Chapter 87 The Restricted Whitebeard

The energy clash between the Golden Lion's overwhelming slashes and Whitebeard's mighty vibrations unleashed a devastating storm that tore through the atmosphere. The Moby Dick groaned under the pressure, its sturdy frame straining against the turbulence. The sea beneath them raged, as though mimicking the battle of titans above it.

Whitebeard's eyes burned with fury as he brandished his naginata, its blade glowing with the raw power of his Shock Fruit. "Golden Lion or not, you dare to set foot on my ship and threaten my family? I'll send you to the depths of the sea where you belong!"

The Golden Lion hovered in the air, unbothered by the violent waves and the chaos he had unleashed. His bone mask gleamed eerily in the dimming sunlight as he smirked. "Family, you say? How quaint. It's that sentimentality that makes you weak, Whitebeard. That's why you'll fall."

With a flick of his wrist, the massive lions of seawater reformed, their grotesque forms towering over the Moby Dick. Their roars reverberated through the battlefield, drowning out the cries of the crew. The Golden Lion laughed as he extended his arms, his Reiatsu surging like a tidal wave. "Come on then, old man! Let's see if you can protect your so-called family from me!"

Whitebeard gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on his weapon. He swung again, unleashing another shockwave that shattered the nearest water lion into a torrent of rain. But for every lion he destroyed, two more seemed to take its place. The crew scrambled to maintain their footing as the deck buckled under the relentless assault.

Meanwhile, Hunting Shadow struggled to his feet, clutching his ribs. Blood dripped from his mouth, but his eyes were defiant. "I'm not going down that easily," he muttered, summoning the last reserves of his strength. His body began to glow faintly as his Zoan Devil Fruit powers activated, his injuries already beginning to heal.

"Stay back!" Whitebeard barked, glancing at him briefly. "You're no match for him in your state, boy!"

Hunting Shadow clenched his fists but obeyed, stepping back as the Golden Lion descended closer to the deck. The former pirate's golden hair billowed like a storm, his gaze fixed on Whitebeard with a predatory glint. "You're out of your depth, Whitebeard. Your era is over."

"Enough talk!" Whitebeard roared, leaping forward with a speed and power that belied his massive frame. His naginata clashed against the Golden Lion's Sakura Ten, sparks flying as the two warriors exchanged blow after blow. Each strike was a spectacle of raw power, sending shockwaves that rocked the surrounding seas.

The Golden Lion grinned, his bone mask cracking slightly under the strain of the battle. "You've still got some bite, old man. But let's see how long you can keep up!"

He twisted his blade, forcing Whitebeard back momentarily, then thrust his free hand forward. "Lion: Thousand Slice Valley!"

A barrage of slashes erupted from his blade, filling the sky with streaks of deadly light. Whitebeard countered with a massive wave of vibration energy, but the sheer volume of attacks forced him to retreat slightly, protecting his ship and crew from the onslaught.

As the two titans continued their clash, the Whitebeard Pirates watched in awe and terror. Their father—the strongest man in the world—was being pushed to his limits by this enigmatic foe. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, Whitebeard stood tall, unyielding.

"I don't care what tricks you've learned, or what power you think you've gained," Whitebeard growled, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve. "You'll never defeat me or break the will of my family!"

The Golden Lion's laughter echoed across the battlefield. "We'll see about that, Whitebeard. By the end of this day, your so-called family will know the true meaning of despair!"