The true giants of the previous era had gradually faded from the world.
Very few remained who could stand as equals against Edward Newgate, Whitebeard.
When word reached him that a young pirate named El possessed such terrifying potential, Whitebeard felt a familiar thrill of excitement.
This newcomer might just have the strength to give him a worthy fight.
"Step out! Show yourselves, men of the El Pirates!"
Standing forward to call them out was Marco the Phoenix, Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division.
The entire crew had now gathered on Fish‑Man Island—a force so formidable that even the World Government and the Marines would have prepared for them with the utmost caution.
"Who dares shout so loudly outside my quarters?" El's voice rang out in response.
In truth, the Whitebeard Pirates had come for two reasons: their captain's own desire to investigate, and the urgent plea sent by King Neptune.
This was their territory, after all—they could not simply ignore a possible threat to their own lands.
And none of this would have happened if Neptune's message had not drawn Whitebeard's attention in the first place.
Without it, these two greatest crews of the Grand Line might never have met under such tense circumstances.
"Hold your fire—no one strike first," El warned his officers. "Whitebeard is no ordinary opponent."
"Understood!"
Though none wished to see their captain face such a foe alone, they also knew in their hearts that even if they all charged together, they would likely be unable to overwhelm Whitebeard himself.
"WALALALALA!"
Whitebeard threw back his head and laughed. "You've got guts, you brash young pup!"
"Stand back, all of you. I will handle this one myself."
Edward Newgate stepped forward, hefting his massive blade.
"To come into my territory and cause trouble—do you think I would just turn a blind eye?"
Whitebeard struck the ground with the hilt of his weapon.
Beyond his fearsome Devil Fruit power, his mastery of hand‑to‑hand combat and swordsmanship was among the finest in the world.
"Causing trouble? You speak as if you know exactly what has happened!" El scoffed, undaunted.
"I won't bother arguing whether you have the full story or not. But now that you are here, I have no intention of letting you leave easily."
Even facing the Strongest Man in the World, El showed not a trace of fear.
By now, the officers from both crews had fallen back, leaving the entire clearing open for the two captains alone.
CLANG!
Whitebeard's great sword met El's fist—reinforced with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki.
The shockwave of their clashing wills exploded outward, knocking unconscious even ordinary people far away.
"Look—look up there!"
Those with sharp senses cried out in shock. High above, through thousands of meters of deep ocean, the water itself seemed to split apart under the sheer pressure of their battle.
When true masters of this caliber fought, even the heavens and the earth trembled. The ocean itself was now living proof of that.
"Excellent! When it comes to the mastery of Haki alone, you are more than worthy!" Whitebeard laughed with delight.
"The feeling is mutual!" El replied, never slowing his strikes. "For an old man, you still hold a level of power that astonishes me!"
This was no longer the era when Whitebeard and his generation stood in their absolute prime.
No matter how mighty one's strength, time eventually claimed its due. Legends like Whitebeard, Sengoku, and Garp were destined to give way to the new age.
As they exchanged blows, both men showed a strange, unspoken understanding. Whitebeard's Tremor‑Tremor Fruit could shake the very foundations of the world, while El—though not a Devil Fruit user—possessed power no less destructive: the chakra of the Tailed Beasts combined with the Sage Body, which could lay waste to entire landscapes if unleashed.
Yet both held back. Neither the shockwaves of the tremors nor the surges of energy were allowed to spill over onto Fish‑Man Island itself.
This was a matter of respect between them, but also proof of their absolute control over their own strength. To contain such a clash within a narrow space was no small feat.
It was clear that neither truly intended to kill the other—this was more a test of skill and strength than a battle to the death.
Both El and Whitebeard stood among the greatest masters across the entire Grand Line.
Even those who wished to watch their duel had to be worthy enough just to bear the pressure.
In fact, only a handful of the highest-ranking officers from both crews could remain within viewing distance.
Later, when others asked what the battle had looked like, every witness who had actually felt its overwhelming aura and terrifying power fell completely silent—not daring to speak a single word.
This was a clash between the pinnacle of combat in the world: a legendary giant from the previous era and a rising star destined to shape the new age.
The danger such a battle carried was self-evident.
Yet surprisingly, their fight left little lasting impact. It did not disrupt the daily lives of ordinary people, and even the already run-down Fish‑Man District was spared further destruction—protected intentionally by both combatants.
The area was far from insignificant; its location near the great ship Noah made it a place of great importance.
It was clear they were not holding back out of mercy, but deliberately restraining their immense power.
---
"Invigorating! Truly invigorating!" Whitebeard laughed heartily.
Though he had not unleashed his full strength, it was obvious the young man before him had also kept his own power in check.
This was the unspoken understanding between true masters.
They needed no long conversation—one exchange of blows was enough to understand each other's intent and limits.
"Well done," El said, his usual arrogance giving way to genuine respect.
"Even though you've grown old, your strength has not faded. The title of Strongest Man in the World still belongs to you without question… Whitebeard!"
For El, the most astonishing thing was not just the power itself, but the fact that a man over seventy years old could still fight at such a level.
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