Leaving aside the fierce competition among the Five Elders for the opportunity to retire early in a happy manner.
After leaving Mary Geoise Gawain, Gawain and his group quickly arrived at Whitebeard's territory.
You should know that there are no vacant plots of land in the New World.
Aside from mobile islands that cannot be reliably captured due to special circumstances, the vast majority of islands that the Eternal Pose can record have been divided up by the Four Emperors of the Sea.
Only in the vicinity of Red-Haired Shanks' territory, and perhaps some neighboring islands, could there be a possibility of the ownership changing hands due to changes in the power structure at the top.
Other islands are either explicitly identified as the property of one of the Four Emperors.
Alternatively, that island, like Dressrosa, might be a special island that has a cooperative relationship with the Four Emperors has received their permission.
Alternatively, that island might be one of the top-tier entities within the World Government Alliance.
Or perhaps they have become lawless places, unmanaged and teeming with cunning and wicked individuals!
In this situation, it would be difficult for any ship setting sail in the New World to escape the eyes of the Four Emperors.
About nine hours after Gawain left Mary Geoise, the New World was struck by a relentless storm.
Gawain stood at the bow, gazing at the Moby Dick sailing towards him through the storm, its crew singing joyfully.
Amidst the torrential rain, as if God were celebrating a water festival, she smiled and walked step by step to Gawain's side, her head drenched in water droplets the size of basins.
"Grown ups."
He bowed respectfully and asked in a low voice.
"Newgate is quite interesting; he came to see us even in the pouring rain."
"Do you think we should take comprehensive precautions and be prepared to respond to an attack at any time?"
"Attack?"
Upon hearing Yi Xiao's words, Gawain gently shook his head.
"How could that be?" he chuckled. "After all, Newgate has already shown me his sincerity."
He knew about my Devil Fruit ability, yet he was willing to meet me in this torrential Thunderstorm.
Why would someone like him choose to fight us at a time like this?
Just as Gawain uttered these words, in the distant sky...
Click!!!
A violent thunderbolt crashed onto the sea, causing two small Sea King, each over 150 meters long, to rise pitifully to the surface.
The Sea King were also aggrieved; they were just taking a breath.
Jinbe was quite happy; this windfall was coming his way, and he was really enjoying the food...
Just as Jinbe was excitedly catching fish, the Dark Bird Ship silently stopped where it was, now close enough to the Moby Dick.
Although the winds and waves are high here, this super-large ship, which has been modified to have a diameter of over twelve kilometers and a self-repairing hull, can completely cope with any storms at sea!
As for the Moby Dick...
They knew the weather of the New World better Koby Gawain. Braving the Thunderstorm, they sang ship songs and, filled with laughter, docked just twenty meters from the Dark Bird Ship.
As the Moby Dick approached, the powerful figures aboard the Dark Bird Ship silently drew closer to Gawain.
Under the cover of rain and lightning, Issho, Rayleigh, Gion gathered behind Gawain, while the other Shichibukai, Rayleigh, Crocus, and others followed closely behind them, radiating outwards.
Well, Mihawk had no interest in joining the fun here. At the moment, he was on the summit of Dark Bird Mountain, comprehending the Dao of Swordsmanship amidst the lightning.
Although Gawain used extremely shameless methods to wear down the eagle once, it took three or four months before it finally got used to living on Gawain's ship.
But Mihawk still sees himself as a free agent, not as one of Gawain's subordinates.
For Gawain, Mihawk's role was similar to that of Erlang, both being obedient to orders but not to decrees, and both having the decisive role of making the final decision.
Gawain didn't care about this; all he needed was Mihawk, and he didn't care what kind of possession it was.
Getting back to the main point, while Mihawk was practicing his swordsmanship on the mountaintop, Gawain stood at the bow of the ship, raised his right leg, and placed one foot on the gunwale of his own ship.
The rain soaked his hair, making his appearance slightly disheveled.
But with the subtle influence of flashes of lightning, his hair and wet clothes danced wildly in the storm.
In the distance, Whitebeard narrowed his eyes in satisfaction as he watched Gawain, who was now as dashing as a pirate.
He simply lifted the Murakumogiri lightly and spun it around casually.
"Gawain!
haven't seen you for a long time!
Thank you for the hot spring equipment you gave me back then!
"I just wonder if you would still be willing to have another long chat with this old man in the hot springs?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Whitebeard laughed loudly, then suddenly Murakumogiri at Gawain!
