Chapter 34: Showdown on Doloran Island

After the Spade Pirates completed their resupply on Doloran Island, they lingered there for a short while.

Everyone needed a break after being on a desolate island and out at sea for several months, constantly on guard.

At this moment, in one of the island's restaurants:

"Ace, we got some info from the tavern," said a Spade Pirates crew member sporting a skull mask. "The Red Hair Pirates were spotted on an island not far from here a few days ago. They shouldn't be too far now."

He added cautiously, "Also, it seems like the Beast Pirates are tracking us. Now, besides Whitebeard, we've managed to offend another Emperor."

[A/N: In the previous chapters, it was noted that Ace burned the Whitebeard pirate's flag on Fish-man Island. They assumed that members of the Whitebeard pirates were offended.]

Ace, who was dozing off, opened his eyes, lifted his head from the plate, then continued eating as he mumbled, "That's fine, isn't it? If my goal is to become the Pirate King, it's only natural to go through the Four Emperors, right?"

The Spade Pirates' crew had long since grown used to their captain's indomitable spirit. "Understood, Captain. We'll press on and try to catch up with the Red Hair Pirates."

But before he could finish, Ace grabbed his arm and swiftly burst through the restaurant doors.

A powerful strike suddenly came from above, blasting half the restaurant apart. Stumbling backward, the Spade Pirates crew member looked up to see a pteranodon hovering in the sky and immediately recognized their opponent.

"That's the All-Star of the Beast Pirates—known as the Wildfire, King!"

The pteranodon landed and transformed into a tall, intimidating man in a black leather jacket with black wings protruding from his back. His gaze was fixed coldly on Ace.

"Ah! Seems like someone came looking for trouble?" Ace scratched his head with a somewhat exasperated expression before assuming a serious demeanor.

"But why is it only one All-Star from the Beast Pirates? Shouldn't Kaido himself be coming?"

King replied icily, "It's not just me; all three Calamities are here. For a newcomer like you to the New World, warranting the full force of the Beast Pirates' All-Stars is no small feat, Fire Fist Ace. The Spade Pirates should feel honored."

Of course, King didn't bother to mention the embarrassing fact that Kaido had drunkenly flown off in a dragon form without a log pose.

"The three Calamities all came? Then why are you here alone?" Ace asked with a frown.

"The other two went after your crew and Master Yamato. As for you, I'm enough on my own." King unsheathed his long sword, flames blazing around him as he sneered.

"So they're after Yamato… I guess that means I'm your only target here." Ace grinned, flames flickering over his body, untroubled by the challenge.

Shin and Yamato are nearly as strong as he is, and Yamato is likely even stronger. With the two of them facing off against the remaining two Calamities, Ace has no cause for concern.

At this point, the island's residents quickly began to flee, having noticed King's presence. While knowledge of the marine and the World Government may vary in the New World, everyone knows of the most dangerous pirates. The moment King appeared, the locals wasted no time disappearing from sight.

This situation worked to Ace's advantage since he no longer had to concern himself with bystanders.

"Quite bold, aren't you? If you lose, I won't kill you—I'll only humiliate you," King remarked. As a rare level-headed member of the Beast Pirates, he often considered strengthening the crew. Seeing a devil fruit user with potential like Ace, he naturally saw an opportunity.

Ace let out a hearty laugh. "Then I really should thank you, but…"

"Let's save the big talk for after you win! Fire Fist—!"

While Ace and King clashed, Yamato and Shin encountered the remaining two Calamities on the other side of the island.

Queen, known for his devious nature, realized that Yamato's strength likely posed a serious challenge. Moreover, as Kaido's daughter, she remained something of an untouchable figure—family disputes were delicate matters, after all.

Thus, in this fight, Queen decided to let the brutish Jack target Yamato while he focused on the perceived "easy pick" of Shin.

"Kid, so you're the one who swiped the treasures of the Beast Pirates," sneered Queen, his round frame glinting with an oversized pair of toad-like goggles. "Hand it over, and I might give you a quick death!"

Shin scratched his head, chuckling at Queen's arrogance. "So, it's just you up against me? I don't see Kaido anywhere."

Queen let out a booming laugh. "For small fries like you, it's enough for just us three Calamities to show up. Don't think Kaido has time for the likes of you." He transformed one of his mechanical arms into a massive machine gun.

"Forget about Kaido. After I turn you into minced meat, I'll be helping myself to whatever treasure your ship's holding!" Queen's laughter echoed as he unleashed a barrage of gunfire.

Hearing that Kaido hadn't come himself, Shin was secretly relieved. Watching Queen's overconfidence, he sidestepped the gunfire with a smirk.

"Idiot, if one of the other two Calamities were here, it might be a real fight."

"But you? I completely outmatch you."

He was by Queen's mechanical arm in the blink of an eye. Queen grinned, turning the arm toward Shin's face and preparing to fire a laser.

"Ha! My advanced tech isn't something a kid like you can—wait, what?!"

To Queen's shock, Shin opened his mouth wide—so wide that it seemed to swallow half his torso. The laser blast fired directly into Shin's gaping maw, not even a whiff of smoke escaping.

Then, with his mouth still open, Shin bit down on Queen's mechanical arm. Queen immediately swung his arm frantically, flinging Shin away.

"What sort of devil fruit did you eat? Are you some glutton?" Queen asked in disbelief. Then he pointed his arm at Shin again. "Too bad all you've got is a big mouth! My next shot will tear you apart!"

A loud explosion rang out, yet Shin stood unscathed. Queen's entire cybernetic arm, however, was blown to pieces.

"Who's the idiot here? Just because I can't build machines doesn't mean I can't break them!"

"Munch-Munch fruit's transformative powers are unmatched among Devil Fruits! Normal tech doesn't stand a chance against it." Shin sneered. "Even the alloys a simpleton like Wapol used had Vegapunk astonished. Destroying your arm was easy."

*******************************

Mass Release: [5/5]

For every power stones milestone: 50,100, 200, 300,400,500 I will release a bonus chapter.

I will also release a bonus chapter for every two reviews until it reaches ten reviews.

Review status: [7/10]