Chapter 99: Baptism of the New World

The Spade Pirates' assault on Onigashima was, for the moment, proceeding smoothly.

"Hey, where'd the intruder go!?"

"Over there!! Yamato-sama is fighting him!!"

"Put out the fires spreading to the buildings!!"

The sudden surprise attack had thrown Onigashima into chaos, like poking a hornet's nest. On one of the mountain paths, two individuals who were supposed to be apprehending each other were now locked in battle.

"Not bad, woman!! For a chick, you’ve got some fight in ya!!"

"Ugh…! Just listen to me!! Hah… hah…!"

"Ain’t got time for that!! If ya got somethin’ to say, say it while we fight!!"

"I’ve been telling you!!! I don’t wanna fight!!!"

The Spade Pirates' captain, Ace, and Yamato clashed, their fists and kanabo imbued with Haki. The battle was one-sided, with Ace overwhelming Yamato, who was already panting from the relentless assault while trying to get him to listen.

"That intruder’s pushing Yamato-sama back!!"

"Wait, aren’t we supposed to capture both of ‘em!? But we can’t even get close!!"

The surrounding pirates could only watch in confusion at the battle far beyond their level. They were supposed to capture both Yamato and the intruder, but charging in recklessly would get them wrecked. Unsure of what to do, they turned to their superior for orders.

"What do we do, Sono-san!?"

"Ahh… Well… It’s almost lunchtime, so how about we all go grab some sushi?"

"This isn’t the time for lunch!!"

"Wait, you’re a mermaid, right!? You eat fish!?"

Standing lazily at the back of the pirate crowd, posture impeccable despite her bored tone, was Sono, one of the Beast Pirates' "True Disasters"—a bipedal mermaid.

Since last year, her legs had split into two, and now, as her subordinates fired off retorts, she sighed wearily before finally giving orders.

"Sigh… Fine, whatever… Then just lightly attack the surrounding grunts to buy time."

"Huh!? That’s it!?"

"Sono-san!! You’re strong—why don’t you fight!?"

"No thanks."

"Just like that!?"

"I-Isn’t this a chance for a promotion if we capture both…?"

"Even if you say that, I’m not interested in climbing higher… I’m perfectly content where I am… More importantly, I wanna eat some fresh, plump seafood."

"She’s hopeless!!"

"S-So we’re just stalling then!? That’s fine!?"

As the subordinates gaped in disbelief, Sono nodded in confirmation, glancing at the battle raging deeper inside.

"Actually, that’s exactly what we should do."

"Huh…? What do you mean?"

"Sigh… I mean, think about it. If we stall, they lose by default. No need to rush in… The longer this drags on, the more overwhelming forces will gather against them… We can just attack when that happens."

"! O-Oh!! I get it now!!"

"Then we’ll just surround ‘em so they can’t escape!!"

The pirates’ morale soared at Sono’s explanation. In other words, they could let the enemy exhaust themselves and enjoy watching them struggle. And it would still lead to Yamato’s capture—as long as they kept them trapped here.

Seeing that her subordinates understood, Sono pulled out a pocket watch from inside her clothes. This commotion would be over within the hour, and she’d still have time for lunch.

"Hahaha!! You ain’t gettin’ away, intruder!!"

"You think you can just invade the Beast Pirates’ territory and walk out alive!?"

"Tch… Their numbers are growing…!!"

"Hey, Ace!! If we keep getting bogged down here, we’re screwed!!"

Deuce shouted as more enemies flooded the scene. For now, they were holding their own, but if this kept up, they’d be surrounded and worn down. They needed to take out the enemy commanders—the Tobiroppo and the All-Stars—fast, or things would get ugly.

"Yeah, I know…!!"

"Damn… We’re surrounded…!!"

"!"

Ace, fully aware of the situation, intensified his assault on Yamato. But Yamato wasn’t just fending off Ace—she was also grimacing at the encroaching forces. Ace noticed.

"...Wait, are you being hunted too? You really don’t wanna fight?"

"I’ve been saying that this whole time!!! You just noticed now!?"

After a brief hesitation, Ace asked, and Yamato shot back with an angry confirmation. Hearing that, Ace grinned fearlessly.

"Got it. My bad… Sorry ‘bout that."

"You’re apologizing NOW!? This isn’t the time!!"

