One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

"Ugh! Cough, cough, cough!" 

Gion fell into the sea, and waves of searing pain radiated from her body, overwhelming her mind and causing her to choke on seawater several times. Her beautiful eyes were wide with terror.

One strike!

And he didn't even use his Mera-Mera Fruit ability!

It was merely a Conqueror's Haki-infused attack.

There were three Vice Admirals from Naval Headquarters, all qualified to participate in a Buster Call, along with two Admiral candidates—her and Chaton. 

Yet their full effort at resisting was instantly crushed under this single blow! 

Even for her, an Admiral candidate, every bone in her body had been shattered by that strike. This power was comparable to that of the most fearsome Four Emperors!

Gion's heart raced in disbelief. 

No, this shouldn't be happening!

According to Aokiji's report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, during his battle with Portgas D. Ace, both had gone all out. Their Haki and devil fruit abilities were pushed to the absolute limit. In that fight, Aokiji even gained a slight advantage in terms of both Haki and devil fruit abilities. The battle had ended in a draw solely because of Ace's mastery of Conqueror's Haki.

But now?! 

How had Portgas D. Ace's Haki grown so strong?!

He hadn't even used the Mera-Mera Fruit's power! Relying only on his Haki, he unleashed an attack similar to the legendary Elbaf's strongest strike, famed among the giants. 

He single handedly obliterated all five of them!

Even among the Four Emperors, only Kaido of the Beasts and the red-haired Shanks, who were at their absolute peak, could perform such a terrifying attack using just Conqueror's Haki! 

There are indeed differences in combat power among the Four Emperors. 

BIG-MOM, while naturally a monstrous being, spends her days either at tea parties or producing offspring. Her body has become bloated, and with frequent fits of uncontrollable rage, her strength has deteriorated.

The "World's Strongest Man," Edward Newgate, Whitebeard—undoubtedly the strongest of the Four Emperors at his peak—earned his title for a reason. However, time had taken its toll. Decades of fighting left him with countless injuries. Whitebeard now relied on constant medical intervention just to function. 

No longer able to use his Haki and physical power to their fullest, Whitebeard's attacks had shifted to relying on his Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Though still capable of devastating power, including attacks that could shatter the world itself, his single-target damage when facing a powerful opponent wasn't what it used to be.

Launching an attack this devastating using only Conqueror's Haki and physical strength could only be done by those at the absolute pinnacle of Haki mastery: Red-Haired Shanks and Kaido of the Beasts!

Aokiji, while one of the three most powerful Admirals in Marine history along with Kizaru and Akainu, couldn't match them. Only Akainu, thanks to the formidable offensive power of his Magma-Magma Fruit and his powerful Armament Haki, could launch attacks comparable to those of a peak Four Emperor.

Neither Aokiji nor Kizaru could replicate such an attack due to the lack of Conqueror's Haki.

If they were to face a peak Kaido or Shanks, Aokiji and Kizaru would eventually fall.

Could it be that Ace's strength had grown so dramatically after his fight with Aokiji?

Had he already reached the level of those two peak Emperors?!

How did his power increase so rapidly?

Thinking back on the scene earlier, when Ace used their unwilling submission to fuel his Conqueror's Haki, Gion's eyes widened with horror.

Could that be the secret behind Ace's power?

Does fighting strong opponents instantly boost his strength?

Does using Haki to force the strong into submission feed his Conqueror's Haki, making him stronger the next day?

In this world, the strongest fighters are defined by their physical prowess, devil fruit abilities, martial skills, swordsmanship, and—most critically—Haki.

When it comes to physical abilities, only natural monsters like BIG-MOM or beings like Kaido, who ate the Zoan-type Fish-Fish Fruit: Mythical Model Blue Dragon, gained such immense power.

Otherwise, strength comes only through relentless training and honing of one's abilities.

Devil Fruit abilities, even among the strongest, can make a user as powerful as a Vice Admiral almost instantly. But awakening those abilities requires the user's own strength and discipline. The same applies to martial arts and swordsmanship.

However, the most important element, Haki, grows alongside a strong fighter's journey. Conquering nature, defeating opponents, and realizing one's inner beliefs—all strengthen Haki.

But like physical training, mastering devil fruit powers, or martial skills, it usually takes time.

Until now, there has never been someone who could achieve a qualitative leap in power after a single battle.

Never has there been anyone like Portgas D. Ace, who, after just one year at sea, possesses the power of a Four Emperor-level fighter relying solely on Haki and physical strength.

This... this is a level of talent that even surpasses the natural-born monster BIG-MOM!

Could this man surpass Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger at their peak, reaching heights never before seen in history?

Gion's eyes were filled with dread.

What kind of future will this monster bring to the seas?

In this new era, the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, will go completely berserk!

"Ack! Onigumo!" 

A weak but terrified voice broke through her thoughts, sending a chill down Gion's spine.

"Onigumo!"

Chaton, despite his shattered bones and internal injuries, managed to pull Onigumo's body from the sea, his face filled with horror.

He wasn't breathing!

Onigumo was dead!

"Cough cough!"

Momonga and Yamakaji, being weaker than Chaton and Gion, could only float on the sea, gasping for air. With their Observation Haki, they too realized that Onigumo's life force had disappeared entirely, leaving them stunned and in pain.

