New World, Whitebeard Territory.
Teach left in a carefree manner, using a small wooden boat intended for emergency situations, along with a backpack containing some food and fresh water.
Alone and without help, he set sail, heading towards the unknown sea.
Since he could no longer obtain the Gura Gura No Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit) from Whitebeard, and it was impossible to rely on Whitebeard’s power to find the Yami Yami No Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit), he had no interest in continuing to play the dutiful son.
Many looked at Whitebeard with puzzled eyes. It was important to note that Teach had essentially admitted to his act of betrayal. According to the rules among pirates, as a Captain, Whitebeard had the authority to take Teach’s life.
As long as Teach still harbored ambitions, he could not rebel! Today’s events would undoubtedly spread, and if he resisted, Teach would never be able to return to the sea as a pirate.
Pirates also had their pride!
A Crew member who killed his old Captain and took his place would only be seen as ruthless.
However, acknowledging the act of betrayal meant he couldn’t kill his crew member. Even resisting the Captain’s judgment would lead to everyone in the sea looking down on him, considering him a disgrace among pirates.
However, Marco understood that precisely because he could freely take Teach’s life, Whitebeard would be even less inclined to act.
In fact, if that guy were to make a move, Whitebeard would even sacrifice his own life to protect him.
“Soryu!”
Marco clenched his fist ruthlessly, his nails digging into his palm, causing intense pain.
Watching Teach walk away, Whitebeard closed his eyes in silence for a moment. When he opened them again, the formidable and domineering Whitebeard had returned.
“Is this your purpose? Soryu (Azure Dragon)!”
His terrifying Haoshoku Haki was even more powerful this time, with a mix of sorrow, anger, and disappointment appearing in Whitebeard’s old, cloudy eyes. It ultimately transformed into boundless killing intent, as they locked onto Rowen.
“Heh!” But what he saw was Rowen’s expression, a smile that sent chills down his spine, a look of absolute confidence and cunning.
“No!!”
At this moment, Whitebeard’s ears suddenly twitched, his pupils shrinking, and he turned around in shock.
Puff… Creak!!
Somehow, individuals in white suits had already climbed up the side of Moby Dick, and in the instant Whitebeard turned around, a series of butcher knives descended upon the outermost pirates.
“Ah!!”
“Puff… Who are you?!”
“Be careful, there are enemies coming up!”
“Soryu (Azure Dragon)!!!”
Caught off guard, the outermost pirates suffered heavy losses. Whitebeard’s eyes widened in anger. Without thinking, he raised his fist and struck forward ruthlessly.
Thunk!!
The fist struck the air, but it produced a substantial impact.
The terrifying shockwave spread out in a fan shape, and the white-suited figures on Moby Dick were unable to mount any effective counterattack under this horrifying and intense shockwave. They were directly turned into a pool of blood splatter.
“It’s CP0, the World Government’s secret agents! Everyone, be careful!!”
Marco regained his senses before he turned around, and kicked out one of the infiltrators, shouting loudly.
Then he sensed something, looked up at the sky, and took in a sharp breath.
“And last year’s newly appointed Shichibukai, that monster, Fujitora Issho!”
“Aerolite!!”
In the sky, a giant-scale burning meteorite carried an unparalleled oppressive force, piercing straight down! In order to capture this Aerolite, which was as large as three Moby Dicks, Fujitora had put in quite a bit of effort.
“Now, do you still think that Whitebeard arrived ahead of schedule, and it was not within my plan? Dragon!”
Boom… Creak!!
The hot current reverberated through the sky. Nine thunderous dragons danced and twirled, pulling a giant-scale black ball out of the dark clouds.
In order to create this Raigo – Thunder Greeting ball, which was even larger than when he obliterated Golden Lion Shiki, Rowen had to put his mind-control plan into action, buying himself some time.
Now, two spherical objects, one black and one red, descended from the high altitude, their target unmistakably Whitebeard’s Moby Dick!
“Asshole!!”
On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard glared with fury. While the Aerolite and Raigo – Thunder Greeting black balls might not pose a threat to him personally, the crew members who were like sons and daughters to him would certainly not fare well.
It was impossible to easily dodge an attack delivered by two of the world’s top-level powerhouses.
In this critical moment, Whitebeard didn’t have time to think too much. He clenched his fists, striking simultaneously to the left and right.
Skyquake!!
Crack… Crack…!
Under the Tremor, the atmosphere quickly shattered, revealing countless visible cracks.
A powerful Tremor spread into the surrounding space, triggering towering and terrifying waves. The space where the Raigo – Thunder Greeting black ball and the Aerolite was located seemed to be torn apart like a photograph, suddenly splitting apart in the horrified gazes of countless onlookers, separating left and right.
“Boom!!”
A wisp of fresh blood overflowed from the corner of Whitebeard’s mouth, indicating the immense pressure of this move on him. But the pain stimulated his ferocity, and his aura surged once again, his eyes wide open.
“SCATTER!!”
Suddenly, even though he was prepared, Rowen watched this scene in astonishment.
The blossoming shockwave of white light seemed to erase everything in its path like an eraser. It swept through the middle of the Raigo – Thunder Greeting black ball and the Aerolite, and in the next moment, they both exploded into bursts of fireworks!
Whitebeard, with his unparalleled strength, shattered their combined strongest lethal attack!!
This is Whitebeard!
This is the strongest power in the world!
