Chapter 87: Ace Vs Sengoku!

Ace's right foot and Sengoku's right foot, transformed into a Buddha statue, collided violently in the air!

"Boom!"

"Boom! Boom boom!!!"

Countless violent black and purple lightnings roared crazily in the atmosphere. The clash split the sky and sent shockwaves through the air, causing the high-temperature steam that filled Sabaody Archipelago to roll back in waves.

The black-purple lightning flashed wildly, divided into two camps biting and roaring at each other, shaking everything in its path. The sky seemed torn open, air currents rewound madly, and the sea surged with terrifying waves. Even the massive Archican mangrove roots were trembling, scattering countless giant branches and leaves.

As the sky rolled back, the sea trembled, and the islands shook, the clash between the two titans unfolded:

Naval Headquarters Fleet Admiral, Buddha Sengoku,

And the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, the Fifth Emperor of the Sea!

"Conqueror's collision, I haven't experienced it in a long time," Rayleigh remarked, standing at the forefront and observing the chaotic fluctuations caused by their clash. The black-purple hue of Conqueror's Haki flickered in his eyes, reminiscing about clashes akin to those between Roger and Whitebeard.

"Incredible," Rayleigh thought, "They once turned the sea upside down, just like Roger and I did. Now it's Ace, carrying on that legacy."

His eyes glinted with nostalgia and determination as he watched the clash unfold.

"Mr. Ace..."

Smiling softly amidst the tumultuous clash of Conqueror's Haki, the intensity in his eyes softened.

He had gleaned every detail of Alabasta from Vivi.

The Shichibukai, an entity of the World Government, was a deliberate creation,

The most absurd, ironic product ever to exist in these seas.

Pirates, even those infamous for their plundering, given legal immunity.

Completely disregarding the lives of innocent people!

How could such a government claim to be guardians of justice?

The time has come to decide, hasn't it?

Fujitora's grip tightened on his staff and knife, his face a mask of contemplation.

After an unknown duration, the violent black and purple lightning that had clashed in the atmosphere gradually subsided.

"It seems you're not willing to let me finish Akainu off?" Ace glanced at Sengoku, enveloped in Conqueror's Haki and the formidable Big Buddha Form, isolating all high temperatures. A faint smile played on Ace's lips.

Truly the most potent form among mythical beasts, each type possessing unique abilities.

Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Blue Dragon Form grants control over nature itself.

Luffy's Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Nika Form manifests whatever the user imagines.

And Sengoku's Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Buddha Form endows wisdom and strength akin to a Buddha.

With a colossal Buddha's physique and unmatched skills, Sengoku evolved into a supreme being, fortified by Conqueror's Haki.

"You think you can just get your way, Portgas D. Ace..." Sengoku's Haki-laden smile hinted.

"Sengoku, Marshal."

Akainu, witnessing Sengoku's intervention against Ace, felt a tumultuous mix of emotions.

But even more complex was the arrival of another figure.

Whoosh!

Buzz!

Whoo! Click! Click!

A chill permeated the air, freezing even Aokiji's eyes as he exuded an icy aura.

Aokiji's Frozen Fruit wielded its chilling power to the fullest, cooling the scorching lava enveloping Akainu.

Aces Sun Prison Clothes' relentless heat was quelled by Sengoku's Conqueror's Haki and Big Buddha Form. Now, Aokiji's task was to reduce the magma's temperature to a level where Akainu could safely Recover himself, akin to how humans navigate temperatures far exceeding their body's norm.

"Ice Age!"

Aokiji exhaled an icy breath, unleashing Frozen Fruit's freezing air with all his might.

Gulu! Gulu!

The lava, boiling like the Earth's core, gradually cooled under Aokiji's frigid assault.

From ten thousand degrees Celsius, to nine thousand, then four thousand...

Whoo! Bang!

Akainu's magma-infused hand clenched the cooling lava, teeth gritted as he pulled himself free.

"A-la-la, harder than freezing oceans. Unbearable heat." Aokiji breathed heavily, visibly fatigued.

Lowering such temperatures demanded more energy than freezing seas during an Ice Age.

Akainu regarded Aokiji with a conflicted expression, never expecting to owe his life to him.

"Well, I suppose thanks are in order, Marine."

Aokiji's uncharacteristic gesture of scratching his cheek prompted Akainu's ears to twitch.

"Are you sure? I'm not used to gratitude."

"Sakazuki..."

Aokiji shrugged, a gesture that seemed to unsettle Akainu.

"Your gloomy demeanor suits you better."

Aokiji's nonchalant remark left Akainu shaking inwardly.

Is my typical expression truly so grim?

That stern visage befits a Marine leader!

Clearly, he and Aokiji could never see eye-to-eye!

