As the commander of the Science Department, Portgas D. Ace's path to advancement is not only related to his personal combat strength, but also closely linked to the technological countermeasures capabilities of the entire defense line. His " Flame of World Purification " plays an increasingly crucial role in this war.
• Purification of the Flame's Origin: Through continuous battles against the corrupting energy of the Rift Demons, Ace's Flame of World Purification underwent a profound "tempering." He was no longer satisfied with simply covering a wide area with flames, but instead pursued ultimate purity and control. The color of the flames shifted from incandescent white to a more restrained, deeper platinum gold, while the temperature became even more concentrated and terrifying. He could compress the flames into " Purifying Flame Ray " as thin as a hair, precisely piercing the energy core of demons; he could also transform the flames into gentle " Purification Halo," enveloping the wounded and dispelling the corrosive foreign energy within them. This control directly propelled the Science Department's development of targeted weapons.
• Research on resistance to energy absorption: The energy absorption characteristics of the Rift Demons are the biggest problem. Ace risked his life, fighting against demons of different levels multiple times, personally experiencing the absorption process, and using the purifying properties of the Flame of World Purification to fight back. He discovered that when the flame's "purification" rate exceeds the opponent's "absorption" rate, it can effectively kill the demon. This discovery gave rise to the " Overload Purification " tactic—forcibly breaking through the demon's absorption limit by instantly unleashing an ultra-high intensity purifying flame. Based on this, the Science Department improved the " White-Hot Spear," greatly increasing its power.
• Resonance of Luck and Flame: As one of the main combat forces on the front lines, Ace also possessed immense Power of Fortune. This luck did not directly increase the temperature of his flames, but rather resonated with his own flame origin in a wondrous way. He felt as if his flames had "come alive," becoming more spiritual. He consumed less energy and recovered faster when using his abilities, and could even vaguely sense negative energy in the surrounding environment that could be purified (such as pollution emitted by creep). This made him an expert in cleaning up battlefields and purifying the environment, clearing obstacles for the advance of his troops.
• The combination of leadership and scientific research: Ace's role is unique. He is both a powerful warrior on the front lines and the core of scientific research projects. This dual identity allows him to provide the Science Department with immediate feedback on the practical needs of the front lines and to personally participate in weapons testing and improvement. For example, his idea of combining " Purification Field " with mobile fortresses directly led to the prototype of " Purifying Fire Mobile Fortress "—a powerful offensive and defensive platform that can slowly advance and continuously purify the surrounding environment.
• Initial Guidance of the " Primordial Light ": As one of the few permitted to access the residual energy of the " Primordial Light," Ace has been attempting to guide this pure, primordial power of the world. Although progress has been slow, he has been able to subtly integrate it into the Flame of World Purification, producing a temporary " Holy Purification " effect. This effect is extremely effective against Rift Demons and can even cause sustained damage to the creep in the lair. This is considered one of the potential trump cards against the rift's origin in the future and is being studied in depth under top-secret conditions.
Now, Ace stands tall on the battlefield, his platinum flames no longer raging, but containing an even more terrifying and pure power. He is both the Flame Emperor burns away filth and the commander who leads the technological confrontation. The power he has accumulated is the fire of purification and creation, aimed at fundamentally burning away the root of the invasion. His path of advancement is a combination of strength and wisdom, the key light that turns the tide on the battlefield.