Chapter 68: The Fifth Emperor! The Worlds Reaction!

On that eventful day, news spread like wildfire across the world. From the bustling cities to the remote corners of the Calm Belt, the proclamation of the Entei Pirates' bounties and the rise of the Fifth Emperor of the Sea echoed through every corner of the One piece realm.

In Windmill Village of East Blue, the tranquil air was disrupted by Luffy's spirited training with Garp.

"Second gear!"

"Armament Haki!"

"Rubber Rubber! JET-gun barrage!"

Luffy, enveloped in steam, unleashed a barrage of punches at Garp, each strike a testament to his relentless determination.

"Hmph! Luffy, you're not ready to beat your grandpa just yet!" Garp's laughter reverberated as he countered with his own Haki-infused fist.

"Boom!"

"Ow!" Luffy recoiled, clutching his head. "Why?! Ace and I perfected this move together! How come I can't land a hit on you?!" His frustration was palpable.

"Hahaha! Your Haki still needs more training, Luffy," Garp chuckled, his eyes reflecting both pride and a touch of relief. It seemed Ace was indeed a more suitable teacher for Luffy than he had initially thought.

Luffy, at such a young age, had not only mastered the second and third gears of his Rubber Fruit abilities but had also honed his Armament and Observation Haki to formidable levels—skills that rivaled those of a Vice Admiral of the Navy.

Meanwhile, Makino hurried over, food in hand, interrupting their training session. "Mr. Garp! Luffy!"

"Ah, Makino! Is it time to eat already? Hahaha," Luffy grinned eagerly, always ready to set aside everything for a good meal—a shared trait with Ace.

"Mr. Garp, Luffy! It's about Ace...," Makino panted, struggling to catch her breath.

"What about Ace?!" Dadan interjected, her concern evident.

"He... he's been declared the Fifth Emperor of the Sea! Look at his bounty!" Makino exclaimed, handing over the reward poster nervously.

Luffy eagerly took it, and even Garp's expression turned complex before he finally smiled with a hint of relief. The day they had long anticipated had finally arrived.

"The Fifth Emperor of the Sea, the Flame Emperor. His bounty...," Dadan's voice trailed off, her eyes widening in shock.

"One billion one hundred and eighty million Baileys!!!" Her astonishment was palpable, her jaw practically hitting the ground.

"Hahaha! Ace, the Fifth Emperor! That's awesome!" Luffy cheered jubilantly.

"And he's found such amazing crewmates too," Luffy continued, gazing at each bounty poster with a fond smile. "Ace, wait for me. When I turn seventeen, I'll set sail too. I'm going to be the Pirate King! The freest person on the seas!"

As Luffy looked up at the sky, he could almost see Ace's smiling face, and his own grin widened with determination.

"Ace, my brother, agreed that I'll be your right hand. Together, we'll create our own dream world!"

With renewed vigor, Luffy devoured the food Makino had brought, much to Garp's dismay.

"Hey! That's my lunch!"

"Come on, Grandpa! Let's keep training! Rubber Rubber! Rocket Launcher!" Luffy's enthusiasm was boundless, fueled by his dreams and the legacy of his beloved brother, Ace, the Flame Emperor of the sea.

In Syrup Village,

"Usopp, did the great pirate Portgas D. Ace really teach you?" The three children gazed at Usopp with awe and curiosity.

"Hahaha, of course! How else do you think my sniping skills and craftsmanship improved so rapidly? I made a promise to Ace that I'd become a true brave warrior of the sea! He believed in me," Usopp boasted proudly.

"That's so cool! The bravest man of the sea, Usopp!" The children cheered, convinced by Usopp's tale under Ace's banner.

"Hahaha!" Usopp chuckled confidently, hands on his hips, basking in the admiration. For him, Ace's belief was a source of strength and determination.

Later, after the children had gone home, Usopp stared out at the sea, contemplating his future.

"I really want to set sail. Ace wondered about what kind of man his younger brother, Monkey D. Luffy, who my dad spoke of, would become," Usopp mused, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"No, I need to train harder! Ace's brother won't settle for anything less than extraordinary. I'll become a brave warrior of the sea!" Usopp declared, his spirit ablaze with determination.

Meanwhile, inside the villa, Merry looked at the bounty poster featuring Kaya's smiling face and the photos of the Entei Pirates and their beloved ship. A broad smile spread across the ship's face.

"Miss, I'm so happy. So very happy."

