Chapter 39: The Test of Strength

The tension on the Moby Dick was palpable.

Whitebeard, the Strongest Man in the World, stood before me, his massive frame towering like a living mountain. His piercing eyes studied me, measuring my worth in an instant.

I had just made my request—for Whitebeard to join me in the fight against Kaido.

The moment those words left my mouth, the Whitebeard Pirates fell into silence.

The crew exchanged glances, some in shock, others in amusement.

And then—Whitebeard laughed.

"Gurararara… You're an interesting brat," he said, his deep voice like a rolling storm. "You think I'll just jump into a war because you asked nicely?"

I met his gaze without flinching. "I don't expect you to. That's why I'm here—to prove myself."

Whitebeard smirked, setting his massive bisento onto his shoulder.

"If you want my help," he said, his voice filled with challenge, "you'll have to show me what you're made of."

The Whitebeard Pirates around us grinned and muttered among themselves, entertained by the idea.

"Old man's actually gonna test him?"

"This kid doesn't know what he's asking for."

"Gurararara, I hope he survives!"

I had expected this. Whitebeard was not a man to follow orders. If I wanted his respect, I would have to earn it.

"I accept," I said. "But let's not fight on this ship."

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow.

"This ship won't survive a clash between us," I explained. "Let's take this to an island."

For a moment, the entire crew went silent again.

Then—Whitebeard's grin widened.

"GURARARARA! You've got guts, brat!"

The pirates around us burst into laughter, some clapping their hands, others whistling in amusement.

"You think you can match Oyaji's strength?" Marco smirked.

"This kid might be crazy," Jozu muttered.

Whitebeard tilted his head, amused. "Fine. We'll fight on an island."

Arriving at the Battleground

Not long after, we reached a deserted island nearby—a place of rocky cliffs and open plains, untouched by human civilization.

As soon as we set foot on land, the Whitebeard Pirates gathered along the shore, setting up camp to watch the duel unfold.

Whitebeard rolled his shoulders, loosening his muscles.

"I haven't fought seriously in a while," he said, planting his bisento into the ground. "Don't disappoint me, brat."

I drew my blackened blade, Oden, its edge gleaming in the sunlight.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This was my greatest challenge yet.

Whitebeard was no ordinary opponent. He was a Yonko, a man who had once clashed with Gol D. Roger.

If I couldn't hold my ground against him—how could I hope to defeat Kaido?

This was my test.

The Duel Begins

Whitebeard lifted his massive bisento, gripping it with one hand as if it weighed nothing.

Then—he vanished.

My eyes widened as his massive frame moved with speed unnatural for his size.

He was already in front of me.

I barely had time to raise my sword before his bisento swung down toward me.

BOOM!

The ground split apart, a massive shockwave shattering the earth where I had been standing.

I had dodged, leaping back just in time.

But before I could counter, Whitebeard's fist clenched.

A crackling force surrounded it—one I recognized instantly.

The Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

I gritted my teeth. So he's using his Devil Fruit already?

He punched the air, and reality itself cracked apart—a massive shockwave tore through the island, ripping apart trees, shattering rocks, and sending debris flying.

I braced myself, coating my blade in Supreme Conqueror's Haki.

With a single slash, I cut through the shockwave, parting the energy like a tidal wave splitting against a mountain.

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. "Hoh? Not bad."

I wasted no time, dashing forward with blinding speed.

Our weapons clashed—bisento against blackened blade.

A thunderous boom erupted across the island.

The very air split apart, sending massive shockwaves outward, kicking up dust and shaking the land beneath us.

The Whitebeard Pirates watching from the shore covered their faces as the force of our clash hit them.

"Damn! That kid is strong!"

"He's holding his own against Oyaji!"

"Is this really Oden's son?"

I pushed forward, striking again—Whitebeard blocked effortlessly.

Then, he swung his bisento, forcing me on the defensive. Each strike felt like a mountain falling on me.

I dodged, parried, and countered, using every skill I had learned over the years.

But Whitebeard was an absolute monster.

His physical strength alone was overwhelming, and his Tremor-Tremor Fruit attacks made every movement a deadly gamble.

Still—I refused to back down.

I let out a burst of Supreme Conqueror's Haki, matching Whitebeard's own dominant aura.

Lightning-like streaks of energy crackled through the sky, and the ground shook beneath us.

Whitebeard grinned. "Gurarara! You're not bad at all, brat."

I gripped my blade tightly. "I'm not here to impress you. I'm here to win."

Whitebeard's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Then show me, Momonosuke!"

Our weapons clashed once more—

And the island itself trembled beneath our battle.