OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

Daienkai (Great Flame Ring).

A power that pushes the Flame-Flame Fruit to its absolute limit.

Within this blazing ring of fire, Ace's flame-based abilities are amplified many times over. But in return, the strain on his stamina and concentration becomes extreme. And with the wounds to his chest and shoulder, he can only maintain this state for exactly one minute.

From Ace's perspective, that means he must end this fight within 60 seconds.

"This… is my full power!"

At Ace's declaration, Rengoku gave no response. His mind, as always, was racing with calculations. He grasped the situation instantly and began formulating a plan.

Unlike Ace, Rengoku had two missions:

1. Ensure the safety of Ensign Maharil

2. Capture the pirate Portgas D. Ace alive

Rengoku didn't know the full limits of the Flame-Flame Fruit. But one thing was clear: Ace needed to be stopped before his power endangered Maharil, and Rengoku had to capture him without killing him.

With his breathing under control and body stabilized, Rengoku held a pair of Seastone handcuffs in his left hand.

Killing and capturing are vastly different challenges—especially against someone who would never go down quietly.

To capture Ace alive while protecting Maharil, Rengoku needed to shut down his abilities before Ace could unleash their full force.

All of that thinking took just one second.

"Flame Breathing, First Form…"

"Unknowing Fire!"

A black blade tore through the wall of fire. Rengoku arrived in front of Ace in a flash.

His blade struck out at lightning speed—but only sliced through empty air.

Fwoosh!

The Ace in front of him vanished, reappearing elsewhere within the ring of fire.

'So he can move freely inside this fire zone…'

"Daienkai—Fire Dragons!"

Ace crossed his arms and swept them through the air.

From the flaming ring, two enormous dragons made of fire emerged, following the arc of his arms as they rushed toward Rengoku.

BOOOOOM!

7 seconds.

The explosive power of the attack was enough to reduce an entire village to ash.

But the dragons moved in a straight line.

Rengoku noted how their direction was tied to Ace's gestures—they couldn't change course.

"Daienkai—Fire Dragons!"

"Boiling Seas of the Four Directions!"

This time, four fire dragons shot out, twisting together into a massive, braided inferno.

"Fall!"

The giant dragon head smashed down toward Rengoku like a hammer.

But despite the overwhelming force, its speed was sluggish. Rengoku easily stepped aside to evade it.

"West!"

Ace's voice echoed again.

The massive fire-dragon-twist responded, veering sharply toward Rengoku.

18 seconds.

The fiery beast was now only centimeters from Rengoku.

"Advance!"

No matter how slow it was, at this range—it couldn't miss.

Rengoku immediately lowered his blade into a low stance and ducked down.

"Flame Breathing, Seventh Form!"

"Whatever you're planning, it won't work!"

"Detonate!"

Detonate Explosion.

The massive braided cluster of fire dragons erupted as all four heads exploded at once.

24 seconds.

"Burning Whirlwind!"

The blast was immense, but it failed to inflict any serious injury on Rengoku.

Flame Breathing, Seventh Form: Burning Whirlwind.

A wide-area spinning technique unleashed from a low stance, rotating from the ground upward.

Though offensive by design, it could also serve as an effective defense—especially when paired with the searing flames of Enrin Kitetsu and infused Armament Haki.

The fire dragons' detonation—while overwhelming in force—ultimately left Rengoku with only a few minor scrapes.

"Damn it!"

31 seconds.

"Daienkai—Fire Dragons!"

"Eightfold Radiant Dragons!"

Eighthfold Radiant Dragons—a name that evokes radiant beauty—was now the title of a dangerously destructive technique.

Eight fire dragons in total, flooding the flaming circle with unbearable heat and pressure.

39 seconds.

The eight dragons soared high into the sky before crashing down at blinding speed toward the earth.

Their descent—swift enough to rival even the acceleration of Rengoku's Unknowing Fire.

41 seconds.

"Flame Breathing, Fifth Form!"

"Daienkai Secret Art…"

"Flame Tiger!"

"Yao-yorozu no Kagutsuchi!"

Yao-yorozu means "countless" or "infinite."

Kagutsuchi is the ancient god of fire.

The Flame Tiger and the God of Infinite Flames—

Their clash could easily obliterate a small island.

A thunderous roar rang through the skies.

Fortunately, this was a remote desert region—far from the heart of Alabasta and devoid of civilians.

The explosion filled the entire battlefield with dust and smoke.

"…Impressive."

Rengoku's voice rang out from within the cloud.

"Damn it… cough…"

Rengoku swung his blade in a wide arc, blowing the dust away.

And with that, the outcome of the battle became clear.

Rengoku was still standing—while Ace had collapsed.

46 seconds.

From the moment Ace activated his ultimate technique, Daienkai, it had taken less than a minute to decide the victor.

Rengoku approached the fallen Ace and clasped a pair of Sea Prism Stone cuffs onto his wrists.

Clack!

With that, Ace's Flame-Flame Fruit powers were completely sealed.

"Urgh… R-R-Rengoku Vice Admiral…?!"

Ensign Maharil, who had been unconscious, opened his eyes. He was utterly speechless at the sight before him.

"Y-You… you actually caught him? The Fire Fist Ace?!"

"You're awake, Ensign Maharil!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"How's your condition?"

As soon as Maharil came to, Rengoku immediately asked about his wellbeing.

"I-I'm alright, sir!"

"Good. Then I have a favor to ask. Would that be alright?"

A… a favor?

Maharil's heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

The Flame Pillar himself—asking me for a favor? Not an order—but a favor?

This must mean… I contributed to the fight! I helped! That's why he's treating me with such respect!

Of course! That battle was so intense—even someone like Vice Admiral Rengoku couldn't come out completely unscathed! He's just keeping up appearances as a dignified leader!

"My Den Den Mushi got caught in the crossfire and burned. Could I borrow yours?"

"Y-Yes! I'll go get a medic right awa—eh?"

"I said, my Den Den Mushi was destroyed during the fight. I'd like to borrow yours."

"A-Ah, y-yes, sir! H-here it is!"

"Much appreciated."

Using the Navy's Den Den Mushi, Rengoku immediately placed a call to Marineford.

Click.

"Yo. What've you got for me?"

"Justice."

"Vice Admiral Rengoku? What's the occasion? Why are you using a scout squad's line?"

"I have an urgent report for Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

"Oh? Alright then—go ahead."

"I have successfully captured Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, the notorious Fire Fist, Portgas D. Ace. I am requesting the immediate dispatch of an Admiral to escort this high-value criminal safely back to Marineford!"

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