In Cocoyashi Village,

"Hey, everyone! Nami and Nojiko have become super pirates!"

"Ace is called the fifth emperor of the sea!"

Ajian, holding a stack of reward orders, went door to door, laughing joyously as he delivered the news to every villager.

"The Gate Fruit power user, 'Black Rose' Nojiko, has a bounty of 180 million Baileys!"

"The Thunder Fruit ability user with invincible abilities, 'Little Thieving Cat' Nami, has a bounty of 500 million beli!!!"

The villagers marveled at Nami and Nojiko's bounty notices, their excitement echoing through the village.

"Amazing, they truly are our own Nami and Nojiko! Hahaha," the villagers exclaimed happily.

"And Ace, who saved us, has a bounty of 1.18 billion Baileys! The fifth emperor of the sea!" another villager proudly proclaimed.

"No, that's not all," Ajian added, placing Nami and Nojiko's bounty posters on the table with a wide grin.

"Look! Nami and Nojiko proudly display their Entei Pirates tattoos on their arms. They're laughing so happily!" Ajian's eyes glistened with tears of joy as he chuckled.

Many villagers joined in, their laughter filling the air.

"The pirate flag cherished by Nami and Nojiko. Hahaha, it's time to celebrate today!" numerous villagers cheered, embracing the joyous occasion.

In Alabasta,

"Your Majesty, King! Look at this!" Jaka burst into the king's office, nervously clutching a stack of reward orders.

Behind him, Pell, Ikaros, and the swiftly running duck Karoo followed closely.

"I've already seen it," Cobra replied calmly, standing by the window and gazing into the distance. He turned towards his desk with a smile.

Everyone gathered around to see Princess Vivi, her face beaming with joy, her bounty poster placed prominently on Cobra's desk alongside Ace's.

"It's unbelievable that Portgas D. Ace is now called the fifth emperor of the sea," Jaka murmured in awe.

"Princess Vivi's bounty has reached 350 million beli! That's several times higher than Crocodile's original bounty!" Ikarem exclaimed nervously.

Karoo flapped his wings anxiously, adding, "With Ace here, Vivi will be well taken care of..."

Cobra's smile widened as he looked at Vivi's bounty poster. "Look at how happy Vivi is," he said softly.

Jaka, Pell, Ikarem, and Karoo followed Cobra's gaze to Vivi's bounty poster and couldn't help but smile broadly.

"Princess Vivi looks so happy. Ace, take care of Princess Vivi," Jaka whispered earnestly.

n the New World, atop the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates,

"Dad, the seas are truly chaotic now. Portgas D. Ace has wiped out Enies Lobby and aims to use Kaido's heads as stepping stones. The World Government calls him the fifth emperor of the sea," Marco said, holding a stack of bounty posters, looking at Whitebeard with a serious expression.

"Growl!" Whitebeard chuckled heartily, despite being surrounded by concerned medical staff urging him to restrain his drinking. "Gu la la la! The fifth emperor, eh? He's truly a lad not to be underestimated. The World Government can't handle him, and now they want us to deal with him? La la la!"

Whitebeard grabbed Ace's bounty poster and laughed, understanding the implications well after decades at sea. If Ace hadn't been a threat, he wouldn't have annihilated Enies Lobby, killed a Vice Admiral, and critically wounded several others, including two potential Admirals.

"Marine intel confirms Ace alone took down a Vice Admiral, severely injured two more, and dealt with Logia users like Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit, Thunder Fruit, and my Phoenix Form Bird Fruit. His ability to hunt Devil Fruits makes him worthy of the fifth emperor title," Marco stated solemnly.

"Teach, why the sour face?" Whitebeard queried, eyeing Marshall D. Teach, whose toothy grin revealed a different sentiment.

"Dad, it's just that Ace's arrogance irks me. Targeting Kaido as if you aren't around," Teach replied with a simple smile, fists clenching unconsciously.

"The fifth emperor has arrived on the sea, with Logia and Conqueror's Haki," Shanks informed his crew during a party on a pirate island in the New World.

"Marine doesn't toss around Conqueror's Haki praise lightly, especially since it undermines their authority," Mihawk added, sipping wine while observing Shanks.

"Hahaha, my Conqueror's Haki isn't inferior to his?" Shanks laughed heartily, realizing Ace's stature had grown.

"The Entei Pirates, alongside Ace, pose a Four Emperors-level threat," Beckman noted, considering their impact.

