Chapter 81: Magnificent Curtain Call
"Everyone, thank you for witnessing this battle!" Ace's voice boomed across the ocean, echoing from ship to ship. He held a massive fireball above his head, its swirling flames growing even larger as he continued. "Now, let me give today's battle the most glorious end!"
Pirates scattered around Sun Island looked up, and their expressions quickly turned from curiosity to panic.
"Captain, what's he doing?!"
"How should I know?! I've got a really bad feeling—turn the ship around, NOW!"
"He's insane! He's going to burn us all alive!"
The moment Ace's voice faded, pirates watching from afar began panicking and hoisting sails. The fireball above him was already stretching across the sky like a miniature sun.
"Don't tell me... this maniac!" Cracker stared at the sky in horror. "Retreat! Everyone, get back on the ship—he's going to burn everything to the ground!"
As Cracker rushed back toward his ship, the other Big Mom Pirates scrambled to carry their injured crewmates and retreat from the battlefield.
Heh.
Ace grinned at the panic below. Then, his fingers clenched tight.
BOOM!
The massive fireball above his head exploded like a celestial bomb. A blinding flash covered the sky, and moments later, thousands of flaming meteors rained down from the heavens—each trailing arcs of fire like a meteor shower.
> "Heavenly Fire: Meteor Fall!"
The sky itself burned, the flames descending over the ocean like divine judgment. Even from dozens of kilometers away, ships could see the blazing spectacle.
"What the hell?! He's not just attacking the enemy—he's going to roast all of us!"
"Hahaha, what a show! I kinda like this rookie!"
"Quit admiring it, Captain! Unless you want your ship torched, GET US OUT OF HERE!"
Though some cursed him and others laughed, not a single pirate expected this act of madness. Ace hadn't just gone after the invaders—he targeted everyone watching too, daring them all to witness the terrifying power of the Spade Pirates.
"Damn brat!" Cracker barked as he deflected flaming debris. "Get this ship moving! If those flames hit us, the whole vessel's done for!"
The Sweet Commander himself wasn't worried about personal harm—his Armament Haki and experience kept him safe—but his ship? One touch of that flame, and it was over.
The attack wasn't as powerful as Akainu's Meteor Volcano, but it was far wider in scale. And unlike magma, this fire rain spread and burned ships with ruthless efficiency. Most elite pirates managed to fend off the flames, but a few unlucky crews had no choice but to abandon burning ships and dive into the sea.
"He's insane… but damn, that was beautiful."
From ten kilometers out, Marco, still aboard the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, couldn't help but laugh.
"Crazy, yeah," Thatch added with a wide grin, "but that's one hell of a curtain call."
Marco nodded. "Definitely flashy."
Thanks to Cracker's protection, the Big Mom Pirates managed to escape mostly unscathed—though their pride suffered. Cracker grit his teeth as he fled.
"Flaming little brat! One day I'll settle this score…"
But deep down, Cracker knew returning to the battlefield now was meaningless. Even if he could keep fighting, this wasn't the time to declare all-out war on someone like Ace—not without Big Mom's direct orders.
Ace didn't try to stop him either. While he could likely defeat Cracker now, killing him would be another matter—and doing so would ignite a full-scale war with the Big Mom Pirates.
And the Spade Pirates weren't ready for that.
> Not yet.
Ace watched the retreating enemy ships in silence. The time to truly challenge a Yonko would come… once all his future crewmates had gathered.
Only then would he light the seas ablaze.
---
The flag-raising battle of the Spade Pirates came to an end in an unforgettable blaze of fire and glory. The once-neutral Sun Island was now claimed as their territory—declared not with diplomacy, but with force.
And what a battle it was.
Marco and Thatch, division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Charlotte Cracker, one of Big Mom's Three Sweet Commanders.
Jinbei, member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Vice Admiral Vergo, one of the Navy's rising stars.
The Spade Pirates—barely more than a dozen in number—had fought battles across the board. They had faced Jinbei, killed Vergo, and held their ground against Cracker himself. Though the Whitebeard Pirates had refrained from fighting, their presence alone had made this encounter monumental.
The Spade Pirates had truly announced their arrival in the New World.
---
"Congratulations, Ace-kun," said Koala, approaching from the side. "After today, you've earned your place in this sea."
Ace adjusted his hat and smirked. "Heh… this is just the start. I'm still far from achieving my dream."
"And what dream would that be?" Koala asked, genuinely curious.
Ace looked to the horizon, his voice calm but filled with fire. "To challenge the kings of the sea—all of them. And win."
Koala didn't mock him this time. For once, she simply smiled.
"…Then good luck. I believe you'll do it."
Ace blinked, surprised by her encouragement. Normally, she'd be quick to pour cold water on his ambitions.
"…You're acting weird," he said, narrowing his eyes.
Koala scratched her cheek and laughed nervously. "Well… I do have a favor to ask."
Aha. So that's it.
"I need you to come with me to the Kingdom of the Sky Mountains. Sabo will be waiting there."
Ace raised an eyebrow.
"The same Sky Mountain Kingdom that built the floating city?"
Koala nodded. "Exactly. Sabo said he wants to meet you."
Ace smiled wide. "Then let's go. It's about time I saw that brother of mine again."
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