Fujitora's head was perfectly fine. Although his sense of Justice was one of virtue and kindness, he wouldn't stop others from willingly putting themselves in harm's way.
This was the difference between a Holy Mother and the Face of a Holy Mother.
Holy Mother: "So cruel, I shouldn't eat this."
Face of a Holy Mother: "So cruel, you shouldn't eat this."
He didn't want to know why the pawns that CP0 had nurtured for years were willing to sacrifice themselves. Just like he didn't want to see the ugliness of the world when he blinded himself... He only knew that their willingness to sacrifice had brought them an unimaginable harvest.
Just based on this behavior alone, they deserved his respect!
Ace charged forward, and soon he saw a group of individuals in black suits, their demeanor clearly not that of pirates, finishing off wounded enemies next to a birdman's corpse.
They pulled out an intricately designed, ornate metal box from the corpse, and the leader quickly flung it away after grabbing it.
"The engravings are embedded with Seastone. It's unlikely to be a fake!"
Who would protect something with a box embedded with Seastone if it wasn't to safeguard the delicate Devil Fruit?
"Blood Drill" Henry had already perished in the chaos, refusing to let go even in death. If it wasn't the genuine Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit), why would he fight so desperately?
So, in summary...
"The Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit) is in that box!"
Ace's pupils contracted as he swung his fist and he boldly charged forward. The opponent noticed his arrival but didn't engage, opting to retreat instead.
"Trying to run? Leave the item behind!"
"Enjomo - Blaze Net!!"
Whoosh! A massive wall of fire suddenly rose from a distance, separating the alleyway and the walls. The flames were scorching, with incredibly high temperatures. Even someone proficient in Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) would not have an easy time breaking through.
After experiencing so much, Ace's strength now truly justified his reputation as the commander of Whitebeard's Second Division!
"Seeking death!"
Surrounded by flames on three sides, the only breakthrough point was the direction Ace led his men. The opponent decisively turned back, taking a step.
'Soru!'
The opponent wasn't a Marine, but his proficiency in Rokushiki was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, the leader had covered a distance of over ten meters, index finger raised, darkness enveloping.
'Shigan!'
Such an explosive speed would even surprise Kizaru and Rowen if they saw it. After all, the opponent relied entirely on a normal human body. Even if the distance wasn't great, the speed reached an astonishing 50 meters per second, twice that of an average Rokushiki user!
Even someone as skilled in Rokushiki as Garp, a master of the complete form, would only achieve this speed under normal circumstances.
Seeing Ace's pupils suddenly contract, the leader sneered, raising his finger as if to pierce Ace.
But at that moment, the leader suddenly realized that the distance between him and Ace had been instantly widened... It just happened in a very peculiar way, as if someone had punched Ace, causing him to fly backward.
"Fast guys are really annoying!"
Squeak, Squeak...
Ace seemed to have really been punched. His feet skidded against the ground to dissipate the force, then he sprung up agilely. His arms arched backward, and then he swung them forward abruptly.
"Shinka: Shiranui (God Fire·Unknown Fire!)"
Two spear-like flames shot out from his arms with an astonishingly fast speed. The leader, now wide-eyed with shock, only managed to use his body and Haki to cover his chest before the spears struck.
Hiss!!
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
The two bright orange flames pierced through the leader's chest, the intense heat causing him to scream in agony.
"If even a regular Haki defense can't withstand it, how can I seek revenge from him?"
Ace's eyes held a touch of coldness. After landing, he immediately delivered a powerful kick.
"Kagero (Heat Haze!)"
A Fire Pillar struck the opponent, along with the spear embedded in his body, exploding with a resounding boom!
Bang!!
"Charge! Follow the commander!"
"Ao Ao Ao!!"
Teach, standing aside, raised his fist and shouted, inciting the crowd to roar. Ace's strength made them feel incredibly secure. Following a commander like him was their greatest honor.
Teach appeared to be battling fiercely with this group of unidentified individuals, his eyes bloodshot. In reality, he was inching closer to the box that had fallen to the ground.
Since the box was embedded with Seastone, and he was undoubtedly a person of influence who was not an Ability user, he was the most suitable candidate to retrieve the Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit).
Just the thought that the coveted fruit was less than three meters away filled Teach's eyes with greed.
