One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

The banquet hosted by the Entei Pirates, attended by the Four Emperors—the Red Hair Pirates, Whitebeard Pirates, and Kaido of the Beasts—had come to an end.

Kaido, who had traveled from the New World with the intent of seizing Ace's demon-hunting abilities, transformed into his blue dragon form and departed. However, his purpose had shifted. Kaido was no longer simply after power—now, he was preparing to challenge the man who had risen to the pinnacle of the sea in this era: Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace.

Despite Kaido's arrogance and his tendency to rely on his near-immortality to impose his will on other forces, he wasn't just a mindless brute. The fact that he had conquered Wano Country proved his cunning. Based on the strength the Entei Pirates displayed during the war, Kaido knew that his Beasts Pirates stood almost no chance of winning if they faced Ace's forces alone.

Even the mightiest of the three great powers, Marine Headquarters, had been soundly defeated by Ace's pirate fleet. The World Government's Five Elders had to intervene to prevent total annihilation. Without their involvement, the Marines would have suffered catastrophic losses.

Given that Marine Headquarters couldn't match the Entei Pirates' power, Kaido understood that his own crew wouldn't stand a chance either. Yet instead of fear, Kaido felt exhilaration. He never expected that Portgas D. Ace, also known as Entei, would possess the power of a god—'Nika'.

Though Ace denied being the legendary Joy Boy, and his power differed from the traditional Nika form with its rubber body, Kaido couldn't pass up the chance to battle Nika in this era. For him, it was a stroke of incredible luck.

Kaido wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. But to wage war against Nika, he needed an ally. His next destination: the New World, Totto Land, home of the Four Emperors' Big Mom Pirates.

Meanwhile, the other Four Emperors—the Red Hair Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates—had also departed Sabaody Archipelago, returning to the New World. Red-Haired Shanks had come from the New World to confront Ace directly. What he had learned at the banquet was even more significant than anticipated: Ace was Luffy's brother and possessed Nika's power.

The Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Zoan Model—Nika was currently residing in Luffy's body in the form of the Rubber-Rubber Fruit. Although this Devil Fruit had not yet awakened, Shanks was certain that Nika would soon emerge from Luffy because the Human-Human Fruit had chosen him.

In this era, two Nika incarnations would appear. One was Luffy, chosen by the Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Zoan—Nika, and the other was Ace, who had already risen to the top of the sea, surpassing even the Four Emperors in strength.

With Rayleigh fully committing himself to the Entei Pirates as captain of Zero Division, Ace's pirate fleet had become the only force capable of taking on Marine Headquarters head-on. The fleet was now the most controversial group on the seas.

Ace, Luffy's brother and the Entei, had ushered in a new era. This was the era Shanks had long been waiting for, though it had arrived sooner than expected. And this era would be called the Era of Flames.

Even if Luffy were to awaken as Nika, it wouldn't change the fact that in this era, Ace reigned supreme as the Flame Emperor. The Red Hair Pirates would need to carefully consider their place in this new age. While Shanks had once staked his arm on Luffy's potential, Rayleigh had placed his own bet on Ace, joining him and the Entei Pirates.

At the banquet, Shanks also uncovered the true identity of Marshall D. Teach, a man with the ability to consume multiple Devil Fruits. Teach was after what was known as one of the strongest Devil Fruit abilities—the Dark-Dark Fruit. Fortunately, under the influence of Ace's Nika power, Teach had not yet acquired this dangerous fruit, which stood in opposition to Nika's abilities.

While Shanks wasn't certain where the Dark-Dark Fruit had gone, he didn't dwell on it. Even the World Government, with all its resources, had failed to locate the Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Zoan—Nika for 800 years. Finding the Dark-Dark Fruit would be just as difficult.

More importantly, the Dark-Dark Fruit had come to Ace's attention. Although Ace's influence didn't yet rival that of the World Government, he was the most knowledgeable about Devil Fruits on the sea.

In the long history of the world, there had never been anyone like Ace—someone who could push the limits of Devil Fruit powers beyond what was thought possible.

There has never been a person who possesses the Mera-Mera Fruit while also wielding the power of Nika. Yet Ace, with his concealed methods, has mastered the abilities of all Devil Fruits—a power unprecedented in history. He has achieved the ultimate perfection of Devil Fruit powers!

Although the Dark-Dark Fruit stands on equal footing with the Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Zoan—Nika form, Shanks firmly believes that it's only a matter of time before Ace, who wields the most powerful Devil Fruit ability ever known, claims the Dark-Dark Fruit for himself.

