Encountering an Enemy

After resupplying on Doloran Island, the Spade Pirates stayed on the island for a while longer.

After all, they had spent several months on deserted islands and at sea, constantly keeping their nerves taut. They were starting to reach their limit.

At that moment, inside a restaurant on the island.

"Ace, this is the information we got from the tavern." A Spade Pirates crewman wearing a skull mask said, "The Red Hair Pirates supposedly appeared on an island not far from here a few days ago. They probably haven't gone far yet."

"And it seems the Beasts Pirates have their eyes on us. Besides the Whitebeard Pirates, we've now offended another Four Emperors Crew."

Ace, who had been dozing off, opened his eyes and lifted his head from his plate. He continued wolfing down food as he mumbled, "It's fine. Isn't that normal? If I want to become the One Piece, I'll have to take on the Four Emperors Crews sooner or later, right?"

"Fine." The Spade Pirates crewman had long since gotten used to his big-hearted captain. "Then we'll continue sailing. If we want to catch up with the Red Hair Pirates..."

But before he could finish, Ace grabbed his arm and crashed straight through the restaurant doors.

A terrifying attack descended from above, instantly blasting away half the restaurant. The staggering Spade Pirates crewman looked up and saw a pterosaur flying through the sky, immediately crying out.

"That guy is... the Beasts Pirates' All-Star—the Wildfire, King!"

The pterosaur landed and transformed into a towering man dressed in black leather, with a pair of black wings on his back. He looked coldly at Ace.

"Uh-oh! Looks like they found us." Ace scratched his head, sounding somewhat troubled. Then his expression turned serious. "But only one All-Star from the Beasts Pirates came after us? Why didn't Kaido come himself?"

King said coldly, "Not one. Three. A Pirate Crew that has only just entered the New World, yet requires all three All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates to mobilize... Fire Fist Ace, your Spade Pirates have every reason to be proud."

As for the embarrassing fact that their boss had gotten drunk, turned into a dragon, and flown off without even bringing a Log Pose, there was naturally no need to mention it.

"All three All-Stars came out together? Then why are you the only one here?" Ace asked with a frown.

"The other two went to find the Spade Pirates and Young Master Yamato. As for you, I alone am enough." King drew his long blade, the flames behind him roaring as he sneered.

"They went after Yamato? Then it looks like you're the only opponent left for me." Ace smiled, flames rising around his body without a trace of concern.

Yota and Yamato were not much weaker than he was, and Yamato's combat strength was even above his own. There was no need for Ace to worry about them facing the other two All-Stars.

By now, the island's residents had already fled at the sight of King with practiced efficiency. In the New World, people might not know about the Marines or the World Government, but every resident knew of the Great Pirates. The moment King appeared, everyone vanished without a trace.

That saved Ace some trouble. He would not have to hold back during the fight.

"You've got guts. For that courage alone, I won't kill you if you lose." King spoke. As one of the rare dependable members of the Beasts Pirates, his desire to expand the crew was no less than Kaido's. Seeing Ace, a rare Flame-Flame Fruit user, naturally stirred an appreciation for talent in him.

"Hahaha." Ace smiled. "Then I really should thank you. But..."

"Save the big talk until after you beat me! Fire Fist—!"

Just as Ace and King began their battle, Yamato and Yota encountered the remaining two All-Stars.

Queen was crafty by nature. He knew that only King might be able to handle Yamato, and no matter what, Yamato was Kaido's daughter. Blood was blood, after all. He did not dare meddle in his boss's family affairs.

So for this battle, he naturally sent the foolish Jack to trouble Yamato, while he himself sought out Yota, who looked like the easiest target.

"Kid, you're the one who stole the treasure of our Beasts Pirates, right?" Queen, wearing frog goggles and round as a ball, blocked Yota's path. "Hand over the treasure, and I'll give you a quick death!"

Yota scratched his head and could not help laughing. "So you're the one dealing with me? But I don't see Kaido anywhere."

"For brats like you, the three All-Stars are more than enough. You're not worth the boss making a move." Queen spoke as he extended one hand. His entire arm instantly shifted and transformed, becoming an enormous machine gun.

"Forget it. Once I turn you into minced meat, I'll search your pirate ship for the treasure myself!" Queen laughed wildly as the massive machine gun in his hand opened fire.

Hearing that Kaido had not come, Yota finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Queen's arrogant expression, he gave a cold smile and darted aside, evading the machine-gun fire.

"Idiot. If it were either of the other two All-Stars, I might not necessarily be able to beat them."

"But you happen to be completely countered by me."

In a blur, Yota had already reached Queen's mechanical arm. Queen gave a savage grin and aimed the arm at Yota's head, firing a laser.

"Hahaha, my technological prowess isn't something a guy like you can... What!?"

Yota suddenly opened his mouth wide. His mouth split open so far that it swallowed not only his entire head, but half his chest as well. Queen's laser shot directly into Yota's mouth without producing even a wisp of smoke.

Then Yota's huge mouth snapped down on Queen's mechanical arm. Queen violently flung his arm, finally tossing Yota away.

"What Devil Fruit did you eat? Could it be the legendary Taotie?" Queen said in surprise. He then aimed his arm at Yota again. "But what use is a mouth with defense? Watch me blast you in half."

With a thunderous boom, Yota was completely unharmed, but Queen's entire mechanical arm exploded.

"Moron, idiot! I may not know how to modify machines, but I know how to destroy them!"

"The Munch-Munch Fruit's modification ability stands at the very top among all Devil Fruits! Normal technology cannot even come close to it. Even the alloy produced by a brainless fool like Wapol could amaze Vegapunk in the original story. Altering your mechanical arm in an instant was easy!"