The viewers watching the video all understood that Akainu was using a provocation tactic.
But for Ace in the video, even if he knew it was a trap, he still couldn't help but fight for Whitebeard's sake.
〖Seeing Ace growing angrier, Akainu smirked coldly and continued to slander Whitebeard.
"Thinking about it carefully, Whitebeard's life is truly pitiful. Admired by a bunch of lackeys, called 'Pops,' playing some childish games on these seas.
Reigning over the seas for decades, yet unable to become king completely accomplishing nothing. Nearing death, he was even stabbed by a foolish son deceived by sweet words, and in the end, he chose to protect them and sacrifice himself. What an empty life."
"Shut up!"
Ace angrily cut off Akainu.
"Pops did this to give us the will to live! How could you possibly understand Pops' greatness!"
Akainu paid no heed to Ace's furious words.
"Humans only have meaning in life if they choose the righteous path. You pirates have no reason to exist at all. And Whitebeard, as the leader of you pirates, dying as a loser—don't you think it perfectly suits his role as a garbage manager?"
"Bastard! Shut up! Whitebeard is the pioneer of this era! I won't allow you to insult my savior like this! This era is called Whitebeard!"〗
[Pirate 1: It seems Whitebeard truly holds great importance in Fire Fist Ace's heart.]
[Pirate 2: After all, he's someone willing to charge into Marine Headquarters for Fire Fist Ace.]
[Pirate 3: Fire Fist Ace is indeed very loyal and righteous. It's a shame he's too loyal, which led him right into Akainu's trap.]
[Pirate 4: Right! Whitebeard was already prepared to pay with his life for their escape. But Fire Fist, because of a few words from Akainu, went back—completely wasting Whitebeard's efforts.]
[Pirate 5: When it comes down to it, he's just a hothead. Faced with such things, he only knows how to show off—exactly like his brother.]
[Pirate 6: Exactly! Straw Hat, as a rookie, dared to break into Impel Down and even Marine Headquarters, directly provoking the Three Admirals as if he doesn't know what fear is. Completely a greenhorn's behavior! Now Fire Fist Ace's actions are practically on par with his.]
[Pirate 7: Hey now, that's not fair. There's a difference between Fire Fist Ace and Straw Hat.]
[Pirate 8: What difference? They're both fools who can't accurately gauge their own strength.]
[Capone Bege: But speaking of which, the reason Fire Fist could block Admiral Aokiji's attack earlier was probably due to the advantage of fire over ice. Now facing Akainu, who shares a similar attribute, it probably won't be so easy.]
[Marine 1: Hmph! Admiral Sakazuki's magma is no match for Fire Fist's petty flames! Just wait and see him get defeated!]
[Marine 2: Go, Admiral Sakazuki! Take down Fire Fist Ace!]
On the Sky Screen, everyone was eager for the battle between Ace and Akainu. In the video, the two indeed began to fight.
〖Akainu swung his fist, violent magma surging out. Ace immediately counterattacked, blazing flames swirling around him.
The collision of fire fist and magma created a tremendous commotion.
During the fight, Akainu didn't forget to continue his taunts:
"When it comes down to it, whether it's Whitebeard or you who worship him, you're all just losers."
As he spoke, he roared, suddenly increasing his attack power.
The scorching magma instantly overwhelmed Ace's flames, sending Ace flying.
"Ah..."
Ace fell to the ground in pain, even showing signs of burns on his body.〗
[Pirate 1: Oh my god! Even with similar elemental powers, Akainu is so much stronger than Fire Fist Ace! He can even inflict such severe damage on Ace, a user of the Flame-Flame Fruit!]
[Marine 1: Of course! After all, Admiral Sakazuki is one of the Marines' highest combat powers!]
[Pirate 2: Have to say, only Akainu isn't 'acting.']
[Gecko Moria: Poor Fire Fist! Completely misjudged his own abilities! He won't lose his life like this, right? And right in front of Straw Hat's eyes? That would be... perfect! Hahahaha!]
[Queen the Plague: In my opinion, Fire Fist Ace deserves it! Who told him not to listen and chose to go back overestimating his abilities?]
[Jack the Drought: Right! What a waste of Whitebeard getting so severely injured to save him! And his brother's body is probably already wrecked beyond recognition! Yet he fell for such a simple provocation, completely disregarding all that!]
[King the Wildfire: Hahahaha! So he truly lives up to the Pirate King's bloodline!]
[Marco the Phoenix: Shut up! What nonsense are you bastards spouting? Ace just respects Pops too much! That's why he chose to do this!]
[Diamond Jozu: Right! Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates understands Ace's actions! We won't allow you to speak of Ace like this!]
[Queen the Plague: If you all think that way, there's nothing I can do. I'll just wait and watch Fire Fist Ace pay the price for his recklessness! Hahahaha!]
[Little Oars Jr.: Ace... won't be hurt.]
On the Sky Screen, some mocked Ace's actions, while others worried about his condition. The video continued playing.
〖Seeing Ace severely wounded, Akainu snorted coldly.
"Think just because you're a Logia user, you can be so arrogant? Although Logia types are sometimes called the strongest Devil Fruit abilities...
But you're just ordinary flames. I am magma that can burn even fire to ashes. You and I cannot be mentioned in the same breath. The gap between us is vast."
Meanwhile, Luffy, seeing Ace injured and fallen, worriedly tried to approach.
Unfortunately, his body had reached its limit.
After just a few steps, he powerless knelt on the ground.
Making matters worse, Akainu's gaze now shifted from Ace to Luffy.
"The bloodlines of Pirate King Roger and Revolutionary Army Leader Dragon are inherently evil. You two, as their sons, are already unforgivable. To think you even became sworn brothers—trastonishing. But today, anyone can escape except you two brothers."
The next moment, Akainu attacked again. But he completely bypassed Ace, charging directly toward Luffy.
Luffy, at this moment, had no strength to escape. Just then, a figure suddenly blocked in front of Luffy.
Red prayer beads scattered on the ground. Luffy was unharmed, but Fire Fist Ace had been punched through the chest by Akainu.
Simultaneously, the Vivre Card Luffy always carried with him gradually burned until it disappeared completely. 〗
[Straw Hat Luffy: ACE!!!]