"Unless Ace decides otherwise, no one can contain him and the Entei Pirates. They're elite, much like us," Shanks declared, eyeing Ace's bounty poster thoughtfully.

"Sail!" Shanks announced, standing up abruptly.

"Sail? To meet Ace?" his crew questioned eagerly.

"Indeed. I want to see the chaos his meeting with Kaido will stir," Shanks replied, his decision firm.

"Will this spark a Marine and World Government frenzy? Two emperors meeting could set the seas ablaze," Mihawk mused, intrigued.

"Let them handle it. No one alters the Red Hair Pirates' course," Shanks affirmed, ready to set sail into the excitement of encountering the fifth emperor of the sea.

In a luxurious room in Dressrosa, the infamous Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo—known as the JOKER in the underworld—had transformed the island into his own pirate utopia through ruthless means. Presently, he stared nervously at a bug on his phone, listening to the drunken rage of none other than Kaido of the Beasts, one of the Four Emperors.

Doflamingo knew Kaido's power intimately, despite his own status as a Seven Warlords of the Sea, possessing both Conqueror's Haki and the formidable String-String Fruit in its awakened state. However, facing Kaido in battle was an entirely different magnitude of danger—one blow from the monstrous pirate could spell his end. Despite their current partnership, Doflamingo understood that Kaido valued him only for the artificial Devil Fruits he supplied.

"JOKER! Are you listening?" Kaido's bellow interrupted his thoughts, demanding answers about the threat posed by Portgas D. Ace.

"I was at the Shichibukai meeting discussing Ace's plans against you, but..." Doflamingo started, only to be cut off abruptly by Kaido's impatient slur.

Ignoring the frustration boiling within, Doflamingo continued with a forced smile. The news from the Marines about Ace's ability to hunt Devil Fruits, even Paramecia's as like Doflamingo's own, had stunned him. It meant Ace could potentially assemble an unstoppable army of Devil Fruit users—a thought that both intrigued and terrified Doflamingo.

The recent Marine revelations about Ace's capabilities, including his destructive feats at Enies Lobby and battles against top Marines, solidified Ace's status as a formidable force in the seas, rivaling even the Emperors. This revelation imposed a daunting pressure on Doflamingo, whose artificial Devil Fruit trade suddenly seemed inconsequential in the face of Ace's power.

As Kaido raged on about capturing Ace, Doflamingo's facade of calm cracked. The absurdity of him, a Warlord, being tasked to capture someone as powerful as Ace was not lost on him. Yet, he masked his disbelief with a smile, commenting cautiously on Ace's Conqueror's Haki and his own inadequacies.

The call ended with Kaido's drunken threats, leaving Doflamingo to ponder his precarious position between two titans of the sea, Ace and Kaido, both capable of ending him if he misstepped.

In the luxurious room of Dressrosa, Doflamingo's expression turned grave as he continued speaking through the phone bug, his voice carrying a hint of urgency. "About this matter, I still have something to report to you. One of my subordinates has offended Portgas D. Ace. Judging from his domineering behavior, I've become a target."

He paused, the weight of Ace's potential arrival on Dressrosa sinking in. "If he comes here, my Donquixote Family may not stand against the Entei Pirates. We have a SMILE factory here—it'll be disastrous if it's destroyed," Doflamingo said, his tone serious.

The constant drinking noises from the phone bug irritated him, as Kaido mocked him further. "Do you think you can use the SMILE factory as leverage for protection? How pathetic. No wonder your Haki is weak," Kaido's voice boomed through, causing Doflamingo's cheeks to twitch.

As Kaido's mood swung, he issued a stern warning. "Stop playing games with me, JOKER! Be cautious or I'll kill you!" Doflamingo's discomfort was palpable, his throat dry as he struggled to respond.

"However, as for the ability to hunt Devil Fruits, I just need to give it a try, hahahaha!" Kaido's voice rang out triumphantly, echoing his intentions to capture Ace.

Meanwhile, at Onigashima Island in the New World, Kaido's transformation into a colossal azure dragon stunned his crew. Lightning crackled as his form expanded and morphed, culminating in the terrifying manifestation of the Azure Dragon Beast form—a pinnacle of Devil Fruit mastery. His roar shook the island as he commanded his subordinate, King, to manage affairs in his absence.

"I'm going after that kid, Portgas D. Ace. Onigashima Island is yours, King!" Kaido's declaration reverberated, setting the stage for a confrontation with the Entei Pirates, a nearly complete Four Emperors-level crew.

