One Piece chapter 1100 showcases Ace's hidden potential

"Fire Fist" Ace was a prominent member of the Whitebeard Pirates and tragically died while protecting his sworn brother, Monkey D. Luffy. Chapter 1100 of One Piece emphasizes that Ace was an extremely powerful pirate, potentially following in the footsteps of his notorious father.

Had Portgas D. Ace not died, he would have become one of the strongest One Piece characters

Continuing from where the last issue ended, the latest One Piece chapter 1100 delves deeper into Kuma's backstory. On a quest to find a cure for Bonney's Sapphire Scales Syndrome, Kuma encounters Vegapunk, who offers a potential solution through a stem cell transplant.

Vegapunk asked Kuma to donate his blood in exchange for creating the "Pacifista" cyborgs. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn overheard the conversation and agreed to the deal, but only if Kuma met his demands.

Saturn compelled Kuma to become a cyborg and agreed to have his mind erased after the surgery. Kuma also had to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea before becoming a fully fledged human weapon in service to the World Government.

Portgas D. Ace's story in One Piece

Kuma was chosen to take the place of a recently vanquished member within the group. The chapter did not disclose the identity of the ousted Warlord, but it did reveal that Portgas D. Ace was the one who defeated him.

Luffy, Sabo, and Ace (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

After enduring numerous lethal confrontations, Gol D. Roger and the esteemed "Marine Hero" Monkey D. Garp ultimately developed a deep mutual respect. In his final moments, Roger entrusted Garp with the responsibility of safeguarding his son Ace, ensuring that Ace would not be unjustly branded as a criminal.

Ace's mother, Portgas D. Rouge, kept her pregnancy a secret to protect her son from the World Government. Touched by her sacrifice, Garp agreed to Roger's plea and raised Ace as his own grandson.

Garp looked after Ace and Luffy during their early years before eventually placing them in the care of Dadan. He would often visit to train and toughen up the boys. As they grew, Ace, Sabo, and Luffy formed a strong bond, solidified by a shared vow.

Ace, a key figure within the Whitebeard Pirates (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

At 17 years old, Ace embarked on his pirate journey, forming the Spade Pirates before later aligning himself with the Whitebeard Pirates. As a vital member of the formidable crew, Ace quickly rose to prominence and earned the mentorship of the captain, Edward Newgate.

In pursuit of revenge against Marshall D. Teach, a former crewmate who betrayed the Whitebeard Pirates by killing a fellow comrade, Ace tracked him down. Along the way, he briefly crossed paths with Luffy in Arabasta, and later clashed with Navy officer Smoker to protect his sworn brother. Ultimately, Ace was defeated and captured by Teach in Banaro, and sold to the World Government.

How strong was Ace at the time of his death?

The transfer of Ace from Impel Down to Marineford marked the beginning of a desperate attempt by the Whitebeard Pirates to save him from execution. Despite their valiant efforts, the overwhelming power of the Navy led to Ace's tragic death on the battlefield. In a final act of love and sacrifice, he shielded Luffy from Admiral Akainu, sealing his own fate.

Ace met a tragic end during the Paramount War (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

At a mere 20 years of age, Ace held a significant position within the formidable Whitebeard Pirates, one of the most powerful crews in existence. His exceptional combat abilities earned him the renowned title of “Fire Fist”, derived from his formidable Logia-class Devil Fruit powers.

As the possessor of the Flame-Flame Fruit, Ace had the ability to change his body into fire and skillfully control the element to unleash powerful attacks. Demonstrating his strength, he was able to counter Aokiji’s Ice Block: Pheasant Peck with his own technique.

While it is possible that Ace’s Flame-Flame Fruit had a slight inherent advantage over Aokiji’s Ice-Ice Fruit, it is undeniable that the Admiral would have emerged victorious if the battle had continued. Nevertheless, Ace’s accomplishment is noteworthy.

