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Ace's career as a pirate had been ideal. In fact, to put it simply… it had gone too smoothly.
The moment he set sail as a teenager, he established the Spade Pirates and became the sole Supernova of his generation.
Shortly after, he defeated Hanafuda, the "King of Lizards"—a Warlord of the Sea—causing the man to be stripped of his title. This victory spread the young Ace's name across the ocean. Filled with the arrogance of youth, he rejected the World Government's offer to take the vacant Warlord seat and headed straight for the New World.
During his time in Wano, he happened to arrive while Kaido and his top executives were out on an expedition. With the heavy hitters gone, he fought Kaido's daughter, Yamato, to a draw. He even smashed the dragon statue that symbolized Kaido's authority.
This experience led him to believe that the Four Emperors weren't really all that special.
Later, he met another Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks. Upon learning of Ace's relationship with Luffy, Shanks threw a massive banquet in his honor.
Having walked through the territories of two Emperors unscathed, Ace's confidence swelled to the point of arrogance.
And then…
He fought Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, to a standstill.
He challenged the Strongest Man in the World—Whitebeard, Edward Newgate.
Although he lost the challenge, Whitebeard took a liking to him and invited him to join the crew. In just one year, he rose to become the Commander of the 2nd Division.
The halo of destiny had guided him effortlessly along his path. But arguably, it was because things went so smoothly that he never developed a clear understanding of his own limitations. This lack of self-awareness was exactly why he would later be counter-killed while hunting down Teach.
Captured and thrown into Impel Down. His identity as Roger's son exposed. Public execution. The catalyst for the earth-shattering rescue mission known as the Summit War.
In Chrollo's eyes, the current Ace was exactly like Crocodile and Enel.
They were the poster children for over-reliance on Devil Fruit abilities. They had neglected the fundamental development of their physical bodies, which was why they had failed to master Armament and Observation Haki.
And compared to the Sand-Sand Fruit or the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Ace's ability wasn't even that overpowering.
The reality of the situation proved Chrollo right.
"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Ring—!"
Seeing Chrollo rushing toward him, Ace immediately conjured a tornado-like wall of fire, towering a thousand meters high around his body.
Waves of scorching shockwaves pulsed outward, radiating intense heat as he tried to force Chrollo back.
However, he had severely underestimated Chrollo's toolkit.
"Silence: Dustless Domain."
As the ability was activated, a field of absolute silence formed within a ten-meter radius around Chrollo.
Any flame that entered this domain was instantly snuffed out, as if its oxygen supply had been severed by a blade. Not a spark remained.
Relying on this Dustless Domain, Chrollo carved a path of absolute nothingness through Ace's ring of fire, closing the distance until he was right in front of him.
A look of shock washed over Ace's face.
Chrollo's fist swung toward him, expanding rapidly in his vision. A faint, dark sheen coated the knuckles.
"It's useless! Physical attacks don't work on me!"
Ace had just finished his taunt when—
BANG!
With a dull thud, Chrollo's iron fist—coated heavily in Armament Haki—connected.
Ace was launched backward like a ragdoll.
Whoosh!
His body flew through the forest like a cannonball, smashing through several massive trees before crashing into the dirt. He lay there, motionless.
...
In the distance, Buffalo and Giolla, who were hiding in the bushes, froze in unison.
That was "Fire Fist" Ace! The 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates! The man worth 550 million Berries!
And he just got swatted away like a little chicken?
The two looked toward Chrollo with expressions of pure horror.
What kind of monster is this guy?!
Step… Step…
Chrollo crunched the charred branches beneath his boots as he walked slowly toward Ace, looking down at him.
"Portgas D. Ace, 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates… What brings you here?"
Ace slowly pushed himself up from the ground. Blood dripped down his arm. Fortunately, he had raised his arms to block his chest at the last second. If he hadn't, that punch would have shattered his sternum.
Ace's expression was savage.
What is wrong with today? Why is everyone I meet a monster who can actually hit me?
