Dressrosa, Port
Rebecca, King Riku, and Kyros stood silently, watching the fleet of the Entei Pirates sail away. Kuzan and Fujitora, after meeting with Ace in Dressrosa, also boarded the ships of the First and Second Divisions, heading for Wanokuni the following day. Ace's strategy is meticulous, ensuring even the slightest challenge is met with full strength—especially when preparing to confront two of the Four Emperors' pirate groups.
Joining the fleet were Rayleigh's Zero Division and Gion's Sixth Division, making the number of ships five—a formidable armada. As the ships departed, King Riku's eyes reflected a mix of emotions. His daughter Violet, now a regular member of the Sixth Division, sailed with the Entei Pirates. While King Riku anticipated this, as the Entei Pirates left no supervisors in Dressrosa, seeing Violet go still left him somber.
King Riku's thoughts were heavy with memories of past struggles. His lack of ability allowed Doflamingo to seize Dressrosa, turning it into a nightmare. Violet, infiltrating the Donquixote family, had endured immense hardships. Now, with the Entei Pirates targeting the alliances of the Four Emperors, the danger to Violet was palpable.
"Grandfather, don't worry," Rebecca said, noticing King Riku's unease. Her growing Observation Haki, enhanced by the enlightenment field, picked up on his mood. She then revealed a strange, white fruit—Doflamingo's String-String Fruit, given to her by Ace.
" String-String Fruit…" King Riku muttered, recognizing its power. This Paramecia Devil Fruit, second only to the top-tier fruits like the Shock Fruit, could cultivate a Shichibukai-level combatant. The gesture underscored Ace's blend of grace and power, leaving King Riku both awed and reassured.
"Yes, work hard for the Admiral, Rebecca," King Riku said, patting her shoulder. Rebecca nodded firmly and consumed the String-String Fruit, ready to harness its power for Dressrosa.
On the voyage, Robin, supporting her chin, smiled, "I didn't expect you to give the String-String Fruit to Rebecca. It's a very strong Devil Fruit."
Ace laughed, "I don't need more Shichibukai-level forces now. This way, Dressrosa can feel secure, right, Violet?" He glanced at Violet on the Sixth Division's ship.
The String-String Fruit could indeed elevate Dressrosa's defenses, providing significant power even without Ace's direct intervention. Though its full potential could cultivate a Shichibukai-level fighter, Ace's current needs were for Admiral-level combatants. The fruit's gift ensured loyalty and stability in Dressrosa while reserving Ace's focus for peak-level forces.
"Thank you, Admiral," Violet said, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. With the String-String Fruit, Dressrosa was fortified against potential threats, a great boon for Rebecca and their homeland.
As the fleet advanced towards Wanokuni, Ace's preparations continued, laying the groundwork for a future where the Entei Pirates would challenge the mightiest forces in the world.
As the fleet sailed towards Wanokuni, tension mingled with anticipation. Nami, eyes filled with a mixture of fear and frustration, confronted Ace.
"Ace, this time we are going to attack the Beasts Pirates and the BIG-MOM Pirates, so don't mess around," she warned, her voice carrying the weight of past experiences.
Ace, smiling confidently, patted her shoulder. "When did I ever mess around? Don't worry."
Nami's exasperation was palpable. "That's why I'm worried!" she exclaimed, seeing Ace's familiar nonchalance.
"Don't worry," Ace reassured her, his grin widening. "This time, it's definitely a normal attack method."
Nami sighed, covering her forehead in exasperation. "I hope so," she muttered, resigned to Ace's unpredictable nature. She couldn't control his decisions, only prepare for the inevitable chaos. Fortunately, her Thunder Fruit ability would be a powerful asset, especially at sea.
Ace, meanwhile, looked out at the vast ocean, excitement bubbling within him. "Wanokuni, I'm really looking forward to it," he said, laughing. The long-awaited battle promised to be spectacular.
Under Merry's precise control and Nami's expert command, the fleet of the Entei Pirates swiftly moved towards Wanokuni. The sea stretched endlessly before them, a vast expanse that held the promise of adventure and conflict.
As they neared the sea area around Wanokuni, Ace stood on the deck, ready for the impending confrontation. Every preparation had been meticulously made, every detail accounted for.
