Ace heard Luffy's voice and a gentle smile appeared on his lips. "Don't worry, Luffy, I will never let you die."
With that, Ace prepared himself for death, placing the dagger against his throat and slowly closing his eyes.
His mind drifted back through his life.
When he was young, he was entrusted to Dadan by Grandpa Garp. He grew up among mountain bandits, living a rough but strangely warm childhood. Later, he met Sabo and Luffy, and that time had been the happiest period of his life.
After setting sail, he formed the Spade Pirates and once aimed to challenge the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard.
He failed in that attempt, yet fate was kind enough to let him join the Whitebeard Pirates instead. There, he experienced true family, receiving warmth and acceptance he had never known.
Even during the Marineford War, when everything fell into chaos, he was saved by the desperate efforts of his father and comrades.
After Whitebeard's death, Marco took over as captain, and the crew formally evolved into the Phoenix Pirates. Under Marco's leadership, they stabilized quickly after the loss of Whitebeard and survived the most dangerous period of transition.
Later, they faced the turbulent New World, clashing with forces like Big Mom and Kaido, eventually forming uneasy alliances and becoming one of the most dominant forces in the sea.
He even had a wife, Yamato, someone who understood his spirit and walked alongside him.
Thinking back on it all, his life felt far too short. He had once promised to cherish it, yet now, for Luffy, he was willing to throw it away without hesitation.
"I'm sorry, Marco… Pops… Yamato… everyone…"
He tightened his grip on the dagger.
"I hope I can repay your kindness in the next life."
Ace opened his eyes, his gaze sharpening as he locked onto Saint Garling.
"I hope you keep your promise. Otherwise, even as a ghost, I will not forgive you."
Saint Garling responded coldly. "Hmph, enough nonsense. If you want to die, then do it already."
Just as Ace was about to slit his throat, something strange happened.
Luffy's heartbeat suddenly intensified.
A heavy, rhythmic thudding echoed like a war drum, growing louder with each beat. The atmosphere shifted as if the world itself had begun to breathe.
The sound of the Drums of Liberation surged.
Luffy's body, still held by Saint Garling, began to change. His skin gradually turned pale white as if transcending its limits. His presence warped reality itself as he reentered the Sun God state.
Saint Garling's pupils contracted sharply. "Impossible…"
He immediately swung his blade toward Luffy's neck.
But at that exact moment, the sword in his hand transformed into a toy blade.
The strike lost all lethal force instantly.
Saint Garling's attack failed completely.
Luffy broke free, landing at a distance while laughing loudly.
"Hahahaha, I won't let you kill Ace!"
Saint Garling's expression darkened as he stared at the toy sword in his hand. "A ridiculous ability."
He immediately coated the blade with Armament Haki. The weapon regained its original form and sharpness.
Ace, who had been moments away from suicide, froze in shock as he saw Luffy's transformation.
"Luffy, what kind of ability is this?"
Luffy grinned widely. "Hahaha, this is my free form."
But in the next instant, his expression changed.
The white transformation faded rapidly. His body collapsed to the ground, rapidly aging as his strength drained away. Within seconds, he looked like an old man, his vitality nearly extinguished.
"Luffy…" Ace rushed forward immediately, catching him in his arms.
Luffy's body had shrunk and weakened drastically, barely holding on.
At that moment, Saint Garling moved again, rushing forward with killing intent.
"Get out of the way, Fire Fist Ace. That boy has no right to exist."
"I will never let you touch my brother," Ace roared.
Something inside him ignited.
All his despair, frustration, and helplessness exploded at once.
"Fire Fist…"
A massive flame erupted from him, expanding into a blazing inferno over a hundred meters wide.
The attack roared forward like a tidal wave of fire.
Saint Garling swung his blade, but even his slash could not fully cut through the overwhelming flames. He was engulfed in the explosion of heat and light.
After the strike, Ace staggered, breathing heavily, exhaustion evident in his body.
Holding Luffy tightly, he understood the situation was still dangerous. Luffy was alive, but barely.
He briefly considered asking Marco for help, but Marco was still locked in battle against the four Gorosei. There was no chance for immediate support.
High above, the four Gorosei observed the situation with grim expressions.
They had been certain of victory.
Eliminate Straw Hat, and if possible, take down Fire Fist Ace as well.
Yet Luffy's sudden awakening of the Sun God power had shattered their certainty. Even if brief, it had been enough to break Saint Garling's control and change the battlefield.
Marco also looked slightly surprised before a faint smile appeared on his face.
"So he really is a protagonist…"
At the decisive moment, Luffy had once again defied death itself.
Still, Marco's gaze remained calm.
"He might not last much longer like that."
But he did not seem overly concerned. In this world, protagonists had a way of surviving even the impossible.
Meanwhile, the Gorosei remained tense.
They did not dare to disengage from Marco. Even without the Four Soul Divine Blood, they knew that fighting him directly was still extremely dangerous. None of them were willing to take that risk while Marco remained present on the battlefield.
Their original plan had been simple, eliminate Straw Hat and leave quickly.
They never expected Joy Boy's reincarnation would awaken the Sun God state at the final moment and disrupt everything.