Ptoo—
Ace spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground. Flames reignited around his fists as he glared death at Chrollo. The successive beatings he'd taken had robbed him of the ability to think calmly.
He had only one thought now: defeat the enemy in front of him.
"Unable to communicate normally anymore, huh?"
Observing Ace's expression, Chrollo made an instant judgment.
It's a common illness among children raised by Garp. They think fists solve everything.
In that split second, Chrollo made a decision.
"Since we've met, I shouldn't let the opportunity pass."
"I suppose I'll just have to… hunt you."
Hunting him was essentially protecting him. After all, being Chrollo's prisoner was better than being dead.
Sure, capturing him would have an unimaginable impact on the future historical process of the pirate world…
But…
It was worth it!
The potential gains balanced out the risks.
The main reason was simple: Chrollo was desperately short on Reputation Points.
Hunting Ace would offend Whitebeard… and probably the Marines, Garp, and countless other big shots.
But as Chrollo had assessed earlier, while the current Phantom Troupe's wings weren't fully grown yet, their survival and escape skills were maxed out.
The Door-Door Fruit, the 4th Dimensional Apartment, Instant Teleportation, the Float-Float Fruit, and the soon-to-be-acquired Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
They might not be able to win a straight fight against the world's top tiers yet, but Chrollo didn't believe there was anyone in this world capable of keeping them from leaving.
Not even Whitebeard could do that.
Fortune favors the bold.
As a core character in the most critical arc of the One Piece world, the Reputation Points gained from hunting Ace would be astronomical.
Besides, the Flame-Flame Fruit was powerful.
Even though later in the New World, it seemed like every strong fighter had some sort of fire ability, the Flame-Flame Fruit could still burn brighter than the rest.
"Bonney, bring me those two punks hiding in the grass."
Chrollo gave the order to Bonney. Small fries were still points, after all.
Then, his figure blurred.
A shallow crater appeared where he stood as he vanished. The wind howled, whipping up debris.
Moving at extreme speed, Chrollo rushed Ace again, throwing another punch.
"You've developed your fruit ability well. But perhaps because your life has been too smooth…"
"You've become overly reliant on the fruit, neglecting the development of your own body."
Chrollo looked at Ace, the corner of his mouth curving up.
"Let me teach you a lesson today."
"Only Haki transcends all!"
Bam— Boom— Thud!
Heavy impact sounds echoed continuously through the forest, accompanied by bursts of flame. The trees within a few kilometers were almost completely incinerated.
Yet, amidst the scorched earth… Ace was getting beaten senseless.
His face was swollen and bruised, and he was teetering on the edge of consciousness.
Chrollo's Dustless Domain combined with Armament Haki was simply too hard of a counter for him.
However, as the beating continued, faint traces of black energy began to cling to Ace's body.
Seeing this, Chrollo was slightly surprised.
As expected of a top-tier genius. He's already stimulating his Armament Haki under pressure.
Did I just become Instructor Chrollo?
"But that's enough for now."
Chrollo raised his hand slowly, preparing to deliver the final blow.
"Just accept your fate and become my prisoner."
Just then, Chrollo's expression changed. He froze, raising his arm to look at his wrist.
The [Compass of Fate] on his arm was transmitting a clear, intense wave of anxiety from Robin.
Chrollo frowned in thought.
Logically speaking, apart from Enel, there shouldn't be anyone on this Sky Island capable of threatening Robin's team.
And judging by the emotions coming from Uvogin's group earlier, Enel is definitely with them.
So who did Robin run into?
Wait.
Chrollo suddenly stared at Ace in front of him, a look of realization dawning on his face.
He should have thought of it sooner.
In the original story, Ace was tracking Teach during this timeframe.
If Ace was here… then there was a huge probability that the Blackbeard Pirates were also on this Sky Island!
Without wasting time thinking further, a door materialized in front of Chrollo.
He stepped into it instantly, vanishing from the clearing.
Machi and the others can't stand up to the Blackbeard Pirates. I need to hurry.