"Hatterly's back for commentary! Round 2 was brutal, but no time to gawk! Round 3 starts now!" Hatterly bellowed.
The crowd roared, enthralled by the varied battles across different stages. They wouldn't tire of this. The championship favorites were next.
"Autumn Island! Ace & Kiri vs. Smokey-sensei & his disciple!" Hatterly announced.
Cheers shook the town. Mr. 2's feats faded before the legend of Ace, who carried immense expectations as he stepped onto the island.
Autumn Island, Blue Square's southernmost and largest, was a circular town, now quiet and empty. Players were told to fight freely—repairs would follow. The chest sat centrally, withожалуй
System: with four players positioned around it in a cross.
Kiri and Ace smiled calmly, while Smoker and Tashigi eyed their foes seriously. As Hatterly hyped the crowd, Kiri spoke lightly.
"Feel like we've met. Rogue Town, maybe?" Kiri said.
"Your imagination," Smoker replied.
"We're not suspicious!" Tashigi stammered.
"That makes you sound suspicious," Kiri teased.
"Enough. Let's focus on the match," Ace cut in.
Kiri dropped it, whispering to Ace, "Handle 'Sensei.' He's a skilled Smoke Logia, Navy Captain-level."
"Got it," Ace said.
"I'll grab the chest. Quick strike?" Kiri asked.
"Yeah," Ace nodded.
Their strategy was audible, but Smoker wasn't fazed. He knew they were confident—unstoppably so. Ace alone could win the tournament, Smoker thought.
Victory was crucial, but Ace made it feel distant. Smoker strategized: slip through, secure the chest, defend it. Simple but nearly impossible. He stayed vigilant.
"Everyone ready? Match start!" Hatterly shouted.
The four stood still until, "Ready… GO!"
Kiri moved first, flinging dozens of paper sheets from his pockets, homing in on Smoker and Tashigi. They could've countered, but Ace acted simultaneously, mimicking guns with his fingers.
"Higan!" Fireballs shot from Ace's fingertips, igniting Kiri's papers. Kiri's fingers twitched, guiding the burning papers unpredictably—a coordinated attack.
"Paper Conduct!" Kiri called.
"Tch… White Out!" Smoker's arms turned to smoke, snaring the flaming papers to protect Tashigi, who took no damage.
Kiri linked papers into a rope, lassoing the chest, pulling it skyward, and catching it without moving.
Tashigi drew her sword, stunned, unable to act. The trio's speed and coordination—Kiri's swiftness, Ace's reaction, Smoker's foresight—felt otherworldly.
But Smoker noticed Ace had taken the high ground during White Out. Ace, fist raised, grinned down. Smoker, arms smoky, couldn't easily dodge. Logia immunity should've nullified Ace's fire, but Tashigi gasped as Ace attacked with a bare fist.
"What!?" Smoker grunted.
"Ora!" Ace shouted.
Smoker kicked back, their blows clashing with physical impact—no Logia evasion. Kiri and Tashigi analyzed the moment.
They continued, Smoker using his jutte, Ace dodging without fire. Both Logias fought physically, puzzling Tashigi. Smoker was wary, sticking to his jutte.
Kiri seized the moment, sprinting toward their base.
"Wait!" Tashigi shouted.
"Idiot disciple, don't move!" Smoker barked. Flames formed a wall, stopping Tashigi. She froze, realizing she'd have burned.
Ace, dodging Smoker's onslaught, covered Kiri's escape, staying to block the duo. Autumn Island's town limited visibility compared to Spring Island. Kiri was likely placing the chest.
Smoker, overwhelmed, shouted, "Idiot disciple! Flank and stop him! Get the chest!"
"Yes!" Tashigi ran.
Ace, landing after a flip, let her go, trusting Kiri and wary of Smoker. Smoker's jutte, likely laced with Seastone, avoided fists. Ace, though young for a Whitebeard Commander, wasn't reckless—he knew Smoker's limits.