However, just at this moment, a coarse and fierce roar echoed from the sky.
"Uchimizu (Fish-Man Karate·Water Shot)"
Boom!
A cannonball made of seawater ruthlessly pierced through Ace's Enjomo - Blaze Net firewall, dispersing the flames and generating scalding steam that obscured everyone's vision.
Just as he was about to grab the box, the next second, the cannonball's impact struck, pulling the box inside.
"No!!!"
Teach's eyes instantly turned red and terrifying killing intent emanated from him as he glared with his crimson eyes toward the incoming cannonball.
"Who is it?!!"
No one answered. The cloaked figure swiftly disappeared into the depths of the alley after blasting open the firewall. Seizing the opportunity while the fog enveloped the area, a rope swiftly entwined around the box, pulling it back and cradling it, then without a word, they turned and ran.
If Ace wasn't a match for the government's special agents, the Revolutionary Army's principle was to cooperate with them to drive back the enemy. The government obtaining the Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit) and the pirate faction were completely different concepts; they naturally understood the difference in significance.
But since Ace was victorious, they were now the most direct enemies.
As Hack ran, they took out a Den Den Mushi and quickly reported, "Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit) acquired, currently retreating!"
"Understood, the best outcome would be to obtain it! You all retreat quickly, I suspect there may be a trap!"
"What?"
Hack's eyes widened in an instant, but they immediately snapped back to reality, nodding. "I understand!"
"Asshole, that's mine!!"
Teach's anger escalated, feeling even more crazed. He was closest to the box, just a few meters away, but he was tripped by someone, and the box was snatched away by another using a whip.
"Give it to me... and die!"
Thinking about enduring humiliation and hiding for twenty years, Teach was consumed by anger.
Koala, who was fleeing, heard the commotion, turned around, and saw a fist gleaming with a dark light expanding in her eyes.
"This is Teach?!"
"So fast!!"
Faced with the unmasked Teach, Koala's expression changed drastically.
She hadn't expected that the information was so wrong. The opponent's true level was much higher than what the information had indicated!
"Oh no!!"
This moment of distraction gave the opponent an opportunity. Koala instantly focused, but only heard a "Pū Chī" sound as the fist pierced through her.
"Puff!"
Spitting out a spray of blood, Koala was ejected like a cannonball, crashing into the wall.
Shoo... Bang!!
The box in her hand was flung into the air, and Teach's eyes widened with surprise, reaching out his hand.
"Fish-Man Karate·One Origin Penetrating Hand!"
An enraged roar echoed in his ears. Teach's fingertip had already touched the edge of the box, but then, a surging monstrous power appeared beside him, followed by a piercing pain.
Because he had been distracted and severely injured Koala, he was also struck by someone due to his own distraction.
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
Teach let out a miserable scream, crashing through the wall, flying who knows how far.
A punch sent Teach flying. Hack, unable to catch his breath, hurried to Koala's side to check her injuries, then let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the fist spike could be considered a sharp weapon. The wound was deep but the affected area was small. Also, Koala had been pierced on her left side, which wasn't a vital point.
"I need to stop the bleeding quickly!"
Hack tore open his clothes, entwining a bandage tightly around Koala's waist, tying a secure knot.
"I'm fine! Go complete the misison, Hack-San!"
Koala struggled to support herself, urgently pointing to the metallic box not far away. It seemed that they wouldn't be able to sneak away with the Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit) now. Their only option was to destroy it!
"I understand!"
Hack took a deep breath. The box was made of Pure Gold, incredibly sturdy, and the surface engravings were mixed with Seastone. It had a nullifying and immune effect against most Devil Fruit abilities. To destroy what was inside, pure brute force was the only option!
Or...
"Who came up with this tricky thing!!"
Staring at the complex cipher lock on the front of the box, Hack gritted their teeth and raised their fist.
"Hiken (Fire Fist!!)"
But at that moment, Ace came charging forward.
A scorching flame shot straight towards the two of them, determined to obliterate them on the spot.
At this critical moment, a figure suddenly leaped out from the shadows. His hands were pitch black, covered in a thick layer of Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), and he raised his fist against the oncoming flames. Then, in an instant, he struck the air with incredible force.
"Ryu no Ibuki (Dragon Claw Fist·Dragon's Breath!)"
Bang!!
(End of this chapter)