Ace did not answer.
Because Yamato had already swung her spiked club again, lightning coiling around its length.
The air boomed under the crushing pressure.
"Narikabura!"
The spiked club swept out.
A blunt shockwave like sword energy tore through the ground and charged straight at Ace with the force of thunder.
Stone slabs shattered along its path, and the barrels and crates piled inside the abandoned warehouse were flung into the air by the impact.
Ace's gaze sharpened.
His arms instantly turned to fire, and he thrust one palm forward.
"Kagero!"
A pillar of fire erupted from his palm and collided head-on with the thunderous club strike.
"Boom!"
Flames and shockwaves exploded in midair. Half the abandoned warehouse's wall collapsed on the spot, rubble and sparks scattering in every direction.
Ace retreated on the blast wave, his feet dragging two charred trails across the ground.
The next instant.
Fire blazed around his hands as he hurled two long flaming spears forward.
"Divine Fire: Shiranui!"
The fire spears pierced through the smoke and shot for Yamato's shoulder and abdomen.
Yamato swung her club and smashed the first one apart.
But the second fire spear closed in from the side, forcing her to take half a step back.
Flames brushed past the edge of her clothes, scorching a black mark into the fabric. Yamato glanced down at it, and her eyes lit up slightly.
"Not bad!"
Ace shook his numb wrist.
"You're not bad yourself."
That last strike had nearly shattered his Armament Haki.
This white-haired woman was absolutely stronger than any ordinary Beasts member.
The next second, Yamato's aura surged explosively, lightning wrapping around her spiked club.
She shot forward like a cannonball.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Ace's Observation Haki screamed warnings in his mind.
Danger.
Extreme danger.
If he took it head-on,