Chapter 78: The Great Sponsor, Kaido of the Beasts

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Golden flames licked at the threads, a sizzling sound echoing through the air as sparks flew. The web, once a seemingly impenetrable barrier, began to disintegrate like a spiderweb consumed by fire.

"Fire Fist Ace, should I call you foolish or delusional? You want to fight me before even reaching the New World, and even after realizing you're outmatched, you still refuse to retreat!"

Doflamingo stood behind the remnants of his web, a sinister smile playing on his lips as if he had foreseen this outcome. His strings, renowned for their strength surpassing even steel, were vulnerable to Ace's flames.

However, Ace's power was still too weak. While stronger than most pirates, he was still a step below the Warlords. The outcome of this battle had been clear from the start. To claim Warlord-level strength before even setting foot in the New World was a naive delusion.

In Doflamingo's estimation, Ace was indeed strong.

"Ah, yes. As a member of that family, wielding Conqueror's Haki, the Flame-Flame Fruit, and a rudimentary understanding of Armament and Observation Haki, you've developed a rather inflated sense of your own invincibility."

Having blocked Ace's attack with his web, Doflamingo extended his hand, clenching his fist as if grasping something in the air. With a swift, powerful motion, he swung his arm towards Ace, roaring, "Overheat…Whip Line!"

A frightening column of strings, thick as a man's torso and twisted like countless strands of hair, hurtled towards Ace with blinding speed.

The Whip Line was not only massive but also incredibly long. It tore through the air like a spatial rift, leaving a straight, deep gash in the ground behind Ace as it descended upon him. The attack was coated in a layer of jet-black Busoshoku Haki, a clear indication that Doflamingo intended to crush Ace without mercy.

This Haki-infused attack, resembling a master swordsman's slash, would inflict grievous injuries even upon a Logia-type Devil Fruit user.

The sheer power of the attack stunned the onlookers. This was the first time many of them had witnessed the true might of a Warlord. Fire Fist Ace was already considered a monster in their eyes, but Doflamingo seemed to be a monster among monsters.

"Doflamingo… just how powerful is he? Can Fire Fist Ace really win?"

"Fire Fist!" Ace unleashed his signature technique, a torrent of flames roaring towards Doflamingo, its intensity causing the distant seawater to boil.

He channeled Busoshoku Haki into his flames, causing a bizarre transformation. A streak of black fire emerged from the heart of the inferno, spreading rapidly until the entire blaze was consumed by an ominous, jet-black hue. The red flames served as fuel, transforming into a hellish conflagration.

Even the ground beneath them began to burn, reminiscent of Amaterasu, the inextinguishable black flames wielded by Uchiha Itachi. The addition of Busoshoku Haki had amplified the flames' potency, clinging to their target with frightening tenacity. Both Ace and Itachi were figures known for their sacrifice, willing to give their lives for their younger brothers.

Their respective families also held significant influence in their worlds, locked in bitter rivalries with other powerful clans.

Doflamingo watched as the black flames descended upon him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Ace was worthy of the title "King."

Though conceited, his talent was undeniable.

But alas, his foolishness would be his undoing. His journey would end here.

The Overheat Whip Line collided with Ace's Fire Fist, a deafening roar shaking the very foundations of the island. The ground beneath their feet cracked and splintered like a spiderweb.

BOOM!!!

The black flames were cleaved in two by Doflamingo's attack, scattering in all directions. The shockwave ignited the clothes of the onlookers, and the majority of the flames crashed into the sea, burning for an extended period before finally being extinguished.

Thud!!

Ace collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, his eyes wide with shock and exhaustion. Half of Doflamingo's Whip Line remained, poised to strike him down. He had exhausted his options. Doflamingo surpassed him in every aspect, from Haki to Devil Fruit mastery.

He could hear the silent cries of his crewmates, the Spade Pirates, their faces etched with worry and desperation. Garp's words echoed in his mind.

