Half a day later, dozens of nautical miles from the Sabaody Archipelago, the massive Groseade sailed through the waves.
However, compared to before when they were constantly being secretly monitored by the Navy and World Government ships, this was a different story.
Now, under Bai Yu's lingering influence, the Groseade has clearly become a true freedom of navigation vessel.
Facing this Pirate Emperor, one of the Four Emperors, who could even slay Kaido of the Beasts.
I doubt anyone on this vast ocean would think they could stop a chariot with their bare hands.
Most importantly, Bai Yu's victory over Ryokugyu in their recent skirmish, where he subdued the enemy without a fight, already demonstrated this.
As long as you don't cause trouble, Bai Yu won't get involved in trivial matters.
This way, both parties will be happy to relax.
Of course, if things really come to a head, Bai Yu isn't some saint; those who deserve to be killed won't be spared.
"Momo, Tenfold Acceleration!"
A deep voice rang out, World's massive body, like a black shadow, hurtled straight toward Bai Yu.
With incredible speed, he appeared in front of Bai Yu in the blink of an eye, his right hand clenching tightly, covered in Armament Haki, and he threw a punch straight at Bai Yu.
Faced with this attack, which combined Armament Haki and Devil Fruit, a series of sonic booms resounded.
Bai Yu, under attack, showed no intention of dodging. With a bloodthirsty smile, he suddenly looked up.
Boom!
The extreme Spiritual Pressure surged outwards like Dotō tidal wave.
The immense air pressure, like an invisible hammer, slammed into World, causing his attack to falter slightly.
With his internal energy churning, as a powerful figure from the old era, he had indeed suffered a crushing defeat half a day ago.
However, now, facing Bai Yu, the young man who has put an end to the old era, he was still full of heroic spirit. With a grit of his teeth, he forcibly stabilized the blood and qi in his body.
The fist, covered in Armament Haki, slammed down on Bai Yu again as he gathered his strength.
Bang!
A dull thud suddenly rang out, and the enormous fist abruptly stopped an inch away from Bai Yu.
The blazing golden light enveloping Bai Yu's body emitted an intense heat.
With a sizzling sound, the Armament Haki coverage did indeed neutralize a significant portion of the effect.
However, it still caused World's expression to change abruptly.
"Is this Devil Fruit ability?"
"Sorry, you guessed wrong. Now it's my turn."
Bai Yu smiled bloodthirstyly, and the extreme Spiritual Pressure emanating from his body suddenly surged, forming a huge golden skull that crashed outwards.
World felt the immense impact, and his expression changed instantly.
Bai Yu's Zanpakuto suddenly drew from its sheath.
A blade of energy, hundreds of meters long, cleaved down with immense force.
Feeling the unstoppable offensive before him and the rapidly enlarging attack in his pupils, World's expression suddenly changed. He quickly drew his greatsword from his waist and slashed at the attacking maneuver in front of him.
" More-More Fruit, Hundredfold Acceleration!"
Buzz!
The greatsword instantly grew a hundredfold in size, and jet-black Armament Haki rapidly enveloped it.
The two collided with a deafening roar.
Boom!
The massive impact swept outwards like a hurricane.
A massive black shadow was sent flying backwards directly from the epicenter of the explosion.
It eventually crashed into a large artificial rock formation hundreds of meters away.
The enormous impact caused this mountain, one of the few large structures on the Groseade, to shake violently.
It even smashed a deep crater in the shape of a human.
" World!"
Byrnndi Jack's face, as withered as tree bark, suddenly tightened, and he gripped his cane with an urgent expression.
"Hehe, don't worry, Captain Bai Yu is just sparring with World, nothing serious will happen. I believe that World's last bit of glory will be worn away by this battle."
Fujitora Issho sat to the side, sipping his old wine, and said with a smile.
These are the words spoken to this important figure, who is also considered a top choice for World Military Draft.
The tense nerves of Byrnndi Jack and the others finally relaxed slightly.
Because they knew perfectly well that what Fujitora had just said was not wrong.
As crew members, they were well aware of World's unruly nature.
Bai Yu did indeed save their lives at Waterloo half a day ago.
However, to truly make World yield and completely erase his former brilliance, we must...
This battle is absolutely essential.
What they never expected was that Bai Yu, who hadn't even fought against Ryokugyu, would...
Facing World, he launched such a fierce attack right from the start.
Moreover, even World might not be able to withstand this attack.
"Cough cough, I'm done fighting. I surrender. A casual slash like that has such power. If this continues, how can my old bones still sail freely?"
From the ruins, World emerged in a disheveled state, his clothes tattered, blood gushing from his mouth, and a gruesome slash mark on his chest.
The only saving grace was that the knife hadn't broken any bones, which made Byrnndi Jack and the others tense up again, but also secretly relieved.
They knew perfectly well that World looked utterly disheveled and had even narrowly escaped death.
However, those eyes, which were originally lifeless, were now exceptionally clear and bright, like those of a hawk.
They had only seen this feeling in World when they first set sail.
Isn't this a pure gaze seeking freedom of navigation?
"So you're satisfied already? I haven't even warmed up yet. But never mind, if we really fought, your older brother would probably be fighting me with his cane."
Bai Yu dispersed the extreme Spiritual Pressure he had released, sheathed his Zanpakuto, took out a sake bottle, took a swig, and said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, World first glanced at the extremely tense Byrnndi Jack and the others, then burst into unrestrained laughter.
"Haha, you little rascal, you're really amusing. But this time, I'm also grateful to you; otherwise, I would have really gone to the underworld with that unresolved issue in my heart."
"Also, regarding that move just now, I'm honoring my bet. We old-timers really are getting old."
"So old he can't even withstand a single cut."
"This is indeed the era for you newcomers."
"However, kid, I still have to remind you, the old era is indeed gone, but there's one monster I must remind you of. I encountered him when I left Impel Down Great Prison."
"This time, I'm going to attack the Sabaody Archipelago, which is something he mentioned before."
"If you have time, you can keep an eye on him. That guy is someone who can rival Whitebeard and Roger; he's definitely not someone who's content with being alone."
Even I wouldn't stand a chance against him.