Smoke Means No Harm Rule

Because it was lightning.

The Lightning Bird Roya created with his Rumble-Rumble Fruit power was incredibly fast.

Although Whitebeard reacted swiftly with his Observation Haki, the Lightning Bird had already struck him the instant he turned to dodge.

Whoosh...

Crackle, crackle...

In an instant.

Whitebeard was completely engulfed in lightning. His entire body was immobilized, and pain even showed on his face.

"Pops!"

Marco, Diamond Jozu, Flower Sword Vista, and the other Whitebeard Pirates crew members all cried out.

Even Fire Fist Ace, bound atop the distant execution platform, shouted, "Pops!"

Everyone present was astonished.

Of course, Roya knew perfectly well that the man before him was Whitebeard. How could he possibly be subdued so easily by a single move?

Likewise.

Big Mom and Kaido merely watched with calm smiles.

After all, they knew exactly how terrifying Whitebeard's strength was.

Even Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr said nothing as they watched. How could Whitebeard, known as the strongest man in the world, possibly fall from an attack like that alone?

So Roya did not stop attacking and instead continued his assault on Whitebeard.

This time, Roya still used his Rumble-Rumble Fruit power, but rather than unleashing any lightning techniques, he coated his sword in lightning created by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit power and wrapped it in Armament Haki as well.

Just as the tip of Roya's sword aimed directly at Whitebeard's heart, about to pierce it.

All of a sudden.

The air and ground around Whitebeard began to tremble.

At the same time, a powerful Conqueror's Haki came straight at Roya.

Immediately afterward.

All the lightning wrapped around Whitebeard shattered. Whitebeard swung the great blade in his hand and blocked Roya's sword.

Boom...

Blade and sword clashed once more.

It was still a collision between their Armament Haki.

But this time, the