Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Near the entrance of Oni Island, the waves surged violently.
The Spade Pirates braved the wind and waves, swiftly sailing toward Oni Island.
"We finally found it—Oni Island!"
As they gazed at the island ahead, the crew of the Spade Pirates burned with fighting spirit. After searching for three days, they had finally reached their destination.
The so-called "strongest" of the great Pirates was on that very island. If they could defeat him, their names would be known across the seas!
"The kidnapped youths must be on that island too!"
"Don't let your guard down. What lies ahead is hell!"
"Hahahaha, hasn't that always been the case for us?"
The Pirates grinned broadly, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked toward their captain, Ace, who sat atop the ship's bow.
"Captain Ace!"
"Let's make this one count!"
Ace stood up, clenching his fists together.
"Bring the ship in!"
"Ooooh!!!"
The Pirate Ship advanced at full speed, swiftly passing through the Torii Gate at the entrance and sailing into Oni Island. However, the deserted harbor left them bewildered.
"What's going on? Is there no one here?"
The Spade Pirates jumped off the ship, scanning the empty harbor square, question marks practically floating above their heads.
Was this really the stronghold of one of the Four Emperors?
Not a single soul in sight—the defenses were way too lax!
Just then, a drunken Handsome Guy stumbled out of the castle, a bottle of liquor in hand, taking swigs as he walked.
"Huh?"
The Handsome Guy spotted the Spade Pirates, blinked in confusion for less than three seconds, then took another gulp before completely ignoring Ace and his crew.
"Haha, must be wasted."
"Like anyone would come here."
"Burp—"
The Spade Pirates exchanged glances.
"Hey!"
Ace grabbed the Handsome Guy by the collar, glaring fiercely as he demanded,
"Tell me, where's Kaido?!"
"Kaido-sa—burp—"
The Handsome Guy let out a powerful belch, the stench of alcohol nearly knocking Ace out. But the act also seemed to sober him up slightly.
This wasn't a hallucination!
"ENEMY ATTACK!!!"
A shrill scream echoed across the square.
The Spade Pirates' expressions instantly darkened.
"Ace!"
"Hahaha, time to raise hell!"
Ace tossed the Handsome Guy aside, flames erupting from his body.
"I'll draw their attention—you guys search for the hostages!"
"Got it!"
Skull Castle, third floor.
"It's noisy outside."
Gurd stepped out of the banquet hall, glancing down at the square below. His eyes immediately locked onto the young man wreathed in flames.
"Fire Fist" Ace.
And he was causing chaos!
Yamato quickly appeared beside Gurd, leaning excitedly over the railing to peer down, her eyes sparkling at the sight of Ace.
It's really him!
"That's Fire Fist?"
"Yep."
Gurd grinned, hefting his massive sword before leaping down from the third floor!
In the center of the square, Ace—mid-battle—suddenly tensed, swiftly backflipping away to create distance.
The next moment, a two-meter-long greatsword embedded itself where he had just stood, followed by a massive figure crashing down from above.
"BOOM!"
The sheer force of the impact shattered the ground in a ten-meter radius!
Through the settling dust, Ace's expression grew serious as he took in the towering figure before him.
This guy… was strong!
"Who the hell are you? Name yourself!"
"That's my line, brat!"
Gurd slowly emerged from the dust, looking down at Ace.
"You first—who are you?!"
"My name's Ace. I'm here to take Kaido's head."
Ace answered coldly, his fists igniting with scorching flames.
"You're Kaido?"
"..."
Gurd remained silent for several seconds.
This kid was just like Luffy—charging onto Oni Island without even knowing what Kaido looked like. Where were his crewmates? Shouldn't they have warned him?
But this wasn't bad.
He also wanted to fight all out.
Gurd threw his head back and laughed.
"Wororororo, that's me!"
"..."
Ace's pupils contracted as flames instantly engulfed his entire body.
Full power unleashed!
Yet Gurd turned and walked away.
"Let's change locations. I don't want my home destroyed."
"..."
After a moment's hesitation, Ace followed Gurd.
Soon, the two arrived at the mountain behind.
Gurd tossed his greatsword aside, then ripped off his coat to reveal muscles more exaggerated than any bodybuilding champion's.
WIN!!!
The muscles roared!
"WORORORORO!!!"
Gurd let out a battle cry-like laugh as his entire body tensed with power, charging toward Ace like a berserk tank.
The ground trembled!
"What terrifying physical power!"
Ace's expression shifted slightly.
Without doubt, that massive frame contained horrifying strength. Being hit directly would be disastrous.
But he refused to retreat!
"OOOOH!!!"
Ace pushed off with his legs, his body shooting toward Gurd like an arrow.
"Good move!"
Gurd laughed while clenching his fist, black Conqueror Haki coiling around it.
When the distance closed, both roared as they attacked—a blazing fist of fire collided with an iron fist wrapped in Haki!
"BOOM!"
Flames erupted outward, scorching heat waves annihilating everything nearby.
"Wororororo, exhilarating!"
Gurd laughed heartily.
Even with Haki defense, the searing heat transmitted through his fist made it feel like melting.
But the power was lacking!
His muscles had grown alongside Groudon!
Gurd exerted force again, serpentine veins bulging across his arms as explosive strength burst forth!
"Get lost!"
"What?!"
Ace's face paled as his punching arm bent uncontrollably—then a massive iron fist appeared before his eyes.
Can't block!
At the critical moment, Ace crossed his arms in defense. With a "BAM!", his body went flying like a meteor!
"BOOM!!!"
Flames shot skyward!
The next instant, Ace leaped from the fire, reaching over ten meters high—his right fist now completely transformed into flame.
"FIRE FIST!!!"
A tsunami of flames came crashing down, instantly swallowing Gurd whole!
"BOOM!"
The earth shattered under the inferno!
In just one exchange, the battle reached white-hot intensity.
Ace landed, staring intently at the roaring flames. He knew his opponent wouldn't fall so easily.
Soon, a crimson monster over five meters tall—twice Gurd's original size—stood unharmed within the fire.
Ace's pupils trembled.
"So this is your true form?!"
"Wororororo!"
The transformed Gurd looked down at Ace, his greedy gaze as if beholding a priceless treasure he must possess.
What an unexpected prize!
Slowly raising his right arm, Gurd observed the unique patterns on his armored surface. The black markings at the forefront had turned orange-red, glowing brighter by the second.
Like magma heating to eruption!
These characteristics only appear in the strongest Primal Form, which means Groudon is absorbing the power of nature—and the effect is hundreds
, even thousands of times greater than when it consumed the SMILE before!
Not only that, but this natural energy perfectly aligns with Groudon's attributes. Right now, Little Groudon inside it is jumping for joy.
And the source of this natural energy?
The Flame-Flame Fruit of the Logia type!
Gurd stared at Ace, greedily licking his lips.
"Urorororo, SUBARASHII!!!"