One Piece: Starting at the War of the Best

Katie's sudden appearance disrupted the Navy's public execution of Ace, causing them to lose face in front of the whole world. Everyone could've predicted a retaliation from the Navy—but no one expected Akainu to strike this soon, let alone through a sneak attack.

"Hahaha, that brat is doomed."

The crowd present was full of powerful individuals. Naturally, they could see Katie's condition and didn't believe that, in her weakened state, she could survive Akainu's killing blow.

Just as Hawkeye (Mihawk) was narrowing her eyes and preparing to intervene, she sensed a familiar energy from Katie and slowly lowered his sword again, watching thoughtfully.

BOOM!

An eruption-level attack completely engulfed the area where Katie stood. A hundred-meter radius was instantly transformed into a sea of molten lava. Akainu held back nothing—this was an all-out strike.

"Did… did she kill him?"

Even though Akainu personally launched the attack, many still doubted whether Katie was truly dead. He had done too many shocking things already to go down that easily.

"Akainu, you really are a dog!"

Before the results of the lava strike could be confirmed, that familiar voice rang out.

Everyone's eyes turned in unison toward the voice—and there she was, standing in an open area over a hundred meters away, alive and well.

"She... she's really not dead."

Despite somewhat expecting it, seeing Katie unharmed still shocked the crowd. What shocked them even more was Katie's condition.

She was covered in blood, looking battered and tragic, but her aura was as strong as ever.

"Wait—her wounds are gone!"

Some sharp-eyed observers noticed that the huge half-meter gash across Katie's chest had completely vanished—not even a scar remained.

"Could Katie be related to Kaido?"

The thought naturally occurred. Their names were similar, and everyone knew Kaido had a monstrous healing factor.

For someone to recover from such a wound so quickly, it seemed like the only explanation.

"No, that can't be. Everyone knows Kaido and Whitebeard weren't on good terms. Before the war began, Kaido even planned to intercept Whitebeard, but was stopped by Shanks. If not, who knows what would've happened."

That theory was quickly dismissed without even needing confirmation.

But the crowd didn't dwell on it. Compared to speculating about Katie's background, what they really cared about was the showdown between Katie and Akainu—would it escalate?

"What did you say?"

Akainu had now reacted, his face dark as he stared at Katie. Her killing intent was unmistakable.

"You didn't hear me? Fine, I'll say it again."

"Akainu, you really are a dog."

Katie repeated the insult slowly and clearly, so everyone could hear.

No one fully understood the meaning, but it was obviously not a compliment.

Akainu was enraged.

"You're asking for death!"

A massive lava fist was raised again and slammed toward Katie.

But Katie didn't dodge. Instead, the flames on her arms compressed to the extreme, then were instantly coated with Armament Haki, creating fists with a glowing black-red hue.

She wanted to know just how big the gap between them was—how her Devil Fruit power compared to Akainu's.

And more importantly, to complete the system's mission.

When Akainu ambushed her, a new task had appeared:

Mission Description: As a pirate, reputation is everything. Only by defeating a globally recognized powerhouse can you earn the world's respect.

Mission Objective: Defeat Akainu!

Mission Rewards: 15 million exchange points, 100 skill points.

Though the mission had only four simple words, the pressure it brought was immense. Each Marine Admiral stood at the peak of the world—defeating them was no small feat.

Still, Katie didn't complain. Akainu was powerful, yes—but he had always wanted to fight her. In fact, he had a feeling that this wouldn't be the only time they clashed.

Flames vs. Magma.

The temperature of the entire battlefield soared. Neither held back, and the shockwaves alone were enough to melt the once frozen bay.

At first, they fought hand-to-hand on the ground, but as the fight went on, the ice battlefield couldn't hold them—the sky became their arena.

Now, there was no need to suppress their powers.

Katie's body was surrounded by brilliant orange flames, making him look like a flame monarch, commanding all fire.

Thanks to the Flame-Flame Fruit, Katie could soar freely through the air. Unlike magma, fire had no fixed form—it was pure energy, and thus ignored gravity easily.

Akainu, on the other hand, was even more terrifying. His arms had turned into glowing red magma, radiating intense heat that warped the space around him.

"Red Dog, fight me!"

Even though his opponent was one of the Marine's strongest forces, Katie showed no fear, only intense fighting spirit.

She wanted a battle—a true, all-out clash.

She wanted to prove that flames were just as powerful—magma had no right to overshadow them.

Katie's fire burst downward, propelling her forward at extreme speed. In an instant, she was in front of Akainu.

"Divine Flame: Shiranui!"

Just meters away, Katie formed a giant flaming spear and hurled it with all her might.

"Great Eruption!"

Akainu met the attack head-on. Retreat was never in his nature, and even if it was, he wouldn't back down here.

Magma and flame collided, exploding in midair. The fire spear shattered instantly, and Akainu's magma fist was half-destroyed.

Katie's strike didn't just rely on her Devil Fruit—it also secretly used her Tearing Skill. While it wasn't as strong as sword techniques, it was enough to affect Akainu.

The sky began raining fire, growing heavier with every second. The once blue sky was now completely red—not from a sunset, but a bloody crimson, as if Marinford itself had turned into a flaming hell.

At this stage of the battle, fancy moves didn't matter anymore.

Only one thing would determine victory:

the depth of their strength, their mastery of their powers, and their experience in battle.