"Yeah, yeah—anyway, here’s the deal… Wanna team up to break through this mess?"

"What!?"

Yamato was stunned by Ace’s unexpected proposal. How could the guy she’d just been fighting suggest something like that so casually?

But he didn’t seem to be joking. Ace’s eyes were dead serious.

"I need to get through here—well, actually, I don’t even need to. Point is, I wanna take down the Tobiroppo, the All-Stars, and claim Kaido’s head. This many small fries are just annoying… Yamato, was it? If you’re being chased by these guys too, why not lend a hand? I’ll help crush ‘em on the way."

"...!!"

Ace’s next words only deepened Yamato’s shock. He was a pirate, fully aware this was an Emperor’s stronghold, yet he declared he’d take Kaido’s head without hesitation.

It sounded reckless. Insane, even. And yet… to Yamato, that fearless, unrestrained determination was… strangely dazzling.

"Well, up to you. Either way, we’re doing this."

"...Are you serious…?"

"Huh?"

"You’re seriously planning to take down… Kaido?"

"...Don’t really get why you’re askin’—but I’m ALWAYS serious!!"

"!!"

Ace answered without understanding Yamato’s question. To him, it wasn’t even worth thinking about.

To overturn the world’s foundations, taking down an Emperor was just a given. Even if others saw it as reckless or stupid, Ace had every intention of doing it—and he never doubted he could.

Yamato, of course, couldn’t believe such an impossible goal was achievable… At least, not rationally.

But somewhere beyond reason… Yamato sensed something in Ace that resonated. That unshakable resolve was, once again, blinding—

"...!! Look out!!"

"!!? Whoa!!"

The moment Yamato tried to respond—she spotted a shadow lunging from behind Ace and instinctively shouted a warning. Ace, sensing danger, leaped back toward Yamato and turned to face the ambusher.

"That was close… So, this one’s really an enemy?"

"...Indeed."

"Hi—Komurasaki!!"

The attacker was an armored warrior gripping a sword, wearing a crescent-moon helmet and an oni mask that hid their face.

But the overwhelming bloodlust and hostility radiating from them was unmistakable—even Ace could tell. And more than that… this one was strong.

"Komurasaki, huh? You know ‘em?"

"She’s one of the Tobiroppo you mentioned!!"

"Huh… Smaller than I expected. She really that tough?"

"…………Please die."

"Heh!! Quiet type, huh? Too bad—I ain’t dyin’ today!!"

"!"

Komurasaki closed the distance in an instant, slashing at Ace with blinding speed. Her blade was sharper than anything the fodder pirates had shown so far, but Ace just grinned, crossed his fingers mid-air, and unleashed a flaming cross like a sword.

"Cross Fire!!"

"!?"

Komurasaki twisted mid-air, barely dodging the flames, then aimed a horizontal slash at Ace as he landed. But Ace dissolved into fire, fluidly evading the strike.

"Haki, huh!? But you’re too slow to hit me!!"

"...I see… A Logia-type."

"The Mera Mera no Mi!"

Ace proudly declared his power, confident that knowing wouldn’t help her. Even with Haki, his flames wouldn’t just disappear.

But beneath her helmet and mask, Komurasaki scoffed. This is the fool who dared invade Onigashima?

"…Don’t get cocky."

"Then prove I shouldn’t be!! Hibashira… Hidaruma!!"

"!!"

Ace rained down countless small flames, engulfing Komurasaki in a literal "human torch" technique.

But the next instant—Komurasaki’s true power awakened. Even as the flames licked at her, her form twisted and expanded, blocking Ace’s path.

"! Heh…!! So you’ve got some freakish power too… What fruit’s that?"

"...No need… to tell a dead man…!!"

Beast Pirates, Tobiroppo—Komurasaki. Ryu Ryu no Mi (Mythical Zoan), Model: "Kirin."

Her new form was that of a mythical beast—a fusion of multiple creatures. A single horn jutted from her forehead, her legs transformed into hooves, and golden fur mixed with scales as she towered over Ace at nearly two meters tall. Still gripping her sword, she embodied the rarest of Zoans—a Mythical-type, surpassing even Logias in scarcity.

And now, she channeled all her killing intent into her blade, infused with Haki.

"Yagura Ryuō!!!"

"!!"

"! —ACE!!"