"Ace, live with all your might. Find your reason for existing in this world."

"Old man… I'm sorry. I didn't listen to you…" A complex mix of emotions washed over Ace: regret, sorrow, and a strange sense of relief.

Who hadn't experienced the recklessness of youth? But not everyone had the privilege of paying for their mistakes. Ace had that privilege but had chosen a different path, a path that freed him from the burden of questioning his purpose.

Whoosh! He braced himself for the final blow, but the pain never came. He opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the scene before him.

An invisible string, halted mid-air, blocked by a pure white blade that shimmered in the sunlight. The sword was held by an imposing figure.

The man wore a Marine Vice Admiral's coat, a white shirt, a black sash, and a partial skull helmet, his skin deathly pale. He stood before Doflamingo as if he had materialized out of thin air. Though his face was concealed, his identity was unmistakable.

Marine Vice Admiral, the Black-Winged Devil, Ian.

"Why… bully a rookie?"

Doflamingo's domineering aura had no effect on Ian, as if cleaved in two by an invisible force. A subtle, almost sinister smile played on Ian's lips.

The moment he finished speaking, the string that had been locked against his blade snapped, unable to withstand the pressure.

HUM!! A powerful shockwave rippled outwards as the string broke.

The force of the shockwave sent both Ian's Justice coat and Doflamingo's pink feather coat billowing in the wind.

"Black-Winged Devil, aren't you a rookie yourself? The difference between you and him is that you know how to Enhance your strength, avoiding conflict until you have absolute certainty of victory. And when you're confident, you're not afraid to Fight. You're far more intelligent than Fire Fist."

Doflamingo remained motionless, his sinister gaze fixed on Ian through his tinted glasses.

"Fufufufu… The reports claim you have the potential to become an Admiral, that you fought Mihawk to a standstill. I'm curious to see if those rumors are true. Your growth rate is… alarming."

Doflamingo's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint.

Ian lowered his Zanpakuto, a faint smile playing on his lips. He shrugged, addressing Doflamingo, "It seems you anticipated my arrival. No matter. It means the Marines have gained a dedicated, hardworking Vice Admiral."

"What do you mean?" Doflamingo's brow furrowed, his voice laced with suspicion. He refrained from directly mentioning Vergo, his undercover agent within the Marines.

"Exactly what I said." Ian shrugged again.

"Ian… you…" Ace began, though they were roughly the same age, in this world, strength dictated respect.

"You're too reckless, Ace. Garp-san gave you the Haki and Six Powers training methods to help you survive, and you've squandered that opportunity by challenging Doflamingo, one of the strongest Warlords, before even reaching the New World."

Ian turned to Ace, his voice laced with disappointment. Ace attempted to defend himself, "It's your fault! You defeated two Warlords and fought Mihawk to a draw!"

"I admit, I wanted to repay Garp-san a favor, just like Doflamingo. But more importantly, you shouldn't die so young."

"You've been searching for your reason to live. Your mother sacrificed her life to bring you into this world. Garp-san risked his honor to protect you from the World Government. Don't you have any reason to live for them?"

"Don't give me that 'it would have been easier for everyone if I hadn't been born' nonsense. I can't argue with a dead heart."

"Not everyone can bear the burden of that man's legacy. Isn't the pursuit of freedom the essence of being a pirate? If you care about their opinions, then prove them wrong with your strength!"

"As for my record, I've never lost a battle. That's because I know when I can win. Doflamingo is right. You're too reckless." Ian's words, though delivered calmly, resonated deeply with Ace.

He had underestimated Ace's impulsiveness. Ignoring Whitebeard's warnings, Ace had confronted Blackbeard, leading to his capture and the devastating Marineford War. he had sacrificed his life to protect Luffy, his younger brother. The Whitebeard Pirates suffered heavy losses, but Ace hadn't truly paid the price for his recklessness.

His young life had ended.

While tragic, it wasn't deserving of sympathy.

