In this state, Ace—held by Gojo by the neck—was definitely not feeling well. When he was pulled by the Blue, it felt as if his entire body was being torn apart. His flame-element form tried desperately to protect him, but every time the fire surged to shield his body, it felt as though something invisible was slicing through it. Gojo knew exactly why this was happening.
Blue was a negative in space—an emptiness that drew in the surrounding world to fill it, creating that overwhelming pull. But it didn't stop there. The space around Blue began to collapse, folding inward on itself. And when that happened, even Ace's flames—normally impervious to simple physical force without Haki—couldn't shield him. The distortion at the core of Blue was disrupting space and time themselves, shredding everything that dared to resist.
With this, Gojo was able to confirm something important—his Blue could harm people with elemental powers, the so-called Logia Devil Fruit users. That was one of the reasons he'd accepted Ace's challenge in the first place. He had wanted to see whether his Blue could actually damage Ace or not.
Gojo's Six Eyes glimmered faintly as he analysed every detail. Thanks to them, Observation Haki came to him naturally—almost instinctive. Though he hadn't yet reached the level where he could glimpse the future, he wasn't particularly concerned. There's still time, he thought calmly.
Lately, he had been experimenting with something new—the so-called spiritual power. He was trying to locate it within his body, to control it, to wrap it around himself like a coating, thus mimicking Armament Haki. He could feel that spiritual power within, subtle yet real, but he couldn't command it. There had to be a proper method… a key to unlocking its true use.
Gojo knew that only after leaving this quiet village and venturing out to sea—into the unpredictable waters of the Grand Line—would he truly learn the art of Armament Haki. He was certain of it. All he needed was to witness it once, to see someone use Armament Haki before his eyes. That alone, he believed, would be enough for him to grasp its principles. With his Six eyes, he was confident he could learn it within days, if not weeks. Once I see it… I'll understand it, he thought, the faintest smirk curving across his lips.
Gojo loosened his grip and released Ace, letting the pirate crash onto the dirt with a heavy thud. The atmosphere shifted instantly—tension rippled like an invisible wave. By now, the other members of the Spade Pirates had surrounded them, forming a tight ring. The sight of their captain being held by the neck had lit a fire in their eyes; fear and anger mixed in equal measure.
Some had already drawn their pistols, barrels catching the faint gleam of moonlight, while others gripped the hilts of their swords, muscles coiled and ready to strike. The sound of boots grinding against the earth filled the silence. Every man there was waiting for the slightest wrong move from Gojo.
But Gojo stood calm in the centre of it all—unshaken and eerily composed—as if none of them even mattered.
After letting Ace fall to the ground, Gojo reached up and adjusted his blindfold, sliding it back securely over his eyes. The faint sound of the cloth shifting broke the silence. Then, in a calm, almost detached tone, he said, "Although you are quite powerful, in front of my Devil Fruit, your Devil Fruit is kind of useless." His voice carried no mockery—just quiet certainty. "You have to be stronger than this. You have to master the power of Haki if you want to compete with me, even in my current state."
Hearing this unfamiliar word, Haki, Ace frowned, confusion flashing across his face as unease settled over him. Gojo, as if sensing Ace's expression through the blindfold, tilted his head slightly and said, "You'll learn about it once you reach the Grand Line." His tone softened, almost conversational. "I heard you talking back in Martha's restaurant—that you plan to leave East Blue soon. Now that you're defeated, I've won the challenge." He raised a hand lazily, gesturing for payment. "You can give me my money. I'll be waiting right here."
With that, Gojo extended his hand slightly and activated Blue. The air warped with a low hum as one of the wooden logs nearby was pulled toward him, scraping across the dirt until it stopped at his feet. He sat down on it with effortless composure, elbows resting on his knees, exuding an aura of quiet dominance as if the entire battlefield now belonged to him.
Ace, still catching his breath, clenched his fists. His pride stung, but he wasn't one to run from his word. A loss is a loss, he reminded himself bitterly. Turning toward his crewmate, Masked Deuce, he said, "Go bring the treasure I promised to give if I lost."
Masked Deuce's jaw tightened. His eyes flicked from Gojo to Ace, unwilling but resigned. "Tch… fine," he muttered before walking off. A promise was a promise—especially one made by the man who would someday claim the title of Pirate King.
As Deuce disappeared toward the ship, Ace dragged a wooden log closer and sat across from Gojo. The fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed completely. "If you're so powerful," he asked, his tone edged with curiosity and defiance, "then why are you still here in this village? Why not go out to the world… go on an adventure?"
Hearing Ace's words, Gojo let out a quiet breath, his posture remaining relaxed as the faint breeze stirred the edges of his blindfold. "Particularly," he began in a calm, even tone, "I don't have any such big goals in life. Neither do I want to become a Pirate King, nor do I have any desire to chase after treasures. I do have goals… but those require immense strength." His voice held no arrogance, only conviction—steady and unwavering.
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