Chapter 230: Teach: This Fist Has Some Real Power!
Turning to Teach, the two flaming spears were still embedded in his body, causing him to writhe in pain on the ground.
He manipulated the darkness, struggling to absorb the flames before staggering to his feet, panting heavily.
"As expected of Captain Ace!"
He grinned, "Your reaction was so swift!"
"But you must have felt the power of the Yami Yami no Mi too!"
"The power that can suppress all Devil Fruit Abilities!"
"Before me, your proud Mera Mera no Mi is already half useless!"
Ace flexed his injured shoulder, flames reigniting:
"It is indeed powerful, but I still refuse."
"I could never join forces with someone who kills their comrades!"
Teach shook his head regretfully:
"Since you insist on clinging to such outdated notions, I have no choice but to give up on you and make you the stepping stone for my rise to fame—"
"Kurouzu!"
The gravitational pull reappeared!
This time, Ace tried to dodge, but the force seemed to ignore distance, capturing his body once again.
Just as he was about to be pulled in, Ace formed his hands into a lotus shape—
"Hotarubi: Hidaruma!"
Tiny specks of green phosphorescence scattered from his hands, flying ahead along the gravitational pull toward Teach.
Those seemingly beautiful fireflies, upon contact with Teach's body, instantly exploded, transforming into raging flames that engulfed him entirely!
"Gah—!"
Teach's agonized scream grew even more piercing.
The Yami Yami no Mi's inability to achieve Elementalization meant he bore the full brunt of the damage, suffering double the pain!
Seizing the opportunity, Ace steadied himself and took a deep breath—
"Dai Enkai: Entei!"
This was the strongest technique he could currently unleash!
A massive pillar of flames erupted skyward from Ace's position.
The intense heat distorted the surrounding air, and those spectators who hadn't fled far enough felt their skin scorching, screaming as they retreated further.
The flames gathered, compressed, and gathered again above Ace's head, ultimately forming a colossal fireball over ten meters in diameter!
The outer layer was red flame, while the core shone with a blinding white light.
It was as if the sun itself had descended to earth!
That was Entei!
A single strike powerful enough to destroy an entire town!
The fiery light reflected in Lufia's eyes, and she nearly jumped with excitement:
"So amazing! Ace is incredible!"
Yet Teach also rose to his feet.
Enduring the agony of double the burns, he activated the Yami Yami no Mi to absorb the flames on his body while pushing both hands forward—
Darkness coalesced before him, also forming a massive sphere, facing Entei from afar!
"Dark Matter!"
At that moment, it seemed as if the sun and darkness were colliding here!
The two enormous energy spheres crashed together—
There was no sound, as if all noise had been instantly swallowed in that moment.
Then, a blinding white light and absolute darkness exploded simultaneously, and the shockwave spread outward with devastating force!
"Run!"
Ralph hoisted Lufia onto his shoulder, unleashing Soru Step at full power, leaping frantically through the ruins.
Behind them, houses, streets, and Pirates who couldn't escape in time—everything was flattened in that destructive energy!
Half of Mock Town was completely obliterated in that single strike!
Ralph and Lufia fled to the edge of the explosion, and as soon as they landed, they ran into a group of people.
Leading them was Bellamy the Hyena, followed by his crew.
Bellamy's expression at that moment was utterly priceless.
He stared blankly at the flattened ruins before him, while the terrified chatter of other Pirates echoed in his ears:
"It's Fire Fist Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Who's the other one? Blackbeard? Never heard of him!"
"This kind of strength… this kind of strength…"
Bellamy's mind was in chaos.
He had heard of Whitebeard's name but never paid it any mind.
Just a remnant of a bygone era, hiding in some remote sea, basking in empty fame.
His idol was Doflamingo—a king who was flamboyant, insane, and ruled over everything!
But everything before him now overturned his understanding.
A mere Second Division Commander under Whitebeard possessed such power?
Then how strong must Whitebeard himself be?
Could it be that the legends of the older generation of Pirates weren't exaggerated but real?
What about Skypiea?
Could that be real too?
One Piece… could that be real too?
Just as he was drowning in self-doubt, his gaze swept to the side.
It was the man and woman he had nearly beaten up in the tavern earlier.
The fear of facing such overwhelming strength triggered the collapse of his worldview and a surge of intense insecurity.
And that insecurity ignited into a sudden, nameless rage.
"Hey!"
Bellamy strode over, "What kind of lowlifes are you two, thinking you're worthy of watching the same duel as me?"
But Ralph and Lufia didn't even glance at him.
Their eyes were fixed intently on the center of the battlefield.
As the dust gradually settled, two figures became visible.
Ace was kneeling on one knee, panting heavily, his movements slightly slowed by the injury on his shoulder.
Across from him, Teach, though scorched black from burns, stood firmly, darkness swirling around him as if tireless.
"Zehahaha…"
Teach let out a hoarse laugh, "Ace, I admit your strength, but that doesn't mean you're my match!"
"Your Devil Fruit Ability is countered by mine, and in terms of physical combat, you're no match for me either!"
He took a step forward, darkness clinging to him like a shadow.
"To send you alone after me proves that Whitebeard has lost his mind!"
As his words fell, Teach unleashed Kurouzu again!
Ace tried to dodge, but the gravitational pull was too fast.
He was dragged right in front of Teach, who delivered a heavy punch to his injured shoulder!
Crack!
The bone fractured once more!
Ace grunted in pain, his ability completely sealed, unable to ignite flames any longer.
Teach's large hand gripped his neck, lifting him into the air.
The outcome was decided.
"Next, I'll hand you over to the Navy, and my name will spread across the seas!"
Just then, "Bastard—!"
A furious roar exploded!
"Let go of Ace!"
Lufia's figure shot forward like a bullet, her legs pushing off the rooftop. The power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi allowed her to cross hundreds of meters in an instant.
Her fist, coated in Armament Haki, slammed hard toward Teach!
With a thud, Ace was left behind as Blackbeard Teach was sent flying violently!
Lufia stood protectively in front of Ace.
Ralph followed closely, landing beside her.
In the distance, Bellamy was utterly dumbfounded.
They… actually know each other?
How dare they?
Who… exactly are they?
The Blackbeard Pirates regrouped.
Teach, having taken the punch, rubbed his bruised face and looked at the two who had suddenly appeared. After a moment of surprise, he grinned widely:
"Zehahaha! It's you two!"
"That punch had some power!"
"Interesting! Straw Hat Lufia, the nameless swordsman Ralph—are you friends of Ace?"
Lufia adjusted the straw hat on her head, her expression serious and her gaze resolute.
"Ace is my brother. I won't let you hand him over to the Navy!"
Blackbeard Teach was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this.
"Zehahaha! That makes it even more interesting!"
He spread his arms wide, darkness surging once again:
"I underestimated you before! Come on!"
"Let me see just how much you're really worth!"