The Straw Hat Crew on the Edge of Death

Pfft~

Blood sprayed ten feet into the air!

With a sonic boom, Ace became a streak of light and went hurtling across the ground, crashing through one raised section of earth's crust after another. At last, he collapsed amid the corpse-strewn ruins, his face deathly pale as he vomited uncontrollably.

When it came to explosive power, Ace really was no match for that woman, Sakazuki.

And when bad luck struck, even a sip of cold water could make you choke.

And wouldn't you know it—

Ryokugyu was nearby.

At that moment, up in the air, Predator of the Flying Pirates, Jelly Queen, and the others were holding Khel while gazing up at Golden Lion and the Flat Hat Five Elders, locked in a standoff.

That left Zephyr, Ryokugyu, and CPO free to act.

Ace struggled to his feet. He felt like several of his bones were broken, but just as he prepared to keep fighting Sakazuki, he found himself under several assessing gazes.

"Fire Fist."

"Portgas D. Ace!"

Under the scrutiny of so many powerful figures, Ace stiffly wiped the blood from his face, feeling immense pressure.

What should he do?

He couldn't even beat Sakazuki alone, and now things had gone from bad to worse!

"Zephyr, Ryokugyu, take out Fire Fist!"

In the distance,

Sakazuki had been about to pursue him, but gave up and issued an order. Then he turned his gaze toward the Straw Hat Pirates and vanished from his spot, using Soru again and again.

Monkey D. Luffy, the spark that had ignited this war, had to die.

Although Portgas D. Ace's bloodline was also evil, Monkey D. Luffy was the main target.

In a way, Ace might even have Gai to thank.

Because of Gai, the title of "Pirate King" didn't carry much influence.

This