One Piece: The hidden powers of Portgas D. Ace finally explained

Time of India

23-05-2025

One Piece: The hidden powers of Portgas D. Ace finally explained
One Piece, easily one of the most popular anime and manga franchises in the world, boasts a massive cast of powerful, interesting characters but few are as loved and tragic as Portgas D.
Ace. Famed for his flame-manipulation ability and tragic demise, Ace stood out as more than just Luffy's big bro. He was perhaps the most talented pirate of his generation.
What you probably didn't know is that Ace had concealed Haki powers that were hardly ever touched on in the series.
We explain everything you need to know about Portgas D. Ace—his history, his powers, his mysterious Haki abilities, and why he was such a big threat to the World Government.
Who was Portgas D. Ace in One Piece?
Portgas D. Ace was the adopted older brother of One Piece's main protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy. He was the adopted son of Dr. Vegapunk, but more than that, he was the biological son of Gol D. Roger, the former Pirate King. Ace despised his bloodline and adopted his mother's name of Portgas in place of Roger.
Ace grew up with Luffy and his other brother, Sabo under the care of Curly Dadan, a mountain bandit. Alongside him, Brook grew up with his childhood friend and adopted brother, swearing on one another's lives that they would inherit the title of pirates.
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Ace later went out on his own, joining the powerful Whitebeard Pirates as the commander of their Second Division, one of the crews most powerful in the world.
Ace's story ends tragically with the Marineford arc, fighting to protect Luffy from Admiral Akainu
Ace's death gives way to one of the hands down most emotional arcs in One Piece history—the Paramount War at Marineford. After being defeated in an epic showdown with the infamous pirate Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach), Ace was convicted and turned over to the Marines for execution.
The World Government didn't just want him dead because he was a pirate, they wanted him dead because he was known to carry the blood of Gol D. Roger. They were afraid Ace was going to have the potential to become the next Pirate King and upset the power dynamic.
With the defeat of Luffy and the Whitebeard Pirates' tremendous Navy armada rescue attempt, it was still an astounding resurgence. Through their singing, laughter, and sheer determination, they were able to free Ace, only to have him killed within minutes by Admiral Akainu, who used his magma powers to end Ace's life while Ace was shielding Luffy from the punch.
Portgas D. Ace's devil fruit the Mera Mera no Mi (flame-flame fruit)
Ace was best known for having eaten the Mera Mera no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit that allowed him complete control over fire. This freed him up to do the following:
Transform his physical body into a flaming firebird.
Fire through punches, attacks and combos
Smolder enemies and bonfire hazards to a crisp
Paint with 100-foot tall walls of fire and monstrous blows
His most notable move was 'Hiken' ( Fire Fist), in which he released a massive fire punch capable of incinerating ships.
Ace quickly learned to master his powerful Devil Fruit and became one of the most feared pirates across the seas. What many fans are unaware of is that he possessed Haki powers that made him far more dangerous.
Ace's hidden Haki powers: Conqueror's, Armament, and Observation
Most of Ace's Haki abilities were never explicitly displayed within the anime or manga, but they are solidified in One Piece lore, spin-offs, as well as creator commentary.
1. Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku Haki)
Ace unlocked this rarest form of Haki as a little kid. We saw him use it when rescuing his mentor Dadan during the Grey Terminal fire. This rare type of Haki gives the user a chance to assert their will over the will of others, defeating major foes with powerful will instantly, or even knocking out weaker enemies in an instant.
In fact, not even all of the strongest characters in One Piece, such as Luffy and Shanks, are able to wield this power.
2. Armament Haki (Busoshoku Haki)
Ace discovered Armament Haki during his time on Sabaody Archipelago. At first, Ace had a hard time since Draw's Haki is capable of harming his Logia form. During the battle Ace had unlocked his own Armament Haki and neutralized the Marine. It was this battle that demonstrated that Ace was a quick study and combat genius.
He subsequently went on to use this same Haki in combat against other top-tier fighters such as Jinbe, Whitebeard, and even Admiral Aokiji (Kuzan).
3. Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki)
It is stated that Ace possessed Observation Haki as well. This gave him the ability to anticipate enemy movements and attacks. He probably created it after facing the Grand Line/New World, where 90% of high-level pirates have this ability.
Ace's battles: From Jinbe to Yamato and Aokiji
Ace fought some heavy hitters in his run, too:
Jinbe: The fight they put up was fierce. Ace even overpowered Jinbe's Armament Haki with just his flames. The match concluded with a draw.
After being defeated by Whitebeard, Ace eventually joined his crew and became one of the strongest commanders of Whitebeard's fleet.
During the
Wano
arc, Ace challenged Yamato, the daughter of Kaido. Yamato had Conqueror's Haki, but Ace didn't lose to her. Sadly, this fight also ended in a draw.
Aokiji (Kuzan) During the Paramount War, Ace fought Admiralty in the ice covered captain and held his own on the battlefield-masterfully.
Ace was incredibly important to non-straight fans—the character who wasn't just Luffy's brother.
More than being an embodiment of inherited will, the concept that the dreams of those who came before us continue to within the following generation, Kofi was an avatar of these ideals.
Even Sengoku, the former Fleet Admiral of the Marines, admitted that Ace could do the same one day, like his father, Portgas D. If he had lived, Ace would have acquired a bounty exceeding 5 billion berries and would have started a rebellion against the World Government.
The real story behind Ace's parents, Roger and Rouge
Ace's father, as we learned back in the first manga chapters and anime episodes, was Gol D. Roger, the only pirate to ever get to Laugh Tale and discover the fabled One Piece treasure.
His mother was Portgas D. Rouge, a very kind and brave woman from Baterilla in the South Blue. To ensure Ace would not be killed by the Government, Rouge kept him in her womb for 20 months, keeping his birth secret until Roger was dead for 20 years.
She died immediately after giving birth, and Garp, a Marine legend himself, took Ace and entrusted Dadan to raise him.
Ace never met his parents, but grew up believing that the world found him unlovable simply because of the blood that ran through his veins. That pain may have made him strong, it set in motion the chain of events which led to his tragic, untimely death.
Ace's legacy still burns bright
Though he died years ago, Portgas D. Ace's story continues to be written in the hearts of One Piece fans across the globe. He was not only brave, loyal, and powerful. He was probably more powerful than people knew. His secret Haki, god-tier fire abilities and destiny to become the next Pirate King have him as one of the most underappreciated badasses in anime history.
If he had lived, the tale of Oda's One Piece would probably be headed in a very different direction. Ace decided to take the fall for his brother and while doing so, surely ignited a spark that hasn't cooled since.
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