One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Chapter 169: Chapter 168: Conversation Between Three Emperors!



The Sabaody Archipelago, from Groves 1 to 29, was once a place offering exclusive services to the Celestial Dragons. Lavish establishments such as the human auction house and the slave yard thrived here, their presence grand and unchallenged.

Protected by the privileges of the Celestial Dragons, these activities, forbidden by the World Government, operated with impunity. Alongside these services, the archipelago was also a lawless zone. 

At the end of the first half of the Grand Line, this location became a critical stop for pirates preparing to enter the New World. A crossroads of adventurers and outlaws, it was a gathering ground for those seeking fortune and power beyond.

But now, everything had changed.

The landscape had been ravaged after an assault led by Portgas D. Ace, the fifth emperor of the sea and commander of the Entei Pirate Fleet. The public execution of three Celestial Dragons at Ace's hands ignited a war that engulfed the entire World Government, the Navy, and the Shichibukai. The aftermath of the battle left the once-flourishing archipelago in ruins. Every building was reduced to ashes, and even the colossal roots of the Mangrove, which supported the Sabaody Archipelago, had been shattered repeatedly. 

At the center of the destruction lay a massive crater, a hollow void where everything had been obliterated. Amidst the few remaining habitable spots, three powerful forces now stood in a tense, silent confrontation.

Standing at the forefront of their respective factions were three Emperor of the Sea:

Red-haired Shanks, captain of the Red Hair Pirates, once hailed as the strongest Conqueror user in the world.

Kaido, of the Beasts Pirates, feared as the strongest creature alive.

And finally, Ace himself—whose power had surpassed even the Four Emperors—Captain of the Entei Pirates and the man responsible for igniting this war.

These three, who stood at the pinnacle of the sea's hierarchy, could shake the very oceans with their mere presence. Like emperors, they commanded their territories and followers without challenge. Now, they faced each other, forming a triangular standoff, their faces lowered, expressions unreadable.

Behind Shanks stood his loyal officers, with Benn Beckman, the Red Hair Pirates' vice-captain, at the forefront. Known for his intellect and steady demeanor, Beckman, cigarette in hand, made no move to smoke. His focus was unwavering, and like the rest of Shanks' crew, his expression remained veiled.

At Ace's side were his closest officers, led by Nami, the chief officer of the Entei Pirates. Known across the seas for their beauty and strength, these women now stood silently, their heads bowed slightly in restraint.

Flanking Nami were two formidable figures: the second division captain of the Entei Pirates, Issho, renowned for holding his own against Navy Admirals, and the legendary 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh, former right-hand man to the Pirate King.

The three factions—Red Hair, Beast Pirates, and Entei Pirates—stood in a jagged formation, the air thick with tension. The atmosphere was heavy, as though the weight of their presence alone could crush the remaining fragments of the archipelago.

Suddenly, Ace, who had been silent, lowered his head further. His voice, cold and sharp, broke through the tension.

"Hey, I said..."

The officers of both the Entei and Red Hair Pirates instantly reacted, their gazes lifting, revealing a dangerous glint in their eyes. The second division captain of the Entei Pirates slowly unsheathed his weapon, a staff sword, as the heavy fruit's power wrapped around it, emanating waves of intense energy.

With measured steps, Benn Beckman and Nami, both calm and composed, advanced toward the leaders, Shanks and Ace. At the same time, Kaido raised his massive hand, casting a long shadow over the scene.

Then, breaking the silence with a grin, Ace raised his head and declared, "It's time for a party!"

In a sudden, unexpected twist, Ace grabbed a secret stash of wine from Nami and burst out laughing.

"Hahaha!" 

'Boom!'

Shanks grabbed the wine Beckman had brought, and as Kaido stood up, Beckman passed a glass to him as well. They all laughed heartily as the three glasses collided with a crisp clink.

"KAMPAI!!!"

The officers of the Red Hair Pirates and the Entei Pirates' fleet raised their glasses, joining in the boisterous laughter that echoed across the battlefield.

"Swish!"

Suddenly, the second division captain of the Entei Pirates, Issho, unsheathed his sword. 

'Buzz! Fwoosh!'

A terrifying wave of gravity surged from his blade, tearing through the atmosphere and vanishing into the sky.

'Boom! Boom!!!'