"Aokiji, it's been a while." Ace greeted Aokiji, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Ace harbored no surprise that Aokiji had saved Akainu; their legendary ten-day duel for Fleet Admiral in the Original Story showed their rivalry and bonds as Akainu spared aokiji's life at the end of the battle.

Akainu's life had been spared once more, though Ace's mastery of Zanka no Tachi had sidelined him from center stage.

Henceforth, Akainu posed no threat.

Furthermore, his rescue by Aokiji positioned him to contest the marshal's mantle.

This stalwart advocate of justice, unwavering in his principles, would not relent in the quest for that prestigious post.

Despite his defeat before the world, Akainu, backed by the Five Elders, remained the World Government's foremost contender for Fleet Admiral.

It was almost a certainty that Aokiji would come under his command if Akainu still ended up becoming the marine Fleet Admiral.

Ace's lips curled into a knowing smile.

Trading Akainu's life for the future captaincy of his Entei Fleet was a worthy gambit.

Aokiji, with his Frozen Fruit, couldn't help but shudder under Ace's gaze.

"Well, it has been some time since our paths crossed."

Aokiji awkwardly scratched his cheek, inwardly relieved that Ace had not broached the topic of joining the Entei Pirates before the global audience.

Otherwise, even if he declined, the ensuing scrutiny could jeopardize his shot at the marshal's seat.

Standing firm on principle and rectitude, devoid of guile, solely reliant on confidence and ideals, waiting for his call to action?

Ace's gaze seemed to resonate with Aokiji.

Such charisma, Portgas D. Ace.

Aokiji sighed inwardly.

"So, are we to engage in a one-on-one?" Ace's eyes sparkled with Haki's subtle curve as he faced Sengoku and Aokiji.

Ace fixed his gaze on Sengoku and Aokiji, a subtle curve of Haki playing on his lips.

"It's one-on-three! You brat!"

Whoosh!

A figure materialized in mid-air.

"Galaxy! Impact!"

Garp bellowed as his iron fist, wreathed in violent black and purple lightning, descended from above.

Ace, unfazed by Garp's sudden appearance, subtly raised the corners of his mouth. His lips moved, though his eyes showed no hostility.

Clang!

Boom!

A long knife infused with Conqueror's Haki lashed out,

Meeting Garp's iron fist in a thunderous collision.

Boom!!!

The shockwaves rent the sky asunder.

"Long time no see, Garp!" Rayleigh raised his head, twirling the long knife in his hand, a grin spreading across his face.

"Wouldn't you rather just bask in your legend, Rayleigh?"

Garp's gaze softened as he beheld Rayleigh's familiar visage, his mouth forming a smile.

"You still haven't retired, old Marine."

Rayleigh chuckled, sparks of black and purple lightning flickering in his eyes.

"Then let's stand and fight!"

Garp clenched his iron fist with a resolute crunch, laughter resonating.

As a Marine, duty compelled him to act now.

"Ace, you brat, you understand me well." Garp's eyes glistened with unshed emotion as he glanced at Ace.

In that instant before his punch connected, Ace's lips moved.

His Observation Haki keenly grasped Ace's words.

"Thank you for your hard work, old man."

That's what Ace said.

Family and Marine — these were Garp's life's cornerstones.

When faced with diverging paths, even Garp, the seasoned veteran of the seas, grappled with indecision.

But Ace's words, "Thank you for your hard work, grandpa," resonated deeply.

To Garp, "old man" could easily be translated as "grandpa."

A faint smile touched Garp's lips.

Family bonds allowed Garp to understand Ace's sentiments instantly.

"Just do what a Marine must. Even then, I'll be the king of the world."

That was Ace's message to Garp.

"But you foolish brat..."

"I know Rayleigh will act. Grandpa, I will too."

As a grandfather, how could he harm his family?

Garp's laughter echoed as he charged forward, iron fist crackling with thunder.

Marine hero versus the Dark King!

Legend against legend!

"Buzz!"

"Gravity Knife!"

"!!!"

A sword pressure infused with terrifying gravity thundered through the air.

Click! Click!

Aokiji's right fist swiftly morphed into an elemental form, enveloped in Haki, striking forcefully against the gravity-laden sword pressure.

"Ah la la."

Aokiji exhaled a frosty breath, observing the blind middle-aged man in the distance.

"Just let me, Fujitora, unravel the clever maneuvers of the Headquarters Admiral."

Fujitora's deep voice resonated as he stood firm with staff and knife in hand.

Admiral of Headquarters Aokiji versus the enigmatic newcomer, Fujitora!

"Hahahaha!"

Ace's laughter echoed loudly across the battlefield.

Facing Sengoku, his eyes ablaze with terrifying black and purple hues.

A new Set of Battles have started!