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed across the sky. "Buzz!" The air seemed to vibrate with energy.
"Swoosh!" The atmosphere crackled, a prelude to the imminent battle.
"I knew it! You're crazy!" Nami shouted, her voice a mix of fear and exasperation.
Ace's laughter echoed across the deck, filled with confidence and anticipation for the battles ahead. The Entei Pirates were ready, and their path to Wanokuni was clear.
"Swoosh!"
In the sky above the clouds near Wanokuni, several bear-paw-shaped balls of light zoomed through the air at breakneck speed.
"I knew it! What's the point of a normal landing, Ace? I'm going to fight you!!!" Nami shouted loudly from within one of the balls of light, her frustration palpable. Beside her, Conis clung tightly, eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement.
Nami had anticipated chaos. After all, as Ace's first crew member, she had been by his side for countless wild landings, each one pushing her to the brink. But now, as an absolute top powerhouse in the sea, she felt a semblance of control.
So although she is worried that Ace will do something wrong when landing on Wanokuni, Nami is also confident.
After all, this is not The Fish Men Island, which is 10,000 meters deep in the sea, and her Thunder Fruit ability can be used here.
Nami's Thunder Fruit also amplified her Observation Haki, making her nearly invincible when facing foes of comparable strength. So, despite Ace's unpredictable nature, she had confidence in her ability to handle whatever came her way.
But Ace, true to form, had outdone himself. Upon reaching the sea near Wanokuni, he used the Paw Fruit's ability to bounce them all to random locations across Wanokuni, turning their arrival into a chaotic lottery.
In the Enlightenment Field, even Nami's ability to transform into thunder couldn't help her escape. Ace, laughing, had declared that everyone would enjoy this war. Enjoy?! Enjoy your ass!!! Nami thought furiously. They were about to face two of the Four Emperors' pirate groups—this was no time for reckless antics!
Landing in the heart of Wanokuni would pose another challenge. Nami's Observation Haki, so effective thanks to her Thunder Fruit, would be detected by other powerful Observation Haki users. This meant she and Conis would have to fend for themselves, independently navigating the dangers of Wanokuni.
Frustration gnawed at Nami. This reckless guy!!! she thought, gritting her teeth. She glanced at Conis, who returned her look with a determined nod. Together, they would face whatever came their way, but Nami couldn't help but feel a familiar itch of irritation towards Ace's chaotic methods.
"Ace, is it really okay? We have to face two Four Emperors pirate groups," Tashigi asked with concern, her voice slightly trembling as they soared through the air in a bear-paw light ball under the effect of the Paw Fruit.
"Don't worry," Ace replied, a confident smile playing on his lips. "I said it was randomly arranged, but in fact, the approximate positions of our personnel are secure."
Ace had meticulously planned the assault. Nami, the strongest among them, was paired with Conis, who was less proficient in frontal combat. Other pairings included Vivi and Nojiko, Laki and Robin, and Kaya with Perona and Merry. Each team consisted of one Admiral-level combatant and one Admiral candidate-level combatant. Kaya's healing fruit, while not directly boosting combat power, allowed her to exert Admiral-level strength when using "Black Flash," thus justifying the three-person team configuration.
Hancock was teamed with Gion and Ain, forming one of the strongest combinations among the girls, second only to Nami's. This setup ensured that even if they encountered Kaido, they wouldn't be easily overwhelmed.
For the Entei Pirates fleet, Rayleigh and Shakky, Fujitora and Kuzan, along with Zephyr, were strategically positioned. Their landing spots were centrally located among the girls, allowing for quick intervention if necessary.
Ace had brought Ain and Zephyr for a reason. This war was their final chance to decide whether to join the Entei Pirates. If they chose not to join after the War, Ace would imprison them for life. Though Ace appreciated Zephyr, his patience had limits. This war would determine their fate.
Ace's confidence in this strategy came from the balanced combination of combat power, ensuring each group could protect itself while facing challenges. He also had the Door-Door Fruit, enabling him to open doors and reach any of the girls at a moment's notice. Additionally, Ace could enhance his Observation Haki with the Thunder Fruit, although he couldn't transform into a thunder body due to his Mera-mera Fruit powers.
