Chapter 181: Epilogue

[Sorry for the Rushed Ending but I didn't Want to just Drop this without a Ending guys]

Half a year had passed since the climactic final war that reshaped the world. In the aftermath of the World Government's downfall, the member states that once pledged loyalty to it swiftly withdrew from the shattered regime. They found new allegiance under the banner of the victorious Entei Pirates, now transformed into the Flame Empire.

With the old world order eradicated, the Flame Empire stood as the singular ruling force across the globe. At its helm was none other than the mightiest figure in this new era—Portgas D. Ace, the Flame Emperor, now recognized as the undisputed King of the World. His influence, vast and unchallenged, extended across seas and lands, uniting former enemies and allies under his fiery rule.

The Revolutionary Army, which had long been a thorn in the side of the World Government, also found its place within this new empire. Their contributions during the war had been invaluable, playing a pivotal role in weakening the World Government and securing the Entei Pirates' ultimate victory. As a result, the Revolutionary Army had seamlessly integrated into the Flame Empire, continuing their fight for a better world by aiding in the establishment of a new global order.

Renamed the Flame Empire's Special Operations Department, the Revolutionary Army now worked directly under Ace's command. Their mission had evolved from rebellion to maintaining and expanding the empire's influence, ensuring stability while dismantling the remnants of the old regime. Ace, ever strategic, appointed his trusted brother Sabo as the head of this elite force. Sabo, who had proven himself time and time again in battle, was the perfect choice to lead such a crucial department, his fiery determination and loyalty to Ace unmatched.

Alongside Sabo was their father, Monkey D. Dragon, the former leader of the Revolutionary Army and now second-in-command of the Flame Empire's Special Operations. Though once a shadowy figure working from the fringes of power, Dragon now stood openly at Ace's side, ensuring that the principles of justice and freedom, which the Revolutionary Army had fought for, remained central to the empire's foundation.

Together, Ace, Sabo, and Dragon were reshaping the world into a new era of flame and freedom. The once-feared Revolutionary Army had become the spearhead of Ace's new order, their roles evolving from revolutionaries to enforcers of peace and stability under the flame of their emperor. As the Flame Empire spread its reach across the seas, it became clear that this new era, forged in the crucible of war, was here to stay.

As for Ace's other brother, Monkey D. Luffy, after the war ended and the grand victory banquet concluded, he resumed his journey alongside his loyal companions. Their sights were set on finding the final Road Poneglyph, the key to the last island, Raftel. In time, Luffy would achieve his dream—not just becoming the Pirate King, but more importantly, becoming the freest man on the seas.

The term "Pirate King" no longer held the same significance, as the world had dramatically changed. With the fall of the World Government and the rise of the Flame Empire, the era of piracy had come to an end. No longer were men and women sailing the seas under the flag of piracy; the title of "pirate" itself had become a relic of history, replaced by the new moniker of "Adventurers." The old system had collapsed, and with it, the power structures that had dominated the seas for centuries.

The Four Emperors, once the titans of the New World, followed suit. Red-Haired Shanks and Whitebeard both announced their withdrawal from the world stage. Whitebeard, tired of war and content to live out his final days in peace, retired alongside his sons. Shanks, ever the enigmatic figure, attended one last grand banquet hosted by Ace. It was here that he met Luffy again, sharing drinks and stories late into the night before disbanding the Red Hair Pirates and disappearing from the public eye.

Ace, though wielding immense power as the Flame Emperor, chose not to interfere in Shanks' decision. Using his Observation Haki and the future-seeing ability of the Time Fruit, Ace glimpsed a future without Shanks and let him go, knowing that the era of the Four Emperors had reached its natural conclusion. With the collapse of both the Emperors and the Shichibukai system, the power of the pirates withered. Crime still existed, but the Flame Empire's navy maintained peace and order.

Luffy's long-awaited arrival at Raftel marked the end of the Great Pirate Era. He claimed the title of the freest man in the world, completing his journey as the legacy of piracy itself faded into legend. The era of the Flame Empire had begun, with Ace as its unchallenged ruler.

