Chapter 40: Clashing with the Strongest Man

The air around us crackled with energy, the very ground trembling beneath our feet as Whitebeard and I clashed once more.

His massive bisento swung with terrifying force, carving through the air like a divine executioner's blade. But I was not the same warrior I had been years ago—I met his strikes head-on, my Supreme Black Blade, Oden, clashing against his weapon in a dazzling explosion of power.

BOOM!

The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the island, uprooting trees and splintering rocks into dust. The ocean itself responded to our battle, waves crashing violently against the shores.

From the distance, the Whitebeard Pirates watched in awe.

"Damn… this brat is actually keeping up with Oyaji?"

"That's not normal… Even the commanders struggle against him in a fight."

"Who the hell is this kid?!"

I gritted my teeth, pushing forward, my blade humming with the raw intensity of Supreme Conqueror's Haki.

Whitebeard smirked.

"Gurararara… You're stronger than I expected, brat!"

Without warning, he clenched his fist, and the air around him shattered.

I barely had time to react before—

CRACK!

A shockwave exploded from his punch, the sheer force of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability distorting space itself.

The sky rippled like glass about to shatter.

The ground beneath me fractured into massive cracks, chunks of rock floating for mere seconds before they collapsed into nothingness.

I didn't hesitate. I coated my sword with Supreme Conqueror's Haki, pouring every ounce of my will into the blade.

Then—I swung.

BOOM!

My attack tore through his shockwave, slicing the energy apart as if cutting through a storm itself.

The moment of impact sent an ear-splitting explosion rippling outward.

For the first time in my life, I had done something few warriors had ever achieved—

I countered Whitebeard's attack head-on.

Pushing Whitebeard Back

Whitebeard's grin widened, his massive frame bracing against the force of my strike. His bisento hummed with raw power as he dug his heels into the shattered earth, holding his ground.

"Gurararara! Not bad, brat! Not bad at all!"

But I wasn't done.

With lightning-like speed, I vanished from sight, my Observation Haki guiding me as I reappeared behind him, my blade already mid-swing.

Whitebeard turned just in time, raising his bisento—but he was slower than me.

SLASH!

A deep cut tore through the side of his coat, a clean, precise strike. I hadn't aimed to wound—I had aimed to prove my skill.

The onlookers gasped.

"He… he landed a hit on Oyaji?"

"Impossible!"

"No way. Oyaji could've dodged that if he wanted to… right?"

I steadied my breath, holding my ground. I wasn't arrogant enough to think I had the upper hand—this fight was far from over.

Whitebeard glanced down at his coat, then let out another deep laugh.

"GURARARARA! You remind me of your old man, brat! That was a fine strike."

He tightened his grip on his bisento.

And then he attacked with full force.

Unleashing Our Full Power

Whitebeard swung his bisento with devastating speed, his Supreme Conqueror's Haki crackling around him.

I parried, my blade locking against his weapon, sparks of energy erupting from our clash like a celestial storm.

Then—he sent out another quake-powered punch.

I had no time to dodge.

BOOOOOM!

The shockwave hit me square in the chest, sending me soaring across the battlefield, my body smashing through several jagged rock formations before I dug my blade into the ground to stop myself.

The island itself shook violently, parts of the coastline collapsing into the ocean.

I wiped the blood from my mouth. It had been a long time since I had taken a direct hit like that.

But instead of faltering, I grinned.

Whitebeard saw this and let out another hearty laugh.

"You're still standing?"

I slowly rose to my feet, rolling my shoulders. "It'll take more than that to put me down."

Whitebeard's expression shifted into something more serious.

"Then let's end this with one final clash, brat."

I nodded.

We both stepped forward at the same time—

And then—we struck.

The Final Clash

Whitebeard swung his bisento, his Tremor-Tremor Fruit amplifying the force.

I countered, my blade coated in Supreme Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, and my pure will.

BOOOOOOM!

Our final attacks collided.

The entire island quaked beneath us, the force splitting the sky apart, sending black lightning streaks flashing through the heavens.

The Whitebeard Pirates shielded their faces, some barely standing as the sheer pressure of our Haki knocked several warriors unconscious.

For several long seconds—nothing but raw energy surged between us.

Then—

The ground beneath us collapsed.

Dust filled the air.

The impact rippled across the sea, causing waves to crash violently in every direction.

And then—silence.

The Aftermath

When the dust finally settled, Whitebeard stood tall, his bisento resting on his shoulder.

I remained standing, my sword still in my hand.

I exhaled deeply, sweat and blood dripping from my face.

Whitebeard looked at me for a long moment before—he smirked.

"Gurararara… You're something else, brat."

The Whitebeard Pirates watched in shock.

"He didn't fall…"

"This kid… actually fought Oyaji to a standstill?"

"No one… No one has done that in years."

Whitebeard studied me, then finally let out a deep sigh.

"Alright, brat. I've seen what you're capable of."

I met his gaze, waiting for his verdict.

Then, his grin widened.

"Let's talk."