"Huh!!!"
Above Wanokuni, two suns shone against each other. One of the suns, blazing with intense heat, kept rotating, emitting temperatures so high that it seemed capable of evaporating the very world.
Under this extreme heat, the two former sea overlords, the Four Emperors—Kaido of the Beasts and BIG-MOM, Charlotte Linlin—were wiped out from existence.
"!"
The sun, which emitted an astonishingly high temperature, gradually stopped rotating. Its previously expanded volume began to shrink until it returned to a human form.
"Huh!"
Ace, releasing the power of the Nika-Zanka no tachi-Sun God form, saw his clothes, eyes, hair, and eyebrows return from red to their normal black. The ribbon-like flame cloud behind him also slowly dissipated.
As the power of the Nika-Zanka-Sun God form faded, Ace exhaled heavily. Though immensely powerful, the form's consumption of physical strength and Haki was immense—especially Haki.
Compared to Ace's Zanka-Sun God Form, combined with the Devil Fruit ability and Nika's power, his Haki, even at the King level, was still much weaker in comparison. Every attack in this form was incredibly potent, naturally combining Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, the Mera-mera Fruit's abilities, and Nika's power. However, the price was steep; each attack drained Ace's physical strength and Haki significantly.
The ultimate move, transforming into a star, was particularly draining. While Ace's physical strength could be bolstered by transforming natural elements through the Mera-mera Fruit's awakening, Haki could not be restored via Devil Fruit abilities. Recovery of Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, or Observation Haki required not just physical strength but also mental fortitude.
In the original series, when Luffy's Haki was exhausted, he needed to rest to recover, reflecting the necessity to restore both spirit and Haki. For powerful fighters, the upper limit of Haki usage was fixed. Once depleted, even a Logia Devil Fruit user's ability to recover physically was hindered, as the transformation and awakening of such fruits also consumed the user's spirit.
This time, using the strongest power of the Nika-Zanka no tachi-Sun God form to eliminate Kaido and Charlotte Linlin in one move had taken a tremendous toll on Ace. The move of turning into a star and incinerating the enemies involved assimilating their bodies into flames until their very essence was consumed.
The amount of energy consumed depended on the enemy's strength. Assimilating two Four Emperors, especially ones renowned for their physical prowess, required an extraordinary amount of power.
Ace now experienced the profound emptiness and weakness that came after exhausting both Haki and physical strength, much like Luffy in the original series. It was, indeed, "not a very pleasant experience."
However, despite the immense consumption, this ability did not drain Ace's life force.
But despite the immense consumption, the rewards this time were equally significant. Ace's eyes flashed with a thick, black, and purple aura.
He had absorbed Kaido's and Charlotte Linlin's Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, and Armament Haki. However, this process wasn't as simple as adding their powers to his own. These Haki energies belonged to Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, and if Ace attempted to integrate them fully, it might have caused serious issues for him.
Just as the famous sword 'Enma' could temporarily absorb its user's Haki but couldn't store it, Ace's extraordinary comprehension enhanced this ability, allowing him to absorb the Haki of defeated enemies and use it for himself. However, absorbing Kaido's and Charlotte Linlin's Haki presented a problem. Their Haki contained their personal imprints, and integrating it with his own could result in a mixed and unstable power, which, though powerful in the short term, would be detrimental in the long run.
Fortunately, Ace had the power of Nika and the Mera-mera Fruit. Under the burning force of the Nika-Zanka no tachi-Sun God Form, the personal imprints of Kaido and Charlotte Linlin were incinerated. This process transformed their Haki into ownerless energy, allowing Ace to absorb it without risk. Although a portion of their Haki dissipated during this purification, Ace avoided any potential hazards to himself.
Even with some loss, the Haki from two Four Emperors was still substantial. Ace estimated that his Haki had increased by 40%, a considerable gain. Already at the pinnacle of Haki mastery, on par with legends like the Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard, this boost was monumental.
Ace's satisfaction was evident. He then turned his attention to the places where Kaido and Charlotte Linlin had perished, producing two fruits from their remains.
"Buzz!"
Under the influence of his field of understanding, the rapidly dissipating demon factors were captured and condensed into the fruits.
"Gulu! Gulu!"
The demonic factors transformed the fruits, which now bore strange patterns on their surfaces. Ace reached out, and with Conqueror's Haki, he "caught" the newly formed Devil Fruits.
"Soul Soul Fruit, and..."
