Marineford.
Ace, whom Luffy had rescued, was being hotly pursued by Akainu.
"Great Eruption!"
With a furious roar from Akainu, countless volcanic bombs rained down on Ace and Luffy.
"Fire Fist!"
Ace turned, transforming his arm into an enormous, searing-hot flame, then extended it and blasted it forward as a flaming fist.
Boom!
The Fire Fist blocked many of the volcanic bombs, but many more slipped past it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The volcanic bombs smashed into the ground with thunderous booms, leaving Ace and Luffy scrambling to dodge.
Akainu's strength was beyond question, of course, but Ace was no weakling either.
However, Ace had spent too long in prison, bound by Seastone handcuffs and shackles. Although they had been removed, his body had not fully recovered, and he could not unleash his full strength.
He could have held his own against Akainu for a while before, but now he could only scramble around in this sorry state.
"Fire Fist Ace!"
Delayed for a moment by Akainu's volcanic bombs, Ace was overtaken by Akainu.
Coating his fist in Armament Haki, Akainu punched toward Ace's back.
Ace's Observation Haki had already detected Akainu's attack. He turned and crossed his arms in front of himself, coating them in Armament Haki to block it.
Boom!
Akainu's punch knocked Ace straight to the ground.
Hearing the noise behind him, Luffy hurriedly turned and saw Ace lying on the ground.
"Ace!"
Luffy cried out and was about to rush over.
"Straw Hat!"
Drawn by Luffy's cry, Akainu looked over.
Ace was temporarily out of the fight. He could not let Luffy escape now.
Akainu charged at Luffy.
His right fist turned into scorching magma, ready to punch straight through Luffy.
"Desert Spada!"
Crocodile transformed his arm into a sand blade, then enlarged and unleashed it, slashing