One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

[Let's end this year with a bang! 🎉 For every 1 review, I'll upload 1 chapter!

The extra chapters, along with the regular daily uploads, will kick off at the start of 2025!

P.S.: For those interested only.]

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"Lucci, there's a response from above," Kalifa said, her voice trembling slightly.

"So quickly? That idiot Spandam—since when did he get so efficient at reporting to the higher-ups?" Lucci frowned.

Spandam, the current commander of CP9, was nothing more than a puppet propped up by his family's influence. None of the CP9 members truly respected him.

"No... it's not an order from Enies Lobby," Kalifa stammered.

"What?" Lucci snatched the document from her hand, and his eyes widened with shock as he read the contents.

"It's from the highest level of the World Government, bypassing Enies Lobby entirely. They've ordered us to abandon the mission to retrieve the Pluton blueprints and pull back immediately... to avoid provoking Portgas D. Ace any further," Kalifa's voice shook with fear as she spoke.

The highest echelons of the World Government—those who wield the most power in the world—had bypassed normal protocol and directly issued an order. And the wording: "avoid provoking" Portgas D. Ace.

Could it be? Was the World Government—a global powerhouse with over 170 member nations, the guardians of justice and rulers of the world—actually afraid of this man?

Kalifa's hands trembled as the gravity of the situation sank in. How could someone like Portgas D. Ace make such a colossus retreat? The World Government was a mighty tree towering over the world, and CP9... they were mere leaves beneath its branches.

Yet here was the undeniable truth. The World Government would rather abandon their pursuit of Pluton's blueprints than risk further confrontation with Portgas D. Ace. What kind of man were they, CP9, up against?

Kalifa's entire body shook.

"This can't be happening! Why?! Why would even the World Government fear this man?" Kaku shouted, his voice breaking. His confidence crumbled as the reality hit him.

Kaku had assumed that if they failed, they might be punished for incompetence. He had never imagined that the highest authority would order them to retreat to avoid angering Ace further.

The World Government—was it truly bowing to the power of Portgas D. Ace?

Kaku's belief in the absolute authority of the World Government wavered. His mind reeled, unable to comprehend the scale of what was happening.

"Calm down!" Lucci barked, his voice low but commanding.

"Clearly, there's information about Portgas D. Ace that we're not privy to. Something known only to the highest ranks of the World Government. From their perspective, the potential benefits of acquiring Pluton's blueprints are outweighed by the risks of engaging with Ace."

"There's no way the World Government is afraid of Portgas D. Ace!" Lucci's eyes were bloodshot with rage.

Yes, Ace's strength was terrifying, and CP9 alone couldn't match him. But for the World Government to fear him? Rob Lucci refused to believe it.

The Four Emperors of the New World—though powerful—had never shaken the World Government's dominance. This retreat was only temporary.

Sooner or later, Rob Lucci vowed, he would reclaim his dignity by defeating Portgas D. Ace!

In his eyes, the World Government's current stance on Ace resembled their approach to the Four Emperors: a tactical retreat when necessary, but not a sign of weakness. Lucci didn't want to dwell on it too much. If he thought too deeply about the implications, he feared that even his unshakable resolve might crumble.

No—this was merely a strategic withdrawal. One day, Portgas D. Ace would face justice. And perhaps that justice would come at Enies Lobby!

Kaku, trying to regain composure, forced a weak smile. "You're right. It's just a temporary retreat. One day, we'll see him face justice."

"Let's head back to Enies Lobby. I've grown complacent as a shipwright here, too lazy for this era's challenges. But if my current strength can't compete with Portgas D. Ace, I'll surpass it!"

Kaku's voice regained a trace of resolve. "I refuse to feel powerless ever again! Just wait, Portgas D. Ace!"

Lucci clenched his right hand into a fist so tightly it cracked audibly. "We're going back to Enies Lobby."

Kaku and Kalifa exchanged glances, nodding. They couldn't bear to stay in this place any longer. The presence of Portgas D. Ace loomed over Water 7 like a monstrous beast ready to devour them at any moment.

Only at Enies Lobby, the World Government's fortress of absolute justice, would they feel truly safe.

After all, in 800 years, no one taken to Enies Lobby had ever returned alive. No matter how strong Portgas D. Ace was, how could he ever penetrate the heart of Enies Lobby?

——

At Franky's hideout...

"It's done! And it's super perfect!" Franky shouted triumphantly, glowing with a sense of accomplishment.

Nami picked up her newly modified Clima-Tact, and her eyes sparkled. "This is amazing. It can fully channel the power of my devil fruit aby, and it even amplifies my lightning attacks."

Ever since she gained the power of the Thunder Fruit, Nami's old Clima-Tact had been insufficient. Compared to the raw power of the Goro Goro no Mi, one of the most formidable Logia fruits, the original Clima-Tact's lightning felt weak.

Now, however, with Franky's modifications, the Clima-Tact could perfectly harness and even enhance her lightning abilities.

"This rifle is incredible, too!" Nojiko said, admiring her new sniper rifle. "It's perfectly balanced for my Armament Haki."

In the second half of the Grand Line, a skilled sniper required more than just sharp eyesight—they needed a weapon capable of withstanding their Haki. Nojiko's old rifle, purchased in Loguetown, could no longer handle the strength of her Haki, limiting her power.

But now, with this new rifle built by Franky, her potential was unleashed. For a sniper, a well-made rifle was like a second life.

