"Fire Fist: Fire Pillar!"
Ace, in his early days of adventure, didn't know the meaning of failure. His fighting spirit was fully ignited by the Flame-Flame Fruit. The opponent blocking his path was the strongest he had encountered since setting sail.
Ace transformed the flames in his chest into a tangible, raging fire pillar and sent it sweeping down the empty street.
"A Logia-type Flame-Flame Fruit user? How interesting."
On the other side of the street, a tall figure with a club on her shoulder smiled as she watched the approaching flames. The sea was indeed much more exciting than the snowy and penguin-filled Antarctic continent.
Ace's roaring flames surged down the street, and he finally saw his 'enemy.'
"A woman?"
Ace was stunned when he saw that the person blocking his path was a woman, a very beautiful one at that. The flames around him flickered. He had imagined his opponent in many forms but never expected it to be a woman. After all, there were few formidable female fighters on the sea, so it never crossed his mind that the one suppressing him would be a woman.
...
The Antarctic continent remained a pure white world of raging winds and blizzards. The enormous Thunder God that once wreaked havoc was gone, replaced by a massive thunder cocoon standing tall. Even from miles away, the heartbeat from within the cocoon could be heard, hinting at a terrifying creature inside.
Next to the cocoon was a majestic ship, covered in snow, indicating it had been there for a long time.
"Nicholas, Vista and Yamato have gone to Water 7. Yamato is thrilled, having been stuck in the dull Antarctic for so long."
June smiled at the thunder cocoon, seemingly used to talking to it as part of her daily routine.
The cocoon flickered in response.
"Don't worry about Yamato's safety. With the training she's had, her potential is fully unleashed. While there are threats on the sea, no one can stop her if she decides to flee. Also, I've prepared a 'gift' for the Celestial Dragons. Their entire clan will be wiped out."
June's smile was chilling despite her gentle tone.
...
"Do you look down on women? Ikoku Sovereignty!"
Seeing Ace's expression and hearing his words, Yamato understood his meaning. She then swung her club and launched an attack at Ace.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"
With Yamato's attack, an indescribable sound filled the air. A terrifying force, wrapped in a white pillar-like shockwave, surged towards Ace, engulfing him instantly.
"Ace!"
Seeing Ace swallowed by Yamato's terrifying attack, Deuce screamed in desperation. If Iceburg hadn't held him back, he would have rushed forward.
"Calm down, Deuce. Ace is a Logia-type user; he won't be taken down so easily! Besides, facing such a terrifying opponent, you'd only be a burden to Ace!"
Iceburg held Deuce firmly, his eyes fixed on the attack that had almost split several streets of Water 7. He knew that rebuilding the damaged areas would be a massive project.
"Wow, that was scary. Kaku, do you think you could survive that?"
Jabra lightly stroked his beard and asked the masked Kaku beside him.
"Ah, probably not."
Kaku responded calmly, "But if you go, you'll die too, maybe even worse than me."
He glanced at Jabra, mercilessly stating the obvious.
"What should we do next, Lucci?" asked the usually silent Blueno. Their mission in Water 7 was to investigate Pluton, but the current situation was clearly beyond their control.
Lucci's silence was the only answer, indicating that even this so-called CP9 prodigy was unsettled.
"That was close," Ace's voice rang out as flames in the air reformed his body. "But you're really strong! I'll have to give it my all!"
Before Ace could finish, a blackened club swung down towards him. Sensing the danger, Ace leaped back, narrowly avoiding Yamato's attack.
"Observation Haki? I didn't expect you to master it so early in your journey. But you haven't learned Armament Haki yet, have you?" Yamato lifted her club from the ground, pointing it at Ace.
"Even without Armament Haki, I won't lose to you!" Ace retorted, though his eyes were serious. He knew about Haki from Garp, even if he hadn't mastered it.
"You sure are confident," Yamato remarked. The cold wind blew, covering the ground in frost. She stood still, her gaze locked on Ace.
Buzz!
Yamato's figure moved like lightning, appearing in front of Ace. Her Armament Haki-covered fist aimed directly at his face.
"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!" Ace summoned a massive fireball that quickly expanded, engulfing Yamato.
As the fireball dissipated, Ace looked toward Yamato, curious about her condition. He hadn't fully mastered the attack and couldn't control its power well.
Crack!
With the sound of ice breaking, a layer of frost fell from Yamato's body.
"That form, is it a Zoan type?" Ace wondered.
Whoosh!
Before Ace could react, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air was heard, and he was sent flying. As he tried to regain his stance mid-air, he suddenly froze as Yamato appeared above him, delivering a powerful kick.
Ace's body was slammed into the ground, creating a deep crater with spiderweb cracks spreading outward. He reformed into flames, glaring at Yamato. He was sure her strength was terrifying, and she was likely toying with him without using her full power.
"Brring brring~" The sound of a Den Den Mushi (transponder snail) interrupted them. Yamato answered it briefly, then shouldered her club and turned to leave.
"Hey!" Ace shouted, but before he could finish, a chilling attack reached him.
"Ice Fang."
That was the last thing Ace heard before everything went black.