It is also the power of love, erupted to protect his children and family!
“Admirable!”
Scaling Dragan Kill!
Zi Zi…!
As the sound accompanied intense pain, Whitebeard, who had just released his attack, lowered his head in disbelief, looking at the crescent-sided halberd of lightning that pierced through his chest, his expression somewhat dazed.
Then… came boundless rage!!!
“Get lost!!!”
A heavy punch resounded, and even before the fist made contact, the terrifying shockwave enveloped with Haki transmitted through, preventing Rowen from moving a muscle.
Thud!!
With a muffled and depressed sound, Rowen spat out a large mouthful of blood in mid-air as he was sent flying high into the sky by Whitebeard’s punch.
After all, he was the figure known as the “Strongest in the Sea.” Even though Rowen managed to land a surprise attack, Whitebeard could still unleash a resentful strike.
In an instant, Rowen had a misconception that he was truly about to die. His whole body was in excruciating pain, his hands and feet shattered by the blows, his body fragmented and incomplete.
This sudden onslaught came and went quickly. By the time Rowen was caught in mid-air by Fujitora, the others had just regained their senses from the aftermath that resembled a battle of the gods with its scattered rainbow-hued aftermath.
“What… what just happened?”
“What a terrifying attack! What was that just now? An Aerolite?!”
“Look, Whitebeard…!!”
This group of onlookers, who had narrowly escaped from the shock, were utterly shocked. Suddenly, a scream caught their attention. They turned to look and gasped in horror.
“Oyaji!!!” Marco ran over to Whitebeard as if he had gone mad, looking at the wound that could be seen through his chest from behind, his eyes filled with disbelief.
“Oyaji, you…”
That figure, was it… Whitebeard?!
“The terrifying one like a ghost,” the Whitebeard who wielded the power to “Destroy the World”?
With injuries like that, even a Monster like Whitebeard would probably not fare well, right? But can someone please tell me what just happened?!
“I’m fine… Blurg!!”
Waving his hand, he directly spat out a mouthful of blood. With a clang of metal and iron, Whitebeard supported himself with his naginata, not allowing even the slightest curve to appear in his straightened back.
His eyes slightly narrowed, and he finally saw through Rowen’s true target.
“So, your target has always been me!”
“I underestimated you…”
“Soryu (Azure Dragon)!”
“Cough cough… It won’t work, the gap is too big… I was aiming for his heart, but he managed to dodge at the last moment, and I only managed to injure his lung.”
In the high sky, being pulled alongside by Fujitora using a Gravity Wave, Rowen smiled wryly as he spoke.
“That’s a given, your opponent is Whitebeard. The battle has become instinctive, and no matter how perfect your plan is, you can’t escape the stark difference in strength…”
Fujitora sighed inwardly, his face also filled with regret.
What a great opportunity!
Just a little more…
If he could have shot Whitebeard on the spot, the waters of the New World would have been in turmoil whether they liked it or not!!
But it’s not like Rowen didn’t give it his all. Between the two of them charging their ultimate moves, Teach’s disruptive attack, plus CP0’s provoking assault, Rowen was left with only half of his broken body in exchange for Whitebeard’s chest-piercing blow.
Even with all this, it didn’t succeed. It could only be said that Whitebeard truly deserved to be called the “Strongest in the World.” Even if he was distracted three times, he still possessed unimaginable intuition.
Watching Whitebeard below, who was staring back at them with fury, Fujitora clicked his tongue and asked, “What do we do next?”
“What else can we do…”
Rowen used his chin to snap his shoulder blade back into place, took a deep breath, and said, “My injuries won’t heal in a day or night… Fighting Whitebeard, even with your CP0 members, is a losing battle.”
Looking at the distant sky where Zero and Dragon were fighting, Rowen decisively declared the mission a failure.
“Retreat!”
“Understood!”
Although they didn’t manage to kill Whitebeard, the plan could still be considered a partial success. Fujitora dragged Rowen’s battered body like a broken sack, marveling and controlling the flying stones beneath his feet.
“Oh, Rowen San, about that prophecy you mentioned… Did you also see my future?”
Rowen, whose body was rapidly healing, gave him a lazy glance. “What do you want to know?”
Fujitora’s face turned crimson, and he said with embarrassment, “I… I just wanted to ask when I might… win a big one…”
Rowen: “…”
“Get lost!”
I still want to win big!
‘This nonsense prophecy ability… when I get back, I’ll make sure to clarify it with you all, or it will never end…’ Rowen could already foresee the various problems he would face once the message was sent back.
On the sea below, as he watched the black speck gradually disappear in the sky, Whitebeard suddenly sat down with a “thud.”
“Oyaji!”
Marco ran over with a face full of sorrow and anger, shouting repeatedly, “Why are you just standing there? Bring my medical kit over!!”
“I’m fine, Marco… you should tend to them first!”
Whitebeard, panting heavily, wanted to give the order, but his weak and feeble appearance made Marco sternly refuse him. He forcibly tore off Whitebeard’s blood-stained white coat and began to bandage him. Faced with Marco’s insistence, Whitebeard couldn’t say a word, and after a long while, he sighed.
“Go back, Marco… from now on, be extremely careful!”
“That guy… is too dangerous!”
“Understood, Oyaji!”
Marco clenched his teeth ruthlessly, making a silent pledge in his heart.
Soryu (Azure Dragon)!!!
(End of this chapter)
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