"TAMAAA.."
At that moment, a startled cry rang out.
Immediately after, a figure flashed into view, instantly appearing by Tama's side.
Looking at the fallen Tama, his face was filled with sorrow.
Lancelot, meanwhile, examined the newcomer.
Black hair, wheat-colored skin, freckles on both cheeks.
A tattoo on his left arm spelling "ASCE" with the S crossed out.
On his back was the emblem of the Whitebeard Pirates.
He wore an orange cowboy hat on his head, with both "smiling" and "sad" badges pinned to the brim.
Additionally, there was a skull-shaped plate tied to it, a red bead necklace around his neck, and of course, his signature shorts.
This outfit was too distinctive.
Lancelot immediately recognized the newcomer — he was Portgas D. Ace, the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Also the older brother of the protagonist Luffy.
Son of the Pirate King Roger, adopted grandson of Garp, and "son" of Whitebeard.
Any one of these identities alone commanded respect, but combined in one person, they made him impossible to ignore.
Even Lancelot couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
When he was searching for Tama earlier, he had already sensed a powerful presence nearby.
But he never expected that this powerful individual would be this person.
Lancelot frowned unconsciously, 'Should I just eliminate him right now?'
'No, no, no...'
'He's already delivered himself to my doorstep.'
'Why would I kill him now? Just for his Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi?'
That would be too lacking in style.
In this lifetime, because he had taken action to eliminate Blackbeard, it was unlikely this guy would be delivered to Marine Headquarters by Teach.
Therefore, the Summit War naturally wouldn't occur.
But... if others won't deliver him, he could do it himself!
Not only could he facilitate the Summit War, but he could also earn considerable merit.
After all, this was Fire Fist Ace.
Most importantly, with the Summit War, the Marine storyline would proceed according to the original path.
He could take advantage of this opportunity to secure the position of Admiral.
Formally becoming a member of the Marine high command!
"Marine... I'm gonna kill you..."
At that moment, Ace slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with killing intent as he looked at Lancelot.
But then he froze, because at that moment, he clearly saw Lancelot's face.
So he immediately recognized Lancelot.
There was no helping it — Lancelot's actions over the past six months had been increasingly remarkable.
Just last month, he had fought Kaido to a standstill.
In the entire New World, there were truly few who did not recognize Lancelot.
Ace's expression froze for a moment, and his gaze immediately turned grave.
Yet Lancelot merely curled the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Fire Fist Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Logia-type Flame-Flame Fruit User, bounty of 550 million Berries."
He paused briefly before letting out a strange chuckle. "Hehehe... If I capture you, I'll have accomplished another great feat."
At the same time, a hint of admiration flickered in Lancelot's eyes.
Though they stood on opposing sides, that did not prevent him from appreciating Ace.
In his previous life, fans often joked that "not even a dog would eat the Mera Mera Fruit."
Yet this man had relied on that very fruit to stand among the world's second-tier powerhouses.
He was undoubtedly at the level of a Yonko Commander.
In fact, he was arguably the strongest among them.
If not for encountering Blackbeard, whose abilities perfectly countered his... with a single "Flame Emperor" (Entei) attack—how many in the world could have emerged unscathed?
In Lancelot's view, this man's strength was not far from Enel of Skypiea.
But Enel was already 39 years old, while the man before him was only 20.
That's right.
Ace was merely 20 at this time.
A top-tier Yonko Commander at 20—was that lacking?
No, it was terrifyingly strong.
If not for Lancelot's appearance, Ace would have been the most prodigious talent in recent years, bar none...
Unfortunately, like Enel, he relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit abilities.
That was why he had been so helpless against Blackbeard.
If given a little more time to develop his physical combat skills and Haki—he would undoubtedly have reached the level of a Yonko.
By then, Akainu might not even be able to defeat him, let alone kill him with a single punch.
A truly monstrous talent.
But no matter how gifted, potential meant nothing if one had not yet fully grown.
Ace clenched his fists tightly. Reason told him he was no match for this Marine yet.
But the death of Tama made it impossible for him to stay calm.
He glared fiercely at Lancelot. "You truly deserve to die..."
"Fire Gun!"
With that furious roar, Ace swiftly raised both hands, extending his index and middle fingers like miniature pistols aimed directly at Lancelot.
In an instant, Ace's entire body radiated scorching heat, as if engulfed in raging flames.
Then, harnessing his formidable power, he began rapidly firing small fire bullets from his fingertips toward Lancelot.
Though compact, these fire bullets carried astonishing force, their impact as swift and fierce as actual pistol rounds.
Facing such a ferocious assault, Lancelot didn't even draw the sword at his waist.
Instead, he calmly raised one hand and swept it forcefully through the air.
BOOM!
With that simple motion, a terrifying power erupted instantly.
The force tore through the surrounding air, forming a visible shockwave that surged forward like a tidal wave, crashing into the incoming fire bullets.
A series of sharp cracking sounds echoed as every fire bullet aimed at Lancelot was shattered mid-air by the powerful shockwave, dispersing into countless sparkling embers that glittered like fleeting fireworks before vanishing.
Lancelot watched the scene before him with an indifferent expression, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned as he revealed a faint, disdainful smile.
He spoke coldly, "Who exactly are you looking down on?"
Before his words had fully faded, his figure vanished from the spot like a ghost, disappearing without a trace.
The next moment, when everyone caught sight of him again, they realized he had somehow appeared silently beside Ace, his speed so astonishing it defied imagination.
"Not good!"
Ace's expression instantly darkened, his heart leaping into his throat as he went into full alert.
The reason was twofold.
First, the attack he had just launched had been effortlessly dispersed by the other party with a casual wave.
Although this was merely a probing strike, those capable of blocking it were all notable figures in the New World.
As for those who could shatter it completely, they were truly renowned and formidable experts.
Yet, someone who could neutralize it so effortlessly and nonchalantly... up until now, Ace had only encountered one person like that—the man he revered as a god, Whitebeard!
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