Chereads / One Piece: Ace The Emperor of Flames / Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: The Final War Begins!

Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: The Final War Begins!

In the span of just a month, the Entei Pirate Fleet, with the extraordinary power of the Space Fruit, completed its pre-war preparations. The entire fleet was now poised and ready for the impending conflict, their resources strategically positioned, and their warriors sharpened for battle. Within that brief period, the Straw Hat Pirates and the Entei Pirates underwent an intense final round of training, utilizing the unparalleled benefits of the Enlightenment Field. This field, an innovation of Ace's leadership, amplified their abilities, pushing each crew member to the very peak of their potential.

The alliance they had forged was a formidable one. The Red Hair Pirates, led by the legendary Shanks, had joined forces with them, bringing with them their unmatched Haki mastery and battle-hardened crew. The Buggy Pirates, under the unpredictable yet resilient leadership of Buggy the Clown, had also committed their strength to this coalition. Despite Buggy's often bumbling demeanor, his influence and resourcefulness made him a valuable ally in the coming war.

The Whitebeard Pirates, carrying the legacy of the greatest pirate of the old era and The Revolutionary Army Led by Dragon had also entered into this grand partnership.

This alliance of pirates—Shanks, Buggy, Dragon, Whitebeard, Luffy and Ace—represented a united front, each bringing their unique strengths and strategies to the table. They weren't just preparing for any battle; they were preparing for the final war. A war that would decide the fate of the world and shake the very foundations of the World Government.

As the days of preparation drew to a close, the atmosphere within Wanokuni grew tense with anticipation. The air was thick with the electric energy of warriors who had honed their skills to perfection, ready to unleash their full might on the battlefield. The Straw Hat Pirates, now equipped with the wisdom and strength garnered from the Enlightenment Field, stood alongside their allies, more powerful than ever before.

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and the others had emerged from their training, their spirits undaunted, their resolve unshakeable. They knew the stakes—this wasn't just about becoming Pirate King; this was about dismantling an oppressive regime, about justice, about freedom.

The world would soon witness the clash of titans, the battle that would determine the true rulers of the sea.

The sea surrounding Wanokuni was alive with the sight of countless warships, each one a colossal force of steel and wood, their hulls cutting through the water with imposing power. The flags of the Entei Pirates fluttered proudly on each vessel, their bold insignias symbolizing the indomitable spirit and unity of their fleet. This vast armada stretched across the horizon, a steel juggernaut that made the very air hum with the promise of battle.

The atmosphere trembled as the fabric of space itself began to distort and warp. Slowly, space cracks formed in the air, twisting reality as figures with awe-inspiring presences emerged from the rifts. These were not ordinary pirates; these were the captains of the Entei Pirates Grand Fleet, each one a legendary warrior in their own right. The elite members of the fleet, standing at attention on the decks of their ships, saluted these titans as they appeared.

Among them, Rayleigh, the Dark King, glanced around with a measured gaze before stepping forward to take his place among the fleet. His presence alone was enough to send a wave of confidence through the gathered forces. The Straw Hat Pirates, having undergone rigorous joint training with the Entei Pirates, stood tall and formidable. Each of them had become significantly stronger, their powers sharpened in preparation for the war that loomed on the horizon.

Another space crack opened, and from it emerged Buggy, Mihawk, and the Red Hair Pirates, their camaraderie evident as they bantered and chatted amongst themselves, seemingly unfazed by the magnitude of the impending conflict. The air vibrated once more as the Whitebeard Pirates arrived through yet another rift, their towering leader, the legendary Whitebeard himself, striding forth with an aura of overwhelming strength.

Then, Dragon and the Revolutionary Army, stepping out of a newly formed space crack with grace and power. They were a force unto themselves, each one a warrior of exceptional skill and resolve.

Finally, the air grew still as a figure appeared high in the sky, descending slowly as all eyes turned upward. He was the heart and soul of this monumental gathering, the leader who had united these disparate forces into a single, unstoppable entity. The Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, hovered above the assembled pirate alliance, a confident smile playing on his lips.

As he surveyed the sea of warships and the mighty warriors gathered below, Ace's smile widened. This was his creation—an unprecedented alliance, a behemoth of power that could only have been forged by the Entei Pirates Fleet. In the face of such overwhelming might, the Naval Headquarters and the World Government seemed no more formidable than mere chickens before a hawk, Destined for a Blowout Loss in Mariejois.

Ace knew that the time had come. The final battle was about to begin, and with the strength of the Entei Pirates and their allies, they would not only challenge the World Government—they would shatter it.

Ace's smile grew wider, his excitement almost palpable as he stood overlooking the vast sea, now filled with the mighty fleet of the Entei Pirates. The moment he had been preparing for over the last twenty years was finally at hand. The dream of becoming the king of the world was no longer a distant vision—it was within his grasp.