At that moment, Murakumogiri's heavy sword energy easily tore through the thunderclouds in the sky and then swept towards Gawain!
Watching the clouds part, revealing a sliver of light in the sky.
Dark Bird Ship Luffy, suddenly widened his eyes!
"Ahhh, this is the World's Strongest Man, the great pirate Whitebeard!!!"
"To cleave the sky in two with just one strike... that's just... incredible!!!"
As he spoke, Luffy immediately tried to dash out, wanting to get closer to the bow of the ship and properly appreciate the romance of the great pirates... or rather, the romance of the strong who live the life of ultimate freedom, which only exists in Luffy's heart!
Just as Luffy forward, Zephyr grabbed him by the Luffy!
"Kid, don't get involved in this kind of battle. Newgate and Gawain's game isn't something you can just casually participate in!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr grabbed Luffy and launched a brain blast.
Fortunately, for personal reasons, he preferred to stay by the side of a large group of outstanding young people and disciples to protect them.
Otherwise, wouldn't Luffy, a kid who has absolutely no sense of discipline, have jumped aboard the Moby Dick without even a second thought, starting a melee?
As Zephyr lifted him up like that, Luffy covered his head and grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Zephyr- sensei, don't stop me! I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
How could someone like me miss such an amazing battle?!
"Sea King?"
Zephyr disdainfully punched Luffy again, then grinned and shouted.
"You bunch of kids, you'd be lucky to even stand still in a storm like this."
If you want to watch the game, you can, but at least wait until the storm stops!
Did you hear that, Luffy? And those two guys over there who're already shuffling along?
Zoro, you are not allowed to approach the bow of the ship in the storm. If you are accidentally caught in the force of their attacks, it will be difficult to retrieve you from the stormy sea!
As for Usopp, damn it!
Why are you moving backward?
Are you trying to run away? Damn it, I wish you were as bold as reckless guys like Zoro and Luffy!
Ace, keep an eye on your brother!
Sabo, grab Zoro!
Isuka, find a rope and leash Usopp. I'm definitely taking this brat to join the fun up ahead!
"If he's going to hide, then he might as well hide in the most dangerous place!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr strode into the rain, picked up Usopp, and threw him near Isuka.
Isuka didn't stand on ceremony. She casually pulled a rope from her waist, swiftly tied Usopp into a ball, and carried him toward the bow of the ship.
As he drifted further and further away on the turbulent deck, Usopp's wailing rose into the sky, allowing a group of naive young people to boldly declare that although they had never eaten pork, they had heard pigs squeal.
Meanwhile, after a brief silence, Luffy ran like a madman away from the bow of the ship.
"Ahhh, Mr. Zephyr, I'm a coward too! I want to run away too! At least look at me!!!"
Unfortunately, before Zephyr could even turn around and roll his Byakugan, Luffy was grabbed by Ace and tucked under his arm.
With Luffy's neck clamped between his Luffy and his head pressed down, Ace let the raindrops pelt his face as he chuckled and said...
"Luffy, stop your babbling. This is the best distance to watch their fight!"
"Don't believe me? Look, that Sanji has already found a great spot!"
As Ace spoke, Luffy slammed his Straw Hat down and turned to look in Sanji's direction.
Through the Straw Hat that formed a curtain around his straw hat, Luffy could clearly see Sanji sitting on the lowest mast, a cigarette, mostly wet but still burning with embers, silently gazing at the distant sky.
Noticing Sanji's gaze, Luffy also looked towards the horizon.
Just as the thick thunderclouds were briefly torn apart by the Murakumogiri.
Gawain raised his hand and pulled out Shusui, blocking the Whitebeard's sword aura head-on.
As Whitebeard's sword aura was extinguished, Gawain stomped his foot, transforming into a bolt of lightning as he charged toward Whitebeard's location!
Whitebeard smiled with satisfaction as Gawain charged towards him.
"So this time you're not just standing still, kid?"
Before he could finish speaking, Whitebeard spun the Murakumogiri, sending its heavy blade hurtling upwards from the deck like a fox's crescent moon towards Gawain.
A moment later...
Bite!
Gawain pressed his hands on the blade of Shusui, while Whitebeard held up the blade of Murakumogiri with both hands. Their blades remained stationary, yet they vibrated continuously in the air!
Right between Murakumogiri and Shusui, a ball of pitch-black light, far deeper than Thunderstorm, gathered together.
Feeling the force coming from his hand, Whitebeard laughed with satisfaction.