In the next moment, a colossal meteorite appeared, plummeting toward Sabaody Archipelago from the heavens. Its fiery surface blazed with a terrifying heat, ignited by the intense friction of entering the atmosphere.

Ace glanced at the approaching meteorite, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. His eyes flashed with a violent black-purple hue, and an overwhelming surge of physical power, combined with Conqueror's Haki, enveloped his right fist.

"Hakoku!!!"

'Boom! Boom!!!'

Ace swung his fist forward, and a violent black-and-purple lightning storm burst from his hand, wrapping around a massive shockwave that shot toward the meteorite.

'Fwoosh! Fwoosh!'

The fiery aura surrounding the meteorite instantly dissipated as the shockwave collided with it. The enormous rock halted in mid-air, suspended and motionless.

Then, with a resounding 'boom', the meteorite shattered into countless fragments, which rained down toward the archipelago.

"Whirl!"

At that moment, Vivi raised her slender hand. Her Sand-Sand Fruit power erupted, sending a massive sandstorm spiraling into the air. Under her control, the meteorite fragments swirled around her, filling the craters in the archipelago that had been created by the fierce battle.

"Whirl!"

Any remaining uneven debris was swiftly transformed into fine grains of sand by Vivi's abilities, smoothing out the landscape. In no time, an immaculate banquet venue stood where devastation had once reigned.

"Hey, you can even make a meteorite fall? What a monster you are, hahaha!" 

Yasopp, arm around Issho's shoulders, chuckled at the spectacle.

"No, no, I'm just an old man, but I serve under Flame Emperor as the second division captain," Issho responded humbly, though a proud smile played on his lips.

"You're proud, aren't you? Hahaha! Let's drink!"

Rayleigh, watching from the sidelines, laughed along with them. Even the legendary pirate couldn't help but be amused by the spectacle.

"Wororororo! This wine is delicious!" Kaido downed his drink in one gulp, his smile broadening with each sip.

"How about it? The wine crafted by my chef Raki is the best in the world, right?" Ace grinned, turning toward Kaido and Shanks.

"Hahaha, it's definitely unique, but my chef, Roux, also makes an excellent brew! Here, Ace, try some!" Shanks said, praising Raki's wine while defending his own chef's creation.

Ace drank it all in one go, his eyes lighting up as the familiar taste hit his palate. "This flavor... It's from Windmill Village, isn't it?"

"Hahaha, exactly! It's brewed with ingredients from East Blue," Shanks said, his eyes reflecting a deep nostalgia.

"Windmill Village... That brat Luffy should be setting sail soon," Ace mused, a warm smile curling his lips as he reminisced. It had been over a year since he last saw his younger brother, and the thought of him stirred something in his heart.

Ace wasn't the only one. "Luffy huh, I really miss him, hahaha!" Shanks laughed, the mere mention of Luffy sparking excitement between him and Ace. They chatted animatedly about their memories of the young pirate, their bond growing stronger with each story shared. Soon, they were arm-in-arm, no longer resembling the fearsome emperors of the sea but rather old friends reminiscing.

Meanwhile, the chefs of both crews, Raki and Lucky Roux, were engaged in their own conversation. 

"Would you be willing to exchange recipes, Miss Raki? I really enjoyed your dish," Lucy Roux said, meat in hand, grinning.

"Of course!" Raki responded with a smile. For her, the chance to learn from the Four Emperors' chef was a rare opportunity, one that could inspire her cooking for a lifetime.

She had achieved the dream she'd held since leaving Sky Island. She had explored the vast seas, seen its splendor, and grown into a warrior capable of protecting her people. Now, she had a new dream—to cook dishes that would satisfy Ace for the rest of his life.

As the banquet continued, the atmosphere grew livelier. Food and drink flowed freely, bringing the crews closer together.

"Hey, Entei," Kaido called out, his voice booming through the revelry. "That move you used to smash the meteorite, it's the Hakoku technique from the giant clan, isn't it? How did you learn to unleash such a powerful attack on your own?"

Kaido's gaze flickered with something unreadable as he looked at Ace. Despite the festivities, it was clear Kaido had other motives for remaining here and sharing a banquet with the other emperors.

[Tl/n: Entei also means Flame Emperor. So their Pirate crew is basically named Flame Emperor Pirate. I will use Entei more in the following chapters when mentioning Ace.]


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