Ace demonstrating his Devil Fruit abilities (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

Being the son of Gol D. Roger, Ace not only inherited the Will of D., but also possessed the natural ability to wield Conqueror’s Haki. Sadly, Ace passed away before reaching the level of mastery required to unlock the formidable Advanced Conqueror’s Haki.

Despite Jinbe's expertise in Fish-Man Karate and Armament Haki, Ace was able to fight on par with him, demonstrating his resilience and ability to match a much more seasoned opponent. The intense struggle between Ace and Jinbe lasted for five days, with both nearly killing each other before succumbing to mutual exhaustion. Even after such a strenuous battle, Ace still had enough energy to mount a desperate stand against Whitebeard, showcasing his toughness and determination.

In the image from Toei Animation's One Piece, a rookie Ace can be seen facing Jinbe.

During the battle, Ace demonstrated his ability to fight on equal footing with Yamato, despite her decision not to utilize her Advanced Conqueror’s haki or her Mythical Zoan powers.

Before his death, Ace's strength should be evaluated by considering that he was on par with Jinbe, a formidable fighter comparable to most Yonko Commanders, even before joining the Whitebeard Pirates. Despite their age difference, Jinbe was already close to his current strength, while Ace saw significant improvement in his combat skills after fighting and traveling alongside Whitebeard, Marco, and the others.

Thus, at the time of his death, Ace was likely more powerful than the majority of Yonko Commanders, although still not on par with those who held the rank of right-hand man. This aligns with the fact that Ace was comparable to the average Warlords, who possessed a similar level of strength.

Ace's most formidable attack, the Entei (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

During his time as captain of the Spade Pirates, Ace met the minimum strength requirements to become a Warlord. Despite being invited to join the organization, he ultimately declined. In One Piece chapter 1100, it was revealed that Ace, after joining Whitebeard's crew, even managed to defeat one of the Seven Warlords.

The specific Warlord that "Fire Fist" defeated remains unknown, but all of them are incredibly powerful individuals. Excluding Dracule Mihawk, who is considered a Yonko-level fighter and stands apart from his fellow Warlords, all of them are formidable pirates.

Ace's untimely death wasted all his Pirate King potential

The solitary member of the group who was relatively less powerful was Gecko Moria. He met the criteria to be a Warlord only during his prime. However, as Moria grew weaker, he was no longer considered powerful enough to remain one of the Warlords and was consequently expelled from the group.

The fate of Ace's potential remains uncertain. Whitebeard had hoped for Ace to be his heir and the next Pirate King, while the World Government launched a full-scale war to prevent this outcome. (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

If Ace had survived, he would have posed a significant threat to the World Government and other pirates. A hypothetical post-time-skip Ace could have combined the Awakened Flame-Flame Fruit with the Advanced Conqueror’s Haki for a power output comparable to Zoro’s or even Luffy’s.

Ace’s passing continues to be a heartbreaking moment for every One Piece fan, but his legacy will endure through his close companions. Luffy will always carry the memory of Ace’s sacrifice, and Sabo has taken on the responsibility of carrying on his legacy by inheriting the Flame-Flame Fruit.

Stay tuned for the latest developments in the One Piece manga, anime, and upcoming live-action adaptation as we move through 2023.

Editor's P/S

One Piece chapter 1100 offers a tantalizing glimpse into the untapped potential of Portgas D. Ace, whose journey was tragically cut short. As the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, Ace possessed immense strength and potential, as evidenced by his defeat of a Warlord of the Sea at a young age.

It is heartbreaking to consider what Ace could have achieved if he had not met his untimely demise. With his fiery determination and unwavering loyalty, he had the potential to become a legendary pirate, perhaps even surpassing his father's accomplishments.

The revelation of Ace's hidden potential adds depth to his character and further emphasizes the tragic loss that his death represents. One can only imagine the impact he could have had on the world of One Piece if he had been given the chance to reach his full potential.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.