He, Gai, Would Never Back Down!

The ultimate clash of celestial bodies—two beams of light intertwined. In an instant, a ring of pressure swept across the slanted clouds, its terrifying force a spectacle to behold.

The atmosphere tore apart as the ground erupted. Two afterimages flashed into view, one a massive arm wreathed in terrifying power, crashing toward Chaos like a pillar holding up the sky, its force beyond compare.

Chaos was utterly unstoppable, meeting the blow with a fearsome punch of his own.

"Newgate, when it comes to fists, I once considered you the strongest."

"But times have changed. Your punches don't seem as powerful as they used to be!"

In a true clash of fists with Whitebeard, Chaos wasn't at the slightest disadvantage.

In the past, he would definitely have been outmatched.

But now, he stood on the same level as Whitebeard and Golden Lion, the top fighters at the peak of the world, instead of lagging behind as he had before.

And after eating the Soul-Soul Fruit, give him a few more years, and it might not be impossible for him to surpass the world's top fighters completely, break through the ceiling, and stand above it.

Just like that mysterious man.

Whitebeard didn't answer.

His single eye was icy. During those years in Impel Down, he had let his strength settle, but he hadn't expected this man to grow so quickly.

Back when Oden was involved, the odds had been six to four.

Now they were completely even.

This man had grown too fast!

Rumble—

Their knees crashed together.

A vast ring of pressure expanded vertically, followed by an earth-shattering explosion. The ground for a hundred thousand meters around them heaved.

Chaos left a streak of light as he flew backward. He forced himself to regain control midair, then crashed into a barren