Though Onigumo was a core figure of the hawkish faction and often clashed with their more pacifist leadership, he was still an important figure in the Marines. His strength was on par with Momonga and Yamakaji.

But now, he is dead.

Was it because of the earlier injury from the Thunder Fruit?

Both Momonga and Yamakaji realized that the Thunder Fruit, like Aokiji's Ice Fruit, was among the most invincible Logia fruits. 

Without Haki as protection, the violent thunder energy had paralyzed his body.

This brief paralysis had proven fatal when facing an Emperor's attack.

And it became the reason for Onigumo's death.

A Vice Admiral capable of leading a Buster Call, Onigumo was one of the strongest among many of the Naval Headquarters' Vice Admirals.

And yet, he was lost in this Buster Call operation.

Justice had suffered a great blow.

"Only one casualty? You two are quite resilient, especially you, Momousagi," Ace said, his eyes gleaming with a flicker of red light as he surveyed the group. The corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.

If it weren't for the presence of the two Admiral candidates, Gion and Chaton, not only Onigumo but Momonga and Yamakaji would have also perished here.

This is the power of a Four Emperor—an overwhelming strength that creates a chasm between him and others!

Without Admiral-level combat power, they wouldn't even survive a single strike from his full-force, Conqueror's Haki-infused blow.

Beneath emperors and admirals, everyone else are mere ants!

I've finally reached the pinnacle of this sea, Ace thought. The day when I take Kaido's head and step over him to claim the title of the world's ruler isn't far off!

The purple-black hue in Ace's eyes deepened.

"..." 

Hearing Ace's words, sadness and anger briefly flashed in the eyes of Gion and Chaton before they suppressed it. Momonga and Yamakaji, their eyelids trembling, closed their eyes.

But what could they do, even if they didn't want to accept the reality of facing an emperor?

One strike had killed one of their own and seriously wounded four others.

This overwhelming power left them with no will to resist.

This wasn't upholding justice—it was certain death!

"We've defended your attack. Now keep your promise," Gion said, enduring her injuries and raising her voice.

"Of course," Ace replied, a sly smile curling his lips.

Gion and the others tensed immediately at his response.

"Brother Ace! We've got it!" 

The Franky Family's square-headed sisters called out, waving their arms excitedly.

"Return to Water 7 first," Ace ordered calmly.

"Got it!" 

At Ace's command, Franky's family, along with the giants Oimo and Kashii, began retreating from Enies Lobby.

"You all, continue with the Buster Call," Ace said, glancing at Gion and the others, who were struggling to pull themselves back onto the warship from the sea, and let out a mocking laugh.

"W-What?!" 

Gion, Chaton, Momonga, and Yamakaji couldn't believe their ears.

Continue the Buster Call?

"Since the signal's already been sent, the mission must be completed, right? The target must be wiped from the map, isn't that what you Marines always do?" Ace said, laughing with a powerful, Haki-laden voice.

If you offend the Entei Pirates, there is only one outcome: complete annihilation!

At that moment, clarity seemed to dawn on Gion and the others.

This Buster Call wasn't initiated by Spandam, was it?

It was Portgas D. Ace.

His goal...

Was to completely destroy Enies Lobby!

He was using Marine's own power to erase Enies Lobby from existence.

This man...

"Load! Fire! Destroy Enies Lobby!" 

Despite her deep reluctance, Gion gritted her teeth and issued the command.

At this point, they had no choice. No matter how much they resisted, they could only comply with Ace's words and destroy Enies Lobby completely.

Soon, the remaining Marines, still suppressed by Conqueror's Haki, channeled their grief and fury into action. They began to operate the warships and opened fire on Enies Lobby.

"Boom!!!"

The heart of Enies Lobby was instantly engulfed in a sea of flames.

"It's quite a sight, isn't it? Hahaha!" Ace laughed, watching the flames consume Enies Lobby as it gradually disappeared.

"To think a pirate would command a Buster Call to destroy an entire island like Enies Lobby..."

——

"Your Comprehension is beyond belief. Drawing strength from this, your Conqueror's Haki has evolved!" 

——

A line of text flashed in Ace's mind.

As he laughed, the purple-black hue in his eyes darkened further.

"Let's go. This place will be wiped out completely," Ace said, turning to the girls with a soft smile.

The girls nodded in unison, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Ace's gentle expression.

This is how Ace treated his enemies—with unyielding Haki.

But with his allies? With such warmth.

"Ace!" 

In the distance, the Going Merry slowly appeared from the sea, and the ship's spirit, Merry, in the form of a little girl, waved happily toward him from the bow.

"Let's head back to Water 7," Ace said with a grin.

The girls followed Ace as he stepped aboard the Merry.

"!!!"

At the end of the group, Robin stared at Ace as he reached out a hand toward her.

"Robin, the sea is vast, but from now on, you'll never be alone again," Ace said, his face soft with an impossibly gentle smile.

"Y…yes."

Robin's delicate body trembled, and tears streamed down her beautiful face.

Ace gently brushed Robin's long black hair, the warmth of his touch overwhelming her.

Robin, you're so beautiful.

"Boom!" 

Behind them, Enies Lobby slowly disappeared under the relentless fire of the Buster Call.

The mission at Enies Lobby had ended successfully.