Second Battle

"I never expected that someone like me, a newcomer who has only been at sea for a short time, would be able to meet such an important figure at sea."

"A few years ago, he was indeed the most dazzling new face at sea."

"How scary... his eyes."

The members of the Hell Pirates, led by Oboro, watched the man jump off the camel and began to express their opinions.

The first person to express his feelings was Kaka.

People like Shiki, despite their greater fame, are far removed from the ranks of One Piece in the new era.

So I didn't really feel anything.

Dom and Ace set sail around the same time. Dom was with the Flame Dragon Pirates when Ace rose to prominence and shone brightly. Therefore, he had the most direct experience of Ace's fame and strength.

As a captain-level officer of Yonko' forces, and considering his previous experience, Ace could indeed be considered a 'giant' compared to ordinary One Piece roaming the Grand Line.

Although Ace looks more mature and experienced, he is still quite young and has a boyish charm.

Dorans found Ace's gaze intimidating... because Ace's expression and eyes were quite serious.

It makes it clear to people that his unwavering will is evident.

Moreover, the aura that Ace exuded was unlike any other One Piece they had ever seen before.

Simply put... it's just a different 'smell'.

He doesn't seem like a true 'One Piece'.

Ace methodically tethered the camel to the desert vegetation nearby, his movements perfectly organized.

Then, stepping in.

Standing directly opposite the Hell Pirates.

In the sweltering heat, on one side were the seven members of the Hell Pirates, whose 'infamy' now resounded throughout the world, plus two priests.

On one side... there was only Ace, all alone.

The sunlight cast his shadow on the ground, making it appear extremely long.

It was nearing dusk.

An orange cowboy hat with two badges, one smiling and one sad, on the brim; a red beaded necklace around the neck; and signature shorts.

Freckles on her cheeks, and letter tattoos on her left arm...

Oboro's gaze swept over Ace... He didn't feel anything for Luffy, but Ace was different.

I really like the charm and personality of this character.

If there are a few 'resource points' in the world of One Piece that he could ignore his plans and abandon... then Ace is one of them.

Of course, this is not absolute.

He will also intervene if necessary.

But there's no need for him to waste his time on Ace as a resource point... because the Summit War was a crucial period for the explosion of resources, and the Hell Pirates couldn't possibly miss it.

That will be Oboro's 'harvest season'.

Ace didn't speak first, but instead surveyed the members of the Hell Pirates, pausing particularly on Enel before finally focusing on the leader, the man facing him.

Hell King, God Slayer, Oboro.

Despite the still high temperature in the desert and the scorching sand beneath his feet, Ace felt a strange chill upon seeing the God Slayer, as if the air around the man exuded an indescribable coldness.

This is the guy Marco had instructed beforehand to kill Golden Lion Shiki.

Before arriving, Ace had already learned from the Straw Hat Pirates that the only person Luffy and his crew fought was the long-eared man wearing a white scarf. The other members of the Hell Pirates did not participate in the fight; they only rescued their companions at the last moment.

This left Ace somewhat puzzled.

He couldn't figure out what the God Slayer's intentions were.

"They're all very strong... especially him..."

Ace thought to himself.

It refers to Enel.

As for the God Slayer... to be honest, Ace couldn't see through him.

However... there is an invisible pressure that is gradually eroding him.

"I'm here... You spread the word just to find me, didn't you?"

After a moment's hesitation, Ace spoke to Oboro.

He had a very serious expression on his face.

Aren't you afraid it might be a trap?

Oboro smiled slightly, "What I mean is, if I wanted to kill you, or if I had some kind of deal with Blackbeard, you've already fallen into my trap."

"Even so, I'm coming... Marshall D. Teach must die."

Upon hearing the name Blackbeard, Ace's pupils contracted, and he said coldly.

He represents more than just himself.

It was also the Whitebeard Pirates.

The God Slayer attacked him meant that he was going to war with the Yonko.

This was also one of Ace's sources of confidence—the confidence instilled in him by his father and his friends.

He didn't inform his father because he didn't want everyone to worry before things happened... He would try his best to 'handle' it himself.

He didn't want the Whitebeard Pirates and the Hell Pirates to clash for no reason. If he really died here, God Slayer couldn't cover it up, since both sides' whereabouts had already been exposed, and quite a few people knew that they were both in Alabasta at the same time.

"Are all the people under the Yonko this arrogant?"

Dom let out a cold laugh.

"Hahahaha... The man standing behind him is the one hailed as the strongest man at sea." Dorans laughed loudly.

"Those are all empty titles of the past; a new era has begun."

Rob Lucci deliberately stirred up trouble.

Sure enough, flames immediately appeared on Ace's body after he said a few words, and his expression under the cowboy hat became extremely dangerous.

"Stop talking nonsense... Where is Marshall D. Teach?"

"Your terms!"

Ace stared at Oboro.

"We did encounter Blackbeard, and we had a little encounter with him."

Long remained calm and composed, saying, "I didn't lie to you."

"If you want to know his whereabouts, it's simple... fight one of my men, and if you win, I'll tell you."

After speaking, without needing to call out names, Ace automatically looked at Enel.

God Slayer said that, he definitely wouldn't do it himself. So the only person on the scene qualified to fight him is that bandana-wearing man who was defeated by Luffy.

The outcome for the rest of the participants was predetermined.

However, he couldn't even beat Luffy... and he still wants to fight him? Ace frowned, not underestimating Enel. He just thought that with the eyesight of God Slayer, it was impossible for him not to see some of his 'level'. The old man and his crew all thought that Oboro was an extremely dangerous guy.

Such a person would never do anything meaningless.

"Hmph... You lost once, and you want to lose again? Are you not convinced?" Suddenly, Ace laughed. "Aren't you going to fight me yourself? I'm quite interested in fighting you." As he spoke, he raised his index finger, and a flame appeared at the tip of his finger.

Looking at Oboro with a 'challenging' gaze.

"If it's Whitebeard, I'd be happy to oblige."

Long was also amused.

"Want to beat Dad? You're still a long way off..."

Ace did not back down.

After saying that, he changed the subject.

Ace wasn't exactly brilliant, but he was certainly capable enough. He sensed something was up his sleeve. "If you want me to take action, fine... besides Marshall D. Teach where that bastard Teach is, you have to agree to one more condition."

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in Luffy... for now."

Long seemed to have anticipated his thoughts and smiled gently.

"Luffy? Don't call him that so affectionately... You've become his most wanted enemies now."

"Yeah?"

Long raised an eyebrow.

"He's an even more troublesome guy than me... You guys better watch out, you never know when you might actually lose to him."

"Luffy is very strong."

Ignoring Ace's boasting and praise of his younger brother, Oboro snapped his fingers.

In an instant, everyone except Enel quickly dispersed, leaving a clearing for the two of them.

The second battle of Enel's 'remodeling project' has begun.