A crimson aura seemed to emanate from Ace's body, rapidly surging towards Sage and those observing from the back, engulfing them in its presence.
That is...
"Mute!"
Renedia watched as Mute's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. She widened her eyes in disbelief, looking towards the pockmarked man swinging his fist, "He has it too..."
Marika opened her eyes, which had been constantly smiling, and her gentle smile turned solemn, "A man with potential..."
Lily tightly gripped the hilt of her sword at her waist, staring intently at Ace, "Supreme King..."
"Fire Fist!!"
Ace's fist transformed into a brilliant red flame, and with a powerful punch, struck the grotesque form, the enormous blaze exploding from his hand, poised to engulf Sage.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Ace laughed sinisterly.
Yet, as his smile emerged, his expression shifted immediately. Within the expanding flames, a large hand, like a steel shackle, firmly caught his fist.
The flowing black flame on that hand continuously diffused, counteracting the impact of the blaze. The flames clinging to him gradually extinguished as the aftershock dissipated, and his burns began healing rapidly.
Sage looked down at Ace, speaking indifferently, "Well done."
Ace was startled, intending to become elemental to escape Sage's control, but at that moment, Sage suddenly glared at him.
Buzz!!
The surrounding crimson aura was abruptly engulfed by a layer of black-red, and after a short burst, the black-red aura crushed the crimson one, enveloping Ace.
Ace's eyes widened, and sweat streamed from his forehead, "You have it too..."
Boom!!
Before he could finish his sentence, Sage swung his right fist, embedding it in Ace's chest, slamming his body into the ground, creating a deep depression.
"You're not the only one with this potential..."
Sage's eyes glimmered with a bloodthirsty light, glancing at Ace on the ground, bleeding all over and unable to move, "Your Supreme King is far too weak."
Being at the forefront of the Supreme King's assault, he almost didn't react, falling into a momentary shock.
But fortunately, he too possessed this potential.
Otherwise, if struck by such a fist, the body alone would likely be blasted through.
Sage's Supreme King, though not finely controlled yet, in terms of degree, wasn't something this pockmarked man could compare to.
The impact of the Supreme King also momentarily prevented Ace from maintaining his elemental form, allowing Sage to land a punch.
The power of Armament Haki, at close range using a fist, besides causing internal destruction, also conveniently struck through his Secret Hole, rendering him defenseless with just one punch.
"The body is too weak."
Sage shook his head, stomped on Ace's chest, and clenched his fist, about to strike, "Die."
"Ace!!"
Just as he was about to punch, a strong shout suddenly echoed from the side street, accompanied by a...
Elongated fist?
"Hmm?"
Renedia's fingers sparked, driving a mechanical hammer to elongate into a cannon hammer, aiming at that fist.
Marika raised her foot, preparing to move.
Lily, with a flick of her thumb, exposed part of the blade within the scabbard, gripped it in her right hand, about to charge forward.
Bang!
Suddenly, a figure dashed over, fiercely slamming the elongated fist into the ground.
Gin, wielding his cane, the iron ball at its end striking that arm into the ground, looked silently at the group of people that appeared.
"Gin!"
Luffy shouted, "What are you doing, let me go, I need to save Ace! He's my brother!"
The people who originally had a bit of cheerfulness became solemn one by one in front of Luffy.
Zoro and Sanji stood on either side of Luffy, staring at the terrifyingly grotesque form, cold sweat trickling down.
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper at the back were even paler at the sight of the form.
This guy...
Super terrifying!
"Brother, then..."
Gin moved the iron ball, letting the elongated arm retract back to Luffy's shoulder, rested the cane on his shoulder, and chuckled bitterly, "I didn't expect, upon meeting again, such a situation would arise once more. I don't wish to harm you, but..."
His gaze turned fierce, "I won't let you offend my Captain a second time!"
Sage glanced over, at the group, where a boy in a straw hat glared angrily at him, legs spread, teeth clenched, clearly ready for battle.
"Monkey D. Luffy..."
Sage withdrew his gaze, looking at Gin, "Why are you with them?"
"Captain Sage, Dr. Chopper among them treated our crew. I originally intended to invite them over to meet you..." Gin hurriedly said.
"Bastard! Let go of Ace already!!" Luffy shouted.
That shouting face startled Sage for a moment, inexplicably recalling something.
Seems like Garp's grandson, huh...
And this one called Ace, seems to be too...
"Haven't the seas taught you what respect is?"
Sage sneered, with a quick flick of his thumb, a 'bang' sound echoed, sending Luffy's head tilting back, and he fell to the ground.
The sudden attack made Zoro and Sanji's eyes narrow, instinctively protecting Luffy.
"Hey, what was that? An air shot?" Zoro clutched his sword, muttering, "Not looking good, brow guy."
"I know!" Sanji's eyes showed a shadow, "A bounty of seventy million, how terrifying?!"
"Ouch ouch ouch!!"
At this moment, Luffy grabbed his forehead, shouting loudly.