Reflecting on the elusive Raftel, Ace mused aloud, "Oh? So Raftel is at the bottom of the sea? And it's still moving. No wonder no one could ever find it."

Ace had long suspected that Raftel was hidden beneath the ocean's surface. After all, the seas were vast, but not limitless, and many capable individuals had scoured every corner. If Raftel had been on the surface, it would have been discovered by now. Pirates with the ability to fly, like Golden Lion Shiki, would have long uncovered its location. And if it were in the sky, on one of the Sky Islands, the four Road Poneglyphs wouldn't be necessary; reaching those islands required only three coordinates. The truth was clear: Raftel was in the deep sea, continuously moving.

Yet Ace felt little interest in what awaited on that mysterious island. Joy Boy, the first pirate in history, had left behind treasures and secrets, but to Ace, the legacy of piracy was now a thing of the past. The world had moved beyond the age of pirates, and with it, any need to dwell on what Joy Boy left behind. Pirates, after all, were history—and history belonged to Ace now, the Flame Emperor, the ruler of a new era.

"As expected, Vegapunk truly lives up to his title as the world's foremost scientist. His contributions to the empire have been nothing short of monumental." Ace's voice was calm, but the slight curve of his lips betrayed his satisfaction as he gazed at the figure standing before him in the grand hall.

"Your Majesty is far too kind. It is only by Your Majesty's power that the empire has been able to flourish at such a rapid pace," replied Vegapunk, his arms outstretched in humble acknowledgment. The scientist, a user of the Brain-Brain Fruit, was renowned for his genius, said to be 500 years ahead of the rest of the world in technological prowess.

The alliance between Ace and Vegapunk had been established long before the final war against the World Government. With Ace's mastery of numerous abilities—such as the Space Fruit and the Transparent Fruit—contacting Vegapunk discreetly had been a simple matter. Ace had also been well aware of the scientist's quiet resentment toward the World Government. Vegapunk had long harbored a desire to expose their darkest secrets, and his work for the government was merely a means to an end.

Moreover, Ace had insight into the intricate web of deception woven by the World Government, including the treachery among the clones Vegapunk had created using the power of his Brain-Brain Fruit. This made it all the easier for the two to collaborate in secret, without ever arousing the suspicion of the government's overseers.

During the final battle, it had been Vegapunk who orchestrated the sudden failure of the Mother Flame, the key energy source for Uranus. Without it, the ancient weapon had been rendered useless. And now, Vegapunk stood as the chief scientist of the newly formed Flame Empire, his genius fully unleashed in service of the empire's rapid technological advancement.

Thanks to Ace's "Field of Enlightenment" ability, which encompassed the entire empire, Vegapunk's scientific capabilities had reached terrifying new heights. The Flame Empire's technology was evolving at an unprecedented pace, driving both innovation and prosperity. The empire's productivity surged daily, bolstered by Ace's influence, to the point where the world marveled at the sheer speed of its development.

"How is the moon landing plan progressing?" Ace inquired with a smile, his tone casual but underpinned by the weight of immense ambition.

The world Ace ruled was extraordinary, filled with wonders and mysteries far beyond the reach of an ordinary world. Among them was the existence of space pirates and a living moon. Unlike Earth's moon, which was barren and lifeless, this world's moon—known as the Endless Land—teemed with life and resources. It was the same moon Enel had once sought, before his ambitions were cut short by Ace.

In the original timeline, Enel had indeed reached the moon and discovered the existence of space pirates. But Ace had his sights set on far more than merely finding the moon; he intended to control and develop it. The vast resources that lay beyond the sea, in space, were too valuable to ignore.

"After all," Ace mused inwardly, "resources on this planet are finite. If the Flame Empire is to thrive and continue its rapid expansion, it will need to reach beyond the limitations of this world."

