Chapter 97: Ace Was Stunned — This Is a Zoan?!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Nine dragons unleashed their attacks simultaneously.

Their Blast Breaths erupted like volcanic eruptions, a breathtaking display of destructive power.

Massive pillars of fire shot forward like streams of molten lava, carrying unimaginable heat and force.

Wherever they passed, every trace of moisture in the air instantly evaporated, leaving behind a dry, scorched void.

The clouds overhead were pierced through, blasted apart, and scattered into nothingness.

The fiery beams then plunged directly into the White Sea below, triggering earth-shaking explosions.

Towering walls of seawater rose into the sky under the tremendous impact, making the entire sea seem to tremble.

Unfortunately, there was only ocean here and no mountains.

Otherwise, even a thousand-meter peak would have been flattened by such power.

"Gurararara! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

Whitebeard stared at the nine "Kaidos" soaring through the sky, grinning from ear to ear.

Ron was watching as well.

The difference was that before him floated a system panel visible only to himself.

It displayed:

[69/100]

Days of effort, combined with the successful creation of the nine dragons, had pushed his progress to sixty-nine.

Only thirty-one successes remained before completion.

If he chose not to enchant Jozu, the remaining six Devil Fruits would provide six more successful attempts.

However, Ron had no intention of doing that.

He turned toward Jozu and found the Diamond Man staring enviously at the dragonized commanders flying overhead.

Jozu’s eyes were filled with longing.

It was obvious he wished he possessed that kind of power as well.

What’s so impressive about that?

Once I get my Diamond-Diamond Fruit enhancement, I’ll show you what a real powerhouse looks like!

Though inwardly unwilling to admit it, he couldn’t help but feel eager.

At that moment, the battle in the sky intensified.

The commanders began displaying their newly acquired abilities one after another.

Gigantic dragons danced among the clouds, weaving and rolling through the heavens.

The scene was magnificent.

Thunder rumbled across the sky.

Violent winds howled through the battlefield, bending nearby trees until they nearly snapped.

The entire sky seemed consumed by the spectacle.

"Demolition Gust!"

"Blast Breath!"

"Flame Dragon!"

"..."

Then—

"Flaming Drum Dragon!!!"

A crimson dragon suddenly opened its enormous jaws.

What poured out wasn’t ordinary fire.

Countless streams of blazing scarlet flames erupted forth.

Yet instead of spreading outward, the flames curved through the air as though alive.

They circled back toward the dragon itself.

The torrents of fire continuously flowed over its body.

Soon, the entire dragon became enveloped in a thick layer of what appeared to be molten magma.

In reality, it was highly compressed fire condensed to an incredible temperature.

The blazing flames adhered tightly to the dragon’s scales and flowed across its body like volcanic lava.

The surrounding temperature instantly skyrocketed.

The air itself warped under the heat.

Even spectators far away could feel scorching waves washing over their faces.

Even more terrifying was the fact that anything touched by the flames—

Whether stone, earth, or vegetation—

Would instantly melt away.

Scarlet fire flowed across the dragon’s body like liquid magma.

The surrounding atmosphere seemed to ignite.

The sky itself was dyed crimson.

Crimson Flame Dragon — Flaming Drum Dragon!

Ace’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"T-This... this is still a Zoan?!"

His voice was filled with disbelief.

Looking at the flames dancing wildly across the dragon’s body, he had no doubt that its user could manipulate fire at will.

After all, he had just witnessed the dragon unleashing torrents of flames moments earlier.

Marco walked over and casually patted Ace on the shoulder.

"What, Ace? Feeling jealous?"

His tone was teasing and relaxed.

Ace didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he fell into deep thought.

At that moment, Ron spoke up.

"There’s even more you don’t know."

"Kaido’s abilities aren’t limited to controlling fire."

"He can manipulate wind and lightning as well."

"More importantly, he can freely fly through the skies, unhindered by most terrain."

"If he encounters an enemy he can’t defeat, he can simply take to the air and leave."

"And on top of that, he possesses monstrous vitality and recovery."

"All of these are abilities granted by his Devil Fruit."

"You could say this fruit has almost no obvious weaknesses."

Ace froze.

Completely froze.

His eyes widened as he stared at the dragons overhead.

They could control fire.

Control lightning.

Control storms.

How was that even possible?

For the first time, a deep sense of helplessness rose within him.

He had always believed the Flame-Flame Fruit (Mera Mera no Mi) gave him overwhelming power.

Enough to face any challenge.

Yet after entering the New World, he kept encountering monsters beyond imagination.

One after another.

People who could seemingly create flames as easily as breathing.

Some of them even wielded fire that felt more terrifying than his own.

For the first time in his life, Ace felt that his Devil Fruit had limitations.

Ron noticed the self-doubt in Ace’s eyes.

After a moment of thought, he walked over and spoke calmly.

"Fire is everywhere."

"It seems ordinary."

"But that’s also its greatest advantage."

Ace’s eyes flickered.

He listened carefully.

"The Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix possesses flames."

"Kaido’s Azure Dragon form possesses flames as well."

Ron looked at him.

"Can you tell me what makes them different?"

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