The world of pirates is full of blood and cruelty.
Defeat meant death and losing everything.
If it weren't for the fact that Luke had taken a fancy to Ace, Gin would really not show mercy.
And if they weren't considering recruiting him, the fate of the Spade Pirates would've been far worse.
Ace exhaled sharply, momentarily relieved. But at the same time, his fists clenched tightly in frustration, and he stared directly at Gin while gritting his teeth.
"I lost fair and square. I've got nothing to say about that. If you want to kill me, then do it, but I will never surrender."
Ace had always been proud, confident, even arrogant.
Yet now, he found himself utterly outmatched, not even by the strongest of his enemy's crew, but merely one of his low-level cadre.
For someone who had always believed he could take down the top pirates to prove his strength, surpass that man, and become King of the Pirates... This loss was a devastating blow.
And to make matters worse, Gin wasn't even ranked among the top fighters of the Netherworld Pirates.
Which meant that the so-called Four Heavenly Kings must be on an entirely different level.
Not to mention their captain, the legendary emperor of the sea, Obask Luke.
How strong was he?
But even if it meant death, he, Portgas D. Ace, would never yield to power.
Just as he never retreated in battle, he would not back down now.
"You shouldn't be so quick to make bold claims..."
Gin watched him with a mix of admiration and amusement.
For someone so young, Ace was already incredibly powerful.
If given more time to grow, Gin wasn't sure he'd be able to defeat him so easily.
Ace's potential was undeniable.
And in the heat of battle, when his crewmates had been captured one after another, his anger had even awakened his Conqueror's Haki.
Of course, possessing Conqueror's Haki wasn't anything special in the New World; Gin had taken down another pirate with the same ability not long ago.
But considering Ace's age and his already formidable mythical Zoan powers, his future was limitless.
No wonder Luke valued him so highly.
"With your qualifications, if you are willing to join the Netherworld Pirates, maybe you will really have the hope of surpassing me and joining the rank of the Four Heavenly Kings in the future!"
Gin crossed his arms and looked at Ace.
"There's still time before we reach Hachinosu Island. I suggest you think it over carefully."
After failing an experiment with the lineage factor transformation, Gin had barely survived, thanks to Princess Mansherry's help.
But he had lost his chance to become Lineage Factor Warrior, to become truly strong.
That day, he accepted the truth: He would never catch up to monsters like Lucci.
But this boy in front of him… With Conqueror's Haki, Mythical Zoan fruit, and extraordinary talent… he could very well become another Yamato.
As long as he didn't die young, his potential was boundless.
"Huh, the Four Heavenly Kings?"
Hearing Gin say this.
Ace, who felt that he was completely underestimated, said angrily: "Give me time. Forget your Four Heavenly Kings; one day, I'll take down your captain, Obask Luke, myself!"
"Bold words!"
Without warning, a voice emerged from the shadows.
Ace's entire body tensed, every hair on his skin standing on end, and he froze in place.
"Luke-sama!"
Gin was briefly surprised but quickly regained his composure and bowed down respectfully.
The members of the Netherworld Pirates were long accustomed to their captain's phantom-like presence.
"What...?"
Ace's eyes widened in shock.
Then, he instinctively turned toward the voice.
A young man stepped out from the corner of the room.
Dressed in a black-and-white casual outfit, he stood at an imposing three meters tall. His sharp, chiseled features and piercing gaze radiated a natural air of authority.
Then he smiled as he looked down at Ace.
"You're Obask Luke?"
Ace couldn't believe his eyes.
This was the man who ruled the New World, one of the Emperors of the Seas?
He looked even younger than the rumors suggested, probably not even twenty. He is only a few years older than himself.
It was hard to imagine that this was the legendary pirate feared across the seas.
"Portgas D. Ace."
Luke said while crossing his arms.
"I heard everything you just said..."
He glanced at Ace, whose face was bruised and battered, and chuckled.
"Seems like you don't think much of my Four Heavenly Kings."
"But the truth is... Your strength doesn't match your arrogance. You couldn't even defeat Gin, who isn't even among the strongest of my Eight Stars."
"Maybe you're a little too full of yourself?"
"Enough with the talk."
Ace's expression darkened, his pride stung, and he met Luke's gaze head-on, unwavering.
"Kill me if you want, but leave my crew out of this. They don't deserve to be dragged into it."
Luke shook his head.
"Killing you would be a waste... So, how about we make a bet?"
"A bet?"
Ace frowned.
"You seem confident in your strength."
Luke said with a smirk.
"So I'll give you time to prove it."
He raised his right hand, which was covered with Armament Haki, and reached toward Ace's Sea Prism Stone cuffs.
Before Ace or Gin could react…
Crack!
With a single squeeze, Luke crushed the Sea Prism Stone shackles like they were nothing.
Ace's eyes widened in shock.
Sea Prism Stone was as hard as a diamond, nearly indestructible.
Just wearing those cuffs had left him completely drained.
Yet Luke, a Devil Fruit user, had shattered them with his bare hands.
"You have two years."
Luke's voice was calm but commanding.
"If, within two years, you can defeat any of my Four Heavenly Kings, I will let the Spade Pirates go free."
"But if you fail..."
He leaned in, his gaze piercing.
"You and your crew will become part of my Netherworld Pirates."
"For good."
"Think it over."