"Gurararara!" Synchronized Laughter!

That fist, carrying enough energy to destroy everything, wrapped in a white halo that shattered space itself, stopped less than three inches from Elderly Whitebeard's face.

But Whitebeard's face showed no trace of fear.

Time, it seemed, had been forcibly pressed to a halt at this very moment.

The World-Ending energy came to an abrupt stop.

The pressure that could make the world tremble receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

"..."

"..."

Marco, who had been preparing to help, froze mid-motion.

And Chen Ye, who had been about to forcibly intervene using the system's power, also stood stunned.

In the center of the battlefield, a dead silence of eerie proportions settled in.

Two Whitebeards—one with his fist raised high, the other with his arms crossed—both knelt on one knee.

One radiated overwhelming momentum, the other still catching his breath.

They simply stared at each other, at that face identical to their own, yet belonging to vastly different ages.

In Peak Whitebeard's golden pupils, the fury and Killing Intent that could incinerate the eight wilds were slowly fading, replaced by a complex emotion even he himself couldn't understand.

There was calm, confusion, and a trace... of something deep within his soul that he hadn't even noticed—recognition.

He saw it.

He saw that in the face of his sure-kill strike, the murky eyes of this decrepit "Imposter" held not a shred of fear or retreat.

All that was there was a peace that had seen through life and death, and a hint of... longing?

What was he longing for?

Longing for this fist that could blast him into nothingness?

Absurd!

And yet, this absurdity felt incredibly real.

Because if it were him, facing such an enemy, he would show the same Eyes.

On the other side, Elderly Whitebeard slowly lowered his crossed arms.

He looked at the fist, so close, belonging to his younger self, brimming with infinite power, and grinned.

It was a tired, yet utterly exhilarated smile.

Next Second.

A scene that made both Chen Ye and Marco's eyes nearly pop out occurred.

Peak Whitebeard, looking at the smile on the old man's lips, was stunned for a moment, then his own lips uncontrollably curled upward.

The arc, the expression—exactly the same as Elderly Whitebeard's!

As if they had rehearsed a duet countless times.

Both of them raised their heads at the same time.

"Gurarararararara..."

"Gurarararararara!"

Two laughs—one hoarse and aged, one vigorous and domineering—yet with the exact same rhythm, the exact same cadence, merged into a single, bold roar that could overturn the clouds!

This laughter no longer carried Killing Intent.

All that remained was the joy of meeting a worthy opponent, and even more so, a sense of relief that said, "So that's how it is!"

Marco was completely dumbfounded.

Chen Ye was utterly bewildered too.

One second ago, they were fighting with heaven and earth shattering, no quarter given.

The next second, they're here laughing at each other?

What the hell is going on?

Peak Whitebeard slowly withdrew his fist. He planted his hands on his hips, looking down at the old man still gasping for breath.

"You old bastard..."

His Voice carried a hint of annoyance, but not a shred of killing intent.

"You really are me, aren't you."

Elderly Whitebeard forced himself to stop laughing and coughing, barely managing.

"Gurarara... who else would I be?"

He Looked Up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, a glint of mockery in his Eyes.

"You little brat, still throwing your weight around without any restraint."

"Huh?!"

Peak Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, about to retort, when his expression suddenly shifted sharply.

Almost at the same moment, Chen Ye's face also turned gravely serious!

"Here they come!"

Chen Ye's Observation Haki sensed several powerful auras surging over the cliff, diving down at astonishing speed!

No time to explain!

"Pops! Marco! Don't move!"

Chen Ye let out a low shout.

He grabbed the still-stunned Marco with one hand and pressed the other onto the aged Whitebeard's shoulder.

System!

Concealment!

Hum!

A barely perceptible spatial ripple spread outward from Chen Ye.

The three figures vanished into thin air without a trace, right under Peak Whitebeard's astonished gaze.

Peak Whitebeard froze for a moment, then immediately understood.

He looked at the spot where they had disappeared, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth, then spun around sharply to face the cliff above.

"Pops!"

"Are you alright?!"

Several figures descended from the sky, landing heavily beside him—the young Diamond Jozu and Vista the Flower Sword among them.

They stared at the battlefield, torn apart as if bombarded by meteors, shock and worry etched on every face.

"Did you cause this mess?"

Jozu gulped hard, looking at the massive fissures ripped into the ground.

Peak Whitebeard crossed his arms over his chest, resuming his posture of reigning over the world, and waved a hand impatiently.

"Shut up!"

He barked irritably.

"That Bastard Roger stole Oden away, and I'm pissed off. Can't I blow off some steam?!"

The excuse was flawless.

The commanders exchanged glances. Though they felt Pops' outburst this time was a bit over the top, seeing him so spirited, they reluctantly let their guard down.

"So that's it..."

"Good to hear."

Just then, Vista pointed toward the distant sea.

"Pops, what about that ship?"

Everyone followed his gaze.

Far out on the water, a massive pirate ship with a completely different style sat quietly anchored.

Hidden within the spatial concealment, Chen Ye's heart leaped.

He sensed it!

On that ship were several auras as strong as the commanders'!

Peak Whitebeard glanced at the ship, his eyes utterly unreadable.

A crew member behind him immediately understood, ran to the shore, grabbed a signal flag, and waved a complex, rapid series of semaphore signals at the distant vessel.

A moment later.

The far-off ship let out a long blast of its horn, as if in reply.

Then it slowly turned, heading in the opposite direction from the Moby Dick, gradually sailing away until it vanished over the horizon.

The crisis was temporarily resolved.

But Peak Whitebeard, acting as if nothing had happened, turned around, his gaze seeming to pierce through the void and land on the spot where Chen Ye and the other two were hidden.

A wild, curious grin spread across his face.