Summary:
As the rest of the world learns of the Straw Hats’ new rewards and events at Enies Lobby, Blackbeard is seen reading an earlier report of the Straw Hats’ activities at Enies Lobby, commenting that their rewards should increase after that. Lafitte wonders if the Straw Hats hijacked the Sea Train from Water 7 to get to Enies Lobby. Van Auger notes that Water 7 is not too far from the Blackbeard Pirate’s current location and thinks they will cross paths again, while Doc Q suggests that fate may allow them to meet again and take action when that happens. Laughing as he carries the sack, Jesus Burgess asks what they’re waiting for, and Blackbeard says yes, announcing his intention to stop the Straw Hats before the Marines can.
Meanwhile, the townspeople are seen defeated and scattered around the area. As Blackbeard’s crew walks ahead, they pass the watching Ace, who is seen crouching on the roof near them. Ace calls Blackbeard, referring to him as Teach, and says they need to talk. The narration then plays and confirms that history-changing events take place on this small island called Banaro Island, three days before the fate of the straw hat and its reward was revealed to the world.
Blackbeard looks up in surprise and addresses him as Commander Ace, to which Ace responds by stating that he no longer has the right to call him that. Lafitte remarks that it must be the famous pirate “Fire Fist” Ace they are witnessing. Ace confirms Lafitte’s address and then notes that Blackbeard is now the captain of his own crew. Blackbeard replies that it’s been a while since they interacted and teases Ace if he was looking for him. Ace tells Blackbeard to stop his act and that there is only one reason he is here. In response, Blackbeard asks him to join his crew instead of fighting, stating that he has the perfect plan to become the Pirate King while mentioning that Whitebeard’s days are numbered. Blackbeard further mentions that he plans to head to Water 7 to kill Luffy and present it as a gift to the World Government.
Surprised, Ace then reveals to Blackbeard that he will not allow him to kill his younger brother. After refusing to join Blackbeard’s crew, Auger shoots Ace with a bullet that harmlessly pierces his Mera Mera no Mi’s Logia Devil Fruit powers. Ace sneers and notes that Blackbeard’s crew haven’t been taught manners, to which Ace retaliates with Auger’s Fire Gun. Burgess launches the hotel from behind towards Ace, who he burns down with the Fire Pillar of Flame Commandment. The debris lands near Blackbeard, who yells at Auger and Burgess, warning them that they are not strong enough to fight Ace alone. As Burgess apologizes, Ace unleashes Fire Fist on Blackbeard’s crew, managing to hit their captain. Engulfed in flames, Blackbeard writhes in pain as his uninjured crew run to his aid. As Auger fans the flames, Ace walks towards them. Blackbeard refuses help from his crew and tells them to back off. As Blackbeard recovers, he realizes Ace’s intention to finish him off before confessing to the crime of murdering their former crew mate, Fourth Division Commander Thatch.
Blackbeard reveals that he had no choice but to kill Thatch in order to obtain the Yami Yami no Mi, the Devil Fruit he had been chasing for decades, so there is a rule on Whitebeard’s ship: whoever finds the Devil Fruit can claim it as their own. eat. Blackbeard points out that he memorized the shapes and colors of many Devil Fruits until he recognized the Yami Yami no Mi sitting in Thatch’s hand. He further states that by lying low in Whitebeard’s crew, he will have the best chance of finding it one day. Blackbeard tells Ace to witness the power she has gained, stating that her power is unique among Logia types. Blackbeard forms a black pillar into the sky with his right hand and tells Ace that just as he is made of fire, his own body is made of darkness. The townspeople spot Blackbeard’s dark column and describe it as the strange black smoke from before. The inhabitants of the city, who saw no other option, flee in fear.
