Phantom Demon Emperor Fist

Roy knew that this was the result of Ace constantly pushing himself to the limit and unleashing his inner potential.

But Roy didn't stop him, which was more advantageous for his next move.

"Is this guy serious? Does he really think he can break the captain's domain by doing this?" Crocodile the Sand couldn't understand Ace's actions.

"He's definitely a reckless madman. Doesn't he know that even if he uses all his power to break this barrier, he can't rewrite the ending? You know, the captain hasn't even made a move yet." Enel also didn't think highly of Ace's fate.

Admittedly, Ace himself was well aware that no matter how hard he tried, he could not change the final outcome. After all, the enemy had only said one sentence so far, yet he had already revealed all his trump cards. The difference in strength between the two sides was indeed like heaven and earth.

"But I must at least prove my existence! Go, Tenfold Great Flame Ring - Flame Emperor!" Ace roared as he threw out his energy... cough cough, he threw out a giant fireball.

The enormous fireball initially appeared pale and weak, like phosphorescence, but as it exploded, the ethereal dream trembled violently, eventually bursting like a bubble. The scorching fire wave swept across the sea once more, rushing towards Roy with unstoppable force.

"You're really capable, but that's enough for now." Roy didn't even lift his eyelids. The massive fire couldn't spread to his side at all; it would instantly dissipate as soon as it got close to him.

Exhausted, Ace knelt on the deck and smiled bitterly, "So it was all for naught after all? I tried my best, but the gap is just too big, and I can't see any hope at all."

"So, are you ready to accept your fate?" Roy stepped through the void and appeared before him.

"Come on, it wouldn't be unjust for me to die at the hands of someone like you. I just hope you'll spare my crew. They're not strong enough to pose a threat to you." Ace pleaded slightly. If it weren't for his crew, he would never have bowed down.

"Okay, but I will seal their memories of Sky Island."

"Thank you very much then." Ace smiled brightly.

"Ace, do you believe in fate?" Roy suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.

Ace was also taken aback, then laughed and said, "Heh, fate is just an excuse for the weak to escape."

"Is that so? Then try your best to survive this punch from me, break free from the shackles of fate, and shatter the chains of destiny!" Roy assumed a stance ready to attack. "It would be such a waste for someone like you to die here. Try your best to live, and I look forward to the moment when you challenge me again."

"What fate? What do you mean?" Ace instinctively sensed that Roy was talking about something very important to him.

Phantom Demon Emperor Fist!

A powerful punch erupted instantly, seemingly exceeding the speed of light. A massive amount of blood spurted out, and Ace's body deflated like a punctured balloon, crashing heavily onto the deck.

The crew members who witnessed all this were deeply moved. Despite such a fierce punch, the Spade Pirates' ship remained completely undamaged, demonstrating the extent of Roy's control over power.

"Let's go, it's time to announce our return to this calm sea." Roy flew back to the Ark Maxim without looking back.

"Strange, this is really not like the captain's style. Although that guy is not far from death, he may still have a chance to live. With the captain's personality, he would never do something that leaves trouble behind." Enel knew that under Roy's seemingly humble appearance, he had a domineering personality. Anyone who dared to disobey him would not have a good ending.

"The captain has his reasons for doing things; he's a man who can see into the future!" Crocodile the Sand had long believed in Roy's decision.

Roy never intended to kill Ace from the beginning. Although Roger Pirates Summit War (Buggy is negligible, Red Hair arrived after the battle), things can never be generalized. If Ace died at his hands and those remaining monsters were unleashed, he would not be able to stop them now.

"Besides, it would be a great pity for someone like him to die. A living descendant of the Pirate Kings would undoubtedly be more valuable." Roy's gaze was distant, as if he were looking towards the future.

The calm sea, the silent ships, and the stench of blood carried by the sea breeze attract countless scavengers.

"Ugh, my head hurts so much." Miharu slowly woke up, rubbing his throbbing head. "How did I faint? Oh right, it sounded like the captain's Conqueror's Haki. Wait, where's the captain?"

Miharu, disregarding his chaotic thoughts, quickly stood up and looked around. He soon discovered Ace lying on the deck, his blood staining the surroundings and attracting a large number of sea eagles, which terrified him.

"Captain, how are you? Cheer up!" Miharu quickly ran to Ace's side, chased away the malicious sea eagles, and checked on Ace's physical condition.

"Ship Doctor, Ship Doctor, come quick!" Miharu cried out in despair, realizing that Ace's vital signs were extremely weak. "Oh right, Deuce hasn't woken up yet."

Miharu found Deuce and shook him violently to wake him up.

Deuce had been quite resentful of Miharu's rough actions, but after realizing the urgency of the situation, he put aside his complaints and rushed to Ace's side.

"How is it? The captain will definitely be alright, right?" Miharu looked at Deuce with hopeful eyes.

"The situation is critical. The captain has lost too much blood and needs a transfusion as soon as possible," Deuce said gravely.

"I have plenty of blood, hurry up and give me the transfusion," Miharu said, preparing to draw blood with a knife.

"Your blood type doesn't match the captain's, so you're useless. My blood type is the only one that works on the ship, so I'll take over."

"What's going on? My body feels as heavy as if it were filled with lead." Ace slowly opened his eyes, a flash of seven-colored light passing through them before his eyes quickly cleared. "That's right, I was fighting Nightmare Roy earlier. No, that wasn't even a fight, it was a complete crushing defeat."

"I didn't die, they must have held back." Ace hadn't forgotten that Nightmare Roy's power in the seas, besides his unpredictable Devil Fruit Ability, mainly relied on his swordsmanship that could cut through anything. Yet, in the previous battle, Roy hadn't even drawn his sword once.

"Did I really think I'd become so weak that I needed the opponent to hold back just to survive?" Ace couldn't help but look up at the sky and roar, "I won't run away! I won't lose to anyone again! Even if my name becomes synonymous with terror! I will make my name resound throughout the world!"