Chapter 407 Fire Fist Ace Heads to Fish-Man Island
"We've made our intentions clear."
The man wore a fitted black suit. His rather handsome face bore a warm smile—the kind of person whose mere appearance gave a spring breeze feeling.
"So what's your decision?"
The man looked seriously at the group before him—or rather, at a certain man among them. "Will you accept the Government's request to become the new Warlord, or not? Please give your answer, Fire Fist Ace."
This was Sabaody Archipelago's Area 21, Bar Street. Numerous taverns gathered here—always the most concentrated pirate gathering place.
Currently, this usually lively island was utterly silent.
Because two groups were mutually vigilant.
Opposite the black-suited man, wearing a hat, bare-chested, with freckles on his rather handsome face, the man scratched his hair in confusion. "From now on, no longer pursued by the Navy. Protected by the Government. Even possessing legal plundering rights. Legally robbing without being criminal."
"Warlord of the Sea, huh? Sounds quite tempting."
Crowds stood far apart, surrounding the confronting groups. Every face bore shock.
"Did, did I hear wrong? The Government guys—are they inviting Fire Fist Ace?"
"Everyone can't all hear wrong! The Government truly wants Fire Fist Ace to become the new Warlord!"
"But aren't the Warlords already full?"
"Idiot! Though many have forgotten, that Doflamingo guy was also a Warlord! The Government never removed him, but last year's Wano upheaval—Doflamingo naturally finished along with the Beasts Pirates!"
"I see! This way, Fire Fist is truly remarkable! He only set sail this year! Still a complete rookie. Only the Empress back then could compare, right?"
People discussed heatedly.
They all felt somewhat excited. Feeling they'd witness a new sea legend rising.
The black suit's lips couldn't help curving further upward. "Correct. Warlords will enjoy these massive powers ordinary pirates dare not imagine. So, Fire Fist Ace—your answer?"
"My answer?"
Fire Fist—Portgas D. Ace—grinned. "My answer is—"
"Mirror Flame!"
He simply swung his right arm casually. Tsunami-like flames already surged wave after wave toward the Government agents ahead.
"Urgh!"
Caught off-guard, the black suits were instantly engulfed by flames.
However, soon—from the surging forward flames, the black suit launched skyward. His clothes were already tattered. Originally meticulously groomed hair now burned into a mess. He almost ground his teeth. "Fire Fist Ace! I thought you had no reason to refuse!"
"Right, no reason. But—"
Ace's still-flaming finger lightly tipped his hat brim. "Also absolutely no reason needed!"
"Exactly!"
Behind Ace, a blue-haired man wearing a mask covering only his eyes laughed heartily. "Ace is right. Do pirates refusing the Government's request need any reason?"
The black suit looked deeply at Ace. "Hope you won't regret this moment's decision."
He stepped on air, rapidly leaving.
"Hahaha, Deuce, look—"
Ace laughed heartily at the departing man's back. "He looks like a dog."
"Whether he looks like a dog doesn't matter."
The blue-haired man—Deuce, Spade Pirates vice-captain—lost his smile. "Hurry and depart for Fish-Man Island!"
"Eh? Why so urgent?"
Ace blinked. "Haven't even toured all of Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Don't talk stupid!"
Deuce rolled his eyes. "Know where we are? Sabaody Archipelago! Navy Headquarters is next door. This time we've thoroughly enraged the Government. Navy coming to subjugate us will probably depart immediately! Maybe even an Admiral will personally act."
"Just be grateful the ship's coating is complete. Otherwise nowhere to run!"
"Hahaha, that's truly dangerous!"
Ace held his hat atop his head. Though saying "dangerous," his smile never stopped. "Then let's escape quickly!"
He'd already taken the lead running backward.
His companions hurriedly followed.
"Once we reach Fish-Man Island we'll be safe."
While running, Deuce said. "That's Deep Sea Emperor Brett's territory. Even the Government can't extend its reach there!"
"Deep Sea Emperor?"
Ace's lips twitched. "Supposedly a quite remarkable guy!"
"Hey, Ace—what are you thinking?"
"Haha, nothing at all!"
"Wow! You're definitely scheming something! I'm telling you—at Fish-Man Island, absolutely don't act recklessly! In the deep sea, we have nowhere to escape!"
The group ran laughing and joking to the coast. Their ship was docked here.
"The ship's actually safe?"
Deuce said gratefully. "Thought the Government would act."
"Anyway, board!"
The group boarded. Then the bubble gradually began expanding, swallowing everyone standing on deck.
"Oh! This is truly remarkable!"
Ace excitedly looked around. This was an unprecedented new experience.
"Hey, Ace!"
Suddenly, Ace heard a voice.
He turned in surprise, looking toward the sound's source.
On a nearby seaside rock, a white-haired old man was waving toward them. He smiled, saying, "Make sure to live your life well!"
"Who's that guy? Ace, do you know him?" Deuce squinted suspiciously.
"Don't know him. Never seen him." Ace also looked completely baffled. Why was this old man suddenly calling his name so intimately?
However, though they didn't recognize him, someone aboard differed.
The man named Skull suddenly widened his eyes. Then he rushed to the ship's rail, straining to look forward.
The ship was already beginning to sink. Seawater had gradually risen past the rail, even blocking vision upward.
"Damn! Can't see already?"
Skull said quite unwillingly. "Was going to take a couple photos!"
"Hey, Skull—what's wrong?"
Ace felt somewhat surprised. "What's this suddenly?"
"Skull's favorite thing is collecting pirates' intelligence. A super pirate enthusiast!"
Deuce's expression had already grown grave. "If he's this excited, definitely a remarkable pirate!"
"Remarkable pirate?"
Ace tilted his head. "That old man?"
"That's no ordinary old man, Ace!!"
Skull cried out. "His name is—"