Chapter 173 – The Ability Taken Away
"Brother of Straw Hat, you must rescue your brother safely!"
After throwing Sabo clear, Bon Clay (Mr. 2) gave Ace a thumbs-up from the execution platform—just before he was struck by Sengoku's shockwave and swallowed by the collapsing platform.
"…Bon Clay!!" Ace caught the falling Sabo, his eyes trembling slightly as he glanced at the ruins where the mermaid and Bon Clay had been swept away.
He hadn't expected Bon Clay to appear here—let alone to risk everything to save Sabo at the last moment.
"I hope you can survive…" Ace muttered softly. Then, carrying Sabo, he turned and flew toward the bay.
"I won't let you rescue him so easily!"
A dazzling flash split the air as Kizaru appeared in front of Ace, hurling down a storm of Yasakani no Magatama.
"Out of my way!" Ace roared. With Sabo secured, he had no time to waste fighting Admirals. He countered with a blazing Fire Fist, forcing Kizaru back, then darted toward the square's edge.
"Ice Time Capsule!"
Just as Ace broke past, Aokiji's chilling voice came from another direction. Ice burst across the square, forcing Ace to dodge—and when he landed, Aokiji himself was already blocking his path.
"Move! I don't want to fight you!" Ace shouted.
"Ah la la… that won't do," Aokiji replied coolly. "If you rescue the prisoner so easily, the Marines will become the laughingstock of the world."
Beside him, jagged spears of ice—Ice Lance: Twin Spears—formed and flew straight at Ace.
"Great Flame Commandment: Rising Sun!"
Ace's fist blazed with violet fire, the heat so intense it instantly melted Aokiji's ice spears and shattered half his body into steam.
"Ah la la… what terrifying flames. Troublesome to deal with…" Aokiji's body reformed lazily on the ground, but he no longer pursued.
Breaking through two Admirals, Ace finally crossed the square with Sabo in his arms. Oddly, Akainu was nowhere to be seen.
"…Sorry, Ace. I caused you trouble," Sabo whispered weakly.
"You idiot," Ace shook his head. "We're brothers. No need for apologies or thanks. I know—if it were me on that platform, you'd do whatever it took to save me too."
"…Yeah." Sabo nodded, his voice steady despite his frailty. Then, face tightening, he said, "Ace—there's something you must know. The ability you gave me… it was stolen by Blackbeard!"
Ace's eyes hardened. "So it's true… That bastard's power to steal abilities comes from the Dark-Dark Fruit." A chill coursed through him. More than ever, he knew Blackbeard was a threat beyond measure.
"You knew?" Sabo asked in surprise.
"I suspected. Even back on Whitebeard's ship, that man was different—an outsider," Ace said grimly.
"I see…" Sabo's eyes darkened. "But it's more than that. He can tear a Devil Fruit ability right out of someone's body—and wield two powers at once. He's not just strange, Ace… he's a monster."
"Alien or monster, it doesn't matter. He dared to harm you. Next time I face him, I'll kill him with my own hands!" Ace swore, his voice like fire.
"Haha… I believe you can do it now." Sabo smiled faintly, then sighed. "It's just… a shame about the ability you gave me."
"It doesn't matter," Ace said firmly. "As long as you live, that's more important than any power."
But Sabo wasn't finished. His expression sharpened. "Before he stole my ability, he already had another—the Float-Float Fruit. Golden Lion Shiki's power. If you fight him, you must be careful."
"…Shiki's power?" Ace's eyes widened. "So that's why he dares to move now… With both the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Float-Float Fruit…"
Ace clenched his fists, fire sparking around him. "No matter what abilities he's stolen—if he dares to appear before me, I'll burn him to ash!"
Ace's tone softened as he looked at Sabo. "You're too weak now. Rest. I've brought a reliable doctor. Once we're back on Pops' ship, he'll treat you."
"Yeah…" Sabo finally let his eyes close, too exhausted to speak further.
---
Back on the Moby Dick, Ace immediately handed the frail Sabo to Trafalgar Law.
"Law, I'm leaving Sabo to you."
"Don't worry." Law nodded solemnly, then opened the box he carried. Inside were Sabo's severed hands and feet—cut away by Blackbeard.
Ace had carefully preserved them, knowing Law's surgical abilities could reattach them perfectly.
"If you're going to operate, do it below deck," Whitebeard rumbled. "The Navy will strike with everything they have. Surgery on deck is suicide."
"My ship has better equipment. I'll take him there," Law said after a moment.
"Good." Ace nodded. "I'll clear a path for you when the time comes. Take Sabo into your submarine and escape Marineford waters at once."
Then, lowering his voice, Ace whispered a few words to Law. The surgeon's eyes flickered, then he gave a thin smile and nodded before vanishing below deck with Sabo.
---
"Oi, Ace," Whitebeard suddenly said, eyes narrowing. "Why hasn't that beast Teach shown himself yet?"
"I don't know," Ace admitted. "Maybe he's gathering allies in Impel Down… or maybe he's hiding in the shadows, watching this war."
His gaze darkened. "But Sabo told me this: Teach already has the Float-Float Fruit… and he took the Dark-Dark Fruit from him as well. He may be the only man alive wielding both powers. A true monster."
"…Shiki's Float-Float Fruit too?" Whitebeard muttered, shock flashing across his face.
Even the strongest man in the world had to admit—it was no small thing.
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