Flames surged wildly beneath Ace's feet.
They swirled like a vortex of fire.
"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!"
Endless flames converged, and Ace suddenly hoisted a sun above him.
The scorching flames made even the Red Hair Pirates feel the heat.
Yet they stood calmly where they were, with no intention of dodging.
Shanks, who faced the attack head-on, did not even raise his eyelids.
He did not even move his sword.
The scorching heat was cleaved apart.
The next moment, Ace thrust the colossal fireball forward.
It was like a sun crashing down.
Ace knew he still had a long way to go.
But surely his strongest attack could leave some kind of mark on his opponent.
He stared intently at Shanks's position.
The next moment, a razor-sharp presence flashed and vanished.
The fireball suddenly stopped, then burst apart.
The scorching heat was swept up by an even more powerful force.
It shot straight into the sky.
And Shanks stood below, completely unscathed.
Ace's pupils abruptly shrank to pinpoints.
Was this the power of the Three Emperors?
Taking his ultimate attack head-on had been as easy as drinking water.
"You still have a long way to go, Ace."
Shanks spoke slowly.
A minute later, Ace was down on one knee.
He braced one hand against the ground, gasping for breath.
He was covered in wounds, his entire body drenched in blood.
Yet not a single drop of blood could be seen on Shanks's clothes.
Was the gap really this enormous?
Ace had expected it, so he was not surprised.
Facing Shanks felt even more suffocating than facing Christa.
But at the same time, he could not help thinking.
Shanks was stronger than Christa.
But was the difference really that great?
Christa simply lacked Conqueror's Haki.
*If she had it,