunion to look like this. Well, Ochoku is a tough opponent."
As he spoke, Ace produced a key. He unlocked the cell door and then the heavy shackles binding Luffy's hands and feet.
"Ace, what are you doing here?" Luffy asked, rubbing his wrists.
"I'm hunting a traitor," Ace replied, his voice hardening slightly. "He betrayed us. But on the way, I heard rumors about you guys."
"After all, when I hear about a guy who can stretch his arms like rubber... who else could it be but you?"
Luffy laughed, his signature grin returning. "Shishishi! Saved by you again, huh? But don't think this changes anything—I'm still gonna be the Pirate King!"
"Pirate King?"
Ace paused, then burst into laughter. "You're still on about that? Yeah... that's your style, Luffy."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
Luffy looked puzzled. "Isn't that your dream too?"
"No... maybe it was, once. I wanted to be the strongest, to surpass the Pirate King..."
Ace's expression softened, a look of profound respect crossing his face. "But then, I met Pops."
"Pops?"
"Yeah. One of the Four Emperors. The Strongest Man in the World—Edward Newgate!"
Ace turned, showing Luffy the massive tattoo on his back—the mark of Whitebeard.
"I carry that man's mark now."
"I want him to be the King."
"So," Ace grinned, a challenge in his eyes, "if we ever cross paths as enemies, I won't go easy on you, Luffy."
Luffy grinned back.
Growing up with Ace and Sabo, they had fought countless times. Their bond was forged in rivalry and brotherhood.
He knew Ace didn't mean it maliciously.
"Ah! Zoro and the others!"
Luffy suddenly remembered his crew, imprisoned elsewhere. He turned to rush out.
"They should be nearby," Ace said. "Go get them."
"Eh? What about you, Ace?"
They had just reunited. Luffy wanted to throw a banquet.
"I have business to finish," Ace said, his gaze turning toward the heart of the chaos. "Once I catch him, I'll find you. We'll catch up then."
Luffy nodded. He knew when Ace was serious.
He sprinted out to save his friends.
This area was where Ochoku kept the foreign pirates he had captured. Luffy didn't know exactly where Zoro and the others were holding out.
So, he decided to just free everyone.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
A hulking figure blocked his path—the Head Warden.
His footsteps shattered the rock beneath him, sending tremors through the ground. The man was built like a heavy tank.
He charged straight for Luffy.
Realizing the prison had been breached, the warden lunged, his massive frame belying a terrifying strength.
Mid-charge, he twisted his torso, pulling his right fist back like a drawn bowstring.
"10,000 Pound Heavy Punch!"
He roared.
BOOM!
The punch unleashed a howling gale before it even connected, whipping Luffy's coat around him.
"Gum-Gum... Cannon!"
Luffy threw his own punch to meet it.
THUD!
A dull, heavy impact echoed.
Luffy stumbled back, shaken. But his opponent's fist was stopped cold.
The Head Warden's eyes narrowed.
He took a step back.
"You stopped my 10,000 Pound Punch?"
Luffy glared at him. "Hey, Big Purple Yam! Where did you hide my crew??"
Luffy, as always, assigned nicknames based purely on appearance.
"Big Purple Yam? Who?"
The warden looked left and right, then pointed at himself.
"Are you talking to me? Big Purple Yam?"
"That's you!"
"You rude little brat!"
SWISH!
In the next instant, the Head Warden leaped into the air, delivering a sweeping whip kick aimed at Luffy's head.
"Take them down! Let's get out of here!"
The pirates Luffy had freed began releasing others. Zoro, Sanji, and the rest were quickly liberated.
It wasn't just pirates; many captured townspeople joined the wave of rebellion.
Together, they crashed against the guards.
The flames of resistance against Ochoku's tyrannical rule had been ignited.
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Meanwhile, at Ochoku's headquarters.
BOOM!
Smoke billowed into the night sky.
Flames raged.
Ochoku stormed out with his men, mistaking Ace for the primary invader.
Ace frowned. He had been delayed saving Luffy. By the time he arrived, Blackbeard—Marshall D. Teach—and his crew were already retreating.
From what he could hear, Teach had stolen Ochoku's stockpiled gold.
Ochoku was furious.
He launched an attack on Ace.
BANG!
Ace's flaming iron fist slammed into Ochoku.
It sounded like metal striking metal.
Ochoku's Haki surrounded him, forming an invisible suit of armor that nullified Ace's attack.
As a legend from a bygone era, Ochoku was no pushover.
But Ace was no longer the rookie of the past. He had fought and honed himself in the New World.
After a moment of surprise, Ace adjusted.
"Fire Fist Ace? The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Ochoku landed, steadying himself.
"The one who attacked you was Blackbeard Teach. I have nothing to do with him. I'm just here to hunt him down," Ace explained.
"I'll catch those guys, don't worry. But you... you're not leaving either."
"Become my subordinate!"
Ochoku extended an invitation. He was desperate for talent like Ace.
"I refuse."
Ace scowled.
Ochoku drew his sword and slashed forward.
WHOOSH!
His speed was blinding; his figure vanished.
Where is he?
Ace calmed his mind, his Observation Haki spreading out like a net.
Wind at my side.
Ace didn't even look.
A blade swept through his body, slicing him in two.
HISS!
The slash continued, shearing through massive trees and splitting buildings in its wake.
Logia Elementalization.
Ace reformed instantly. He spun and threw a punch, a torrent of scorching fire blasting Ochoku backward.
"You're strong, kid."
Ochoku stood up, dusting off his clothes, his eyes wide with intensity.
He looked serious now. He couldn't afford to be careless. He charged at Ace again.
BOOM! BOOM!
The two clashed violently, fire and Haki colliding, shattering the surrounding rocks.
Just as the battle reached a stalemate...
"ZEHAHAHAHA!"
Teach and his crew returned. They had dealt with the pursuer, Cledom. They had intended to leave, but plans had changed.
Teach wanted the title of Warlord. He hadn't taken Ochoku's head, but taking down his territory...
That should be enough to buy a seat.
However, seeing that Ochoku still had fight left in him, Teach didn't want to risk a direct confrontation and damage his own crew.
This was Teach's strategy before acquiring the Gura Gura no Mi: avoid unnecessary battles.
But this...
Ace had unexpectedly broken in and engaged Ochoku. Teach saw an opportunity.
"TEACH!!!"
Ace turned, gritting his teeth.
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