King, calm and efficient, questioned Kaido's decision. "Are you preparing to wage war against the Entei Pirates, Boss?" Kaido dismissed the notion, confident in his solo pursuit. "No need for that. I am Kaido of the Beasts!"

With his departure imminent, Kaido demanded Doflamingo's cooperation. "JOKER! Send me Ace's location!" Doflamingo complied, concealing his unease behind a smile as he mobilized his network to track Ace down.

As Kaido soared into the sky, his resolve and power undeniable, The World braced for the clash between three of its most formidable forces—Red-haired Shanks and Kaido of the Beasts—each headed towards their respective destinies in the Grand Line seeking the current Eye of the Storm, Portgas D Ace.

In the serene expanse of the Calm Belt, where not even a breeze disturbs the tranquil waters, lies a perilous sea inhabited by colossal Sea Kings. These behemoths, many times larger than ordinary Sea Kings, once made navigation impossible until the Marines developed ships capable of crossing it. Among these treacherous waters sits Amazon Lily, an island shrouded in mystery and guarded fiercely.

In the opulent palace atop Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock, renowned as the Pirate Empress and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, reclined on her throne. Her long black hair cascaded in a regal Ji style, framing a face of extraordinary beauty marked by almond-shaped eyes that exuded both elegance and a hint of coldness. Adorned with snake-shaped gold earrings, she embodied nobility and grace.

Beside Hancock sat her two younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, each bearing a distinct beauty that complemented Hancock's own. Below the throne, an elderly woman, Grandma Nyon, approached with news that would disrupt their tranquility.

"Ji-sama, there's significant news from the seas. The fifth emperor of the sea has emerged," Grandma Nyon announced, brandishing a newspaper that detailed the rise of Portgas D. Ace to this new title.

"The fifth emperor?" echoed Sandersonia and Marigold, their surprise evident. Despite Hancock's stature as a Warlord, the gap between them and the Four Emperors of the New World, who ruled with unmatched power, remained vast.

Hancock, uninterested in matters beyond her realm, dismissed Grandma Nyon brusquely. "I care not for such trivialities. Remove her," she commanded, her indifference palpable.

"Ah, Snake Princess!" cried the female guards, captivated by Hancock's beauty as they escorted Grandma Nyon out, despite her protests.

"Sister, perhaps Mother-in-law means well," Sandersonia offered gently, seeking to ease Hancock's mood.

"My mood is not for their concerns," Hancock replied tersely, her mind preoccupied with the impending summons to the Warlords' meeting at Mariejois, a place that held darker memories.

However, Marigold's revelation of Ace's recent exploits piqued Hancock's interest. She learned of Ace's brazen attack on Mariejois, using Conqueror's Haki to incapacitate Celestial Dragons—an act that defied all norms and shook the foundations of the world.

"The majesty of an emperor, comparable to my own Conqueror's Haki," Hancock murmured, examining Ace's wanted poster with a mix of admiration and concern. "To assault the Celestial Dragons in Mariejois—such audacity."

Faced with the implications of Ace's actions and the challenge he posed to the established order, Hancock's elegant facade faltered, revealing a depth of emotion rarely seen. "Summon Grandma Nyon back," she commanded sharply, her resolve firm as she prepared to delve deeper into this unexpected turn of events.

As the ripples of Ace's defiance spread through the world, Amazon Lily's serene facade was about to confront the storm stirred by the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace.

In the heart of Baltigo, headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, jubilant laughter echoed through the corridors. Sabo, the young man with wavy hair and a scar over his left eye, stood before his comrades, including the fiery-haired leader, Monkey D. Dragon, and a fishman named Kral.

"Sabo, you've done exceptionally well. Your execution of the mission was flawless," praised the orange-haired woman with admiration.

"Hahaha, indeed, you're proving yourself as our leader," added Kral, chuckling.

Sabo, humble despite his achievements, smiled warmly. "I merely fulfilled my duty. As for being second-in-command, I still have much to learn."

"Don't underestimate your capabilities, Sabo. Age is irrelevant compared to your excellence," insisted a cadre, tattooed heavily on his face.

Monkey D. Dragon, revered as the world government's most wanted criminal, intervened with wisdom. "Take your rest now. The challenges ahead will be even greater, as the seas are already in turmoil."

"Yes, there's an extraordinary figure making waves in the sea now. The fifth emperor, whose Conqueror's Haki rivals even the Red-Haired Four Emperors," remarked Dragon, reflecting on recent developments.

