Blackbeard vs. Fire Fist!
Earlier in time, near a Deserted Island in the New World
The sea breeze whistles, and the waves lap gently.
The massive Moby Dick was slowly approaching the shore of the Deserted Island, its snow-white whale-like head cutting through the waves, its towering hull resembling a fortress at sea.
On the deck, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates were busy chatting and laughing.
"Hey--over there!"
A gasp broke the silence.
Diamond Jozu pointed to the sea not far away, his brow furrowed slightly, and asked, "What's that?"
Everyone looked in that direction.
Amidst the rocks, a dilapidated little wooden boat gently sways, moored alone on the water.
A wooden sign hung crookedly at the bow of the ship, crudely engraved with the words: "Sea Slacker".
"Pfft! What kind of name is this? It's so perfunctory!"
Thatch couldn't help but burst into laughter, shaking the flask as he grumbled, "Sounds like some nobody who got dumped by Poseidon."
"There are already people on the island?"
Vista frowned. "Could it be the Navy?"
"Judging from the ship's appearance, it looks like it was hastily pieced together; it's probably not a naval vessel."
Marco said softly, with a hint of nonchalance in his voice, "Maybe they're just some unknown bounty hunters coming to scout things out."
"Whoever it is, had better behave themselves after Pops's ship docks."
Jozu grinned, his muscles bulging as if they could shatter rocks and split stones at any moment.
And at that very moment--
"Whoosh--!"
Without warning, a figure leaped off the edge of the deck.
It was a burly, dark figure, with heavy yet eerily swift footsteps.
It was Marshall D. Teach, a member of the Second Division.
"Hey, Teach?! Where are you going?" Thatch called out as he turned around.
Blackbeard didn't turn back, but shouted as he ran, "I'll go check out the front of the island! Maybe there'll be some excitement to see!!"
The figure quickly disappeared into the woods.
"Tsk, running off again."
Marco shrugged, looking like he was used to it. "That guy always pops out at weird times, I can't be bothered with him."
"With us around, no one dares to mess with the Whitebeard Pirates."
Vista waved his hand and ordered, "Men, prepare a feast. Bring out all the good wine. We're ashore today, a perfect opportunity to relax."
"Hey--!" the Pirates responded loudly.
Calm, resolute, and fearless.
This is the attitude of the Whitebeard Pirates.
It was Whitebeard who gave them their confidence.
However--
No one noticed that at the far end of the deck, the imposing figure hadn't moved an inch.
Edward Newgate, with his Whitebeard, stood in the shadows, arms crossed, his large sword lying silently beside him.
He seemed not to hear the commotion of his subordinates, nor did he respond to Teach's running around.
He simply watched silently as the black figure rushed towards the Deserted Island.
His deep gaze seemed to pierce through time and fate, filled with complexity and heaviness.
"... Teach."
He murmured, his voice as low as the undercurrents of the ocean. "That 'darkness' about you... it's gotten even stronger."
The sea breeze howled behind us, startling seagulls into flight.
The Whitebeard frowned slightly, a faint premonition appearing in his eyes.
"This trip to the island... is unlikely to be peaceful."
Timeline Returns: Central Battlefield of the Deserted Island
"Boom--!"
A powerful punch, imbued with thick Armament Haki, hurtled straight at Ace's face like a hammer striking a bell!
Ace instantly ducked and slid, a hot, bloody gash appearing on his cheek from the force of the punch, and a strand of his short hair was lifted up!
"Tsk... this fat guy... he's even stronger than Luffy."
Flames erupted beneath his feet as he retreated rapidly, creating distance between himself and the surrounding area. The flames swirled around him, and he stared coldly at the figure shrouded in black mist.
Blackbeard Teach, panting heavily, his eyes bloodshot and blood trickling from his mouth, roared like a beast unleashed from its cage, "Hand it over!!"
Give me that fruit!
He roared and stomped his foot again, cracking the earth inch by inch!
"Boom!!"
Before his punch even landed, the ground had already caved in!
His fist slammed into the ground, tearing the rock layers apart like rags. The shockwave spread instantly, even causing Ace's fiery outer shell to tremble!
Ace's eyes narrowed, and with a Fire Flash of his arm, he charged forward like Teleportation to Blackbeard's back, his right fist already blazing with intense white heat!
"Flame Explosion - Armor Piercing!!"
The flames spun violently in my palm, like a compressed drill bit!
"Thump!!"
The fist slammed into Teach's back, but Blackbeard twisted his body, his back hardening with Armament Haki and his muscles tightening, managing to withstand the blow!
He slipped and retaliated with a backhand elbow strike!
Ace Observation Haki to anticipate the attack, then used Flamethrower and a sliding step to create distance.
"Hahaha!! Fire Fist Ace!! He truly lives up to his reputation!!"