Luffy was no different. His actions at Impel Down and Marineford had unleashed countless dangerous criminals upon the world.

Though driven by the noble goal of saving his brother, his actions had caused widespread chaos and suffering.

Both brothers embodied recklessness and foolishness, disregarding the consequences of their actions.

Ian hadn't anticipated their encounter with Doflamingo happening so soon. In retrospect, it was his fault. Ace had arrived at Sabaody Archipelago around this time, coinciding with Fujitora's visit to Rayleigh. Ian's actions against Diamante had Angered Doflamingo, and his recommendation of Fujitora as Crocodile's replacement had triggered a chain of events, a butterfly effect with far-reaching consequences.

Perhaps eliminating Doflamingo would draw Kaido's attention.

The Beasts Pirates relied on Doflamingo's SMILE fruits to bolster their ranks. However, even if he couldn't defeat Kaido, escaping would be relatively easy.

If he chose Marineford as their battleground, with the support of Sengoku, Garp, and other powerful Marines, capturing Kaido wasn't impossible. Though Kaido had attacked Marineford multiple times, his immense durability and resilience had always forced the Marines to release him.

Imprisoning him in Impel Down might lead to another legendary escape, like Shiki's before him. And with countless Devil Fruit users imprisoned within its walls, Kaido's rampage would create chaos, forcing the Marines to scramble to recapture escaped prisoners and collect the respawning Devil Fruits.

It would be a monumental task. But Ian's powers focused on souls. While Kaido possessed Conqueror's Haki, his simple-mindedness might prove to be his weakness.

Who could say whose spirit was stronger?

"It… might work." A plan began to form in Ian's mind. If he chose Impel Down as their battlefield, he would have ample justification to eliminate the pirates within, absorbing their souls and Devil Fruit powers.

Jack the Drought, one of Kaido's calamities, had set a precedent.

"Fufufufufu… Aren't you a Kid yourself, lecturing others?"

Doflamingo's sinister voice echoed through the air, sending chills down the spines of those present. "Diamante… he was family…"

Ian's expression hardened, his emotions concealed beneath a mask of calm. His pale green eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, fixed on Doflamingo, a predatory glint within them.

He saw Doflamingo, the flamboyant Warlord, as nothing more than a preening flamingo, a bird easily plucked. Like Kaido, Doflamingo was known as a "Sponsor" in the pirate world. He had helped numerous Supernovas overcome their addiction to the conquest of territory, sparing their lives and even offering them positions. X Drake had even become one of the Tobiroppo, the Flying Six.

Second only to the All-Stars, the Calamities, and Kaido himself, Drake held a position of power. Scratchmen Apoo and Basil Hawkins, though less influential, were still prominent members of the Beasts Pirates. Luffy and Kid, having refused to join, were imprisoned in Udon, their spirits tested and their strength honed. To alleviate their boredom, Kaido had even sent Queen, the All-Star known as the Plague, to entertain them with song and dance.

He would even attack Marine Headquarters, seemingly suicidal missions designed to test their strength and improve Impel Down's security and defenses. He was a true Sponsor, performing good deeds in disguise.

After all, Impel Down's formidable defenses and its ability to hold so many powerful prisoners were a testament to Kaido's contributions.

Doflamingo's acts of kindness were equally impressive.

He had the Flame-Flame Fruit, the Ope Ope no Mi worth 5 billion berries, and even the Gold-Gold Fruit to Sabo, Gild Tesoro, and others, creating powerful allies like the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command and the future "King of Gold," who controlled 20% of the world's wealth. Instead of seeking revenge, he had attempted to befriend and recruit them.

During the Dressrosa arc, recognizing the Straw Hats' limited numbers, he had organized a tournament, gathering a formidable force of 5,640 pirates, forming the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. He had asked for nothing in return.

He had contributed significantly to Luffy's rise to power.

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Word Count [2151]

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To Be Continued..

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