The moon was just the beginning. Space held boundless potential, and Ace was determined to harness its limitless resources to fuel the empire's future growth. The Flame Empire would not just dominate the seas and the lands—it would conquer the stars.

"It's all fully prepared. The rocket is set to launch the day after tomorrow," Vegapunk reported promptly, his voice filled with confidence as he laid out the final details of the ambitious moon landing plan.

During his time working for the World Government, Vegapunk had already made significant strides in rocket technology. Now, with the support of Ace's powerful "Field of Enlightenment," it was only natural that their current rockets would far surpass anything from the past. Every aspect of the mission had been meticulously rehearsed, and Vegapunk held unshakable confidence in not only reaching the moon but in tapping into the endless resources of the Infinite Earth—and perhaps, one day, even the vast starry skies beyond.

With Ace's Field of Enlightenment guiding him, Vegapunk felt he could accomplish anything. Hearing the report, Ace offered a few words of encouragement, his faith in Vegapunk unwavering. With a respectful bow, Vegapunk excused himself to refine the final preparations for the moon landing.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the hall shifted with a faint buzzing sound. The air twisted, and from a shimmering gap in space, a group of women—led by Nami—stepped into the room.

"This space channel is really something! It's just as good as your own ability, Ace," Nami exclaimed playfully, leaping into Ace's arms with a bright smile.

Ace chuckled, looking at the lively faces around him. "Of course, it's a space channel constructed using the power of the Space Fruit combined with the energy of the Mother Flame as fuel. The results were bound to be impressive," he said, smiling warmly.

The use of Devil Fruit abilities, especially on such a scale, required a great deal of physical strength and energy from the user. Ace knew that continuously maintaining space channels would be draining, even for him. To alleviate this, he had tasked Vegapunk with developing a solution using science and technology to stabilize the Space Fruit's power, allowing the creation of space channels without excessive strain.

For someone of Vegapunk's genius, this was far from impossible. After all, during his work for the World Government, he had successfully used "green blood" to implant the abilities of Paramecia Devil Fruits into the Seraphim. With Ace's Field of Enlightenment guiding his research, this task became even smoother.

The creation of the fixed space channels was further bolstered by incorporating the Light Ball of Enlightenment, a unique energy source that powered the devices. This, combined with the Mother Flame's energy—said to be capable of fueling the world—made it possible for the space channels to be constructed without Ace needing to deplete his own reserves.

For now, the channels were reserved for the Flame Empire's top leadership. Extending this convenience to the entire populace was a future goal, though the immense energy required still exceeded what the current Mother Flame could produce. However, an upgrade to the Mother Flame was already on Ace's agenda, and he believed that soon, every citizen of the Flame Empire would be able to travel through these space channels. When that day came, the world would truly be united in a way only Ace could have envisioned.

This would be the true "One Piece" that Ace created—one that transcended the original concept and connected the entire world.

"Ace, is the starry sky really as vast as they say?" Kaya asked, her head tilted in curiosity as she looked up at him, her eyes filled with wonder.

"Of course, it's even wider than the sea," Ace replied, gently patting her head with affection. "When the time comes, I'll take all of you with me to see it."

"Then it's a promise!" Kaya giggled, and the other women chimed in with laughter, their excitement palpable.

After some light-hearted banter with the girls, Ace eventually made his way over to the window, his gaze drifting out into the endless expanse of the night sky. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he thought about the future. Beyond the sea, beyond the lands he had conquered, there lay an infinite world of possibilities—one that he would soon explore, not just for himself, but for the entire Flame Empire.

In this new era, Ace was more than a ruler. He was a trailblazer, a visionary, and the architect of a world united under his flame.

Epilogue: To the Infinite Stars

Ten years had passed since the final war. The world had changed beyond recognition—pirates had become adventurers, the seas were no longer filled with endless battles, and the Flame Empire reigned as a beacon of unity and progress. In this era of peace, the trio that had once been three brothers dreaming under a starry sky found themselves reunited once more.

