The Conqueror's Haki Defense: Whitebeard Defeated with One Finger!

Sphinx Island, cherry blossom grove.

The sun shines warmly, and pink petals drift down in the wind, creating a dreamlike scene.

However, this tranquility was shattered the moment Akira stepped in.

Without any warning, an invisible will suddenly descended!

The air seemed to solidify into a tangible form at that moment, the fluttering cherry blossom petals remained still in mid-air, and time itself seemed to stand still.

"Ugh!"

"This is!"

"Damn it, Conqueror's Haki!"

"I can't move my body!"

An irresistible, terrifying pressure, like an invisible, towering mountain, crashed down on Marco and his team of captains.

Amidst the gasps of alarm, Marco's azure flames of regeneration flickered wildly across his body, their light fading as if they might be extinguished at any moment. Then, his legs buckled, and he involuntarily knelt on one knee.

Fine cracks appeared on Diamond Jozu's once-proud, dazzling body. He gritted his teeth, but ultimately couldn't withstand the force, and his massive body collapsed to his knees, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Thump!

Thump thump!

Vista the Flower Sword, Izo, Blamenco... these captains, who could strike fear into anyone in the New World, were now like prisoners bound by invisible chains, deprived of even the right to stand. They were all kneeling on one knee in a sorry state, their faces turning purple and white from the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.

In an instant, the entire cherry blossom grove fell into a deathly silence.

Only one person remained steadfast, standing tall like a pine tree.

Whitebeard Newgate, with his hawk-like eyes, watched Akira slowly approach. He wasn't annoyed that his sons couldn't withstand the Conqueror's Haki released by Akira. Instead, he suddenly burst into hearty laughter as Akira drew near.

"Gurala la la la..."

"Marshal Akira, you've given my sons a hard time right from the start. That's not a good idea."

Before he could finish speaking, the Whitebeard suddenly gripped his naginata Murakumogiri.

Buzz--

The Tremor-Tremor Devil Fruit ability was quietly unleashed; the air around the blade shattered instantly, and visible white cracks spread outwards from its center. Immediately afterward, the entire Sphinx Island began to tremble violently.

The next second, the Whitebeard man raised his naginata high and slashed down at Akira without hesitation!

There are no fancy moves, only the purest and most extreme destruction.

The cleaver slashed down with overwhelming force, carrying the power to shatter everything in its path, as if it were about to slice the sky and the earth in two.

However, facing this devastating attack, Akira neither dodged nor evaded, remaining calm and composed.

Just as the blade, shrouded in white light, was about to touch his forehead, an invisible barrier quietly appeared around him.

boom--

A deafening roar that shook the heavens and the earth suddenly resounded.

The blade of the Murakumogiri stopped less than three inches in front of Akira, unable to advance any further.

The terrifying vibrational power contained within the naginata poured out wildly, but was completely blocked by the invisible barrier.

At the point of contact between the blade and the barrier, space twisted violently, and the force that spread out soared into the sky, tearing a huge rift in the clouds. At first glance, it seemed as if the sky had been split in two.

"Um?"

Unexpectedly, Akira neither dodged nor evaded, but blocked his attack solely with Conqueror's Haki. Whitebeard's pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed in shock, "Conqueror's Haki defense?"

Before he could think it through, Akira, who had formed an absolute defense with Conqueror's Haki, suddenly raised his hand and flicked his finger at the huge naginata that was slashing down in front of him.

bite--

A soft sound.

An indescribable, terrifying force surged back along the blade in an instant!

Whitebeard felt a terrifying force surge through him, causing excruciating pain in his hand. He flung his naginata into the air and staggered backward seven or eight steps before managing to regain his footing.

"How is that possible!"

Looking at his slightly numb hands, and then at Akira was completely unharmed, the Whitebeard could no longer hide his shock. "You actually used Conqueror's Haki to suppress my Tremor-Tremor Devil Fruit ability?"

"I never expected that your mastery of Conqueror's Haki would surpass even Rocks's back then!"

Before he finished speaking, Whitebeard sheathed his naginata and casually stuck it beside him, his familiar and hearty laughter ringing out once more:

"Gulalalalalala!"

"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!"

"The strongest Marshal in naval history truly lives up to his reputation!"

Having said that, the Whitebeard turned to his sons, who were equally stunned by Akira's terrifying strength, and waved his hand, saying, "You may all step back! This is none of your business!"

Marco others felt as if they had been granted a pardon, the pressure on them suddenly lifted, and they helped each other out of the cherry blossom grove.

Soon, only Akira and the Whitebeard man remained in the chaotic cherry blossom grove.

The Whitebeard walked to a cherry blossom tree, took out several huge wine barrels from a hollow in the tree, and casually tossed one of them steadily in front of Akira.

"Before you take my life, how about having a drink with me?"

Akira didn't stand on ceremony, sat down on the ground, and went straight to the point. "Two of the Yonko have been eliminated, and Shanks has led his Red Hair Pirates to surrender to the Marine Headquarters. Now, only you, the ' World's Strongest Man,' remain in the New World."

"If you are willing to lead the Whitebeard Pirates to surrender, I can Whitebeard Pirates leniency."

"Gurala la la la!"

Upon hearing this, the Whitebeard laughed heartily, broke the seal on the barrel of wine in front of him, picked up the barrel, and gulped down a large mouthful as if drinking water before saying, "I don't have many years left to live! Rather than be tormented by illness and prolong my life, I'd rather have a hearty battle!"

He wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth, his gaze fixed intently on the young Marshal opposite him. "Besides, isn't my death more valuable than my life, Marshal Akira?"

Whitebeard paused slightly, glanced at the bustling town in the distance, and then changed the subject, saying, "Although I am known as the World's Strongest, I couldn't even protect my own hometown! If it weren't for your appearance, Sphinx would never be as prosperous as it is today!"

Having said that, he picked up the wine barrel again, downed the rest of the wine in one gulp, then casually tossed the empty barrel aside, laughing heartily, "That was satisfying!"

Akira didn't touch the wine in front of him, calmly staring at the Whitebeard. "It seems you are indeed prepared to die."

"Gulalalalalala,"

The Whitebeard unscrewed the seal on another barrel of wine and laughed loudly, "It's not that I'm prepared to die, but that this new era has no warship capable of carrying me!"

Before he could finish speaking, the Whitebeard suddenly frowned. "Judging from your tone, you intend to show mercy to this remnant of the old era?"

"This isn't like you, Marshal Akira!"

"You should know very well that as long as I live, even if that brat Shanks chooses to surrender, there will still be many pirates harboring illusions."