Ace was sent flying. His Haki defense should’ve blocked it, but the force was beyond what he expected—even his last-second guard couldn’t keep him grounded.

But his crew’s worry was for nothing. Ace erupted in flames mid-air, igniting the building behind him, then launched himself back at Komurasaki like a blazing comet.

"Heh… Yeah, you’re faster now. Stronger too…!! But that ain’t enough to beat me!!"

"...! How arrogant…!!"

Ace’s fist and Komurasaki’s blade clashed, the shockwave forcing bystanders back—a spectacle that demanded respect.

"That guy’s… fighting Komurasaki-sama evenly!!"

"He’s way stronger than we thought!!"

"He’s not losing even against her full power…! Was he even serious when he fought me…!?"

Yamato, watching from the sidelines, gritted her teeth. Frustration burned, but shock outweighed it.

A Zoan’s physical prowess should overwhelm any normal fighter. Even among Devil Fruit users, Zoans outclass Paramecia and Logia users in raw strength—their power grows the more they train.

And Komurasaki, though the newest and weakest of the Tobiroppo, was still a monster. Ordinary officers or pirates wouldn’t stand a chance against her, let alone the rest of the Tobiroppo.

Yet Komurasaki herself was seething. This reckless fool… This idiot who doesn’t know reality—I won’t lose to someone like this!

"Tch…!!"

"Haha… You’re not bad yourself…!!"

But despite her rage—Ace was clearly dominating.

In pure physicality, Komurasaki should’ve had the edge. But in Haki? In sheer, unshakable will?

She was falling behind.

"You… damn…!!!"

And for Komurasaki, this was the most humiliating thing of all.

To think she could lose to such an opponent—disgusted by her own weakness and helplessness, she gritted her teeth and pressed on. It wasn’t just the enemy who grew stronger in battle—both of them had.

Perhaps because of that, Ace still hadn’t managed to fully defeat Komurasaki. The stamina and toughness of a Zoan-type were beyond expectations. On top of that, her sheer tenacity kept her in the fight against Ace, who should have been stronger.

“‘Fire Fist’ Ace… To think you’d hold your own against Lady Komurasaki. Not bad…”

But every battle must eventually end.

And stubbornness alone wouldn’t lead to victory. Sonoh, who had been certain of this all along, finally let out a relieved sigh as the moment arrived.

“But… this is the end.”

The instant those words left her mouth—

“GYAAAAAAH!!?”

“IT BURNS!!”

“!? —You bastards!!”

The flames blasted the Spade Pirates away, encircling the battlefield in fire.

Seeing his scorched crew members sent tumbling, Ace glared toward the flames. These weren’t his flames—an enemy had done this. And not just any enemy—a new one.

Then, the enemy emerged from the inferno. A figure clad entirely in black. Massive black wings and roaring flames adorned his back, his towering frame easily surpassing 20 feet. At his waist hung a sword befitting his monstrous size. This terrifying, demonic-looking man stared down at them with a piercing gaze.

“Only about 20 of you… Hey, Komurasaki. How long do you plan to struggle against these brats?”

“…My apologies…”

Komurasaki, who had been facing Ace, lowered her head in shame at his words. The man clicked his tongue and issued an order.

“Fall back and go after Yamato—I’ll handle these brats.”

“…Understood.”

Though she still seethed with killing intent toward Ace, Komurasaki obediently withdrew at his command. The man then turned his gaze back to Ace and his crew. Ace, refusing to back down after seeing his comrades hurt, glared right back.

“Hey, big guy… You one of the so-called ‘All-Stars’?”

“What if I am?”

“Then I’m taking your head… I came here for your captain’s, but I’ll cut down anyone in my way.”

Ace’s bold declaration only made the man scoff. Then, he said something that changed everything.

“No interest in me, huh? …Don’t you wanna avenge that weakling on your ship?”

“!! You… Don’t tell me…!!”

Ace’s eyes darkened. The “weakling” on the ship could only mean Mihal, who had been left behind to guard it.

This man knew about his crewmate. And he’d used the word “avenge.” The worst possible conclusion flashed through Ace’s mind, and his rage erupted.

“You bastard…!! What did you do to Mihal!?”

“Relax. He might not be dead. Just crushed him a little. Could be dead, could be alive… Either way, I’ll toss him in the same cell as you so you can find out yourself.”