Nojiko's eyes gleamed with excitement as she cradled her new weapon.

"Nami-aniki, you're incredible!" Zambai and the others exclaimed, staring at Nami, whose body was crackling with electricity. Thunder surged from her Clima-Tact, releasing terrifying bolts of lightning. Cold sweat trickled down their faces, yet their expressions were full of relief and joy.

Nami, their formidable elder sister, had become the embodiment of lightning itself, a true Lightning Woman after eating the Logia-type Thunder Fruit. Thankfully, she didn't unleash her full wrath on them, or they'd be doomed for sure.

"I didn't think a pervert like you could be so capable," Nami said with a laugh, glancing at Franky, who was performing one of his strange, eccentric dances.

"Haha! Well, you're a member of Brother Ace's crew after all. It's an honor to serve such distinguished guests!" Franky beamed, covering his head in embarrassment. "But it's not just me. Brother Ace's understanding of this stuff is on another level. With his help and my shipbuilding skills, I'm confident I can make your ship super-perfect!"

"That's amazing! Merry will be in perfect condition," Kaya said, glancing at Merry with a smile.

Merry nodded eagerly, her face filled with anticipation.

But as Nami tested her newly upgraded Clima-Tact, her cheerful expression shifted into a frown.

"Ace," Nami began, "CP9's Rob Lucci, Kalifa, and Kaku just received orders from the World Government. They've been instructed to give up their mission to retrieve the Pluton blueprints and return to Enies Lobby to avoid provoking you further. It looks like your battle with Admiral Aokiji has made the government reconsider, all because of you."

Nami grinned, pride gleaming in her eyes. With her Observation Haki, amplified by her Thunder Fruit powers, there was nothing in Water 7 that could escape her perception. And now, she stood proud, knowing that even the mighty World Government had been forced to step back because of Ace.

"Lucci? Kaku? Kalifa? CP9—those guys?!" Franky's eyes widened in disbelief. "The World Government, giving up the blueprints… because of Brother Ace?"

He clenched his fists, recalling how relentless the government had been in their pursuit of Pluton's design. And now they were backing off? All because of Ace?

"Wait... Aokiji? Why does that name sound so familiar?" Franky paused, thinking hard. Suddenly, realization dawned, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. "Wait, wait! Aokiji—as in Admiral Aokiji?! One of the most powerful figures under the World Government?!"

Nami nodded proudly, "That's right. It's that Aokiji."

Franky and his family huddled together in fear, staring at Ace in disbelief. "Ace actually fought one of the Admirals?!"

"And... what happened?" Franky's family asked nervously.

Kaya chimed in with a bright smile, "The battle ended in a draw. Aokiji is indeed a powerful Admiral, but Ace still has a trump card he hasn't used yet. If they meet again, Ace will definitely win!"

Kaya's angelic face was filled with pride. To her, the fact that someone could even stand against Ace was an achievement in itself, but there was no doubt in her mind that Ace was the strongest in the world!

"A draw...?" Franky muttered, still processing what he'd heard. "No wonder Brother Ace is so confident about taking on Enies Lobby..."

Ace chuckled softly, breaking the tension, "You're mistaken about one thing." His gaze moved gently over his crew. "My real strength lies in my crew. They're my greatest confidence."

Ace's expression was calm, but his words carried weight. After his battle with Aokiji, he'd experienced a remarkable boost from the Battle Turtle Breath Technique, improving not only his physical fitness but also his Haki and his Mera-Mera Fruit abilities. Even without using his trump card Flame Sword Burial or the fearsome Great Flame Ring technique, Ace was confident he could face Aokiji again and win, relying solely on his Haki and flame powers!

That's how great the advancement the Turtle Breathing Technique brought him after the battle.

He had reached a new peak of strength, one that rivaled the great powers of the Four Emperors. But Ace knew that he could never stand against such formidable forces alone. It was his crew, and their growth, that gave him the confidence to face even the mightiest enemies.

His gaze turned toward Nami and the others. Each one had grown immensely in power:

- Conis: Although new to the crew, her Vocal Fruit granted her incredible support abilities, enhancing her allies' strength and weakening enemies' resolve.

- Tashigi: While she hadn't consumed a powerful Devil Fruit, her skill with the sword and mastery of Armament Haki made her a force to be reckoned with, comparable to a Rear Admiral.

- Kaya: Despite possessing the Healing Fruit, which wasn't combat-oriented, her rigorous training had honed her body and Haki to rival the Vice Admirals.

- Robin: With years of experience and now bolstered by the Realm of Comprehension, she stood as strong as an ordinary Vice Admiral.

- Vivi: Her Sand-Sand Fruit, combined with her Haki, allowed her to fight at the level of a senior Vice Admiral, capable of participating in Buster Calls.

- Nojiko: With her Gate-Gate Fruit, she could deliver devastating sniper attacks in an instant, even killing Vice Admirals.

-Raki: Having eaten the Suzaku model of the Bird-Bird Fruit, she could now fight senior Vice Admirals with ease.

And then there was Nami, whose mastery over weather was unmatched. Her Thunder Fruit abilities, combined with her rare talent for weather control, had elevated her power to the level of an Admiral candidate.

Ace smiled to himself. He now stood at the pinnacle of the ocean, one of the strongest men in the world, but his crew was what made him truly powerful. Together, they rivaled even the greatest of pirate groups—those of the Four Emperors