Ace's gaze instantly fell on the weapon in Lin Ning's hand.
That heavy and domineering halberd was entirely black, its blade incredibly sharp, as if it could tear through anything!
Even more terrifying, when Ace used Observation Haki to sense Lin Ning, he felt an indescribable sense of threat!
"What?!"
"This guy... he actually made me feel a hint of life-threatening danger?!"
Ace's Observation Haki had always been extremely keen and had never made a mistake. Those who could make him feel a life-threatening danger were often strong individuals highly proficient in both types of Haki.
But Lin Ning... actually gave him this feeling?!
Ace frowned slightly, thinking to himself:
"How did Luffy find such a group of monsters as companions?!"
He had initially thought the Straw Hat Pirates were just a group of greenhorns, but now it seemed they were a combat team made up of monsters!
Ace's gaze returned to Luffy, and the expression on his face became a little strange.
His pupils constricted slightly, his brows furrowed, and he said with a twitching mouth—
"Hey, Luffy... how did you grow so tall?"
"What pig feed did you eat?"
When he saw Luffy just now, he almost didn't recognize him.
This guy had actually grown to over two meters tall?!
He had always thought Luffy would never grow taller than him, but he didn't expect to be surpassed in height by his younger brother!
This somewhat bruised Ace's pride as an older brother!
Hearing Ace's complaint, Luffy, however, didn't care at all. Instead, he grinned widely, looking proud.
"Hehehe! Ace, I'm still going to keep growing!"
Ace: "..."
He felt like he had taken ten thousand points of critical damage.
After a while of laughing, Luffy finally remembered the important matter and looked at Ace, asking in confusion:
"Oh, right, Ace, why are you here?"
Ace reined in his smile, his gaze deepened, and he said in a low voice:
"I'm hunting down a traitor from my squad who killed a comrade."
"—Marshall D. Teach, Blackbeard."
The air suddenly fell silent.
The name Blackbeard was still very unfamiliar to the current Straw Hat Pirates.
But Ace's tone and expression made everyone realize that this person was definitely not simple!
Ace continued, "I heard he's been active in this sea area recently. I've received definite news that he's to the east of here."
Luffy tilted his head, looking confused: "Blackbeard? Never heard of him."
Ace smiled faintly: "You will, eventually."
Ace pulled out a small piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Luffy.
"Luffy, this is a life card."
"In the future, you can use this life card to find me."
Luffy took the life card, frowning and curiously looking at the small piece of paper.
"life card? What is this?"
Ace explained: "A life card is a special paper that changes with its owner's state."
"You can use this to determine my direction and condition."
Luffy's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he laughed, "Hehe, then I'll be able to find Ace from now on!"
Ace nodded, smiling slightly: "Of course, we will definitely meet again."
The two brothers looked at each other, their eyes filled with firm emotions.
Their bond, spanning the seas and transcending life and death, would never break!
This time, they reunited in Alabasta.
Next time, they would meet again in the deeper parts of the Grand Line!
Yellow sand rolled, and the atmosphere on the battlefield suddenly became tense.
Crocodile and all members of Baroque Works were already under Marine control, and the unrest in Alabasta was quelled.
However, the Straw Hat Pirates, standing in the center of the battlefield, and Ace, who had just appeared, showed no intention of leaving, even chatting leisurely.
This sight infuriated Momousagi!
She had been ordered to suppress the chaos in Alabasta, and Crocodile had been captured.
But these young pirates were still standing there, completely ignoring the Marines, as if she, a Vice Admiral Candidate, didn't exist!
This made her incredibly annoyed!
"You brats, surrender yourselves to me obediently!!"
Momousagi's cold shout echoed like thunder across the entire battlefield!
As soon as she finished speaking, Smoker, Tashigi, and a large number of Marine Soldiers moved swiftly, rushing towards the Straw Hat Pirates with lightning speed.
In an instant, dense Marine figures surrounded them in multiple layers!
The entire battlefield instantly became an iron-tight encirclement!
"Clang—!"
Momousagi slowly drew her famous sword, "konpira," from her waist, its blade faintly shimmering with Armament Haki.
Sword Qi swept across the field like a cold wind, carrying an incredibly sharp killing intent!
At this moment, battle was imminent!
Ace's expression also became solemn.
A Vice Admiral Candidate... this was no laughing matter!
He had heard of Momousagi's formidable reputation as one of Marineford's strongest combatants.
Momousagi's swordsmanship could even rival some Great Swordsman-level powerhouses, and her Haki mastery was equally profound.
Coupled with Smoker and hundreds of elite Marines, this battle had no chance of victory!
Ace took a deep breath, his gaze becoming resolute and firm.
"Luffy, you guys retreat first, I'll hold them off."
He looked back at Luffy, his tone firm and unwavering.
"Your current strength is not enough to directly confront a Marine encirclement, especially against a monster of Momousagi's caliber... Your goal is to go to a broader world, not to die here."
"So, hurry up and go!"
After Ace finished speaking, flames erupted all over his body, burning fiercely. His figure seemed to transform into a burning volcano, radiating astonishing power!
Just then, a figure slowly walked out and stood beside Ace.
"They won't let us go without a fight."
A steady voice, imbued with unyielding Haki, spoke. Lin Ning, holding his halberd, stepped forward, his gaze like a knife, incredibly sharp.
His figure was tall and imposing, standing there like a statue of a war god, exuding unparalleled might!
Ace was slightly startled, his Observation Haki sensing Lin Ning's aura, and his pupils instantly constricted.
This guy... can he really threaten my life?!
Although Ace had just met Lin Ning, with his Observation Haki, he could clearly sense the terrifying power of this man.
This was not just an ordinary strong individual, but an existence that could be called a "monster" even in the New World!
Ace was secretly surprised, then a slight smile appeared on his face.
"Haha... I didn't expect Luffy to find such a strong companion in you."
"Alright, then let's fight together!"
"The two of us will cover the retreat for the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Ace and Lin Ning standing side by side instantly made the atmosphere of the entire battlefield even more tense!