Loguetown's most iconic landmark—
The execution platform.
More than twenty years ago, the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed here for the whole world to see.
Ace stood silently, eyes locked on the weathered wood of the gallows.
"So this is it. The execution platform... where the Pirate King was put to death," said Tashigi, pointing up at the old structure.
Swoosh!
In an instant, Ace vanished from where he stood and soared into the air, landing cleanly atop the execution platform.
"Eh?!"
Tashigi blinked in surprise, but quickly regained her senses and rushed over.
"Ace-san! You can't be up there! Get down immediately!"
She ran to the base of the platform, looking up in alarm.
But Ace didn't respond. Instead, he sat down cross-legged, letting the silence settle around him.
"So... this is where it happened, huh?"
He ran a hand across the planks of the scaffold, lips moving in a whisper.
His "old man" in this life—Gol D. Roger—had died here.
Already suffering from an incurable illness, Roger had chosen to face the gallows of his own volition...
To end his life not with quiet surrender, but with a declaration that would shake the world.
With his death...
He had ushered in the Great Pirate Era.
"...Heh. Suits you, old man," Ace murmured, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He closed his eyes.
Whoosh—!
Suddenly, the world around him changed.
Crowds. Countless people surrounded the execution platform. Some watched in fear, others in awe. All eyes were locked on the man above.
Reporters. Transponder Snails. Cameras. Every lens pointed to the gallows.
"Hey! King of the Pirates!"
A voice rang out, trembling with nervous excitement.
"Where did you hide all the treasure you found?! You got it, didn't you?! That legendary treasure! That great treasure! The ONE PIECE!"
Roger's smile widened—bold, fearless, kingly.
"You want my treasure? You can have it! Find it! I left it all in one place!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
His laughter rang like thunder, echoing across the world.
And then—
Spurt.
Blood. The scene shattered like glass.
[Your comprehension is unparalleled. Through visualized immersion, your will has grown immensely!]
[Your Conqueror's Haki has seen a great leap forward!]
You gave your life to ignite the Pirate Era...
Then let me be the one to end it.
This new age... will bear the name—
Flame Emperor.
Ace's eyes snapped open, now glowing a deep, oppressive purple-black.
Boom!
Thunder rumbled.
BOOM-BOOM!
Dark clouds surged above Loguetown. Lightning serpents danced through the churning storm, roaring from within.
"Hey! Tashigi!"
Still confused by what was happening, Tashigi turned at the sound of someone shouting her name.
Smoker came charging in with a squad of Marines behind him.
"Get away from him! You idiot!"
Smoker bellowed.
"Eh? Captain Smoker? Why? Ace-san is a good person!"
Tashigi tilted her head, puzzled, as she looked at the visibly panicked Smoker.
"You airheaded fool! That man is Portgas D. Ace—a pirate with a 35 million beri bounty!"
The crowd around the square instantly fell into chaos.
"Thirty-five million?!"
Tashigi stood frozen.
Ace... is a pirate?
The man who said he'd end the Great Pirate Era... is a pirate?!
No... it couldn't be. That had to be wrong... right?
She slowly looked up—just in time to see Ace leap gracefully down from the platform.
"Take a rest, Tashigi."
Ace's gaze—deep and glowing with dark purple—met hers. In that instant, she collapsed unconscious.
"Tashigi!"
"You bastard! Using a hostage to threaten the Marines?!"
Smoker's roar rang out.
But Ace didn't even spare him a glance. He turned instead to a nearby building where Nami and the others were hidden, watching.
"Nami. Take her to the ship," he said, cradling Tashigi gently in his arms.
"Eh? Who is this girl? What are you planning?"
Though her words were skeptical, Nami jogged over and took Tashigi from him.
Click.
Nojiko loaded her rifle, aiming squarely at the furious Smoker.
Kaya stood beside her, her delicate face resolute, hands glowing softly with golden light.
"Take her to the ship first. I'll explain later," Ace said, giving them a calm smile.
"Geez... fine," Nami huffed, rolling her eyes. Then she took off, running toward the dock with Tashigi in her arms.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Captain."
Nojiko gave him a smile, rifle still steady in her hands.
"Yeah. I'll catch up soon."
The dark hue in Ace's eyes was now so intense, it looked almost tangible. He smiled faintly.
"Such a reliable captain," Nojiko said with a grin.
She took Kaya's hand and the two of them sprinted toward the Going Merry.
"Stop right there!"
Smoker prepared to give chase—but Ace moved instantly, stepping between him and the fleeing girls.
"Portgas D. Ace... looks like I'll have to take you down to save my subordinate."
Smoker's expression turned icy, his arm morphing into a mass of white smoke.
"White Blow!"
The smoky fist shot toward Ace with full force.
"Thirty-five million... that's all?"
Smoker smirked as his attack flew straight at Ace—who stood unmoving.
BOOM! Whoosh!
"What?!"
To Smoker's shock, the moment his blow landed, Ace's body burst into flames.
"A Logia-type... I remember now!"
Smoker's eyes narrowed.
"Headquarters dubbed you the Fire Fist—Portgas D. Ace!"
Ace chuckled.
"I never liked that name."
"I prefer... Flame Emperor. Portgas D. Ace."
"Flame Emperor?! You think you're—"
But before Smoker could finish, his face contorted in shock.
WOMMMM! BOOM!
Ace's purple-black eyes suddenly exploded with force—like thunder unleashed.
CRACK!!!
A massive shockwave rippled through the square, sweeping over every single Marine in an instant.
Even the storm clouds above were torn asunder—an empty void punched through the sky, as though divine power had rent the heavens themselves.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
All across the square, Marines dropped like stones—their eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness.
"Th-that's... Conqueror's... Haki?!"
Smoker dropped to one knee, gasping. In his final moments of awareness, he looked up at Ace—his eyes filled with disbelief.
Why?!
How does a rookie from the East Blue... possess Conqueror's Haki?!
And at this level... even I...?!
His thoughts trailed off as darkness claimed him.
---
TL/N:
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon: p@treon.com/juanfiction (Replace @ with 'a')