As the system's notification echoed, Finn felt an immediate surge of power coursing through his body. The Advanced Armament Haki he had grown accustomed to was replaced by something far greater—thicker, denser, and immeasurably stronger. This wasn't just an upgrade; it was a complete transformation.
It felt like stepping through a doorway to a higher plane of existence.
Finn clenched his fists, eager to test this newfound strength. He couldn't help but recall the time when his Observation Haki had evolved to its peak, allowing him to glimpse several seconds into the future. Now, with his Armament Haki reaching its pinnacle, he was brimming with anticipation.
The clash began with a single, measured exchange. Neither Finn nor Whitebeard unleashed their full strength. The blades met briefly before both fighters pulled back.
"Boy," Whitebeard said, his deep voice resonating across the battlefield. "You may have healed the old man's wounds, but in battle, I'll hold nothing back. Prepare yourself for the real fight!"
With a firm grip on his colossal blade, Whitebeard summoned his Armament Haki. The ebony sheen rippled across his weapon like a living entity, flowing with the precision and speed only achievable by a master.
Finn's eyes lit up. "Tsk, tsk... That's quite the display. Let's see how it compares."
He raised his arm, and his Top Armament Haki activated. The energy erupted like a coiled dragon, spiraling and writhing with untamed power. Unlike Whitebeard's smooth flow, Finn's Haki seemed alive, pulsating and shifting with an unpredictable rhythm.
Whitebeard's sharp gaze narrowed. "That Haki… It's extraordinary. You're just a pup, yet you've cultivated this to such a level? It seems you've surpassed even your grandfather's infamous talent. Truly, the Monkey family breeds monsters!"
Finn grinned. "Flattery won't save you, old man."
Whitebeard chuckled, his booming laughter shaking the air. "Gu la la la! I was wondering if I needed to hold back, but clearly, that's no longer a concern."
He stepped forward with thunderous force, his blade, Cong Yunqie, glowing with a menacing aura. The vibrations from its edge were palpable, crackling with the intensity of countless earthquakes compressed into a single strike. The air around him shimmered, distorted by the raw energy.
Finn's blood raced with excitement. "That's more like it!"
With a subtle shift of his stance, Finn activated his Eight Inner Gates. The Seventh Gate flared open, and his body surged with explosive energy. Strength, speed, and resilience climbed to new heights. He shot into the air, his celestial sword glinting with otherworldly brilliance.
"Immortal Sword Technique: The Great Immortal Guides the Way!"
As Finn swung his blade, it seemed to move sluggishly, yet its path left a trail of countless afterimages. The contrast was disorienting, each afterimage radiating a sense of overwhelming power.
"What… What is that?" one of the Whitebeard Pirates stammered, their voice trembling. "It looks slow, but it feels… terrifying."
Whitebeard, unfazed, roared with approval. "Gu la la la! It's just as they say—your swordsmanship surpasses even the eagle-eyed legend! But let's see how it fares against this!"
He swung Cong Yunqie with all his might, channeling the destructive power of his Shock Fruit into the blade. The seismic energy condensed into a concentrated band of raw force, crackling like a contained storm.
The two blades collided.
Ka-boom!
The impact split the world.
A fissure of energy erupted from the clash, tearing through the ground and sky alike. The clouds above parted violently, as if a celestial hand had raked them aside. Below, the earth fractured into a spiderweb of deep cracks, and seawater began to surge through the breaches.
The force of the collision sent shockwaves rippling outward. Trees were uprooted, rocks disintegrated, and the remnants of the once-sturdy island were obliterated.
"Brace yourselves!" Marco shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. "Use your Armament Haki to protect yourselves!"
Despite their efforts, many of the Whitebeard Pirates were sent sprawling, some crying out in pain as debris struck them. Ace, in his Logia form, managed to avoid harm but stood frozen in awe.
"Is this… Is this really the power of men?" he murmured, sweat dripping from his brow. "I thought I was strong, but this… This is on another level."
Amidst the destruction, the pirate ship Moby Dick groaned under the pressure, its sturdy frame riddled with holes. The ship teetered on the brink of collapse as seawater flooded the shattered island.
"Quickly! Get to the ship!" one of the pirates yelled.
As the crew scrambled aboard, Ace noticed his own vessel drifting far out at sea, tossed miles away by the sheer force of the battle. His phone buzzed, and his vice-captain's panicked voice came through. "Boss! What just happened? A gust of wind sent our ship flying! We're miles off course!"
Ace stared, slack-jawed, at the distant dot that was his ship. Turning back to the battlefield, he muttered under his breath, "These two… They're absolute monsters."
The duel between Finn and Whitebeard raged on, their power shaking the very foundations of the world. This was a battle for the ages, a clash that would echo in legends forever.