"You've really developed some strength, kid!"
"Of course, since you've come from afar, I should make you feel satisfied, Newgate!"
Gawain laugh, his cloak fluttering in the wind and the force of the air.
Gawain stood in mid-air, desperately pressing down on the knife in his hand, but even though Whitebeard was already old and frail, he ultimately could not suppress Whitebeard, the world's number one, in a head-on confrontation!
One second.
Two seconds.
Time slowly passed, and black cracks appeared beside Whitebeard and Gawain, as if the air itself had been torn apart, caused by the intense clash of Conqueror's Haki.
Looking at the increasingly widening cracks on the bow of the ship from afar, Marco grinned and gently patted Teach's arm.
"Watch closely, Teach, this is a rare sight: a clash between monsters who are masters of Conqueror's Haki!"
Although you've obtained the Yami Yami no Mi as you wished, you can't neglect your Haki cultivation level.
Especially Conqueror's Haki!
If you want to inherit your Pops's legacy, Conqueror's Haki is the most important quality, isn't it?
Although the Yami Yami no Mi is very powerful, even I can't do much against you in your current state.
But you need to become stronger to live up to your brothers' and Pops's expectations of you!
After saying that, Marco grinned and turned to look at his little brother Teach beside him.
A few months later, Teach had grown quite a bit; he was now almost as tall as Pops Whitebeard.
Especially in terms of his horizontal build, this guy's belly is getting wider and wider, which clearly indicates that his cultivation of Haki is not quite up to par.
If one can cultivate top-tier Haki, then even with a large physique, one can maintain peak combat power by compressing fat.
Standing nearby, listening to Marco's words, Teach chuckled and patted his stomach.
"Don't worry, Brother Marco, I won't fall behind in terms of Haki!"
My Pops and brothers helped me find the Yami Yami no Mi, a power comparable to the Great Treasure. If I don't cherish this power, how can I be qualified to protect my brothers and the future of the Whitebeard Pirates?
Amidst the laughter, Blackbeard's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced warily at Gawain, who was locked in a tense Gawain with his Pops in the distance.
This guy, who couldn't even withstand a casual swipe of my claws back then, now actually has the strength to fight my Pops head-on!
This is the devil's gift, this is the power of nature!
Thunder is undoubtedly the king of nature, but even thunder can never fill the deepest darkness!
For thirty years, from childhood to adulthood, I've chased my dream, Yami Yami no Mi come to me!
I must not waste the power of darkness. Sooner or later, I must stand at that level and become the strongest being who has the power to control everything and do as I please!
With this thought in mind, Teach's gaze toward Whitebeard and Gawain grew increasingly intense.
He seemed to see the distant future; he saw that he and Gawain would eventually clash!
In his heart, he didn't even care about Akainu - Magma-Magma Fruit.
In his mind, only the clash between the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and the Yami Yami no Mi could truly determine who possessed the strongest Logia power!
Since fate has brought Teach to this ocean, he must reach the highest point!
Just like Whitebeard Pops found the Yami Yami no Mi for himself, he defeats his enemies one by one and climbs to the top step by step!
I am Blackbeard, destined to devour everything!!!
Just as Blackbeard's heart was pounding more and more violently.
The stalemate between Gawain and Whitebeard has finally come to an end!
Gawain's strength is far inferior to Whitebeard's; there's a considerable gap between monsters!
At this moment, he was constantly propelled upwards by the Whitebeard's power, and even though he tried his best to push against the air, he could not help but rise two points.
As for Whitebeard, he wasn't having an easy time either. Although he was stronger, his Conqueror's Haki was far Gawain's.
At this moment, fan-shaped cracks had appeared on the deck behind him, and he could no longer withstand the influence of Gawain's Conqueror's Haki.
At that very moment, Gawain and Whitebeard exchanged a glance, and then, with perfect understanding, unleashed their combined power into the sky!
Wow!
A crisp sound.
The sphere of Conqueror's Haki's Hide, carrying immense power, shot into the sky and then crashed violently into the clouds.
A moment later.
Boom!
With a silent roar, an Uzumaki resembling a black hole suddenly appeared in the sky, which was filled with endless thunderclouds!
And at the very instant the black hole appeared...
The Thunderstorm affecting the nearby sea area have completely disappeared.
As the sunlight streamed in, the onlookers had to admit...
Even with the terrifying weather of this New World.
We must also bow our heads to the truly strong!