"Mera-Mera Fruit user, Flame Emperor Portgas D. Ace. Quite the description. He's around the same age as you, Sabo. Age shouldn't be a barrier to your potential as second-in-command," another cadre teased, handing Sabo a newspaper.

Sabo's usual composed demeanor shattered as he read the headline. In his urgency, he inadvertently pushed the cadre away, tears streaming down his face.

"Sabo! What's wrong?" cried Clar, alarmed by Sabo's sudden distress.

"Sabo, what's happened?" echoed Drago, concerned.

Sabo, overwhelmed with emotion, struggled to speak through tears. "Portgas D. Ace... he's my brother!"

"Your brother?!" gasped the assembled revolutionaries in disbelief.

"I remember... Ace and Luffy, my brothers," Sabo continued, tears of joy now mingling with sorrow. "Ace, your name reached me, even here. It brought back everything I'd lost."

He reminisced about their pact to meet again, even if separated, through a secret code. Ace's confidence and laughter rang vividly in his memory.

"We don't need a code," Ace had said. "My name will echo across the seas. You and Luffy will hear it, no matter where you are."

"Now, here in the Revolutionary Army, I hear it too. Ace, my brother, I remember everything!" Sabo declared, his heart overflowing with love and longing.

"Sabo, is this true? Is Ace really your brother?" Clar asked, still in shock.

"I'll explain everything later, leader," Sabo assured, wiping his tears and turning to Dragon.

Dragon, observing the fire in Sabo's eyes, nodded approvingly. "I look forward to our future discussions."

"I want to forge a future alongside you, Ace. To stand at your side as your left hand and help build a world where you can reign as king," Sabo proclaimed passionately.

"Count on it," Dragon replied with a faint smile, leading the way to the conference room.

With renewed determination, Sabo followed closely behind, his resolve unshakeable. "Ace, I remember you now. I may not match your strength yet, but I'll grow stronger. Just wait for me, brother. Together, we'll make your dream a reality."

A smile of determination graced Sabo's lips as he entered the conference room, ready to shape the future alongside his comrades in the Revolutionary Army.

Naval Headquarters, in Sengoku's office, tension filled the air. Sengoku, holding his head in frustration, sat across from Tsuru, with Momousagi nearby, still recovering from her injuries.

"Damn Morgans!" Sengoku exclaimed, slamming a newspaper down on the table. "Broadcasting the Shichibukai meeting like this... Marine is in for a world of trouble!"

The veins on Sengoku's forehead bulged as he recounted the gravity of the situation. Portgas D. Ace had used Conqueror's Haki to incapacitate numerous Celestial Dragons during the meeting—an act that defied the unspoken agreement between the World Government and Marine.

"The Celestial Dragons are sacred. Any harm to them mandates a response from Headquarters Admirals," Sengoku continued, his voice laden with concern. "If we send one Admiral, capturing Ace is impossible. Two might force him to use the Gate-Gate Fruit to escape. Failing to apprehend him would be catastrophic for Marine's reputation."

He paused, reflecting on the delicate balance of power and politics at play. "Morgans, in his pursuit of headlines, has inadvertently set Marine on fire with this revelation."

Suddenly, the door burst open, startling Sengoku. A Marine officer rushed in with urgent news. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku! The Red Hair Pirates have left their station in the New World and are heading toward the first half of the Grand Line!"

"What?!" Sengoku's eyes widened in shock, exchanging a grave glance with Tsuru.

"There's more," the officer continued, visibly alarmed. "Kaido, in his Blue Dragon form, has also departed Onigashima for the same destination—the first half of the Grand Line."

Sweat beaded on Sengoku's forehead. "Two Emperors heading towards the same location... Could it be for Ace?"

Simultaneously, Tsuru voiced her realization, "Portgas D. Ace!"

The implications hit them like a tidal wave. "Summon Garp back immediately! Gather all Vice Admirals and above for an emergency meeting!" Sengoku commanded with urgency. "Recall all available personnel and cancel all leaves."

"Yes, sir!" The officer hastily retreated to carry out Sengoku's orders.

"The seas are on the brink of chaos," Tsuru sighed, her expression grave.

Momousagi, visibly shaken, added, "War may be inevitable."

Sengoku's countenance darkened with foreboding. The convergence of these powerful forces threatened to erupt into a conflict of unprecedented scale. The prospect of Ace's involvement had set in motion a chain of events that could reshape the entire balance of power in the world.