What Shanks must now consider is how to bet on this new era and decide the future course of the Red Hair Pirates.

Among the remaining Four Emperors, the Whitebeard Pirates carry the least concern about this new era. Calm and composed, they left the Sabaody Archipelago and returned to the New World without any intention of acknowledging the changes around them. To the Whitebeard Pirates, family is paramount.

Just as Whitebeard continues to age, dependent on continuous infusions and medical devices to maintain his vital signs, so too has his once-mighty pirate crew begun to weaken with time, reflecting the physical decline of their aging leader. There was a time when the seas were dominated by Whitebeard. Now, this new era will be defined by the Flame Emperor.

Onboard the Whitebeard Pirates' ship sat a disillusioned Teach. The Dark-Dark Fruit, long sought by Teach during his years of hiding within the Whitebeard Pirates, had finally come within his grasp, thanks to the influence of Ace. Yet, under the sway of Ace's Nika powers, the Dark-Dark Fruit concealed itself once again, leaving Teach, who had waited over two decades, completely lost.

It felt like fate was mocking him.

The Dark-Dark Fruit, drawn toward Ace's immense power, had ultimately hidden itself because of Ace. Teach found himself wondering if he was destined never to obtain the fruit at all. As he sat on the deck, staring out at the sea, his eyes were filled with uncertainty.

"Dad…" Marco frowned slightly as he watched the troubled Teach.

"Leave him be, Marco," Whitebeard replied. "Even if Teach has hidden things from me, he's still my son. He's family. And there's nothing to worry about."

Whitebeard smiled with a slight grin, the corners of his mouth curving upward. "After all, I'm Whitebeard!"

Ace watched as both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates sailed away, a smirk playing at his lips. Teach would never be able to claim the Dark-Dark Fruit. Sensing the resurgence of Nika's power within Ace, the Dark-Dark Fruit would never choose Teach as its bearer. 

So what would the Dark-Dark Fruit do now, having recognized Nika's reappearance in this era? It would likely grow desperate to find a new vessel. After all, the Dark-Dark Fruit and Nika's power were natural opposites—destined to clash.

Ace grinned, knowing that this was the perfect opportunity to lay a trap. The Dark-Dark Fruit was fated to fall into his hands eventually.

As for Whitebeard, Ace had already seen through his future. Even without Teach's treachery, Whitebeard's devotion to his sons would ultimately be his downfall in this era. Whitebeard, the once-mighty king, carried a weakness that everyone was aware of. His fate had already been sealed.

"Set sail!" Ace commanded with a laugh, standing aboard the Merry.

"Aye! Aye! Captain!" shouted the girls on the deck, raising their hands in excitement.

"Hahaha! I haven't heard the words 'set sail' in a long time. Got it, Captain!" Nojiko replied with a bright smile.

On another ship, Rayleigh, the captain of Entei's Pirate Fleet Zero Division, stood on the deck alongside Shakky. Rayleigh laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming with a dark purple glow. "Ace-chan, if you want to head to Amazon Lily, I'll show you the way," Shakky offered with a smile, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"Going on a voyage? Sounds perfect. As long as the captain is using this old body," Rayleigh quipped with a grin. 

Meanwhile, Issho, captain of the Entei Pirate Fleet's second division, spoke from another ship. "Life as a pirate under Captain Ace… I'm looking forward to it."

With the power of Merry's Shadow-Shadow Fruit at play, the three ships, centered around the Merry, began sailing in unison.

Rayleigh stood tall on the deck, laughing loudly as he watched the Marine surveillance ships scatter in panic. These ships were sent to monitor their movements. Though the banquet between the Four Emperors had ended, and the threat of conflict had passed for now, the Marines could not drop their guard completely. They knew the risks, but they continued to observe despite the possibility of being annihilated.

"Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace has set sail! Report this to headquarters immediately!" a Marine Rear Admiral frantically ordered his messenger.

Suddenly, a violent surge of black and purple lightning tore through the sky.

"I am Silvers Rayleigh, captain of the Entei Pirate Fleet Zero Division!" Rayleigh declared, his Conqueror Haki booming across the ocean. One by one, the sailors on the Marine warships fell unconscious.

Rayleigh's proclamation echoed across the seas: He had taken up the mantle of captain for the Entei Pirates, under the leadership of Portgas D. Ace.

And with that, Rayleigh announced their new destination: Amazon Lily!