Blackbeard continues to show off his fruit, saying that it is said to be the most powerful of them all. He tells Ace to witness his power and Ace urges him on. Meanwhile, Blackbeard’s crew are seen fleeing and Burgess says their captain may kill them if they don’t escape in time. Doc Q falls and is dragged away by Burgess and Auger. Stronger then collapses behind them and Burgess starts yelling at him for falling too.
The pillar descends to Blackbeard’s position and then spreads out to consume the land of the city. The remaining townspeople watch as the darkness spreads further, wondering if it will consume them too. More of them run away as Blackbeard continues his speech about his power: the darkness is like gravity and absorbs everything around it. Ace acknowledges his claim, but mentions that he doesn’t surround him. Blackbeard tells him it’s on purpose because he wants him to see the power of Yami Yami no Mi. Blackbeard uses a Black Hole that destroys and vacuums the entire city. The townspeople watch in fear as Blackbeard continues his speech, saying that his power crushes and compresses anything his darkness touches. Moments later, the townspeople see a huge void left of their town. Swallowing the remains of the dark hole with his left hand, he uses Liberation and a black pillar forms from his back, throwing out everything that the dark hole has just swallowed and destroyed.
Blackbeard marvels at his power and says that it was worth killing Thatch before pausing to see green orbs of light appear towards him, which is Ace’s Firefly Fiery Doll. Blackbeard is engulfed in flames and withers in pain, to which Ace comments that he understands his darkness but not his sensitivity to pain. Ace states that as a Logia type, the flames shouldn’t hurt, let alone hit Blackbeard. Blackbeard’s power absorbs the flames and he replies that his power absorbs everything around him, including pain, stating that he cannot simply transform into an elemental and avoid the attack. He claims that the pain he then receives is much greater than what a normal person feels. Even so, he claims that the compromise is worth the use of force, and states that there is one more thing his force can swallow. With his left hand, he summons a Black Vortex that uses gravity to pull the Devil Fruit user into its grip. Ace’s hat flies off as he is pulled in, saying that the force is indeed strong. Blackbeard appears in front of him and is able to grab Ace’s shoulder and they both realize what just happened. Blackbeard punches Ace and sends him flying towards the wreckage, remarking that it must have been a while since he was last hurt like that. Blackbeard eventually states that his power can even absorb the powers of Devil Fruits if in contact with the user.
Ace wipes the blood from his mouth and says that then all he has to do is avoid contact. Blackbeard reminds him that gravity is stronger than he thinks and summons the Black Vortex. When Ace is pulled in, he uses St. Elmo’s Fire and sends two columns of fire through Blackbeard. Blackbeard still manages to grab Ace and fight him off before dealing with his new damage again. His power consumes the pillars of fire and Ace realizes that controlling Blackbeard’s power will be more difficult than he expected. Ace fires Cross Fire at Blackbeard and the impact lands on a giant rock called Banana Rock, which the townspeople are watching. The townspeople fear that the continued fighting may destroy their island as a whole. Meanwhile, Auger and the rest of the crew watch from afar as he notes that unlike the other users in battle, Ace is not handicapped to only use his Logie powers.
After a few moments, both Blackbeard and Ace are seen exhausted, with Ace on his knees while Blackbeard stands upright. Blackbeard once again asks Ace to join his crew, saying that it would be futile to finish him off here. Ace struggles, but gets up and says that if he joins, he can never call himself a man again. Ace says that no matter what happens, he will not give in and live a life of regret. Blackbeard rejects his morals, saying that if he’s dead, he’s meaningless. Blackbeard realizes that Ace won’t change his mind and summons a black pillar to himself. In response, Ace summons a giant fireball, the Great Flame Commandment, Flame Emperor, on his fingertip. Blackbeard notes that this is the sun turned against the darkness and that only one can win. Ace replies that he will make Whitebeard king or die trying. The two charge at each other with their massive attacks and an island can be seen in the distance as their attacks collide in the middle before the scene fades to a view of Ace’s hat lying on the ground. The narrator concludes that this clash would set off a chain of events that would change the world.