On a small island within Whitebeard Pirates’ territory.
Crack... crack, crack, crack...
From afar, the air above the island’s surface strangely fractured with spiderweb-like cracks, continuously expanding until the entire island warped. Finally, with a thunderous roar, the island was split into several halves, as if a natural disaster had struck.
"Huff, huff... huff..."
After unleashing a move that completely cleaved the island, Whitebeard placed his right hands on hi chest. Though not as severe as in later years, he was now well over fifty. Progress in the future was impossible; he could only stagnate or even decline.
At this moment, Whitebeard’s golden hair was stained with blood, some Alucard’s, some his own. His white greatcoat, draped over his back, was tattered, and new wounds constantly appeared on his body. How long had it been since he last sustained so many injuries?
"Fighting me, you won’t even have a chance to catch your breath."
A ghostly shadow rose behind Whitebeard. A pitch-black, large-caliber handgun pressed against Whitebeard’s knee. With a bang, it shot through Whitebeard’s knee. There was no other way; if he didn’t jump, Alucard’s height would barely reach Whitebeard’s waist.
"..." Whitebeard grunted deep in his throat. He was about to fall, but quicker still, he tightened his grip on his naginata, propping up his massive body.
"I am... Whitebeard!"
Whitebeard swung his naginata, carrying a powerful shockwave that could shatter air. With one slash, he pulverized the space in front of Alucard like glass.
In Whitebeard’s eyes, Alucard appeared like a photo embedded in glass. With this strike, his body completely disintegrated. However, there was no trace of pain on Alucard’s face. His maniacal grin only paused for an instant before quickly returning.
’He revived again?’ Whitebeard thought to himself. That move should have shattered this kid’s heart, yet he was still so full of life.
Even Whitebeard had lost count of how many days and nights they had fought . Alucard’s revivals had been displayed too many times before him, causing Whitebeard to no longer be surprised. He only focused on how to defeat his opponent.
Suddenly, Whitebeard increased the power output in his hands. His fist opened, transforming into a palm, and he grabbed Alucard’s body.
Given the immense difference in their sizes, Whitebeard grabbing Alucard was like a burly adult picking up an infant.
Whitebeard tossed Alucard heavily into the air, then slammed him fiercely to the ground, activating the Tremor-Tremor Fruit’s ability. It seemed he intended to sink Alucard completely to the seabed.
The land beneath their feet was now less than one-fifth of the original island’s size. The remaining land, ravaged by Whitebeard’s power, began to drift away like collapsing icebergs following the currents.
Whitebeard’s attack succeeded. He forcefully pressed Alucard’s head into the ground. A unique shockwave from the Tremor-Tremor Fruit erupted from his palm, carving a deep gully into the earth and burying Alucard.
Several seconds later, the energy erupting from the island caused tsunamis to rise again. Most of Alucard’s body was completely smashed into the gully. From Whitebeard’s angle, he could barely see Alucard’s body perfectly wedged between the two halves of the island.
"Does that hurt a little, Undying Brat?" Whitebeard growled, looking up. He turned, preparing to leave. While he could deliver another blow to Alucard, the island was on the verge of collapse. One more punch, and the ground beneath his feet would completely crumble.
As a Devil Fruit user, Whitebeard wouldn’t do something that would lead to mutual destruction. However, the island’s core had been excessively ravaged; its eventual descent to the bottom of the sea was only a matter of time.
Yet, not a few seconds later, under his Observation Haki, Alucard’s aura changed. Whitebeard turned and looked down into the gully. He saw Alucard’s body slowly change color. A few seconds later, it transformed into a young soldier wearing armor.
Suddenly, a hand clapped Whitebeard’s shoulder. When Whitebeard spun around to slash with his naginata, sparks flew. A great sword blocked his naginata, and the one wielding this colossal sword was none other than Alucard. His bangs now covered the right side of his hair, and his exposed eye and twisted lips revealed an expression of wild joy mixed with a hint of regret. "Good move, but it’s a shame, Whitebeard."
However, despite the setback, Whitebeard showed no hint of regret on his face. He still chuckled defiantly. "You arrogant brat."
Both sides simultaneously stepped back. A fierce lightning bolt flashed from the dark clouds, and a sudden downpour began, seemingly announcing the continuation of the battle. But just then, both of them turned their heads to look at the sea to their side.
In the distance, countless pirate ships were slowly sailing towards them.
Whitebeard recognized them instantly: his own Moby Dick, and the ships of numerous pirate crews under the Whitebeard Pirates’ command. But what truly captivated Whitebeard’s attention was the ship to the Moby Dick’s left, with a mermaid figurehead, and the man standing at its bow... his lifelong rival, Gold Roger!
While still several miles from the coast, Roger, standing on the Jackson, leaped. A residual image flickered, and he had already appeared between Alucard and Whitebeard.
"Hey, Roger..." Whitebeard’s mouth moved beneath his mustache. "What brings you here after so many years?"
"I’ve come to stop your fight," Roger said, enunciating each word, standing between the two.
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