Using the power of the Float-Float Fruit, Souta Kiryuu's Human Path lifted the Ark Maxim permanently into the skies, freeing most of its thunder-powered systems. From now on, it would soar even faster.
Beyond the Float-Float ability, Souta had modeled this Human Path after the legendary Golden Lion Shiki, making it master dual-blade swordsmanship. Now, the swords Enma and Ame-no-Habakiri rested in its hands. Combined with the awakened genes of the Shishi fur bloodline, each slash of its blades carried crackling arcs of electricity.
At present, the Human Path was still in the process of taming Enma. Wrestling with such a cursed blade wasn't just a challenge—it was a form of training.
Even Souta's Heavenly Path carried a Kitetsu II, channeling devastating gravity-based sword techniques, echoing the style of Fujitora.
The Asura Path, meanwhile, needed no sword at all—it could manifest its own. As a Weapon-Weapon Fruit user, its transformations surpassed even the powers of the Dice-Dice Fruit. With its vast stamina and mastery of the named blades within the crew, the weapons it conjured rivaled even the Great Grade Swords in sharpness and durability.
Just Souta's three paths alone were enough to give the Four Commanders serious trouble. If all six paths were unleashed, even the elite officers of the crew would have to step aside.
The fusion of Lunarian bloodline, top-tier Devil Fruit abilities, a built-in laser cannon, and one of Souta's mysterious inherited powers made him feel less like a single fighter and more like a monster wielding the power of three fruits.
Days of relentless training passed for the Arlong crew. And then, the bait was taken—news spread by Morgans had successfully lured Fire Fist Ace into their net. Alone, the Whitebeard Second Division Commander rushed straight toward the island Souta's crew had prepared.
The Sea, Near the New World's First Half
A small ship of flame surged across the waves, driven by fire alone. On it stood Portgas D. Ace, his expression grim as embers rose beneath his feet.
Since leaving the New World's rear, Ace had been pursuing Blackbeard Teach's trail, chasing him all the way to this region. By all rights, even sailing the Grand Line in full pursuit, he shouldn't have caught up to Teach so quickly. Yet fortune had struck—he had found another lead.
This time, Ace swore he wouldn't let the traitor escape. He would capture Teach and hand him over to Whitebeard for judgment.
"Teach… why? If you wanted a Devil Fruit, you could've just said so. Why kill your own family?"
Ace's voice trembled with anger as fire poured into the sea beneath his boat, propelling him onward. He could still see it clearly—Satch and Teach drinking side by side, arms around each other's shoulders, like true brothers. And then, that same "brother" had cut him down.
The closer Ace came to his target island, the darker his eyes grew with murderous intent.
Meanwhile, Souta's crew had already received Morgans' message and were preparing to welcome this self-delivered prize—Whitebeard's second son.
"Yahahaha! Oi, Moria, this Fire Fist Ace once defeated a Warlord. You think you can take him?"
Enel grinned arrogantly, mocking Gecko Moria. In his eyes, the shadow-manipulator was worthless. Hadn't he already crushed him once before? Now, with his own strength growing by the day while Moria stagnated, Enel looked down on him more than ever.
During training, even Souta's three paths had toyed with Moria, leaving him battered and humiliated. That only added fuel to Enel's disdain.
"Hmph! When I was carving my way through the New World, this brat Ace hadn't even been born yet!"
Moria snarled back, unwilling to admit defeat. Losing to Enel, a Logia user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, was only because of carelessness. Against Ace, the Flame-Flame Fruit user, he had confidence.
He wouldn't stumble in the same place twice.
"On paper, Moria still has the advantage," Bonney giggled. "Six hundred and twenty million berries versus Ace's five hundred and fifty. Higher bounty wins, right?"
"Except Ace has been at sea less than three years," Robin interjected slyly. "Moria's been sailing thirty. He's the oldest of the Warlords, and the first to fall."
Unlucky, perhaps—but reality nonetheless.
"Captain, are we really going after Whitebeard's men? You know how dangerous he is," Bartholomew Kuma muttered gravely. Everyone in the seas knew Whitebeard was the most protective of his sons, and the last man anyone wanted to provoke.
Souta smiled coldly. "Whitebeard? He's nothing more than an old man chained to IV drips. When Kaido killed Oden, did he act? No. When Ace begged to fight Kaido in his name, to free Wano, Whitebeard refused. All he cares about now is protecting his children. He's too old, too cautious. The age of the old guard is over. This era belongs to the young."
Golden Lion, Whitebeard, Garp… once titans, now relics fading into history.
"Relax. I only need Ace. He's the bait to drag Whitebeard's entire crew to our island. I won't waste myself in a fight to the death."
Still, Souta's gaze gleamed with hunger. He wanted the Quake-Quake Fruit—and if Whitebeard perished in this war, Souta would be ready to claim it.
"They're here, they're here!" Enel was trembling with excitement. "The Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander—their number three! That makes us equals!"
He grinned wildly. In his mind, he was already Souta's number three, stronger than Hancock herself. Now it was time to see which Logia burned brighter: thunder or flame.
The moment Ace stepped onto the island, Enel struck first. A colossal thunderbolt descended from the sky, shattering the ground.
"Who—!"
Ace burst upward in a flash of fire, glaring at the distant figure.
"Enel! The Thunder God!"
Recognition hit him at once. He had joked with other division commanders about this one day—but here it was, real. A clash of gods.
"You and I, both Logia! Both who've crushed Warlords! I'll see whose power reigns supreme!" Enel roared, golden staff in hand, his body sparking as he shot forward with lightning speed. His staff glimmered with Armament Haki, ready to pierce fire itself.
Ace cursed, flames swirling around him. "Damn it, I don't have time for this! I'm here for Teach, not you! If we fight, he'll slip away!"
He transformed into fire, dodging the blow, fury boiling in his veins. If Teach really was on this island, Enel's interference could ruin everything.
And Ace would never forgive that.