章 45: Chapter 45 : Fight!!!
"There are different levels of flames, and your flames, though strong, still fall short compared to mine. Fire-based attacks are useless against me!"
Kahn's words were accurate.
A Devil Fruit of the highest caliber, known as a "god-level" fruit, possessed a tremendously potent ability.
If a 10 billion Berry fruit was so easily countered, there would be no justification for its worthiness. It would be impossible for him to rival the strength of someone like Hawkeye.
Indeed, on the day they had fought, Hawkeye had employed Haoshoku Haki to ensnare Kahn.
Yet, even under his attack, Ace had managed to wound him. Did that not speak volumes?
Ace's expression soured.
Being belittled like this by someone else would surely put anyone in a bad mood.
But Kahn remained unfazed by his displeasure.
"Fine, if your strength is so limited, then have Whitebeard prepare a ransom as soon as possible!"
Ace's pupils contracted.
"Don't even think about it! How could I bring trouble to Dad?"
Kahn looked at him disdainfully.
It was due to Ace's obstinacy in pursuing his own goals that the Great Pirate War had erupted.
Although he had sufficient reasons to carry out his plans, the wrong choices in this world came at a cost.
"Cross Fire."
Ace's index fingers intertwined, releasing a torrent of flames that converged into a fiery cross and surged towards Kahn.
"It seems that you need a firsthand experience of the disparity in our strengths. I already told you, flames have no effect on me!"
The formidable cross of flames streaked toward Kahn.
This time, however, Kahn didn't dodge or evade.
Simultaneously, he erupted into flames.
The blaze shot skyward, and the scorching temperature was so intense that it liquefied the sand beneath his feet.
The cross of flames was obliterated entirely upon reaching Kahn's form.
It was instantly engulfed by the intense heat, vanishing into nothingness.
Ace's pupils shrank.
Although he could tolerate such temperatures, doing so required his full concentration. It wasn't as effortless as the Navy officer facing him.
The onlookers, too, were left awestruck.
Even though they were positioned a safe distance away, they still felt the searing heat radiating from the battlefront.
Confronted with such overwhelming power, Ace's expression grew somber.
But shortly thereafter, determination took its place.
"Dad isn't the Pirate King yet. I can't afford to fail here!"
Concurrently, powerful flames enveloped his body.
From afar, it looked as though two towering pillars of fire were locked in combat.
However, it was unmistakably clear that Ace's side was at a disadvantage.
Ace himself sensed this dire situation.
His expression turned solemn, but he wasn't about to back down.
"I won't back down here. I must use my ultimate move!"
"Emperor's Precept: Emperor's Flame."
Ace lowered his body, flames spiraling around him before converging.
The searing temperature was on par with that of Kahn's flames.
Subsequently, a massive fireball erupted from above Ace's head.
The colossal sphere of fire he conjured was now tinted white.
This color signified an extreme level of heat.
Everyone gazed on in sheer shock.
"Evacuate everyone, quick! Are these two about to raze the town?" Smoker suddenly shouted.
His command garnered immediate attention.
"Captain Smoker!" Tashigi called out.
"Tashigi , clear the civilians out. This attack is extremely dangerous." Smoker issued his directive.
Tashigi was taken aback by the order.
"Yes, Major Smoker."
"All sailors, follow orders and evacuate the civilians!"
"Yes, Commander Tashigi ."
The sailors promptly sprung into action.
At this moment, even Smoker himself was taken aback.
The battle between these two forces had reached such a level that he was finally comprehending his own limitations.
Undaunted by the predicament, he maintained his staunch stance.
"Even so, I refuse to accept your version of justice!"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield.
"Luffy, is your brother really this powerful?" Usopp's voice trembled with disbelief.
The same astonishment echoed through the others.
But Vivi, now, was preoccupied with her concerns for the small town.
As its princess, she felt a deep responsibility for its welfare.
"Yes! Ace is incredibly strong!" Luffy affirmed earnestly.
Having a keen combat sense, he could sense that Ace wasn't to be taken lightly.
Zoro noticed Luffy's demeanor and assumed a resolute expression.
"This is your signature move! It's incredibly risky. In that case, I've got a similar move!"
Having spoken, Kahn's hands erupted with fiery energy.
His hands merged, generating a potent blaze that grew in intensity. Slowly, it expanded until it formed a colossal fireball before Kahn.
"Dragon Emperor's Radiant Flame."
Two colossal fireballs clashed head-on.
The result was a thunderous explosion.
Simultaneously, a raging storm of flames and a powerful shockwave erupted, sending massive boulders airborne.
Smoker's eyes widened in astonishment.
However, his shock swiftly transformed into irritation.
"Damn it, what is that old man thinking? Doesn't he realize there are civilians here?"
Due to the urgency, not all of the town's inhabitants had been evacuated.
They were now perilously close to being engulfed by the flames.
In an attempt to mitigate the damage, Smoker maximized his ability, transforming into dense smoke to impede the shockwave's advance.
Still, he was acutely aware that his efforts were only partially effective.
As Smoker battled the tempest.
On the outskirts of the town, an individual donning a cloak of justice appeared.
He drew a deep breath.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A fiery vortex roared through the town's periphery.
It absorbed the impact of the previous explosion, preventing further catastrophe.
The thunderous roar echoed through the town before dissipating into the distant sea.
Even Smoker could discern the aura of destruction emanating from the attack.
All eyes turned toward the newcomer in shock.
"It's Vice Admiral Kahn." Several marines identified him.
"So it was Vice Admiral Kahn who saved us. Thank you, Vice Admiral Kahn!"
"Long live Vice Admiral Kahn!"
The town's inhabitants understood the situation and raised their voices in gratitude.
Tashigi 's face lit up with excitement.
Yet, Kahn didn't regard himself as a hero.
He acted out of concern for the innocent, determined not to let bystanders suffer due to his battle.
As the flames subsided, the area where the two combatants had stood resembled a wasteland.
The massive crater was unfathomable, and on the edge of the abyss, a figure knelt half-heartedly, panting heavily.
Kahn was unperturbed.
Although his attack had been formidable, his adversary was virtually immune to flame-based assaults.
He was already satisfied with the level of impact his flames had achieved.
"Shave!"
Kahn's form disappeared only to reappear directly before Ace.
"So much for having fun. How about that? Did you enjoy yourself?"
(End of this chapter)
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