Even after many days had passed, the memory of that fateful day lingered vividly in Shendu's mind. The incident left him questioning why he, an honest drinker, had been kicked to the ground. It wasn't just physical harm; it inflicted a double psychological trauma.
In an attempt to heal the strained relationship with his son and find solace, Shendu made visiting the tavern and sharing space with Blackbeard a daily routine. The experience had become a mandatory course for Shendu.
"Father, what's wrong?" Drago asked, concern etched on his face, likely due to another round of [Soft Heart Spray].
After a brief hesitation, Shendu recounted the incident with a choked voice. "Kill him! He must experience ultimate despair. I'll take his soul back to hell, and he'll repent in the endless abyss forever!"
Drago roared, scarlet eyes filled with intense murderous intent. If not for his reason advising against impulsivity, Drago would have already left the tavern to seek revenge on Blackbeard.
"Calm down, my silly son," Shendu said, wiping away squeezed-out tears. He turned to Ron and pleaded, "Boss, look..."
Ron, taking a drag of his cigarette, contemplated the situation and said, "I'll come with you to deal with the trouble from Saint Charles ."
Understanding that reconciliation with the Celestial Dragons was impossible, and anticipating the World Government's retaliatory measures, Ron suggested confronting the issue head-on. Instead of waiting for the Marines to besiege the tavern, he proposed finding Sengoku for a showdown.
"You mean to get involved?" Rayleigh, on his way to Area 30, looked pleased. It seemed like his eldest nephew might be spared from the impending Marine onslaught.
With such a commotion, the Marines stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago would undoubtedly surround Area 30 with water. The course of action Ron proposed would be a significant escalation.
If nothing else, Ace would not be able to escape today, prompting Rayleigh to act urgently. Ron shook his head, stating, "Don't think too much; Ace's life or death has nothing to do with me. I'm going to take care of my own troubles. Let's go, Shendu."
With those words, a breeze swept through the tavern, and Shendu, along with his son, vanished along with Rayleigh. Guysha and Morgana, who had been cursing at each other, exchanged glances and slowly exited the tavern.
Meanwhile, in an amusement park located in Area 30 of the Sabaody Archipelago, Marines had surrounded the area. A considerable number of Marines gathered around Ace and Blackbeard, preparing to apprehend the two after their decisive battle. Once the outcome was determined, Marine would swiftly take them down.
At the edge of paradise, the Marine Vice Admirals from headquarters assembled, accompanied by two Shichibukai. With fifty thousand troops, including Akainu and Kizaru, Marine was fully prepared for the impending war, ready to face even Whitebeard if he were to arrive.
Seated on a stopped carousel, Sengoku declared in a deep voice, "In five minutes, arrest immediately! Be sure to capture Ace before Whitebeard comes to Sabaody Archipelago!" The Marine Vice Admirals responded in unison, "Yes!"
Doflamingo, standing nearby, smiled sadly, his eyes fixed on Akainu. He had been contemplating how to eliminate him in the upcoming conflict. Just as he was considering Kizaru as well, Akainu met Doflamingo's gaze, and their eyes locked.
In an instant, a surge of murderous intent flared between Akainu and Doflamingo. Even though Akainu was unaware of Doflamingo's identity, an instinct to eliminate him stirred within. Soon, they both averted their eyes, seemingly dismissing the brief tension.
On the other side, a white-haired, formidable old man silently listened as Sengoku issued orders. The name of a hero was an honor and the creed of all Marines, but it also imposed constraints. He desired to save Ace, yet doing so would defy the justice he stood for.
At the heart of the amusement park, the clash between Ace and Blackbeard neared its conclusion. The Dark Fruit ability, capable of negating Devil Fruit powers, had left Ace battered and bruised, with broken ribs and various injuries. Blackbeard, too, suffered burns and a pierced chest from a spear transformed into flames.
Both combatants understood that the next exchange would decide the outcome. Leaning against the ferris wheel's guardrail, Blackbeard wiped blood from his mouth and chuckled, "Jee ha ha ha... Captain Ace, you've got quite the spirit. Dodging Marine pursuit and biting me all the way. With Marines surrounding us, neither of us can escape today."
Blackbeard regretted his choices—why did he pick that particular tavern, why did he cross paths with the boss? If not for the injuries inflicted by that man, his crew would still be alive, and this battle would have ended in complete victory long ago.
"You killed Thatch and violated the Whitebeard Pirates' rules. Unforgivable!" Ace declared. "Even if we're captured by Marine today, I won't let my life end with regrets."
Putting away the flames, Ace looked up at Blackbeard. "Understood, bastard."
Blackbeard sighed, "That's a real pity."
"I'll catch you and exchange you for a way out. A person's dream will never end. Bury me in the darkness!" Blackbeard growled, releasing an endless surge of darkness.
"Great Flame Ring. Damocles!" Flames erupted from Ace's feet, spreading layer by layer, creating a continuous outward sweep. The gathering flames formed a massive Great Fireball with a terrifying temperature held above Ace's head.
In the next moment, the flames collided with the endless darkness.
Boom-------! ! !
A violent roar echoed, shaking the entirety of the paradise and sending shockwaves throughout the Sabaody Archipelago. Countless civilians ran out of their homes to witness the darkness and flames that seemed capable of splitting the entire island.
As the terror-inducing aftermath spread, Blackbeard's strange laughter resonated in the settling dust. "Jee ha ha ha... You're still far behind, Captain Ace."
Despite his words, Blackbeard was covered in blood, enduring several times more pain than an ordinary person, nearing the limits of his strength. Ace, however, fared even worse, with bruises covering his body and his consciousness blurring. Relying heavily on his Devil Fruit abilities, Ace lagged far behind Blackbeard in terms of physical strength and endurance.
Blackbeard stepped forward slowly, kicking Ace's body as if venting his anger.
"Puff..."
Ace spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes gradually losing focus.
"Then i leave you to Marine." Blackbeard grabbed Ace's body and declared, "I surrender. I just ask for a way to survive. In exchange, I'd give up a living Ace. Presumably, a living descendant of the Pirate King is far more useful than a dead one?"