Whitebeard's Self-Examination

"This is..."

Luffy's pupils constricted sharply, because this scene reminded him of CP9.

Although Luffy has encountered many strong opponents along his journey, and those opponents have become increasingly powerful.

But the impression CP9 left on him is truly indelible.

Because CP9's Rob Lucci left an indelible impression on him.

"Brush..."

After opening his attack, Moke immediately swung his leg, unleashing a terrifying storm slash that shot directly towards Luffy...

"Oh, this..."

Everyone who witnessed this scene, whether it was Marco, Ace, or Whitebeard, couldn't help but widen their eyes.

Roronoa Zoro was now questioning the meaning of life.

Because this Tempest Kick Slash actually possessed the power of a slash unleashed by Great Swordsman.

"Gurgle..."

Some of the Whitebeard Pirates' captains couldn't help but swallow hard. Their strength, among this group, was perhaps even inferior to Luffy and Roronoa Zoro; they were practically at the bottom of the pack.

But they were, after all, captains of the Whitebeard Pirates, and even the weakest among them were at least Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.

At the same time, Whitebeard Pirates gave them a level of knowledge far exceeding that of others.

It was perfectly clear what this gust of Tempest Kick Slash represented.

Moke's physical skills have reached the level of Great Swordsman. In other words, even without using anything else, Moke can stand firm on the sea with just his physical skills and terrifying Three Types of Haki.

As Moke's strength gradually became apparent, people's understanding of Moke continued to improve.

"Not good!"

Luffy's expression changed drastically; he had no time to dodge. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, bracing himself for the attack.

"Boom..."

Luffy was slashed down from the sky and crashed heavily into the ground. The powerful impact created a huge crater in the ground.

Not only that, the ground cracked outwards from the center of this huge pit.

"Asshole..."

Luffy cursed under his breath and stood up, looking defiant.

"Rubber Ape King: Crow Barrage!"

He tucked his fists into his body and then unleashed a flurry of punches at his opponent. This area-of-effect attack is the best way to deal with an opponent skilled at dodging.

But then, Moke Luffy deeply experience what it felt like to be controlled.

Moke, however, remained completely unfazed by the attack.

Every punch he threw was anticipated by Moke's Observation Haki, allowing him to dodge with ease. Even when he was blocked by a barrage of punches, Moke would perfectly combine his Observation Haki with his Paper Drawing.

"This guy..."

Marco broke out in a cold sweat, because after immersing himself in the situation, he discovered that his attacks also did not cause any damage to Moke.

I'm afraid they'll only get beaten up.

"Diamond" Jozu and Flower Sword both looked at Ace, and not only them, but Whitebeard did too.

Whitebeard paused for a moment, then asked, "If you weren't a Logia user, and you weren't afraid of large-scale attacks, what would you do in this situation?"

Ace was also shocked by Moke's moves.

At this moment, Moke reminded him of someone: Katakuri. Moke and Katakuri remarkably alike.

The difference lies in the fact that Katakuri is a combination of Observation Haki and Devil Fruit ability, while Moke's is a combination of the Six Powers and Observation Haki... However, the result is the same.

It leaves one helpless.

Of course, it wasn't a big problem for him.

As a Logia user, he doesn't care what you do; a wide-range attack is useless. However, when he puts himself in Luffy, he discovers with utter despair that...

There was apparently no feasible solution.

His Pops's question now silenced him completely.

"Well!"

Whitebeard sighed, "In the past, I didn't stop you from focusing on the Flame-Flame Fruit. That's because it was a shortcut for you to quickly increase your strength. And it proved to be true. With the development of the Flame-Flame Fruit, your strength has increased by leaps and bounds. Even against the Marine Admiral, or even other Emperors, you have the power to fight. But that's only the power to fight. Your physical strength and Haki cannot be made up for in a short time."

That's why you were defeated by this guy when you were trying to capture Blackbeard.

If Blackbeard had possessed his current physical strength and Haki from the beginning, the outcome would have been uncertain. Even though Blackbeard's Devil Fruit quite unique..."

At this point, the Whitebeard paused for a moment.

He then looked at Marco on the island. "Therefore, from now on, you and Marco must focus all your energy on physical skills and Haki. Your Devil Fruit abilities have given you a foothold on this sea, while physical skills and Haki are your capital to become kings and conquerors. Whether you and Marco can reach the top of the world in the future will depend on your achievements in physical skills and Haki."

Ace nodded. "Understood, Pops."

Whitebeard's gaze then fell on "Diamond" Jozu and Flower Sword: "Jozu, you have the same problem. You rely too much on your abilities. However, you are born with terrifying strength, and with your training, you are much stronger than Ace and Marco in physical combat. But Haki is also your weakness. If you can improve your Haki, your strength will increase rapidly. After all, your abilities combined with Haki... will greatly enhance both your defense and attack. You might even be able to rival that little monster, Moke, in defense."

"As for the Flower Sword... you're the same. In terms of swordsmanship... you've already reached the level of Great Swordsman. Moreover, you're more than capable of handling even Hawkeye and Red-Hair. They'd have to expend a lot of effort to defeat you. To become Great Swordsman, your Armament Haki is naturally quite strong."

However, your training in Armament Haki is not yet sufficient. You can temporarily suspend your swordsmanship training and focus your energy on Armament Haki techniques. If you master the externalization of Armament Haki, your strength will increase significantly."

"Well..."

At this point, Whitebeard couldn't help but sigh. He had always believed that...

With him protecting them, what harm is there in his sons being a little willful in whatever way they want?

If you're fixated on the way of the sword, then be fixated on the way of the sword. What's the problem?

If you're fixated on power, then be fixated on power. What's the problem?

If you're fixated on Devil Fruit, then be fixated on Devil Fruit. What's the problem?

They are all his Whitebeard sons, who dares to touch them?

But he was wrong.

Fortunately, Marineford War, he realized his mistake and began to pay attention to and guide his sons' training. Marco and Ace's improvements in physical skills and Haki were inseparable from his guidance.

If it's already much, much later, compare that to how Moke supervises his crew.

The more he acted, the more... irresponsible he seemed.

He knew perfectly well that Moke's crew members were either practicing Haki, the Six Powers, or both... It wasn't because they already possessed considerable strength.

Then relax the supervision they receive.

On the contrary, the stronger and more talented a person is, the more rigorously they are pushed.