Jin didn't linger long in Roguetown.
After wiping out the Bartolomeo Club, he left before sunrise.
His trade with the local merchants was completed in just one afternoon, right after the midday battle ended.
As for Roguetown's aftermath — the evidence Jin left behind wasn't limited to just one folder; there was far more, enough to keep Smoker busy for quite some time.
Later, once Mr.3 — Galdino — arrived, he would know exactly what to do. Jin didn't need to teach him step-by-step.
Besides, there was also Crocodile.
One day later.
An uninhabited island.
Boom! Boom!
Blazing fireballs burst one after another, leaving deep craters across the sand.
On the deck of the Demon Carrier, Law, Robin, Reiju, and Maya watched casually.
Beside them, the surviving Black Spade pirates — Skull, Mihal, and a bandaged Deuce — stared in astonishment, their faces frozen between shock and disbelief.
Deuce leaned over the railing, ignoring his pain, trying to get a clearer view.
On the beach, Ace was unleashing relentless attacks — fire, martial arts, every move in his arsenal — hammering toward the man before him.
His entire body radiated heat and flame, transforming into fire itself.
At a glance, he looked invincible. In the East Blue, no pirate could stand against that power.
With this very strength, Ace and Deuce had escaped from Drum Island and made the name of the Black Spade Pirates echo across the East Blue — even destroying two naval warships along the way.
In truth, even without the Flame-Flame Fruit, Ace's combat ability and physique were already extraordinary.
But now, no matter how powerful his flames or wide his inferno spread, none of it could touch that man.
No matter how fast Ace moved or how violently he attacked, his opponent always slipped just beyond reach — every punch missing by an inch.
To Deuce, it looked like a child angrily swinging at his father — who effortlessly blocked and ignored every blow.
This wasn't a fight.
It was an adult toying with a child.
After Deuce's surgery under Law's hands, he'd barely survived — and Ace, relieved, had demanded to challenge the man Law called "stronger than him."
Jin agreed.
He told Ace, "If you can catch me, you win — and I'll let you go. If you can't, then you lose."
As compensation, he'd give Ace a 'position' aboard his forces.
On paper, it was a deal heavily in Ace's favor.
Even losing meant only taking a new title — what was there to fear?
Ace was full of confidence.
"I won't just catch you — I'll defeat you!"
"Flame Net!"
Ace shouted.
Walls of fire rose around them, forming a massive blazing web that shrank inward, aiming to trap Jin completely.
"Stronger than before," Jin said calmly with a faint smile.
Ace's talent grew sharper with every battle.
Jin closed his eyes, listening to the rhythm of Ace's breathing, the sound of the wind, and the whisper of the flames.
The development of Observation Haki takes many forms — precise tracking, wide-range sensing, even glimpses into the future.
Beyond ordinary perception, some users awaken unique abilities:
Roger and Maya could "hear the voice of all things."
Princess Otohime could influence the hearts of others.
Some could even read minds.
Jin's own Observation Haki, ever since awakening, came with mind-reading ability — something he'd demonstrated long ago.
If "Ki" represented mastery of Armament Haki,
then Breathing, Listening, and Celestial Resonance were the cornerstones of the Flower Country's Observation Haki techniques.
Of course, technique was just a method — true ability required talent and refinement.
Jin had once witnessed Dragon's ability to glimpse the future within the Revolutionary Army,
and later sought advice from Crocus at Twin Cape — the former ship's doctor of the Pirate King.
Though humble, Crocus's wisdom had deeply inspired him.
Now, just when everyone thought Ace's fire net had cornered Jin, his body seemed to flatten like paper, drifting effortlessly through a narrow gap.
Six Styles – Paper Art!
There are no useless techniques — even the "Iron Body," mocked by many, has its place.
What matters is when and how you use them.
When one can wield every skill at the perfect moment —
even a single punch looks beautiful.
That is the ideal martial artists of the Flower Country strive for —
to move in harmony with heaven, earth, and all things.
"I've been waiting for this moment!"
Just as Jin drifted out like paper, Ace concentrated his flames, compressing them into a blinding explosion.
Had he foreseen this future?
No — Ace had deliberately left that gap as bait.
"I've got you!" Deuce shouted excitedly.
The gust from Ace's punch blew Jin backward —
but like a sheet of paper in the wind, the harder you blow, the farther it floats away.
Each time Ace thought he had him — he missed.
The flames roared higher. Jin stepped forward — and with a faint burst, vanished.
He reappeared over ten meters away.
From morning till night, and again till dawn —
the chase continued.
Ace never tired.
But everyone else had.
"Huff… huff…"
Ace braced his knees, drenched in sweat, the fire around him flickering out.
"Is that all?"
Jin stood a short distance away, holding a cup of tea Robin had brought him. Not even a corner of his coat was stained.
His trip to the West Blue had refined his demeanor — elegance and power, a perfect union.
"Wait — I'm not done yet!"
Ace straightened, stubborn fire in his eyes.
Flames burst once more along his arm, propelling his punch like a rocket — a blazing comet that mirrored the rising sun.
This time, Jin didn't dodge. He watched calmly and said,
"That's enough. I still have other matters to handle — I can't play with you all day."
Their blows crossed.
Ace's fist passed through.
The flames dissipated.
At his side — Jin's counterpunch landed squarely in Ace's abdomen — the very core that should've turned to fire.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted. Pain exploded through Ace's body like tearing flesh and shattering bones.
His face went pale; cold sweat poured down as he collapsed, clutching his stomach, unable to utter a sound.
That punch…
felt exactly like Grandpa Garp's.
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