To further ensure their safety, Ace handed a Den Den Mushi to Violet, who was stationed outside Wanokuni. Using her Staring Fruit ability, amplified by the field of understanding, Violet could monitor the situation and report any accidents immediately.
"Violet, use your ability to observe their situation carefully. If there is any accident, report to me immediately," Ace instructed.
"Yes, Admiral," Violet's voice responded from the phone.
Ace's meticulous preparations reflected the significance of the Wanokuni Battle. It was likely the last major conflict before the final showdown between the Entei Pirates and the World Government. The girls had grown stronger since the Entei event, with Vivi, Laki, Kaya, and Hancock achieving Admiral-level combat power, and the rest as Admiral candidates. Nami could now fight Big-Mom head-on. However, their experience in high-end combat was limited as Ace had done most of the heavy work during the Journey.
With the Entei Pirates' current strength, destroying the Beasts Pirates and the BIG-MOM Pirates would be straightforward without external intervention. The Wanokuni battlefield was the perfect opportunity to train the girls in actual combat, sharpening their skills for the final battle with the World Government. Ace understood their desire to help him and hoped this war would fulfill their wishes.
Ace's heart swelled with warmth at their dedication. He looked forward to the upcoming battle, knowing it was the best sharpening stone for his crew.
But before the battle with the Beasts Pirates and the BIG-MOM Pirates, Ace needs to get something with tashigi.
Ace and Tashigi landed with a soft "swoosh" as several points of light fell across various places in Wanokuni. The Entei Pirates' large fleet had descended upon Wanokuni, and each group dispersed to their assigned positions.
"Ah, the captain really loves to mess around," Fujitora muttered, ruffling his hair as his light ball dispersed.
"Mr. Ace's decisions have always been surprising, but the atmosphere here is particularly unsettling," he said, frowning. Kaido's reign had left the pirate country in a state even worse than Dressrosa under Doflamingo. The emotions sensed through Fujitora's Observation Haki were not just of despair but of a pervasive dead silence.
"What a fool, he even unlocked my combat power freeze." Zephyr grumbled, flexing his wrist. Previously, Perona's Ghost Fruit had rendered Zephyr's Haki and physical strength dormant, a power more stifling than seastone. Now freed, Zephyr's combat capabilities were fully restored.
"Well, for the sake of our past friendship, I can remind you that the captain will not do useless work," Kuzan said, his eyes flashing under his sunglasses. He could understand Ace's intention: this war was the last chance for Zephyr and Ain to decide their allegiance.
Kuzan was emotional, knowing Ace had been exceptionally patient, giving Zephyr and Ain ample time to choose. "As the saying goes, a man dies for his friend," Kuzan thought, pushing his sunglasses up as he surveyed the area.
"Humph, I'm not a fool. Let me see if I can find a new answer in this war," Zephyr replied in a deep voice. The former Admiral was torn, grappling with his lifelong commitment to justice versus the potential new path Ace offered.
"Let's go and turn this place upside down," Fujitora declared, his staff knife touching the ground.
"Oh? This is not your style, Fujitora," Kuzan laughed.
"Ace wants to increase everyone's combat experience in real wars. As his followers, we must do our best. Making a big fuss is valuable for our Entei Pirates," Fujitora said. "The final battle will be countless times more complicated than this situation."
"That's right. With the name of the Flame Emperor, let's make a big fuss here," Kuzan agreed.
Zephyr's mouth twitched at their conversation. "These guys are really... Is it because the captain himself is a fool?" he thought. Despite his grumbling, Zephyr felt his long-dormant blood starting to boil once again. Pinching his wrist, he followed Kuzan and Fujitora.
Meanwhile, Ace and Tashigi arrived at their destination. "We're here," Ace announced, looking at the house before them with a smile.
"Hey? Where is this?" Tashigi asked, gripping the handle of Shusui curiously.
"There are many famous swords here," Ace replied with a laugh. Using the Cat-Cat Fruit-Phantom Beast-White Tiger Form, Ace could easily lock onto the energy of famous swords. His field of understanding had guided them to this location.
"Who are you?" a surprised voice called out from inside the house.