"Eli Winters! You brutally killed my three sons! Today, I will take your head and offer it to their spirits!"
On the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard stood like a towering mountain at the bow. His weathered face, filled with fury, seemed ready to erupt in flames. The roar of his voice sent waves crashing across the sea.
Eli heard the voice and looked toward the man who had carved his legend into the endless ocean, feared across every corner of the Grand Line.
Whitebeard was only sixty-two this year, a decade younger than he was in the original timeline. His body was massive, over six meters tall, almost seven. A black bandana wrapped around his head, his upper body bare, muscles like slabs of forged iron. A long cloak hung loosely across his broad shoulders, whipping wildly in the wind. His chest was covered in old battle scars, each one a badge of honor earned through countless life-or-death conflicts.
And then there was the iconic crescent-shaped mustache, pure white, sharp as a blade. That was the mark of the man called Whitebeard.
In his right hand, he gripped the Supreme Grade blade Cong Yun Che, its edge gleaming with a chilling light. His massive eyes locked onto Eli with burning hatred, like a beast ready to pounce and tear its prey apart.
The moment he appeared, he announced his intent to kill Eli.
Big Pan's face flushed with rage. His grip tightened around his dragon-carved staff, and he was seconds away from charging forward to teach this arrogant old man a lesson. But before he could move, a calm hand pressed onto his shoulder.
It was Eli.
"Hold on. Don't be rash," Eli said, his voice steady. "There aren't just three pirate crews on Little Garden today. Stay alert. Especially you, Big Pan. You're the strongest among us. Pay attention to every movement. We don't know what might happen."
The group immediately straightened their expressions, nodding seriously as they spread their senses across the battlefield.
Satisfied, Eli smiled. Filina and the others were not weak. Even Klee had his ways of staying alive. His warning was simply to keep them sharp.
Once he confirmed the group understood, Eli soared into the sky, lightning-fast, heading straight toward the three great pirate crews.
At mere meters away, he stopped midair, floating effortlessly.
Standing tall like an unshakable pillar, Eli stared directly at Edward Newgate, the strongest man in the world. There was no fear in his eyes. Instead, he smiled, relaxed and confident.
Not arrogance.
Confidence built on overwhelming strength.
He chuckled softly. "Your men challenged me. If they dare, they should be ready to die. What's wrong? Is the Whitebeard Pirates a group that can kill but cannot be killed? Are your members untouchable?"
The words pierced straight into the hearts of the Whitebeard commanders.
Anger erupted instantly. The captains, usually calm and composed, were furious, shouting threats and ready to attack.
Whitebeard's expression darkened. His blade slammed into the deck with a shock that made the entire ship tremble.
His voice dropped to a deep, icy growl. "Brat. I didn't come here to trade words. You killed my family. Today, I will send you to the afterlife."
Eli's expression didn't change. He shrugged. "Kill me? You're not enough."
Whitebeard didn't answer. He knew it was true. If he could defeat Eli by himself, he wouldn't have teamed up with Big Mom and Kaido.
But his subordinates didn't understand that.
Marco, especially, looked like he was about to combust. "Bastard! Our old man is the strongest man alive! Killing you is as easy as crushing an insect! Today is your last day, Eli Winters!"
Eli smiled, the corner of his lip lifting in a cold, dismissive curve. "Frog in a well."
"Mamamama! Eli, the arrogance in your mouth is almost impressive."
With a thunderous crash, Charlotte Linlin Big Mom dropped down onto the Moby Dick, the deck shaking beneath her massive weight.
Her enormous, mountain-like frame stood nearly nine meters tall, her pink dress billowing, pirate hat glittering with jewels. By her sides floated her Homies, living clouds with faces, radiating dangerous energy.
Eli's eyes brightened with interest. "Not a bad ability."
Big Mom glared at him. "Eli Winters, my son invited you to a simple tea party. Why did you kill him?"
She didn't truly care about the son who died. She cared about being disrespected.
Eli laughed lightly. "I kill who I want. Besides, haven't you killed people just because they declined your invitations? So what's the problem?"
His smile was dazzlingly bright. And unapologetic.
Big Mom trembled with fury. "You insolent brat! I'll tear you apart!"
The Homie attacked first, spitting a roaring wave of flames. Eli casually moved aside, his figure flickering like a ghost.
"Losing your temper already? How small-minded."
Her rage only grew.
But before she could strike again, a blast of golden heat tore from the sky.
"Heat Breath!"
A beam of scorching energy shot downward from the clouds. Air exploded and crackled in its wake.
Eli vanished and reappeared a short distance away, completely untouched.
He laughed. "Kaido, resorting to sneak attacks? How shameless."
The beam struck the ocean, instantly vaporizing tons of seawater, releasing a huge cloud of steam.
Kaido's massive dragon form emerged, then plunged down like a meteor, shrinking mid-fall until he landed in human form on the deck.
His body looked the same as before, except for the round scar Eli had left in their previous battle.
He snarled, humiliated. "This time, the three of us will kill you."
Eli shrugged. "If that's what you want, then come. But just the four of us should fight. You wouldn't want others taking advantage while your crews die, right?"
The three Emperors understood immediately. Too many enemies were watching today.
Before they could respond, an enraged voice echoed overhead.
"Eli! You killed Jack! I'll slaughter your companions!"
King the Wildfire, in his pteranodon form, shot toward Big Pan's group.
Eli's eyes narrowed. "Annoying. You won't kill them, but you'll distract them."
He disappeared.
Teleport.
Spatial Lock.
One casual kick.
A loud splash.
King didn't even resist before Eli kicked him straight into the sea. With Eli's current strength, anyone below the Monarch level would die or live depending solely on his mood.
"You bastard!" Kaido roared. Seeing King sink, he activated his hybrid form and charged.
The battle was finally about to explode.