A rough, booming laugh echoed through the air.
In the next instant, a figure came crashing down toward Whitebeard with terrifying force!
The two swords in his hands radiated an overwhelming, fearsome aura!
Jet-black Armament Haki, tinged with a crimson hue, intertwined with a tempestuous Conqueror’s Haki as the blades came slashing down toward Whitebeard!
The scene bore a striking resemblance to the first time Whitebeard had clashed with Oden.
But unlike back then, when his expression had been grave, Whitebeard now wore only a faint smile.
Just as the swords were about to land—
Whitebeard swiftly raised his bisento, Murakumogiri, horizontally to block the strike!
A metallic clang reverberated through the air.
The ground beneath them instantly collapsed in a massive crater, while fissures split the earth in every direction, stretching as far as the eye could see!
The ocean behind Whitebeard and the dense forest behind Golden Lion were both obliterated in an instant—flattened by the sheer force of the impact!
Even the sea itself was carved out in a massive void!
All of this destruction... was caused by nothing more than the aftershock of their clash.
At the center of the collision, space itself had already fractured under the pressure, unable to withstand their power.
A fierce wind howled around them, making their clothes whip violently.
But judging by the exhilarated grins on their faces...
Neither of them minded in the slightest.
Whitebeard didn’t bother locking blades with Golden Lion for long.
After testing their strength, it was clear—neither had the upper hand.
As a blinding white light began to shimmer along Murakumogiri’s blade, Golden Lion clicked his tongue in annoyance before pushing off with his swords, using the recoil to flip backward and land gracefully a short distance away.
Seeing this, the glow on Whitebeard’s blade gradually faded.
Golden Lion had sensed the terrifying power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
He didn’t want to take that hit head-on.
No matter how he blocked it, the shockwaves would still tear through his body.
What surprised him was how much stronger Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit had become after Vir healed him.
As for Whitebeard, he wasn’t interested in dragging this out either.
Wasting time here wasn’t a good idea.
"Gurararara! You damn Goldilocks! Looks like you’ve really returned to your prime! That brat Vir’s medical skills never disappoint!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily.
Hearing this, Golden Lion let out a displeased "Tch."
"Goldilocks"? The nickname felt weird.
Whitebeard was great in every way except for his habit of giving people stupid nicknames—it was downright annoying.
"You old white donkey haven’t lost your touch either! Wanna go another round? I’ve been itching for a real fight!"
Golden Lion’s grin widened, his fighting spirit flaring.
He had been dying for a good brawl.
Now that he’d finally found someone on his level, he couldn’t resist the urge to clash.
And if he felt that way...
Then Whitebeard was no different.
Back when he was constantly on medication, even drinking had been restricted.
He had been bored out of his mind!
Wasn’t the place to let loose.
"You wanna fight? So do I!"
Whitebeard grinned. "I bet our old friends have everything ready. Once we get there... I’m gonna enjoy myself to the fullest! Gurararara! Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping!"
As he spoke, Whitebeard grabbed a gourd of sake from his waist and took a deep swig.
Marco, wreathed in blue flames, flew over.
Seeing him, Whitebeard’s expression softened.
"So, Marco! Picked up any medical tricks from Vir?"
But Marco just blinked in confusion.
"Uh... Even if I did, would any of you actually let me treat you?"
Then he remembered Vir’s chainsaw.
"Anyway, Pops! Let me introduce everyone!"
The others had now gathered around.
Marco quickly gestured toward Robin and Chopper.
"This is my father, Whitebeard. You already know who he is."
"Pops, these are Vir’s crewmates. They’ll be coming with us to Marineford to help. Vir said we don’t need to look after them."
"This is Nico Robin."
His eyes flicked toward Robin, and Marco subtly raised an eyebrow at Whitebeard.
Whitebeard instantly understood.
So that’s the kid’s type, huh?
Not bad. The girl was quite the looker.
Just as Whitebeard was wondering why a seemingly ordinary tanuki was part of Vir’s crew—
"And this is their ship’s apprentice doctor, Tony Tony Chopper!"
"Oh, and... he’s also Vir’s disciple."
The moment Marco said that—
Whitebeard’s stoic expression cracked.
Whitebeard stared at Chopper’s innocent, harmless face.
He couldn’t hide his disbelief.
How could that brute Vir take on a disciple ?
They looked nothing alike.
...Did this little guy also use a chainsaw for treatment?
"And this is Kaido’s daughter, Yamato!"
Two pairs of eyes instantly locked onto Yamato.
Both Golden Lion and Whitebeard’s expressions shifted.
Since when did Kaido’s kid get dragged into this?
And her strength was no joke—almost on par with Marco!
Even Golden Lion hadn’t known Yamato was Kaido’s daughter.
He was just as surprised.
"Vir brought her here. She’s friends with Ace and is coming to help rescue him."
Whitebeard’s eyebrows shot up again.
The kid was even recruiting allies for them?
But... bringing Kaido’s daughter along? Wasn’t that just asking for that madman to come after him?
Yamato, meanwhile, looked absolutely thrilled.
She wanted nothing more than to rush forward and hug this living legend.
But under Marco’s "Don’t you dare" glare, she reluctantly held back.
Marco cleared his throat loudly.
"And this! Jina! My girlfriend. Also Golden Lion’s adopted daughter. Just turned nineteen this year."
With that, he yanked Jina into his arms.
Then he shot a smug look at her old man.
And finally, a triumphant grin at Whitebeard.
Jina’s face turned bright red.
Golden Lion’s eye twitched violently.
Seeing Golden Lion’s reaction, Whitebeard’s smirk became even harder to suppress.
"Gurararara! Well done, Marco! Well done! Well done! In-law, come on, let’s board together!"
That single sentence shattered Golden Lion’s last shred of composure.
"WHO THE HELL IS YOUR IN-LAW?! DON’T GET COCKY, YOU OLD WHITE DONKEY! JUST YOU WAIT!"
Whitebeard’s booming laughter was the best counterattack of all.
But Golden Lion quickly recomposed himself.
He didn’t board the ship with Whitebeard.
He still had other business to take care of.
After making a grand return, how could he not give the Marines a proper welcome?
After exchanging a few more words with Whitebeard, the Moby Dick resurfaced.
Everyone except Golden Lion quickly boarded.
Soon, they were gone.
The only ones left on the island were Rayleigh (who hadn’t shown himself), Jina, and Bonney.
But it didn’t matter.
Whitebeard had left them a Den Den Mushi for the broadcast.
They could watch everything unfold live.
Rayleigh stared at the coastline where Whitebeard had vanished, then at the sky where Golden Lion had disappeared.
Looking at the devastated shore, he couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
"Sengoku, oh Sengoku..."
"Can you really handle this?"
"Those two are terrifyingly strong."
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