After exchanging a blow, the two figures closed the distance in an instant, swift as wind and lightning. Whitebeard swung his naginata directly down at Carlos's head, the strike immensely powerful yet utterly silent.
Carlos remained unhurried, his mind as still as an ancient well. Pupil Power surged, and his body had already shifted into Kamui Space. Whitebeard's blade cleaved from Carlos's head to his waist, yet it passed through weightlessly without finding any purchase.
Once the naginata passed through his body, Carlos flashed to Whitebeard's side. At the same time, his left elbow turned blood-red as a massive amount of Armament Haki gathered around it. He drove the elbow toward Whitebeard's temple. If it landed, even Whitebeard would suffer for it...
However, Whitebeard in his prime, not yet aged or plagued by injuries, was not so easily struck. With a slight movement of both hands, he skillfully maneuvered the long shaft of his naginata before his temple. Carlos's elbow slammed into the weapon's hard handle.
Clang!
A dull clash of metal rang out like a great bell, shaking the mind. Whitebeard did not forcefully withstand the blow. Instead, he rode the force backward, sliding dozens of meters through the air before landing steadily amid the shattered forest. With his feet on the ground, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit could display its ultimate power.
Carlos showed no fear at the sight. No matter where they fought, he was confident that he would be the one smiling in the end. There was still plenty of time. They could take this slowly; a battle against Whitebeard could not be rushed...
Carlos rapidly descended, yet landed as lightly as a feather. Not a trace of dust stirred, nor did the slightest sound escape.
"The last time we crossed hands from afar, I didn't get my