Top Armament Haki Late Stage!

Time flowed relentlessly, each second carrying an air of anticipation.

Finn's hands moved steadily, his focus unwavering as he channeled his spell. Whitebeard, the mighty yet aging pirate, sat silently, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and skepticism. Nearly two hours passed before Finn finally withdrew his hands, the glowing energy dissipating into the ether.

"Try standing," Finn said calmly, his tone almost indifferent.

Whitebeard gripped the arms of his deck chair and pushed himself upright. His immense frame rose with a smoothness he hadn't felt in decades. Stretching his arms, he was struck by a surge of vitality coursing through his body, the likes of which he hadn't experienced since his prime.

"I feel..." Whitebeard paused, flexing his muscles. A grin spread across his face as he finished, "...unstoppable."

The pirate captains gathered around him, their faces alight with excitement.

"Father! Is it true? Are your old injuries gone?"

"And your illness, is it really healed?"

Whitebeard's laughter boomed, shaking the deck. "Gu la la la! My sons, rejoice! The old man's body feels twenty years younger! No pain, no weakness, just pure strength. It's like I'm forty again!"

The crew erupted in cheers, their shouts of celebration echoing across the sea.

"Now, my sons," Whitebeard said with a mischievous glint in his eye, "step aside. Since I'm back at my peak, it's time to see if Finn can handle this!"

He turned to Finn with a hearty laugh. "Boy! No more excuses now!"

Finn smirked, unfazed. "Excuses? Never. But first, didn't we have a little matter of... payment?"

The festive atmosphere froze momentarily. The captains exchanged uneasy glances.

"That's three billion," Finn reminded them, crossing his arms like a stern debt collector.

Whitebeard shrugged, unbothered by the hefty sum. "As promised, you'll have it. Marco, fetch the money."

"On it, Father," Marco replied.

Soon, 30 massive chests brimming with Bailey were brought onto the deck. Finn walked over and began to touch each chest. To the crew's astonishment, every chest disappeared as Finn's fingers made contact.

"What kind of sorcery is this?"

"Is it like Bramank's storage fruit?"

Confused whispers filled the air as they watched chest after chest vanish.

Within minutes, only one chest remained. Finn picked it up and carried it over to Ace, who watched expectantly.

"Surely he'll share a fair amount," Ace thought, already imagining his cut.

Finn opened the chest, pulled out a small stack of Bailey, and counted out precisely 20,000. "Here. Buy yourself a drink."

Ace stared at the bills in disbelief. "That's it?"

Finn raised an eyebrow. "Don't want it? I can take it back."

"No! No! I'll take it!" Ace shoved the money into his pocket, grumbling, "Brother, you're so stingy."

Whitebeard's voice cut through their banter. "Finn! Now that you've been paid, it's time. Shall we?"

Finn's eyes gleamed. "I've been waiting for this."

Whitebeard called for his legendary weapon, Murakumogiri, and the air grew heavy with anticipation. Finn, however, didn't reach for a physical blade. Instead, he stretched out his hand, and a shimmering energy sword materialized, its aura radiant and otherworldly.

The Whitebeard Pirates watched in awe.

"What... what is that?"

"A sword formed entirely of energy?"

"Is this some kind of Devil Fruit power?"

Finn twirled the energy blade with ease, its brilliance illuminating the deck. "Are we going to fight, or are you just going to keep staring?"

"Gu la la la! Very well, boy!" Whitebeard roared, his battle spirit ignited. He charged forward, his enormous blade swinging down with earth-shattering force.

Finn met the attack head-on, their weapons clashing in a blinding explosion of power.

In that moment, the system's voice echoed in Finn's mind: Ding! Congratulations, Host! Rewarded: Top Armament Haki, Late Stage!

The battle was only beginning.