Chapter 154

Everyone around was stunned by the scene that had just unfolded.

"Kairos—Flint——!!!"

Whitebeard stared at his iconic white beard, now lying on the ground. After a moment of silence, he erupted with a thunderous roar. The fury in his voice made it unmistakably clear how enraged he was.

That beard wasn't just facial hair—it was his identity.

On the sea, men earned their names through their distinct traits. Take "Red-Haired Shanks," for example, named for his unmistakable crimson hair. Or "Big Mom"—Charlotte Linlin—who was referred to as such due to her massive size and overwhelming number of children, much like an overbearing aunt. Then there was "Beast" Kaido, who had an entire crew made up of Zoan-type Devil Fruit users.

As for titles based purely on pirate crew names? Rare. Most top-tier pirates—Big Mom, Kaido, Whitebeard, Golden Lion—all had once been members of the Rocks Pirates. But that wasn't the point.

What mattered was that Kairos Flint had just sliced off Whitebeard's iconic facial feature.

It was an insult of the highest order.

Buzz!!!

Power surged around Whitebeard's fist—Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, and the tremor-inducing power of the Gura Gura no Mi all condensed into one terrifying blow. He hadn't struck yet... but it was clear he was on the brink.

He waited.

Waited for Kairos to speak.

Then, under Whitebeard's smoldering gaze, Kairos Flint spoke slowly and coolly:

"As the victor, isn't it natural to claim some spoils of war?"

"If I don't shave off your beard, how will anyone know you lost to me?"

The words landed like hammer blows.

Whitebeard fell silent.

The victor does take all. As the loser, he had no right to complain.

Besides... it was just a beard.

Kairos could've easily taken his arm or leg.

Their fight had made one thing painfully clear—he stood no chance against this man.

With a heavy heart, Whitebeard withdrew his clenched fist, letting the power around it fade.

"No more fighting?"

"What a shame."

"I really wanted you to taste my fist."

Kairos's tone held a mix of disappointment and mockery.

Was he afraid?

Not a chance.

If anyone should be afraid, it was Whitebeard.

To Kairos, Whitebeard was no longer a threat—just another name crossed off the list.

"This kid... is he trying to goad me into another fight so he can jack up the price again?" Whitebeard's thoughts raced. "This bastard's cunning."

"I'm not fighting," Whitebeard finally muttered, clearly annoyed.

He'd gained nothing from the fight. Instead, he'd been thoroughly beaten, blackmailed into debt, and even lost his legendary weapon—his supreme-grade blade, Cong Yunqie.

On top of all that, he'd lost the beard he had kept for decades.

And honestly? The lack of that beard was weird. He felt exposed. Vulnerable.

"For the money I owe you... I'll bring you enough big pirates to cover it," Whitebeard muttered. He then reached down to pick up his fallen beard.

That beard had been with him for decades. He couldn't just leave it behind.

But just then, a sudden gust of wind swept through.

The beard slipped from his fingers and scattered—hair flying into the sky like drifting ash.

Within seconds, it vanished above them.

Whitebeard looked down at his now bare, empty hands.

His beard—his identity—was gone.

The crack in his emotional armor finally showed.

"Dad... don't be sad. You still have us," Marco said gently, placing a hand on his father's shoulder.

"Gurararara!"

"How could I be sad? With sons like you, I already have everything I need," Whitebeard said, laughing heartily.

But it was forced.

Anyone with eyes could see the pain in his expression.

His beard was gone.

And with it, part of the legend of Whitebeard.

"So... the 'Whitebeard' part of Whitebeard is actually literal?" Kairos thought to himself with an amused smirk. "Like how Luffy's straw hat is his trademark?"

But he dismissed the idea just as quickly.

"Whitebeard. The items I requested... make sure they're ready."

"I'll give you a month to gather everything."

"If you can't pull it off, I'll start collecting from your sons."

"And remember—I want them alive."

With that final statement, Kairos Flint turned and walked away.

The battle was over.

There was no longer any reason to linger.

His ship, his crew—especially Nami and the other women—were far more pleasant company.

Much better scenery too.

But just as he began to leave, Whitebeard called out once more.

"Kairos, kid... do you still have that thing? The one that heals deep internal wounds?"