With a fierce wave of his hand, the sea twisted and churned, giving way to a sight that sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned warriors present. Rising from the depths was an unprecedented, colossal battleship, a behemoth of ancient power and destructive potential. This was no ordinary vessel; this was Pluton—one of the three ancient weapons, a ship of such terrifying might that it could obliterate entire islands with a single shot.

Pluton had long been buried beneath Wanokuni, hidden away for centuries until Ace had finally unearthed it. Now, this awe-inspiring warship was his, a testament to the might of the Entei Pirates. The entire ship was a fortress of metal, its surface bristling with countless weapons. The most intimidating of all were the four enormous cannons, each one several thousand meters long and nearly a thousand meters in diameter, their surfaces adorned with intricate mechanical patterns that hinted at the destructive power they contained.

These cannons were no ordinary weapons; they were super laser cannons capable of obliterating islands from hundreds of thousands of kilometers away. Even after lying dormant for eight hundred years, these massive cannons radiated an oppressive aura, a testament to their fearsome potential. The entire surface of the Pluton was lined with high-tech weaponry, and within its massive hull lay countless spaces designed for a variety of purposes.

The interior of Pluton was nothing short of a marvel. It was more than just a warship; it was a floating city, a doomsday shelter, larger than even the biggest islands. It contained military gathering places, ammunition depots, weapons research and development rooms, laboratories, granaries, living areas, entertainment zones, and even land and lakes. This massive vessel was designed to be a self-sustaining fortress, capable of housing not just soldiers but entire populations. In the event of a global catastrophe, humanity could find refuge within Pluton, surviving and thriving within its walls.

This warship was so immense that it could house all the elites of the Entei Pirates, along with the Red-Haired Pirates, Revolutionary Army and the Whitebeard Pirates, all under one roof. It wasn't just a weapon of mass destruction—it was a safeguard for the future, a means of ensuring that humanity could continue even in the face of the apocalypse.

As Ace gazed upon Pluton, a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps those who originally built this warship didn't intend for it to be used in warfare, but rather as a means of protection. Maybe they foresaw some unimaginable disaster, one so catastrophic that humanity's only hope of survival was to retreat into this colossal vessel. The broadcast from Vegapunk in the original manga, speaking of a future where the world might sink, flashed through Ace's mind. Could it be that Pluton was designed not to wage war, but to preserve life in the face of an impending global disaster?

Whatever the truth, Ace knew that Pluton was now the key to achieving his goals. With this ancient weapon at his command, the Entei Pirates were unstoppable. The final battle was about to begin, and Ace was ready to face the World Government with everything he had. The time had come to change the world forever.

With a swift and graceful descent, Ace landed on the deck of Pluton, the ancient warship beneath him humming with latent power. The Entei Pirate girls followed suit, their forms flashing in the light as they joined him on the massive deck, each one poised and ready for the battle ahead.

"Ace," came a soft, melodious voice from the sea below. Emerging from the waves was Shirahoshi, the beautiful and awe-inspiring mermaid princess, her presence as breathtaking as the ocean itself.

"Shirahoshi," Ace called to her, his voice gentle yet firm. "Stay with me."

Shirahoshi was no ordinary mermaid; she was the living embodiment of Poseidon's power, one of the three ancient weapons. Over the years, with Ace's guidance and the help of the Enlightenment Field, she had come to fully master this incredible ability. Now, all the Sea Kings of the ocean, those massive, terrifying creatures that once roamed freely, were under her command—and by extension, under Ace's control.

Shirahoshi nodded obediently, her large eyes filled with trust. "Yes, Ace."

Thanks to the Shrinking Fruit's power, a Devil Fruit that allowed one to alter their size at will, Shirahoshi's once colossal form was now reduced to a size comparable to Ace's, allowing her to move more freely and interact with the world above the sea. The Shrinking Fruit had been used by Ace himself, enabling Shirahoshi to retain her ability to live in the ocean, her natural home, while also participating in this grand moment.

The rhythmic tapping of Ace's boots against the deck echoed as he strode to the front, his gaze sweeping over the assembled fleet of the Entei Pirates. The sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring—a vast armada of warships, each bearing the proud flag of the Entei Pirates, their sails billowing in the wind, ready to follow their leader into the final confrontation.

Ace's mind briefly turned to the enormity of what he had accomplished. He now controlled two of the three ancient weapons—Pluton, the ultimate warship capable of leveling entire islands with a single shot, and Poseidon, the power to command the Sea Kings, the most formidable creatures of the ocean. These weapons, each a force of nature in their own right, were now at his disposal.

With these at his command, Ace's strength was unparalleled. The weight of history, the dreams of countless generations, and the hopes of his crew and allies rested on his shoulders. He was ready to face the World Government, to challenge the very foundations of the world, and to claim the title of the king of the world.

The final piece, Uranus, might be in the hands of Imu, but Ace knew he didn't need it to achieve his goal. With Pluton and Poseidon by his side, and the unyielding loyalty of his fleet, Ace was confident that victory was within reach.