Smoker couldn't use Haki but acted like he knew of it, relying on Seastone. Ace had to neutralize him here.
"No choice," Ace sighed, fingers igniting. He raised his burning arm, smiling.
"I'm a commander. Gotta earn it," Ace said.
"Hmph… barely," Smoker replied, unshaken but unable to envision victory.
Their powers—fire and smoke—seemed incompatible, yet Smoker sensed a deeper threat.
A rebellious Navy Captain, Smoker led a pirate-hunting squad. He'd heard of a hidden power that could touch Logias. Ace's actions suggested he wielded it.
Smoker's plan: dodge, strike with Seastone. Ace's confidence hinted at a vast skill gap.
Hatterly's commentary faded as they focused. Ace broke the silence.
"Kagerou!" His fiery arm stretched.
Smoker countered with smoky arms. "White Blow!"
The fire couldn't be stopped by his jutte. Ace's fiery body sped forward, closing in. They fought hand-to-hand, Smoker using his jutte, Ace dodging.
Smoker attacked first, forgetting Tashigi and the chest. Ace matched his intensity, no mercy.
"Armament Hardening—" Smoker's jutte missed Ace's face, dodged. Ace's blackened arm struck Smoker's gut, hard as iron, followed by flames.
"Fire Fist!" A massive fireball engulfed Smoker, blasting him through a house. Silence followed.
Ace stood calmly, watching.
"Incredible! Fire Fist is unreal! Is Smokey-sensei alive!?" Hatterly yelled.
Smoker emerged from rubble, scorched—a Logia, yet burned. Confusion gripped the crowd.
"He touched and hurt my Logia… a trick?" Smoker muttered.
"You knew, didn't you? That's why you avoided powers," Ace said.
"Haki…" Smoker growled, realizing defeat was certain.
"Disciple's stuck! Hurry, or the ship arrives!" Hatterly warned.
"Looks like it's over. What now?" Ace asked.
Smoker considered joining Tashigi but knew Ace wouldn't let him. He was trapped.
"Don't bother. You're not leaving," Ace said.
Smoker nodded, anticipated. "If you don't move, Kiri secures the chest. Your teamwork's enough."
"You trust him a lot. What's your deal?" Smoker asked.
"Brother's right hand. Need more?" Ace replied.
"Straw Hat's brother… for real," Smoker exhaled, lowering his jutte, staring intensely. "I'm done. I'll aim for the next round."
"Appreciate it," Ace grinned.
"But if you're his brother, hear this: I'll capture Straw Hat. No doubt."
Ace laughed. "Go easy. He's still growing."
"Hmph. No Navy waits for pirates to grow," Smoker scoffed.
"Knew you were Navy. Only a job would make you use that silly name," Ace teased.
"Match over! Blue Team's ship arrives!" Hatterly screamed.
Fireworks burst.
"Winners: Ace & Kiri!" Hatterly roared.
"Damn… all that time, and nothing!?" Tashigi, bound in paper ropes, stood at Blue Team's base.
Kiri sat on the chest in the ring, smiling. Tashigi gritted her teeth, humiliated.
"Phew, it's over. Thought you'd break free," Kiri said.
"Don't mock me!" Tashigi snapped.
"Not mocking. You'd have been trouble," Kiri replied, releasing the ropes.
Tashigi stayed, listening, sword drawn. "You had to reach the base, but the sea's behind it—dangerous for ability users. Even with Sea Cats, we're helpless."
"That's why you feared me?" Tashigi asked.
"Also, you're White Hunter's right hand. My paper body's weak to blades," Kiri said calmly, revealing he knew Smoker's identity.
"You knew he was Captain Smoker?" Tashigi gasped.
"Too obvious. Sunglasses, cigar, aloha shirt—looks like a yakuza on vacation," Kiri chuckled.
"We had no time… He was pirate-hunting," Tashigi muttered.
"Real hiding takes their approach," Kiri said, glancing at the players' ship.
Mr. S had reappeared on deck, unnoticed during Round 2, watching Ace as closely as Ace watched him.
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