Ace examined the fruits, focusing on one that was green and covered with scales and strange patterns.
"Fish-Fish Fruit - Mythical Beast Species - Azure Dragon Form."
A smile spread across Ace's face. This was a top-tier Devil Fruit ability. Among the mythical beast-type fruits, including the Bird-Bird Fruit - Suzaku Form, the Cat-Cat Fruit - White Tiger Form, and the Turtle-Turtle Fruit - Black Tortoise Form, the Fish-Fish Fruit - Azure Dragon Form was unparalleled. It was arguably the strongest mythical beast-type Devil Fruit ability, second only to the Human-Human Fruit - Nika Form.
Possessing such a powerful Devil Fruit ability would significantly bolster the Entei Pirates, especially in their anticipated final war with the World Government.
"Ace!"
At that moment, the Entei Pirates gathered around Ace, their faces a mixture of awe and relief.
"Is it over? It's amazing," Rayleigh said, his eyes scanning the area where Kaido and Charlotte Linlin had vanished. His gaze then shifted to the two Devil Fruits in Ace's hand, a profound sense of emotion in his voice. "One person wiped out two peak Four Emperors. Such power is beyond anything Roger and Whitebeard could have achieved in their prime."
Ace's current combat prowess was likely comparable only to that of Joy Boy, the legendary liberator and the last user of the Human-Human Fruit - Mythical Beast - Nika form, from eight hundred years ago.
"Ah, this really opened my eyes, Captain," Kuzan added, still visibly shocked. He had never seen Ace's strongest form, the Nika-Zanka no tachi-Sun God Form, which Ace had cultivated on Amazon Lily after the Entei incident. The sight of Ace transforming into the sun left Kuzan in awe. It was beyond human capability—it was a miracle.
"Did You guys clean up everything?" Ace asked, looking around at his crew with a smile.
"Yes, it's all resolved," Nami replied, smiling back. "The Beasts Pirates and all the cadres of the BIG-MOM Pirates have been captured and are awaiting your decision."
Nami, as the second-in-command, was responsible for reporting the battle situation to Ace. Despite her strength, which allowed her to stand toe-to-toe with the Four Emperors, she remained the lovely navigator Ace cherished. He gently stroked her long orange hair, his smile warm and affectionate.
"But why didn't you let us get rid of Kurozumi Orochi, Ace?" Vivi asked curiously. Kurozumi Orochi had secretly left the battlefield during the confrontation, and Ace had instructed the crew to let him go for reasons unknown.
"Because I'm waiting for someone to show up," Ace said, his mouth curling up slightly as he looked into the distance.
"How long are you going to hide? You guy!" Ace shouted, the scarlet color representing his Observation Haki flashing in his eyes. In that direction, there was a presence Ace would never forget. A happy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Ah, ah, really, I wanted to give you a surprise," a voice responded slowly.
The Entei Pirates turned towards the direction Ace was looking. Their Observation Haki had already detected the presence of Kurozumi Orochi. However, there was another presence, unfamiliar yet seemingly known to Ace.
"Tap! Tap!"
In the eyes of everyone, a figure emerged, holding the unconscious Kurozumi Orochi, whose face was still contorted with fear. The figure slowly approached.
"Long time no see, Ace," the figure said, a huge smile spreading across his face.
"Sabo, you little brat!" Ace exclaimed, laughing at the familiar figure before him.
The figure was none other than Sabo, the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army and Ace and Luffy's sworn brother.
"Huh!"
In an instant, Ace disappeared from his spot and reappeared in front of Sabo. He looked at the familiar face and punched Sabo on the shoulder.
"Hiss! It hurts, Ace!" Sabo complained, covering his shoulder and grimacing.
"That's for not showing up earlier," Ace said, the smile on his face growing wider.
The two brothers laughed together, their laughter filled with joy and tears. Ace hugged Sabo tightly.
"Long time no see, Sabo, my brother," Ace said, his eyes full of nostalgia, tears glistening at the corners.
"Yeah, finally, I see you again, brother," Sabo replied, tears slowly falling from his eyes.
The second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, a figure feared and respected, was now crying tears of joy.
"Hahaha!"
After they separated, Ace looked at the tear marks on Sabo's face, and Sabo noticed the tears in Ace's eyes. They laughed again, their laughter echoing through the skies.
Brothers, reunited after many years, basked in the sheer joy of their bond.