Forcing his legs free from the shockwave, Ace was instantly flung backward by the enormous recoil, his body hurtling through the air.
BOOM!!!
A deafening crack split the ice beneath him, sending spiderweb-like fractures sprawling outward from a massive crater.
Scalding blood pressed tightly beneath Ace's skin. The moment it touched the ice, its intense heat instantly vaporized the frozen surface, creating a swirling haze tinged with crimson.
Springing to his feet, Ace ignored the lingering deformation in his legs. With a single bound, he launched himself toward Whitebeard with unrelenting speed.
His dark crimson fists shot forward. His legs, like rocket thrusters, compressed and propelled him repeatedly, stamping the air into waves of translucent fractures. Each strike of wind was like a violent storm surging across the battlefield.
Krrrrrra…
Suspended in midair, Ace streaked forward like a jagged bolt of lightning, leaping across space itself. In the blink of an eye, he was before Whitebeard.
The sheer speed churned the air, producing shockwaves and ion-like sparks that crackled and hissed continuously.
Ace launched his attack.
His extendable fists merged, twisting together in a spiraling upward motion.
Guided by the torque of his arms, his entire body spun violently, carrying a torrent of slicing wind as he slammed toward Whitebeard's midsection.
But…
Whitebeard's face remained utterly unchanged, a shadow of disappointment flickering across his expression. He let out a loud sigh:
"Is this all you've got!?"
"This strength… it's not enough!!!"
"Ace~!"
BOOM!!!
Speaking, Whitebeard swung a massive fist. Reaching across the air, he grabbed Ace mid-dive with terrifying precision.
"What!!?"
Ace's eyes widened in shock. The immense rebound force surged through his body, his organs tossing violently.
He could not have imagined that even at this speed, he could be so easily restrained by Whitebeard's grasp.
Unlike the stunned Ace, Whitebeard's expression burned with fury.
If his eyes could speak, they would scream to Ace:
"You know nothing of power!"
A surge of blood flushed Whitebeard's normally pale face, giving him a strikingly robust appearance. His crescent-shaped whiskers trembled violently, radiating his fury and unspoken disappointment.
Suddenly!
Whitebeard's massive hand clenched with crushing force.
"Ahh!!!"
Ace, squeezed nearly beyond breath, screamed in agony.
The blood in his muscles drained instantly, leaving him in a flesh-colored, normal state.
But Whitebeard did not relent. His fist clenched again, imprisoning Ace completely.
Not an inch of freedom remained.
"You… think you can claim the Whitebeard Pirates with this attitude!?"
"Ace!!!"
A thunderous roar shook the entire sea.
The sound of Whitebeard's fury rolled like a storm across the horizon.
The Whitebeard Pirates watched in disbelief.
The last time Whitebeard had unleashed such anger was when Sasaki died—but even then, he had held back because Teach wasn't present.
This time…
It was different.
None of them could recall the last time they had seen him tap into the full force of his wrath.
Today, in front of Ace, he displayed that power. Their hearts twisted in a mixture of fear and awe.
Whitebeard's clenched fist rose high, and like tossing a small animal, he hurled Ace forward, bellowing in fury:
"How could such weak power ever seize the Whitebeard Pirates!?"
BOOM!!!!!
The ice island split open, forming a chasm like the abyss.
Ace hurtled like a meteor, shattering the icy walls into fragments.
The entire ice island trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck.
Thanks to Brook's previous effort to freeze the sea, the island didn't sink beneath the waves. Otherwise, it might have plunged entirely into the ocean.
After a long moment, the chaos subsided.
The Whitebeard Pirates, including Marco, stared at the fearsome display of their captain's wrath, hearts heavy with conflicting emotions.
As before, Whitebeard had almost idolized Ace within the crew, elevating him to a position second only to himself. His bright personality and magnetic charm had cemented Ace's place in the hearts of the pirates.
Even if Whitebeard ever stepped down, the crew would rally around Ace, keeping the family united.
So seeing him unleash such anger now—against their beloved Ace—made their hearts tighten.
Yet, while the Whitebeard Pirates wrestled with this conflict, Koby and Brook of the Starry Sky Pirates remained calm, even showing a flicker of anticipation.
"It's about to begin!"
Koby, silent since boarding the Moby Dick, finally spoke.
"Yes…"
Brook, ever composed, nodded lightly in agreement.
It was clear—they were waiting for something.
And soon, the answer revealed itself.
A tense hush fell over the ice, a cold aura creeping out from the fissures, making everyone shrink into themselves, as if hiding their bodies under clothing could shield them.
From the dark chasm carved by Ace, the faint clatter of falling ice echoed.
Whitebeard approached the narrowing edges of the fissure, peering into the ever-widening split. He called into the ice canyon:
"What's the matter, Ace?"
"Is this all you've got!?"
"Or…"
"Do you think that because of your brother's reputation, you can take everything!?"
…
Silence followed Whitebeard's words. The icy air pressed on everyone.
After a long moment, a new, louder roar erupted from the depths of the canyon. It carried a chilling, almost despairing aura, reverberating off the walls and filling the sky!
"I… understand!!!"
"Whitebeard… Dad!!!"
Ace's voice surged, exuding a threat drawn from deep within his bloodline.
Everyone present felt it. Even Whitebeard himself, along with everyone but Koby, trembled as though encountering a superior being.
"What… what is this!?"
Marco gripped the railing, steadying his trembling legs.
Even Whitebeard felt a drop of cold sweat bead on his forehead.
This was a feeling he had never experienced—even Roger had not displayed such a terrifying aura capable of affecting him!
Koby, however… he was a freak. His power had already surpassed Whitebeard's perception.
Ssshh…
Ace's voice echoed through the icy canyon. At that instant, the ice beneath Whitebeard's feet softened under his massive weight.
Do not misunderstand!
He wasn't afraid. The ice's elasticity was simply responding to his immense pressure, behaving like rubber.
Thump.
Ace bounced as though on a trampoline, soaring into the sky, then returning to the ground.
With his return, a boiling energy radiated from his body.
Without activating any powers, Ace had stabilized himself—entering Gear Second…
No!
Not just Gear Second…
Unlike his usual pink form, Ace's body had turned a deep crimson.
Blood surged into his eyes, giving him a demonic, awe-inspiring presence.
Steam of blood vapor hissed from his pores, lifting his hair as his crimson eyes blazed.
If Hancock, after eating the Sweet-Sweet Fruit, was the most beautiful woman in the pirate world…
Then, at this moment, the blood-pumping Ace could easily be called the most handsome man alive!
Ace slowly raised his arm.
Something strange happened. To the onlookers, his arm seemed to split into multiple bloody afterimages, pulsating like a drumbeat.
Like a refined demon prince, elegant yet terrifying…
Ace smiled faintly and whispered:
"Gear Fifth."
….
Completed version available on [P]atreon.[c]om/Veltoria [remove brackets]