Chapter 51: VS Akainu
"Admiral Akainu!!"
"Another Admiral is here!"
"It's him… How is this possible?!" Seeing the cold, imposing figure standing at the bow of the approaching warship, Portgas D. Ace's expression changed drastically. He said in disbelief, "Has the Navy Headquarters gone insane? Two Admirals dispatched at once?!"
Akainu stood at the front of the Marine warship, arms crossed, his face as stony as ever. "That ship is the target, correct?" he asked, eyes locked on the Spade Pirates' vessel.
"Yes, Admiral Sakazuki. That ship belongs to Portgas D. Ace and his crew," the Vice-Admiral confirmed respectfully.
"Great Eruption!"
Wasting no time, Admiral Akainu raised one magma-coated fist and launched a massive molten blast straight at the Spade Pirates' ship. The searing magma surged forth like a volcanic eruption, roaring across the sea.
"Flame Commandment—Fire Pillar!"
Ace reacted instantly. Twin swirling fire walls spun around him, and towering pillars of flame surged upward, colliding directly with the incoming magma.
BOOM!!
Flames and magma exploded in mid-air like clashing titans, sending heatwaves and shockwaves in every direction. The sky itself seemed to ignite as the collision produced an awe-inspiring burst of energy.
"He blocked it… He blocked an Admiral's attack!"
The bystanders—including journalists from the World Economic News Paper, who had been secretly observing—were utterly shocked. Cameras clicked furiously as reporters captured the explosive clash from every angle.
"President Morgans, this is unbelievable," said reporter Stanley via Den Den Mushi. "The Navy dispatched two Admirals. That's almost unheard of!"
"Hahahahaha! This is the big news I've been waiting for!" laughed Big News Morgans, feathers ruffling with excitement. "The world will shake when they see this!"
Back on the battlefield, Akainu frowned slightly. His first strike had been blocked—a rare occurrence. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and leapt into the air, launching himself toward the enemy ship.
"Set sail immediately!" Ace commanded his crew. "I'll hold him off!" He then jumped high into the sky, his body igniting into a blazing inferno as he charged straight at Akainu.
The Admiral's right arm transformed into molten magma, bubbling and glowing red-hot. With a grunt, he threw a powerful punch at the oncoming Ace.
"Fire Fist!"
Ace met the attack head-on, his own flaming fist crashing into Akainu's molten blow. But the moment they clashed, Ace's flames were overpowered, and his fire was swallowed by the magma. The Admiral's attack surged forward and struck Ace hard, sending him flying backward.
Ace landed roughly on a nearby island, skidding across the scorched ground. He stood up quickly, sweat trickling down his face—not from exhaustion, but from the sheer heat of Akainu's magma.
'This guy… his explosive power is monstrous. That punch felt like being hit by a volcano that's been simmering for decades, waiting to erupt...'
"Great Eruption—Hellhound!" roared Akainu as he descended, hurling another magma-coated punch shaped like a giant flaming hound.
"5,000-Degree Fire Fist!"
Ace's flames flared even brighter as he countered with a stronger, more condensed Fire Fist.
BOOM!!
The two elemental forces collided again—but this time, Ace's fire fist lost. The hellhound-shaped magma attack shattered Ace's flames and splashed onto him.
"Aaaaagh!" Ace groaned as some of the magma struck him, burning his side.
"Captain Ace is burned?!"
The Spade Pirates were stunned. As the user of the Mera Mera no Mi, Ace should have been immune to fire or heat. But Akainu's magma had scorched him. Could this be… fruit-based ability suppression?
"You thought you were untouchable because you're a Logia?" Akainu said coldly as he advanced. "Your fire can't beat my magma. Mine is the superior element. That means no matter how hard you fight… you can't win."
Ace looked at his burn calmly. "So… elemental hierarchy really does exist…"
He hadn't used Haki earlier. He had deliberately taken the attack—to test this exact hypothesis. And now, he was certain.
Magma can burn fire. But fire can't burn magma.
A natural disadvantage. Elemental suppression.
But Ace wasn't afraid. He raised one hand, and a flame ignited in his palm.
This time, he didn't activate Haki either—not yet. He was testing something else.
Ace's flames began to intensify rapidly.
1,000°C... 5,000°C... 8,000°C... 10,000°C...
In mere seconds, the heat skyrocketed. The flame in his hand transformed—its color changing from deep red to brilliant white.
White-hot flames. A sign of extreme combustion temperatures.
"Akainu," Ace said, eyes glowing, "you say magma is superior to fire? Then let's test that theory..."
He raised his burning fist—now wreathed in searing white flames—and pointed it at the Admiral.
"Let's see if your magma can still burn this."
"Let's see which is stronger—your volcanic magma…"
"…or the flames I awakened when I trained at 100,000 meters above sea level."
"Sakazuki!"
Ace's fist burst forward, trailing white fire. The ground beneath him cracked under the heat.
"You're a fool if you think that makes you stronger!" Akainu growled. His own arm became molten again, dripping magma as he punched.
"Great Eruption!"
BOOOOM!!
White flame met red magma in a cataclysmic explosion. For a moment, it looked like a stalemate—until something changed.
Akainu's magma began to sputter and burn, repelled by Ace's pure white fire.
The Admiral's eyes narrowed. He pushed harder, magma erupting violently—but Ace was only grinning, even as he was sent flying from the sheer force.
On the ground, Ace stood, panting. But his face held a wild, confident smile.
Akainu looked down at his own fist.
A faint burn mark… scorched by fire.
His expression turned grim.
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