"What terrifying strength!"
The battle ended, and everyone except Molly struggled to their feet from the ground, all of them injured.
Especially Luffy, who, under Ace's special care, got his younger brother beaten so badly his face was swollen and black and blue.
Molly looked at Ace in horror, no longer daring to raise her dual pistols; her previous shots had been utterly useless against her opponent.
Brushing the dust off his clothes from the battle, Ace's expression softened once more.
"How's Luffy? Can you still hold on? Do you think there's anything I said wrong now?"
"Waaaaaah..."
Luffy's mouth was swollen from the beating, and his words were slurred.
Seeing this, Zoro spoke up, taking over for Luffy.
"Mr. Ace, thank you for your guidance. We were a bit blind. Don't worry, we will keep Luffy in check. But I have a question."
Ask away!
Zoro hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"I want to know, are the Five Emperors really that powerful? And why did you mention Kuina? Have you met her? Do you know how strong Lin Yuan and the others are?"
Zoro didn't hold back and asked three questions directly.
Ace thought for a moment, then his ears twitched, and he said with a smile.
" The Five Emperors are far more powerful than you imagine. If you were in your current state, you would simply be courting death!"
"As for Kuina, I have indeed met her and even fought her. Her current strength is no less than mine."
"As for Lin Yuan, his strength is beyond your imagination. And the Abyss Chamber of Commerce, even I probably wouldn't rank in the top twenty, unless I can go even further."
The " Abyss " Merchant Guild has already acquired the Whitebeard Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates, and it's estimated that the Beasts Pirates will be acquired soon as well. Although it hasn't been explicitly stated, Lin Yuan frequently contacts them.
Some of the more confidential matters were beyond even Ace's access, but just a few words were enough to make Zoro and the others' eyes widen in astonishment.
Ace, who could easily defeat the entire Straw Hat Pirates, didn't even have a place in the " Abyss " Merchant Guild. So what kind of strength would the strongest Lin Yuan possess?
The Luffy, suddenly felt a shadow fall over their hearts.
"Alright, Luffy, I should go now. Your current strength is enough for me to use 30% of my power, which should be enough to protect you a little. Keep up the good work!"
After saying that, Ace's figure instantly turned into a streak of fire and disappeared from the spot.
The Straw Hat Pirates exchanged bewildered glances. Ace's words were like a knife to the heart; they had almost used their full strength just now, yet they still couldn't get the other party to take them seriously.
Compared to the Straw Hat Pirates who had been dealt a blow, Lin Yuan and Whitebeard Newgate were chatting animatedly atop the Flame Clouds, though Whitebeard Newgate's face clearly showed a hint of doubt.
He pointed to Luffy below, who was beaten black and blue by Ace and couldn't even Luffy clearly.
" Lin Yuan, this is Garp's grandson, the one you said would become the Pirate King! How come he's so weak, and not even very bright!"
Lin Yuan had once chatted with Whitebeard Newgate about the future, but seeing this scene today, he had some doubts.
While Newgate was pleased with Ace's growth, he remained skeptical of Luffy's Straw Hat Pirates.
Lin Yuan also watched this scene, but did not immediately answer Whitebeard Newgate's question.
Compared to the original story, the current Straw Hat Pirates are in no way inferior, and may even be stronger.
Without two years of special training and without experiencing the shock of Ace's death, Luffy actually learned Three Types of Haki, although at the lowest level, he at least mastered them.
Zoro and the others have also improved their strength considerably, having learned Haki ahead of time. In the original story, Zoro only broke through to become a swordsman in Alabasta.
As for the others, apart from Usopp, they are all quite strong, even stronger than when Nami and Robin were around, and they are also younger.
"Heh, old man, don't underestimate them. Don't let their current state fool you; in two years, they might even be able to challenge Kaido."
"Especially Luffy and Zoro, if Awakening their powers, their strength will instantly reach the level of a Yonko-level pirate crew! Isn't that infuriating!"
Whitebeard Newgate was taken aback, and glanced at Luffy and the others again, but didn't notice anything different.
However, Whitebeard Newgate did not refute Lin Yuan, as this kid was far superior to him in both strength and insight.
"Haha, that's quite something to look forward to. To be able to challenge Kaido, I wonder if he can even exchange blows with this old man."
Lin Yuan glanced at Whitebeard Newgate; this old guy actually wanted to fight Luffy.
It's fortunate that I came; otherwise, if things had gone according to the original story, this old guy would have been sacrificed along with Ace, thus successfully creating the two future emperors, Luffy and Blackbeard.
"Alright, stop thinking about it. This kid will probably come looking for revenge when he gets stronger. After all, I personally killed his own grandfather."
Seeing the expectant smile on Lin Yuan's face, the Whitebeard Newgate glared at him speechlessly, a strange expression on his face.
"Heh, you know what, it's quite possible. I just wonder if this kid will be dumbfounded when he goes to take revenge and sees that old man Garp still alive and kicking."
"Hehe, I'm quite looking forward to it too. It'll be interesting when Dragon and Garp appear together in front of Luffy."
Lin Yuan didn't really care about Luffy, even if he was the chosen one, even if Awakening the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika.
Faced with overwhelming power, Luffy, who only possesses some reckless abilities, would be no match for Lin Yuan, even after his Awakening Luffy.
The two chatted for a while, then disappeared again, and Whitebeard Newgate was sent back to his lair.
As for Lin Yuan, he didn't go back through Brûlée's mirror, but instead chased after Ace in the direction he had left.
No one paid any attention to the Straw Hat Pirates, and thankfully Ace didn't kill them; the injury would heal in a few days.
However, compared to Lin Yuan's nonchalant attitude, the Straw Hat Pirates were severely suppressed this time.
With difficulty, Luffy and clenched his fist, looking in the direction Ace had left.
"Next time we meet, I'll definitely surpass you!"