One Piece: Rising to Power as a Warlord of the Sea

BOOM!

On an island scorched and ravaged by flames, Ace and Jinbe continued their relentless battle. What was once a lush paradise had become a wasteland of ash and charred earth. Deep cracks sprawled across the ground like a giant spider web, stretching for hundreds of meters.

Both combatants were now at their limits, their bodies trembling as they pushed themselves beyond exhaustion. It was no longer about skill—it was a test of sheer will to see who could endure the longest.

"How long have they been fighting?"

"Five days and five nights," a crew member groaned. "I'm tired just watching them!"

"Watching?!" another retorted. "I've been asleep for four days! How are these guys even alive? They're monsters!"

"Monsters indeed," another said solemnly, watching the chaos unfold. "Ace has grown so fast. We can't even keep up anymore. Our strength is nothing compared to his."

Ace's crewmate Deuce clenched his fists, anxiety written across his face. "The New World is brutal. The spades... aside from Ace, we're too weak. If we encounter the Whitebeard Pirates, we won't stand a chance. It'll be suicide."

Meanwhile, Ace, still staggering from exhaustion, glared at Jinbe. "Why go this far? What's so special about protecting that old man?"

Jinbe's voice was heavy but firm. "Because... Whitebeard... guards Fish-Man Island... from scum like you!"

Before he could finish, Jinbe collapsed to the ground, his body unable to endure any longer. He had done what he could, fighting to protect the man who had offered safety to his homeland. In the New World, power was everything. Without strength, protecting your people was a dream.

Ace stood tall, breathing heavily but grinning in triumph. "I... I win!" he declared, his pride blazing brighter than the fires around him. Ace had always been competitive, refusing to lose, driven by the desire to surpass the father he refused to acknowledge: Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.

Ten minutes later, as the Spade Pirates celebrated their victory, the sound of crashing waves caught their attention. A massive ship appeared on the horizon, speeding toward the island. The Moby Dick—the flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates—burst onto the scene, its colossal form grounding on the shore.

Standing at the helm was none other than Edward Newgate, Whitebeard himself, the world's strongest man. The very air seemed to tremble under his presence, the power of the Gura Gura no Mi radiating from him like an impending earthquake.

"That's... that's Whitebeard!"

"Is this real?!"

The Spade Pirates were frozen in terror. Ace, exhausted from his fight, couldn't even hope to stand against the man before him. Even in his prime, Ace would've struggled. But now, drained and injured, it was impossible.

Deuce quickly issued a retreat order. "Fall back! Now!"

But it was too late. Whitebeard leaped from the Moby Dick, landing on the island with a thunderous impact. His towering figure cast a shadow over the trembling crew, his mere presence exuding an overwhelming sense of dread.

Ace's instincts screamed at him to run, but he planted himself firmly between Whitebeard and his crew. "Go!" he ordered, his voice hoarse but unwavering. "I'll hold him off. Just get out of here!"

"Ace, no!" Deuce and the others shouted. Even knowing they were no match, they charged forward, weapons drawn. They couldn't abandon their captain, not after everything he'd done for them.

But their bravery was short-lived. Without lifting a finger, Whitebeard's immense aura knocked them back. The sheer force of his will sent them sprawling, leaving Ace to face him alone.

"Damn it, everyone!" Ace growled, summoning strength from some unknown reserve. He stepped forward, placing himself between his fallen crew and Whitebeard.

Then, something extraordinary happened.

A surge of energy erupted from Ace, shaking the very heavens. The skies darkened, clouds dissipating as if blown away by an invisible storm. The sea roared, waves towering over the island. Ace's Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, blanketing the battlefield in its overwhelming pressure.

"Is that... King's Haki?" Marco muttered, staring from the deck of the Moby Dick. "This kid's full of surprises."

Back on the battlefield, Marshall D. Teach watched from the shadows, his grin widening with intrigue. He remained silent, but his eyes gleamed with sinister intent.

Ignoring the reactions around him, Ace raised his hand, creating a blazing net of fire that separated his crew from the fight. "Run!" he yelled, his voice laced with desperation. "That's an order! As your captain, I command you—live to fight another day!"

The Spade Pirates hesitated, tears in their eyes, but Ace's determination left no room for argument.

Whitebeard chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like a distant storm. "So, brat, you're not running?"

Ace clenched his fists, glaring defiantly. "Let my crew go. I'll stay behind."

Whitebeard tilted his head, a faint smirk on his face. "You've got guts, kid. But guts alone won't save you."

Ace roared, summoning every ounce of his strength. His body blurred as he launched himself at Whitebeard, his fist coated in Armament Haki and ablaze with fire. The ground shattered beneath him as he struck, pouring all his will into the attack.

Whitebeard's eyes flickered with momentary surprise as their blows collided. The force of the impact rippled through the battlefield, but it was fleeting. In one swift motion, Whitebeard swung his naginata, slashing across Ace's torso. Blood sprayed, and Ace collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Whitebeard turned, his voice calm yet commanding. "Marco, take this brat aboard. See that he's treated."

The flames of the net dissipated, revealing the Spade Pirates, battered and broken. Behind them, Teach stepped forward, grinning as he effortlessly subdued the crew.

The Spade Pirates had been utterly defeated.

To be continued...

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