Ace, now the Flame Emperor and ruler of the world, stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the vast ocean. His eyes reflected both the deep blue sea below and the endless sky above. The winds of freedom that once carried their youthful dreams were still present, only now, they carried the weight of their legacy.

Beside him stood Sabo, now head of the Flame Empire's Special Operations Department. His Revolutionist ideals had found new purpose under Ace's rule, helping to guide the once-chaotic world toward a future of justice and equality. His arms were crossed, but there was a soft smile on his face as he looked out toward the horizon.

And finally, there was Luffy—grinning as wide as ever, the Pirate King who had found freedom even beyond his wildest dreams. With the sea behind him and the stars ahead, Luffy had never stopped exploring, even after reaching Raftel and becoming the freest man in the world.

"I can't believe it's been ten years," Ace said, breaking the comfortable silence. His voice was steady but carried a note of nostalgia. "From that little treehouse on Dawn Island to this… ruling the world, creating an era of peace, and now we're heading into space. It's been one hell of a journey."

Sabo chuckled, his fingers idly playing with the pipe he always carried. "We always talked about changing the world, but I don't think any of us imagined we'd get this far." He glanced at Ace, a glint of pride in his eyes. "You've done it, Ace. You've built something that'll last. The Flame Empire isn't just about power—it's about hope, freedom, and the chance for everyone to live their lives to the fullest."

Luffy stretched his arms, leaning back against a nearby rock with his iconic straw hat hanging over his back. "Heh, I just wanted to find the One Piece," he said, a carefree laugh escaping him. "But now that we've done all that, there's still so much more out there. Raftel was just the beginning. The stars are calling! Can't wait to see what's next."

Ace smiled at Luffy's enthusiasm. "Even after all this time, you're still the same, Luffy. Always looking for the next adventure."

Luffy grinned back. "Of course! There's no end to freedom! There's always something new to discover. Right, Sabo?"

Sabo nodded. "Luffy's right. We've come so far, but there's still a whole universe out there. With the moon landing and our space exploration starting, the stars are the next frontier. Who knows what we'll find out there?"

Ace turned to look at both of his brothers. The three of them—bound by fate, by blood, and by a shared dream—had grown so much since those days on Dawn Island, yet the bond between them remained unbreakable.

"You know," Ace began, his voice soft, "we made a promise back then. To live without regrets. To be free. I think we've kept that promise." He looked at Luffy and Sabo, his eyes filled with warmth. "No matter where we go from here, as long as we're together, we'll keep that promise."

The sun began to set, casting a golden hue across the ocean, as if it were saying goodbye to the world they had known and welcoming the stars above. For a moment, the three brothers were silent, lost in the memories of their journey—the battles they fought, the friends they made, the dreams they chased.

But as the first stars appeared in the sky, Luffy stood up, his grin wider than ever. "Alright! Enough talking. It's time to sail out to the infinite stars!"

Ace laughed, his voice full of life. "Yeah, let's go see what's waiting for us up there. A whole new adventure."

Sabo nodded, stepping forward with them. "Together, just like always."

The three brothers looked up at the stars, their eyes filled with the same fire they had always carried—the fire of adventure, freedom, and brotherhood. With a final glance at the world they had shaped, they turned their backs to the ocean and faced the stars.

A massive ship, one capable of traversing both the sea and the endless void of space, awaited them at the shore. Its sails, emblazoned with the emblem of the Flame Empire, caught the wind as the brothers climbed aboard.

As the ship began to rise, leaving the earth behind, Ace, Luffy, and Sabo stood at the helm—three brothers, united by a dream that had taken them beyond the seas and now into the stars. The world they had shaped would thrive in their absence, but the infinite expanse of the universe was calling, and they were ready to answer.

With a final cheer, their ship broke through the atmosphere, sailing toward the boundless cosmos. Their journey was far from over—this was only the beginning.

And as the stars welcomed them, one thing was clear: no matter where they went, no matter how far they traveled, they would always be free.

Together.

One Piece: Ace The Emperor of Flames (END)