"Phew... That was a close call!"
"Yeah, I thought we were done for..."
"The climate in the New World is terrifying!"
"No wonder people call the first half of the Grand Line Paradise..."
At this time, the first half of the New World.
Brela Island, located near the entrance.
It's a scorching summer island, which is unbearably hot.
The air itself seemed to distort from the extreme temperature.
Yet, the members of the Spade Pirates, who had just arrived, leaped onto the island like survivors escaping death, celebrating their narrow escape.
They had just experienced firsthand how brutal the weather in the New World could be.
If not for their quick reflexes, the sudden, unpredictable sea currents would have spelled their doom.
"Hahaha! Well, as long as we're alive, we're still in the game..."
A shirtless young figure with black hair, a cowboy hat, and red beads around his neck said with a smile: "Everyone must be exhausted. Let's take a break here first!"
Surprisingly, this infamous pirate looked incredibly young.
With a few freckles on his face, he seemed no older than seventeen or eighteen.
Suppose there are people who often pay attention to current affairs here. In that case, they will be shocked to find that the other party is the captain of the Spade Pirates, who made a big fuss in the Sabaody Archipelago a few days ago and even defeated a Vice-Admiral from the Marine Headquarters.
The Marines offered a reward of 300 million Belly for him, Ace the Spade.
"By the way..."
Deuce took a long drink from a water pouch before asking curiously. "How well have you mastered the power you got on Fish-Men island?
Their visit to Fish-Man Island had been quite fruitful.
By sheer luck, they had stumbled upon a legendary treasure of the sea, a Devil Fruit, found deep within the Fish-Man Island, and Ace had eaten it without hesitation.
Then he turned into a leopard.
After looking through the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, it was confirmed that it should be the Cat-Cat Fruit Model: Leopard-Tailed God.
Not only did it grant him the standard Zoan abilities, but he could also manipulate fire, an absurdly powerful combination.
In the beginning, when he just got the ability, every time Ace transformed, he couldn't control the flames.
One time, he almost burned down their pirate ship.
"Although I'm not particularly proficient, I have already mastered it. I won't lose control directly like before, don't worry!"
Thinking of the powerful ability he has obtained, he couldn't help but clench his fists, full of excitement.
This will be his greatest confidence in competing with those big pirates.
"Wait, that's..."
However, at this time, someone suddenly pointed to the far sea and screamed: "There's something in the sea!"
"Huh?"
"It's a warship!"
"Is that... The flag of the Netherworld Pirates?"
"Damn it, why are those guys here?"
Hearing this, the people of the Spade Pirates all looked over subconsciously.
Looking at the increasingly clear ship, their pupils shrank sharply, and their faces changed.
They recognized the flag hanging on it, which was obviously the flag of the Netherworld Pirates, one of the uncrowned kings of the New World.
They couldn't help but panic and get nervous.
"Stay calm. Let's see what they want first."
Ace said firmly, eyes locked onto the incoming pirate ship.
Unlike the rest, he didn't panic. Instead, his gaze burned with a fighting spirit.
He had heard the stories of Obask Luke, one of the four emperors of the sea.
Entering the New World wasn't just about adventure; it was about challenging the strongest pirates in the sea.
To prove himself and surpass that man, who he refused to acknowledge as his father, Gol D. Roger!
He heard that the strength of the Netherworld Pirates was comparable to that of the Whitebeard pirates. As long as he defeated Obask Luke and proved his strength to the world, he would be able to realize his ambitions and dreams in the shortest time.
In particular, with the Mythical Zoan fruit he obtained, it gave him great confidence.
"Captain Gin..."
On the pirate ship, the personnel on the observation deck observed the situation of the island ahead through a monocular telescope and reported to Gin below as soon as possible: "The Spade Pirates were found!"
"Oh? Did we finally catch them?"
Gin, who was sitting near the bow, enjoying the sea breeze, rose to his feet.
Looking into the distance, there were pirate ships docked on the coast and the Spade Pirates on the coast.
The Netherworld Pirates' warship advanced steadily.
Under the wary gazes of the Spade Pirates, a figure finally appeared on deck.
He wasn't the tallest, but his presence was undeniable, and the savage aura he exuded demanded attention.
"It's him...!"
Deuce, ever the intelligence expert, flipped through the wanted posters.
His eyes widened as he identified the man.
"That's Gin the Man-Demon, one of the Eight Stars of the Netherworld Pirates!"
"Oh? He's one of the Eight Stars?"
Ace raised a brow, unimpressed. "I was hoping for one of their Four Heavenly Kings..."
Thanks to Deuce, Ace was familiar with the Netherworld Pirates' chain of command.
Aside from their captain, Obask Luke, who stood among the four emperors, the crew boasted four elite commanders, the Four Heavenly Kings, and another eight high-ranking officers, the Eight Stars.
The Four Heavenly Kings were the strongest under Luke.
The Eight Stars, while powerful, were second-tier in comparison.
For Ace, who aimed to challenge the emperors, a mere Star was hardly worth his time.
"Ace, don't be careless... "
Deuce warned.
He held up the bounty poster for Gin the Man-Demon and gestured to Ace, reminding him: "Don't underestimate him. His bounty is as high as 550 million Belly, and he is said to be the user of the Flame-Flame Fruit!"
"Hiss!"
"Bounty of 550 million Belly?"
"And he is also a Logia Fruit user?"
Looking at the bounty for the Gin, the Man-Demon, and the relevant information introduced by their deputy captain, Deuce.
Everyone in the Spade Pirates couldn't help but have a change of expression.
"A bounty of 550 million Belly? But the bounty doesn't represent strength..."
Bounties were based on more than just strength; they reflected danger, influence, and perceived threat to the World Government.
Although the other party's bounty is very high, Ace believes that his strength should definitely be only around 300 million Belly.
The nickname of the other party is Man-Demon.
Most likely, he is a disgusting person who does all kinds of evil and kills people.
So, it's not surprising that the bounty is high.
"Still..."
Deuce couldn't refute it.
He is still very clear about the strength of this captain.
Especially since Ace has obtained such a powerful Devil Fruit ability.
But they could not think that way. Is it possible that the other party's strength is also more than just a bounty of 550 million Belly.
"Hey, you are a cadre from the Netherworld Pirates, Gin the Man-Demon, right?"
Looking at the pirate ship getting closer and closer in front. Ace crossed his arms and looked directly at the Ginon the bow and asked in a deep voice: "What can I do for you?"
"I came here specifically to find you... Ace the Spade!"
"Hmm?"