The Blackbeard Pirates, even two years later, never really produced any truly outstanding members.
But at this point in time, they were even more underwhelming.
The crew Blackbeard had gathered was vicious enough, but their individual strength was nothing special. There was not a single fighter comparable to someone like Zoro or Sanji.
Even against Ace right now, most of them could only think about running.
"Zehahahaha… Hades, are you really fine handling this alone?"
"This is the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander."
"Fire Fist Ace!!!"
Hades held his twin axes, a relaxed smile on his face.
"Don't worry, Captain. My Haki is strong."
Ace looked carefully.
Among the Blackbeard Pirates, a tall, muscular man with long hair, sunglasses, and twin axes stepped forward, radiating arrogance.
Ace raised an eyebrow.
"I know your name."
"The highest-bounty Supernova in the first half of the Grand Line."
"Hades."
"But you're not stopping me."
"Let Teach face me himself!!!"
In Ace's eyes, Supernovas from Paradise were famous in name only.
Every year, plenty of people like that tried to challenge his father.
His little brother Luffy was one of the better ones.
Pushing down the brim of his hat with a finger, Ace spoke disdainfully.
Hades could not help laughing.
Clang.
The twin axe blades collided, producing a sharp metallic sound.
Hades' gaze turned dark and deep.
"I hope you'll still be able to say that later."
As his fighting spirit rose, a strange and powerful Armament Haki surged from his body.
It flowed like crimson cherry blossoms, wrapping around the axes with flexibility and force.
His entire presence changed in an instant.
Faint black-and-red lightning flickered around him.
Seeing this, the Blackbeard Pirates were stunned.
"So flashy… Is this the vice-captain's true strength?"
Lafitte's pale face showed clear shock.
They did not even fully understand what Haki was.
"Wahaha! I don't know what it is, but it feels strong!!!"
Burgess spoke as brainlessly as ever.
Among the crew, only Blackbeard, who had spent years with Whitebeard, truly understood what he was seeing.
Excitement filled his face.
"As expected of someone with Conqueror's Haki."
"The man I chose."
"I only mentioned this technique once, and he actually figured out the flow of Armament Haki on his own…"
"Zehahahaha!!!"
Blackbeard looked at Ace with a cruel grin.
"Ace, you'd better be careful now."
"Hades is getting serious!!!"
"Hmph…"
Ace could tell now.
This man was a true Haki master.
He decided to strike first.
His hands transformed into gun-like shapes, aiming forward.
"Fire Gun!!!"
Countless flaming bullets burst forth.
But they were all blocked by the Haki-coated axes.
Hades even charged straight through the flames.
"What?!"
Ace was shocked.
Even Haki users should not be able to completely ignore the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit.
But there was no time to think.
The axe-wielding man was already in front of him.
Wrapped in Haki, smiling as he advanced.
"You rely too much on your Devil Fruit."
"Fire Fist Ace!!!"
With a single swing, a jet-black slash tore through the fire bullets and flew toward Ace on the rooftop.
Its speed was not overwhelming, giving Ace just enough time to turn into flames and dodge.
But Hades gave him no room to breathe.
Like a cat playing with a mouse, he pressed forward relentlessly.
Before this man whose entire body flowed with Haki, Ace's raging flames were like waves before the sea.
Useless.
"Fire Fist!!!"
Leaping into the air, Ace gathered his strength.
A gigantic flaming fist, dozens of meters wide, roared forward.
A world of fire swallowed Hades completely.
"Vice-Captain Hades!!!"
The Blackbeard Pirates cried out in shock.
The shockwave alone sent them tumbling backward.
"Hah… hah… hah…"
Ace panted heavily.
The intense flames and constant movement had drained him.
Staring at the blazing inferno, he relaxed slightly.
"At least… this should…"
"Should what?"
Ace froze.
From within the sea of flames, a man with spiky long hair walked out slowly, twin axes in hand.
There were several burn marks on his body.
But his spirit was unwavering.
Hades' eyes burned with restrained anger.
In an instant, he vanished.
Ryuo condensed at the tips of his axes.
"What?!"
"Fire Pillar!!!"
A spiraling column of flame rose up, engulfing Ace.
But it barely slowed him.
Slash.
Without warning, an X-shaped wound appeared on Ace's chest, blood spraying out.
Hades reappeared behind him.
"Boring…"
He never gave Ace the chance to use "Flame Emperor."
Extreme Haki, compressed to a single point, struck directly.
Ace collapsed.
Only through pain can a child truly grow.
Hades lifted the unconscious Ace and walked back to Blackbeard, tossing him to the ground.
Blackbeard burst into laughter.
"Zehahahaha… Your Haki is improving fast, Hades!!!"
But deep inside, doubts had formed.
Hades' growth was terrifying.
At this rate, he could already fight a Yonko's right-hand man.
And with Conqueror's Haki, he might even learn Conqueror's coating.
I need a second Devil Fruit soon…
Urgency grew in Blackbeard's heart.
He was about to speak again when Hades began spacing out once more.
Blackbeard changed the subject.
"Next, we'll hand Fire Fist Ace to the Navy."
"The effect will be the same!!!"
"Zehahahaha!!!"
…
While Blackbeard's crew prepared to head for Marineford, Luffy's group had already reached the Thriller Bark region.
A huge, black, chicken-leg-like figure stared at the man calmly sipping red wine inside the castle.
"Shishishishi… Mihawk."
"You haven't visited in a long time."
"What brings you here?!"
Mihawk merely turned his head calmly.
"Nothing."
"I'm just here to see that girl."
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