Pirate: I Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki First Because I Can't Die

A gale swept past, and everyone's expression changed. Their hearts began to race.

In just a few words, the atmosphere had shifted.

The two men faced off as though they might draw their blades at any moment.

Xia Le said nothing. Behind his seated figure, lightning split the sky.

At that moment, he seemed like a volcano on the verge of eruption, filled with terrifying power.

"Then..."

"Do you want a fight?"

His deep voice rang out with the thunder and echoed in everyone's ears.

Crocodile's pupils contracted. He could no longer tell what he felt; something seemed to choke him, and tears glimmered in his eyes.

He looked at the seated figure ahead and sniffed.

"Xia Le."

Marco and the others, meanwhile, stood on guard, watching the two men tensely.

"A fight?"

"That depends on whether you have the strength to fight me!"

"A reputation known throughout the world doesn't make you strong!"

Whitebeard bared his teeth in a cold grin.

Both men were still seated cross-legged, but their words cut like blades. It was as though their clash had already begun.

"You think my reputation is empty?"

Xia Le murmured, his eyes suddenly turning sharp.

Without warning—

Lightning streaked across ten thousand meters of sky. Its blinding light illuminated everything.

Marco raised a hand to shield his eyes. As he did, he vaguely saw that both figures had somehow risen and were bringing their blades down.

Boom!

A violent crash rang out. Everyone aboard the Moby Dick lost their footing as the ship rocked fiercely.

"Then let's fight!"

Only then did Xia Le's icy voice reach them.

The glare gradually faded, and Marco and the others looked ahead.

"Pops and Xia Le are fighting!!"

Their pupils contracted. Everyone was shaken to the core.

The two men stood facing