Even after several days, Shendu could still hear that moment replaying endlessly in his head.
He had just been quietly drinking.
And that damn man—Blackbeard—had kicked him to the ground.
Why?
Why me?!
It wasn't just a physical blow.
It was a wound carved into his pride.
So now, other than lecturing his son and trying to fix their father-son bond, staking out the tavern every day to wait for Blackbeard had become Shendu's daily spiritual routine.
"Father, what's wrong?"
Perhaps the Heart-Softening Spray had taken effect again, because the demon dragon Kaido—his son—actually looked concerned.
Shendu hesitated, then choked up as he retold the entire humiliating story in vivid detail.
"Kill him!"
"I want him to taste true despair! I'll drag his soul into hell and make him repent for eternity!"
The younger dragon's eyes flared crimson. The killing intent radiating from his body made the tavern tremble faintly.
If not for the last fragment of reason whispering don't act without Ronn's permission, he would've already burst out and torn Blackbeard apart.
"Calm down, my foolish son."
Shendu wiped away a single forced tear, then turned to Ronn with a pitiful look.
"Boss… you see…"
Ronn exhaled a plume of smoke, thinking for a moment.
"I'll go with you. I also need to deal with the Celestial Dragon problem."
He had killed Saint Charlos—there was no going back now.
The World Government would unleash the Marines to wipe the tavern from the map.
Better to go to them first and end it on his terms.
"You mean… we're joining in?"
Rayleigh's eyes brightened; hope flickered.
If Ronn moved, perhaps Ace still had a chance.
But Ronn merely shook his head.
"Don't overthink it. Ace's life or death has nothing to do with me."
"I'm just solving my own business. Let's go, Shendu."
A gust of wind swept through the tavern—
and Ronn, Shendu, the demon dragon, and Rayleigh vanished.
Keisha and Morgana paused mid-argument, exchanged glances, and quietly followed them out.
Meanwhile — Sabaody Archipelago, Area 30
The once-bustling amusement park was now sealed off by a massive Navy encirclement.
Tens of thousands of soldiers, two Admirals, and several Vice Admirals surrounded the battlefield.
Within the park's ruins, Ace and Blackbeard faced each other amid the wreckage of shattered rides.
When their duel ended, the Marines would swoop in and capture both.
Fifty thousand troops.
Two Admirals: Akainu and Kizaru.
Two summoned Warlords.
Enough firepower to face even Whitebeard himself.
The Navy had prepared everything.
On a stopped carousel, Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat cross-legged, his face carved with iron resolve.
"Five more minutes."
"Then commence the capture."
"We must seize Ace before Whitebeard arrives."
The gathered Vice Admirals roared as one:
"Yes, sir!"
Nearby, Doflamingo chuckled quietly, his gaze locked on Akainu.
Behind those pink sunglasses, murder simmered.
He was calculating which of them to strike first.
Maybe Akainu.
Maybe Kizaru.
Maybe both.
Across the field, Akainu glanced back—and their eyes met.
For a heartbeat, killing intent shimmered like heat in the air between them.
Neither spoke. Neither blinked.
Then both looked away, masks of calm restored.
A few paces away, a tall, silver-haired old man lowered his head, saying nothing.
Garp.
The title of "Hero" is a glory... but also a shackle.
It carries the faith of every Marine.
He wanted—no, ached—to save Ace.
But if he did, what would that mean for the Justice he'd carried all his life?
The Amusement Park's Center
The fight between Ace and Blackbeard had reached its final phase.
Because of the Yami Yami no Mi, Ace's powers were useless against Teach's darkness.
His body was shredded—burns, cuts, two cracked ribs.
Teach was bleeding too, his chest pierced by a flame-forged spear—but he was still standing.
Both knew:
the next blow would decide everything.
Teach wiped blood from his chin and grinned, voice low and wild.
"Zehahaha… Captain Ace, you've got stamina, I'll give you that."
"You've chased me all this way, even dodging the Navy. But look around…"
"We're surrounded. Neither of us is leaving alive."
He gritted his teeth.
If only he hadn't gone to that damned tavern—
if only he hadn't provoked that bartender—
his crew wouldn't be dead, and this battle would've been long over.
"You killed Thatch."
"You broke Whitebeard's code. You're unforgivable!"
Ace's eyes blazed with fury.
"Even if the Navy takes me, I'll never let regret stain my life!"
Flames surged around him.
"Understand this, bastard!"
"Such a waste," Teach hissed, spreading his arms.
"I'll take you alive and buy myself a future."
"Dreams never die—so die in darkness!"
"Dai Enkai—Entei!"
Ace raised both hands, and a giant sun of fire formed above him.
The heat warped the air, melting metal around them.
At the same time, Blackbeard bellowed—his darkness erupting like a tidal wave.
Light and shadow collided.
BOOOOOM!!!
The explosion swallowed everything.
The shockwave tore through the park, through streets and houses, shaking the entire Sabaody Archipelago.
Civilians ran into the streets—
only to see a sky split in two: one half a sea of flame, the other a devouring void.
When the tremors finally ceased, silence fell.
Then came a familiar, chilling laugh:
"Zehahaha… you're still too soft, Ace."
Teach staggered out of the smoke, bleeding and broken—but alive.
Ace lay on the ground, charred and barely breathing, his flames snuffed out.
He'd fought with will alone.
But without his fruit's edge, he was outmatched.
Teach limped forward, grinning through his pain.
"No mercy left in me…"
He kicked Ace in the ribs.
"Guh—!"
Blood sprayed from Ace's lips; his vision blurred.
"Guess I'll hand you over to the Navy."
"I surrender!" Teach shouted toward the Marines' lines.
"I just want to live!"
"In exchange, I'll deliver Ace—alive."
He laughed, dark and hollow.
"After all… the son of the Pirate King is worth far more alive than dead."
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