“You…!! I’LL KILL YOU!!”

“Hmph… Even if he’s alive, I’ll just kill him in front of you later…!!”

“I’LL KILL YOU BEFORE THAT HAPPENS!!”

Ace’s flames surged with fury. At the same time, the flames on King’s back roared even higher.

“The hell?! Why’s he on fire too…!?”

“H-Hey, Ace, be careful!! That’s ‘King the Wildfire’—one of the All-Stars!!”

Skull, the informant, shouted alongside the others.

One of their key targets in the raid on Onigashima—the strongest of the Beasts Pirates’ top executives.

『Beasts Pirates All-Star “King the Wildfire” — Bounty: 1,730,000,000 Berries』

“You should all be careful…!!”

“…!! Stay back, all of you!!”

Facing the monster known as the strongest of the All-Stars, Ace wreathed himself in flames and charged.

---

Ace was strong.

That was a fact known by his crew, the world—by everyone.

His strength was such that the World Government had once approached him to join the ranks of the Warlords of the Sea. Even if there had been ulterior motives behind the offer, it was undeniable—where there’s smoke, there’s fire. No such proposal would have been made if he were weak.

Perhaps that was why, before long, his crewmates—and maybe even Ace himself—had come to believe it.

Ace’s strength was, at the very least, on par with a Warlord.

And in truth, Ace was strong. He grew stronger with every battle, and he had won every fight up until now. His Logia-type abilities allowed him to dominate opponents weaker than him or those who couldn’t use Haki. And after awakening his Haki on Sabaody, his combat prowess—even without his Devil Fruit—had skyrocketed.

The proof was in their victories. Even after entering the New World, the Spade Pirates had triumphed over every pirate crew they encountered, and his crewmates had grown alongside him.

They hadn’t underestimated the Emperors. The pinnacle of pirates, standing above countless others, were undeniably monsters. Everyone had steeled themselves for brutal battles—hence their adherence to strategy, their carefully planned ambush.

But… even that had been arrogance.

Every pirate who sailed these waters fell into the same trap. It wasn’t just Ace and his crew.

After overcoming countless battles and storms, after making a name for themselves in Paradise, every rookie who reached the New World would eventually learn the truth—

The overwhelming might of an Emperor.

Only after receiving the "baptism" of the New World would they realize—and be forced to choose.

Submit to an Emperor, trading freedom for survival…

Or lose everything, despair, and fight anyway.

"…Is this all you’ve got?"

"…!? U—OOOOOHHHHHH!!!"

"King the Wildfire"—one of the Beast Pirates' All-Stars.
For the Spade Pirates… this was their "baptism."

"You’re next…!!"

"D-DAMN IIIIT!!"

"!! RUN, GANRYUU!!"

The battlefield had become a hellscape, encircled by flames.

But these weren’t the controlled "Flame Wall" Ace used to protect his crew—no, these were King’s flames, unleashed to slaughter and torment.

"GYAAAAAH…!!"

"That makes five…!!"

"STOP IT, YOU BASTAAAAARD!!"

King seized Ganryu—one of Ace’s long-armed crewmates—by the face, igniting him before hurling him into a stone wall with a sickening crash. Ace was too late. Rage surging, he unleashed a colossal inferno straight at King.

"…"FIRE FIST"!!!"

A torrent of flame—Ace’s signature attack, capable of reducing enemies and obstacles to ash.

"So this is the 'Fire Fist'…"

King watched the oncoming blaze with disinterest… then generated his own flames and obliterated Ace’s attack.

"Wha—!?"

"Hmph… Pathetic."

Ace’s ultimate technique had been overpowered—by an even greater inferno.

The shock wasn’t Ace’s alone. His crewmates, burned and trembling, could only watch in horror.

"How the hell is he making fire…!?"

"Captain Ace’s flames aren’t working at all…!!"

"There shouldn’t be two Devil Fruits with the same power…!?"

Ace was, without question, the user of the Mera Mera no Mi—a Logia that allowed him to become and produce fire. Devil Fruit powers were unique; only one user could exist at a time, and the ability wouldn’t reincarnate until its current holder died.

Yet King could generate flames.

And worse—fire didn’t affect him.

Though he didn’t transform into fire like Ace, both of them stood unharmed in this sea of flames.

The difference? Ace was already battered, his breath ragged—yet he still charged forward.