Blackbeard licked the blood from his lips, revealing his broken teeth, his expression crazed as he charged forward, roaring, "You think you can protect it?! You don't deserve it!! You have no idea what this fruit means!!"
Ace's gaze darkened.
"What exactly... do you want it for?"
Blackbeard didn't answer; instead, he pressed his legs down and pressed his body close to the ground.
"Whoosh--!"
With a loud pop, he instantly closed in!
"Five Claws - Pierce!!"
"Pfft--!"
His Right Hand, with its five claw-like fingers covered in thick Armament Haki, plunged into Ace's left shoulder! Blood splattered everywhere!
"Cough--!"
Ace, enduring the pain, unleashed a burst of flames beneath his feet, repelling the attacker!
He knelt on one knee, blood gushing from his left shoulder, but his eyes remained icy cold.
"... You're not just any ordinary madman."
"Ha ha ha! Madman? Wrong, kid!"
Blackbeard spread his arms wide, threw his head back, and laughed wildly, "I am the one who truly understands this world!!"
"This world doesn't distinguish between right and wrong, only between power!!"
He spread his arms, tilted his head to look at Ace, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "And that fruit is the starting point for my becoming king!!"
Ace glared angrily, flames erupting violently around him, scorching the air, melting the ground, and sending dust flying!
"... You'd risk your life for the fruit?"
Blackbeard licked his lips and grinned maliciously. "If I could get that fruit—I'd even give myself a second chance at life!!"
Ace suddenly stood up, raised his Right Hand, and compressed the flames to their limit!
He murmured, "Then... I'll die in front of it."
"Great Flame Commandment - Flame Explosion Gun!!"
It's not "Flame Emperor," but a spiral of fire compressed into a "one-shot blast" attack!
"Boom--!"
The scorching white spear pierced through the air like a falling comet, aiming straight for Teach's heart!
Blackbeard was shocked by what he saw, and crossed his arms, covered in Armament Haki, to withstand the attack with all his might!
"Thump--!"
"Pfft--!"
The Fire Pistol pierced through both arms, tearing his Haki apart! The explosive Impact sent him flying more than ten meters away, crashing heavily into a volcanic rock wall!
The rock face cracked, flames scorched him, his body was charred black, and another of his already broken teeth was knocked out!
"Cough--! Cough cough cough...!!"
Blackbeard tumbled awkwardly from the rocks, his body convulsing, but his eyes remained fixed on the wooden box in Ace's arms!
Ace stood in the center of the sea of fire, raising one fist high, flames dancing at his fingertips, condensing into a crown-like flame.
The bright light illuminated his blood-stained profile, his gaze sharp as a blade. "... Trying to steal the fruit?"
You're not qualified.
Boom!!
He stomped his foot, and the earth roared instantly!
The flames that burned the heavens and earth rose into the sky like a dragon, carrying fury and intense heat, sweeping across the entire Battlefield!
The Scorched Earth crumbled, the rocks melted, and the remaining forest turned to ashes amidst the roar.
The dark figure lying amidst the rubble and scorched mud was also swallowed up by the blazing tornado!
"Ughhh--!"
"Ace--!"
Blackbeard's roar pierced through the sea of fire, sounding like pain, anger, and a mad curse!
The intense heat scorched my skin, and my bones cracked and popped under the pressure, as if my entire body was about to be engulfed in flames!
But Ace didn't turn around.
He walked through the flames, standing alone atop the Battlefield.
The flames gradually died down, and the Battlefield returned to silence, leaving only lingering, scorching smoke.
On the scorched earth, Ace was covered in wounds, his left shoulder stained with blood, his sleeve burned, his abdomen faintly charred, and his fists trembling slightly—but he still kept his back straight.
He glanced down at the black wooden box he was clutching tightly in his arms.
The box lid was slightly ajar, and the mysterious fruit lay quietly inside, its purple veins pulsating slowly like a heartbeat, seemingly still throbbing.
Ace looked at it and murmured softly, "Why... why does Roy want it?"
"This thing... it's uglier than a pineapple no matter how you look at it."
He gave a wry smile, closed the box, and tucked it inside his clothes.
He turned and walked step by step toward the coast.
The flames have died down, but the wind still blows. On the Scorched Earth, only the traces of battle and burnt remains remain.
But Ace didn't notice.
Just after he turned around...
Beneath the charred rocks, the plump body that had been almost charred by the flames trembled slightly.
"Click."
A soft sound.
On that face that should have been charred and distorted, a tooth gradually developed an abnormal metallic sheen, broke off with a "click," and a new one grew out.
A moment later, his lips parted slightly, revealing a full set of teeth, displaying a ferocious grin like that of Beast.
That was the echo of an unquenchable obsession and greed.