The warship steadily approached the uninhabited island known as Burning Hell Island Krone, the southernmost edge of Aether's territory.
Several days had passed since the Marineford War, and its impact had fully spread across the seas. Countless newspapers had carried the story far and wide, allowing Aether to gain a massive amount of experience without lifting a finger. However, as ti went on, the rate of growth began to slow.
[S-Class figures generated ordinary negative emotions, along with primary and interdiate hostility and surprise toward the host, increasing experience by 12,000.
A and B-rank figures generated similar emotions, increasing experience by 11,400 and 131,800.
C and D-rank figures contributed 1,298,357 and 6,926,802 respectively.]
Total experience reached 8.52 million.
Aether's level rose to 88, with 684,308 out of 1,700,000 needed for the next level.
In total, nearly ten million people had contributed emotional energy. As for those who felt nothing, they were too focused on survival to care about events involving the Pirate King.
The rewards were substantial. Aether had gained five levels, and all his attributes had improved significantly. With just two more levels, he would reach a threshold where very few in the world could threaten him. His strength was already approaching the level he displayed during the Marineford War.
Rayleigh's voice suddenly broke his thoughts.
"Roger, is that San Juan Wolf?"
The massive figure had already caught their attention. Just as Aether and the others locked onto him, San Juan Wolf dove straight into the sea, disappearing after a few bubbles surfaced. For a Devil Fruit user, it was an unusual and reckless move.
"It is that giant. If he is here, then Blackbeard should be nearby."
A faint killing intent flickered in Aether's eyes. In his view, Blackbeard posed a greater long-term threat than even Kaido or Big Mom.
"Rayleigh, we end the Blackbeard Pirates here. We cannot let them slip away."
Rayleigh leaned against the railing, his expression relaxed, but his aura steadily rising.
"If that is your decision, I will join you. I have not tested my strength properly since regaining my youth."
The warship surged forward, its speed increasing sharply as it closed in on the island.
The Blackbeard Pirates imdiately noticed the change.
"Captain, that ship is too fast. We cannot outrun it. Roger clearly intends to keep us here," Van Augur said.
Blackbeard stopped running, irritation flashing across his face.
"Does he think I am easy prey?"
He raised both fists, gathering the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, then struck the air.
A deep impact echoed.
"Seaquake."
The ocean shifted violently. The sea level dropped before two massive tsunamis, each towering hundreds of ters high, rose on both sides and surged toward Aether's warship.
The sight resembled a natural disaster.
The sailors panicked, struggling to maintain control of the ship, but Aether and Rayleigh remained unmoved.
Rayleigh rested his hand on his sword.
"Will you take one side, or should we split it?"
Aether walked toward the left side of the deck, leaving the other to Rayleigh.
"That answers your question."
Rayleigh gave a faint smile.
"Could you not have handled both?"
"My strength is not enough. That should be a reasonable excuse."
Rayleigh snorted.
"I do not believe that for a second."
As the twin tsunamis crashed down, two overwhelming sword slashes tore upward, splitting both waves cleanly in half. The ocean roared for several monts before settling, rain falling from the sky as the shattered waves collapsed.
The attack failed.
Blackbeard, who had slowed slightly to observe the result, quickly resud his retreat, even pushing ahead of his crew.
"Not today. Otherwise I would show them what I can really do."
"Captain, are you sure about that?"
"Shut up."
At the bow of the ship, Aether raised his sword.
It was only fair to return the favor.
He activated the remaining power within Ace.
Level rose to 100.
A surge of strength flooded his body, far beyond anything he had previously experienced. In this state, even legends like Garp or Whitebeard will struggle against him.
Without hesitation, he swung his blade.
Conqueror's Haki surged forward, compressing into a devastating shockwave that tore across the sea, carving a massive trench that refused to close.
The attack raced toward Blackbeard.
"Air Quake."
Blackbeard responded instantly, launching a vibration shockwave of his own.
The two forces collided.
For a brief mont, they held.
Then Blackbeard's attack shattered.
The Conqueror's Haki-infused strike continued forward, weakened but still terrifying.
"That is impossible."
"Together, block it!"
The Blackbeard Pirates reacted quickly. Slashes, bullets, and brute force collided with the incoming shockwave.
An explosion followed.
The cliffside collapsed under the impact, dust and debris filling the air. Flas scattered across the island were extinguished by the shockwave.
When the smoke cleared, the Blackbeard Pirates stood in disarray, covered in dust but largely unhard.
Shiryu's expression turned serious.
"So this is Roger's power."
Blackbeard's face darkened.
"Do not waste ti. Run. If he is this strong alone, then adding Rayleigh makes this far too dangerous."
Laffitte suddenly spoke, his voice tense.
"Another attack is coming."
The crew fell into chaos.
Blackbeard clenched his fists, gathering the full force of his Devil Fruit once more. He refused to be cornered so easily.
On the warship, Aether gripped his sword with both hands. Crimson lightning crackled around him as Conqueror's Haki surged violently.
The remaining energy within Ace was limited. Only a few full-power strikes remained, and he intended to use them to crush the Blackbeard Pirates completely.
Just as he prepared to release another devastating slash, Rayleigh spoke again.
"Roger, there is a Marine warship nearby."
He lowered the binoculars slightly.
"The one leading them appears to be Akainu."
The sudden arrival forced Aether to pause.
If Akainu was not alone, rushing forward recklessly would only complicate the situation.
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