Ace stood silently on the deck of Pluton, a fierce wind whipping around him as his thoughts turned inward, contemplating the formidable powers he had amassed. The power of Nika, the legendary Sun God, had been fully awakened within Luffy and Bonney, and they could now wield it at will, harnessing its boundless energy and transformative abilities. The knowledge that such power was in the hands of his closest allies filled Ace with a deep sense of reassurance, knowing they would stand beside him in the coming storm.

But there was another power, darker and more insidious, that Ace had managed to acquire—a power that had eluded him for so long. He gazed down at his palm, where a dark orb of swirling energy appeared, radiating a sinister force that seemed to pull at the very fabric of reality. This was the Dark-Dark Fruit, the most malevolent Devil Fruit in history, known for its ability to absorb and nullify other Devil Fruit powers, and for the pure darkness that it commanded.

This Fruit, once destined for the hands of Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard—had been intercepted by Ace before it could bring ruin to the Whitebeard Pirates. By preventing Teach's betrayal, Ace not only secured the loyalty and strength of the Whitebeard Pirates but also ensured that this formidable power would not fall into the wrong hands.

Ace, recognizing the danger inherent in the Dark-Dark Fruit, had taken steps to ensure its power was controlled. The demonic factor within the fruit had been absorbed into the Realm of Enlightenment, a space where its essence could be studied and neutralized, rather than unleashed upon the world. The fruit itself was hidden away, sealed within a dimensional pocket created by the Space Fruit, far from the reach of anyone who might be tempted by its power.

Ace understood the true nature of the Devil Fruits, particularly those of great power. Each fruit carried its own will, an indomitable force that could influence or even overwhelm its user. The Dark-Dark Fruit, with its malevolent and chaotic nature, was a dangerous wildcard. While it possessed the potential to create an incredibly powerful ally, the risks outweighed the benefits. Ace knew that the stability of his alliance was paramount, especially as they approached the final battle. The alliance was already brimming with powerful fighters; there was no need to introduce an element of unpredictability into the mix.

Moreover, the Dark-Dark Fruit's nature seemed to be in direct opposition to the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Beast, Model: Nika that Luffy wielded. These two powers, one representing light and liberation, the other darkness and Oppression, were fundamentally incompatible. Allowing the Dark-Dark Fruit to be used in battle could disrupt the delicate balance Ace had worked so hard to maintain.

No, Ace had decided long ago. The Dark-Dark Fruit would remain sealed, hidden away in a space where even its overwhelming will could not escape. The space gap, reinforced by the power of the Enlightenment Field, was impenetrable—an absolute prison for this most dangerous of Devil Fruits.

Ace had made all the preparations necessary. With the combined might of the Entei Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, and their other allies, and with the ancient weapons and formidable Devil Fruit powers at their disposal, they were ready to face whatever the World Government could throw at them.

The final battle was on the horizon, and Ace, now more powerful and prepared than ever, was determined to lead his forces to victory.

The combined forces of the Entei Pirates, Straw Hats, Revolutionary Army, Red-Haired Pirates, and Whitebeard Pirates gathered on the colossal deck of Pluton, their spirits soaring with anticipation. Rather than fear, an electric excitement crackled through the air. The impending battle wasn't something they dreaded—it was something they craved. They knew that this was not just a battle but a massacre waiting to happen.

Ace stood at the helm, his eyes scanning the vast ocean where the rest of the Entei Pirates' fleet awaited orders in the distance. These ships, manned by the loyal but less powerful members of the Entei Pirates, would play a crucial role in the grand strategy. Their mission: to encircle the Red Line, seize control of Impel Down, and ensure no reinforcements could reach Mariejois. The true elites were already on board Pluton, prepared to spearhead the assault on the Holy Land itself.

Suddenly, the sea around them began to stir with life. Shirahoshi, her expression serene and focused, activated the ancient power of Poseidon. In response, Sea Kings—massive, ancient creatures of the deep—rose from the ocean depths, their enormous bodies cutting through the water with a grace that belied their size. But it wasn't just the Sea Kings. All manner of marine life, from the tiniest fish to the largest whales, began to swim alongside the fleet, their harmonious cries filling the air. It was as if the very world was shifting, heralding the dawn of a new era.

"Begin the war!!!" Ace's voice rang out, his Conqueror's Haki exploding outward with a force that shook the heavens.

"Boom!!!" The sheer might of his Haki was palpable, a shockwave of raw power that reverberated through every soul present. Inspired, everyone on board let out a unified roar, their combined Haki surging like an unstoppable tidal wave.

With Ace's command, the fleet of the Entei Pirates began to move, the great steel leviathan Pluton at its center, leading the charge. The sea itself seemed to part for them, as if recognizing the unprecedented power assembled on this ship. The destination was clear: the Holy Land, Mariejois—the seat of the World Government's power.

As they advanced, the sky above began to darken, thick clouds swirling as if to mirror the gathering storm below. The battle that would decide the fate of the world was about to begin, and with Ace at the helm, the forces of the Entei Pirates surged forward, ready to bring down the tyrants who had ruled for far too long.