"Gurararara..." Whitebeard laughed. "You're still too green, kid!"
Aokiji rose from the ground and brushed the dust off himself. "Honestly, if you were in your prime, I really wouldn't stand a chance." His tone remained calm. "But now, you're no longer the Whitebeard you once were."
"Oh?" Whitebeard's gaze sharpened. "Then let me see how much you've improved over the years!"
The two clashed once more. Terrifying energy shockwaves sent towering waves surging across the surrounding sea. Part of the island had already sunk beneath the waves from the battle, but neither powerhouse paid it any mind, wholly focused on attacking and defending against each other.
However, just as the battle reached a stalemate, the "Voidbringer" at the center of the island suddenly activated! An invisible wave of energy spread outward, enveloping the entire island.
Whitebeard immediately sensed something was wrong. His Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability was visibly affected, and the power of his quakes weakened drastically.
"So this is the 'Voidbringer'..." Whitebeard frowned slightly. "It does have some bite."
Seeing this, Aokiji's assault became even fiercer. He knew this was the best opportunity. "Sorry, Whitebeard. You can't win this battle."
Under the Voidbringer's suppression, the situation gradually turned against Whitebeard. Even with his years of combat experience and powerful Haki barely holding the line, the strain on his stamina was immense, and his breathing grew heavier and heavier.
Yet at that critical moment, Aokiji suddenly slowed his attack and said in a low voice, "Do you know the truth about the Sealing Weapons? They were never created for war..."
The words struck Whitebeard's heart like a thunderclap. His movements stalled slightly, and a complicated emotion flashed through his eyes.
"How much... do you know?" Whitebeard asked in a deep voice.
"Enough to know how absurd all of this is," Aokiji