Chapter 52: Nothing Can Stop

"Hahahaha!"

Ace stood tall amidst the crumbling ruins, laughing heartily.

Ever since he traveled through time and discovered that sunlight could strengthen his elemental flames, Ace began to suspect that the change wasn't simply an enhancement of his Mera Mera no Mi powers—but something far greater. A golden finger, a cheat-like ability granted by his transmigration.

After he reached an altitude of 10,000 meters and pushed his flames beyond 10,000 degrees, they underwent a qualitative transformation. Initially, Ace thought it might be the awakening of his Logia fruit. But soon, he realized it wasn't.

In the logic of the One Piece world, his Flame-Flame Fruit (Mera Mera no Mi) was naturally weaker than Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit (Magu Magu no Mi), given the superior heat and density of magma. Even if his fruit had awakened, it shouldn't have been capable of wounding Akainu.

But the reality said otherwise.

The burns on the back of Akainu's hand were all the proof Ace needed—his flames had transcended the logic of Devil Fruit superiority.

In truth, the mutual countering relationship between their abilities had been shattered. That didn't mean his flames were definitively stronger than Akainu's magma yet—but they were now on equal footing, capable of harming one another.

Still, Ace had a strong feeling that this was only the first stage. When the temperature of his flames exceeds 20,000... 30,000... even 100,000 degrees—his flames might undergo yet another transformation. And by then, he might be able to dominate Akainu completely.

That was his vision.

What would truly happen could only be known in time.

But today, in this battle, confirming that their elemental gap had been closed was already a tremendous gain.

---

"Hellhound: Red Lotus!"

Feeling threatened, Akainu unleashed one of his signature killing techniques. A gigantic red magma dog surged forth, aiming straight for Ace.

"10,100 degrees—Flame Conversion!"

Ace crouched, fist pulled back, muscles tensed. At the same time, he raised the temperature of his flames beyond 10,000 degrees, causing a shift in flame quality. White fire erupted around him—pure, brilliant, blinding.

It was no longer a normal flame—it was what he called "Pure Flame."

"Jingyan—Hiken!" (Pure Flame – Fire Fist)

Boom!

The flaming white fist clashed with the incoming magma hound. The collision created a massive, spherical explosion—half red magma, half pure white flame. The entire Area 41 trembled as the shockwave roared outward.

---

"Armament Haki!"

Ace burst out from the collision zone, body wrapped in flame and smoke. In the next second, he appeared in front of Akainu—his palms now coated in a thick layer of Busoshoku Haki.

"Sky God Strike!"

Bang!!

Both palms slammed into Akainu's chest, launching the Marine Admiral backward like a cannonball.

Akainu crashed into the ground far away, his hulking body tumbling across several blocks. He didn't attempt to stand up or return to the battle.

Because he knew—he was too late.

He wasn't Kizaru. He didn't have the speed of light. By the time he chased after Ace again, they would already be gone.

He silently recalled Ace's final strike. His face twitched slightly. He had been caught off guard. He hadn't expected Ace to have learned Haki—much less mastered it to such a degree that it could directly injure a Marine Admiral.

---

"The... The Admiral got knocked away?!"

All over Area 41, the pirates stared, jaws dropped. On the Spade, Ace's crew stood frozen in disbelief.

"Captain Ace is... invincible!"

"He sent an Admiral flying!"

Cheers erupted across the deck.

They were pirates—they understood more than anyone what a Marine Admiral represented. And now, their captain had just knocked one away—in full view of the world!

Ace jumped back onto the Spade and was immediately greeted with awe-filled eyes and thunderous applause.

He smiled.

He had indeed relied on the element of surprise—but none of that mattered now. What mattered was the result.

He had clashed with not one, but two Admirals in a single day, and not only survived—he had won.

Even in the New World, such a record was enough to shake the seas.

Ace raised his fist and shouted:

"Even Admirals can't stop us from conquering the Grand Line!"

"Hoist the sails—set sail!"

"Ooooh!!"

"New World, here we come!!"

Amid the roaring cheers, the coated ship Spade was enveloped in a massive round bubble, glistening as it submerged below the surface.

---

From a distance, Silvers Rayleigh, who had silently returned, watched the bubble descend into the deep. He stood motionless on the shore for a long moment before finally turning to leave.

---

Beneath the sea, the Spade continued its journey toward Fish-Man Island, piloted skillfully by Cornelia.

This wasn't their first visit to the island, so their voyage passed smoothly.

The crew was still high from the adrenaline, replaying the moment when Ace struck Akainu down. Their captain watched with a warm smile, his mind already planning their next move.

Unlike when Luffy arrived in the original timeline, Fish-Man Island was still under the protection of Whitebeard's flag. The skull-marked banner fluttered at the island's entrance, a sign that no one dared to provoke.

"Captain Ace, do we dock at Fish-Man Island?" asked Wores, the fish-man helmsman.

"No need." Ace shook his head. "We'll just restock essentials and then head straight for the New World."

He did want to see the rumored Ancient Weapon hidden beneath Ryugu Palace—but now wasn't the time.

First, they needed to establish a foothold in the New World.

Then they could turn toward the greater tides of fate.

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