"OOOOOHHHH!!!"

"…!!"

Even without his Devil Fruit, Ace was strong.

That much was undeniable. His Armament Haki surpassed that of a Marine Vice Admiral and was still growing.

But—

"Weak-ass punch. Like a mosquito bite."

"Tch… Hard as hell…!!"

It wasn’t enough.

Ace’s Haki-infused fist slammed into King’s body—and stopped dead.

"OOOOOHHH…!!!"

"…!! Hmph…!!"

"Guh… UGH…!!"

Ace unleashed a furious barrage, but King tanked every blow before driving his own Haki-clad fist into Ace’s gut—sending him flying.

Coughing blood, Ace collapsed to his knees.

King looked down at him and spoke.

"With attacks like that… you’ll never beat me."

"...!! Like hell that's true!!!"

King's cruel reality. But Ace isn't listening. Lashing his wounded body forward, he charges at King again.

"Know your place."

"...!! U...GUOOOAAAH!!"

This time, King kicks Ace flying. For a brief moment Ace withstands it, but that's all - he goes rolling across the ground before smashing into a wall.

"Another one down...!!"

"Tch...!! Ace, captai—"

"!! Gah...U...STOP IT...!!!"

While Ace is down, King systematically crushes each of his crewmates one by one. If even Ace can't win, there's no hope for the combat-heavy Spade Pirates. His friends fall one after another, bleeding and unconscious.

Amidst this, the woman too stands trembling with her sword raised.

"Next..."

"Tch...Come...! I'll stop you...!!"

Isuka positions herself before Ace to protect him from King. But her hands won't stop shaking.

"Looks like fire scares you...!!"

"U...ah...!!"

"!! Hey stop it bastard!! She's...she's not part of our—"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH—!!!"

"Tch..."

Just as Ace tries to stop him, shouting that Isca isn't part of their crew—King ignites her in flames without hesitation. He looks down at Ace and mutters:

"If she's not your crewmate, then my bad...but—WHO GIVES A DAMN? I'll Burn her, or whatever."

"...!!? YOU...BASTAAAAARD...!!"

"Hmph...Hey, keep this one alive for torture later. If she's scared of fire, this should be fun...!!"

"Yes...!!"

King tosses the burning Isuka to his subordinates outside the flames, ordering them to keep her alive. They laugh nervously at his reasoning - typical King-sama. No mercy even for women. That girl won't be leaving in one piece—they sweat yet leer with vulgar grins.

"Now then...just one left..."

"...!!"

"! Deuce!! Run!!"

Ace tries to stand but can't muster the strength. Even if he could, it's too late—King already looms before Deuce.

—And blood sprays upward.

"All that's left is to knock you out and throw you in a cell..."

"...!! Not...yet...!!"

"!"

King slowly advances to capture Ace. Seizing the moment, Ace staggers to his feet. But merely standing is his limit—fighting is impossible, especially against a superior foe.

"Tougher than I thought...but in our crew you'd barely make "Tobi Roppo" level."

"Shut...up...!! I'm...still...!!"

"............"

"GUWAAAAAH...!!"

King grabs Ace by the throat. Normally he could escape by turning into flames, but he's got no strength left.

"Don't get cocky, you loudmouthed rookie... You'll never take Kaido-sama or Nue-sama's head. Not in a million years."

"Ng...GAH...!!"

"But relax—we won't kill you. Our crew welcomes any strong fighter, no matter how insolent. Swear loyalty to Kaido-sama and Nue-sama, and we'll spare you and your crew intact... Refuse, and prepare for hell...!!!"

"............!!"

—Bullshit.

Ace loses consciousness with those final defiant thoughts. Yet in that fading moment, he hears voices utterly out of place in this brutal pirate stronghold.

"Waoh~♪ You're already here?"

"...! You've returned already?"

"Heard the news so I rushed back~♡ Then I heard he'd arrived~♪ Good work, King!!"

"Ha...so these brats are..."

"Let me take them~♡"

"Understood."

"Mmm, thanks~♪ ...Now then, when you wake up we'll have so much to discuss~ "Gol D. Ace-kun♪"

"—!!"

In his fading consciousness, Ace feels an indescribable chill and fury.

And thus, the Spade Pirates suffered complete defeat at the hands of the Beasts Pirates.