The pitch-black Armament Haki slowly faded from Susanoo's massive form, then the giant itself began to dissolve, leaving Kai standing beside Whitebeard.
Whitebeard lay sprawled on the ground, his body slick with blood. With great effort, he forced his eyes open and stared at Kai—whose clothes weren't even scratched. Whitebeard's voice was hoarse, each word heavy with exhaustion and emotion:
"Marine brat… you… won…" His tone mixed loss, shock, confusion—and, deep down, a hint of relief.
Kai's expression was calm, almost distant. He showed no trace of surprise or triumph. "Mm… I knew from the start I'd win… Because your era is over, Whitebeard."
Whitebeard paused, stunned by the words. Slowly, his face fell, and a bitter smile twisted his lips. "Is that so… My era… has already… passed…"
The light faded from his eyes as visions of Roger, Sengoku, Garp, and Golden Lion flickered through his mind—ghosts of a bygone age.
Suddenly, distant voices pierced the silence:
"Pops! Where are you?!"
"Marine brat! If you lay a hand on Pops, I'll kill you!"
"Pops!!!"
The anxious shouts jolted Whitebeard's gaze back to life. He realized, all at once, what truly mattered. It was never about being "the strongest." He'd never cared for the Pirate King's crown. All he'd ever wanted was his children—his family.
"Gurararara…"
Whitebeard's familiar, booming laugh rang out across the battlefield. He raised his voice, shouting, "My sons… your old man's right here!"
He wasn't worried about Kai finishing him off. If the Marine had wanted Whitebeard dead, he'd have done it already. The fact that he hadn't meant he had no intention of eradicating the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Pops!? That's Pops' voice!"
"Pops!!"
"Pops!!!"
The division commanders erupted with renewed energy, surging toward Whitebeard and Kai like they'd been injected with pure adrenaline.
Kai glanced at Whitebeard one last time. "Whitebeard… farewell."
His mission complete, Kai had no interest in further conflict. With a leap, he shot skyward, Moonwalking toward the Navy warship.
On the deck, Johnson and the other Marines had gathered, their faces alight with awe and worship. Their Vice Admiral had defeated Whitebeard—the man hailed as the "World's Strongest"!
If Kai could beat Whitebeard, then surely he was now "the man who surpassed the world's strongest."
Just imagining it… If anyone ever asked which officer they served under, every Marine could puff out their chest and proudly declare:
"We serve the Marine who defeated Whitebeard—the strongest in the world!"
That thought sent a wave of fanatic admiration across the deck. They gazed at Kai as if he were a living legend.
"Vice Admiral…"
Johnson's face was flushed, his body trembling with excitement. After a long moment, all he could manage was a reverent whisper—he couldn't put his feelings into words.
Suddenly, a shrill Den Den Mushi ring echoed from Johnson's pocket. He fumbled for the device, startled.
"Vice Admiral, Navy Headquarters is calling for a report," he said, glancing at the Den Den Mushi but waiting for Kai's nod.
Kai nodded. "Mm. Report the battle."
Johnson snapped to attention, saluting. "Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Navy Headquarters. Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Kuzan, Akainu, and Kizaru—all the top brass were assembled, their faces dark with worry.
"Hmph… I knew Mitarashi Kai was a loose cannon. To challenge Whitebeard—reckless! Doesn't he realize the kind of trouble this brings to the Navy?!" Akainu snarled, venting his frustration.
"Kai… That boy was too arrogant this time," Tsuru said, frowning.
"Sengoku, what now? How do we rescue Kai?" Garp's voice was thick with concern. He knew better than anyone how monstrous Whitebeard truly was. Kai's talent was undeniable, but Garp couldn't believe he could actually defeat Whitebeard.
"Let's wait for the Den Den Mushi to connect before deciding!" Sengoku snapped, more agitated than anyone. As Fleet Admiral, he had to think about the big picture. The seas had only just begun to stabilize—if this incident provoked Whitebeard's fury…
Just thinking about the power under Whitebeard's command made Sengoku shudder.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku…"
Johnson's voice rang through the Den Den Mushi, instantly drawing every eye.
"Where's Kai?! Did he fight Whitebeard? Get him back here, now!" Sengoku barked, clinging to a sliver of hope.
"The Vice Admiral has already fought Whitebeard… and the battle is over!" Johnson's words shattered Sengoku's hope.
"Damn it… Where's Kai? Is he alive?!" Sengoku demanded, desperate.
"The Vice Admiral is alive—and he defeated Edward Newgate!"
Johnson's voice echoed through the room. Sengoku felt a wave of relief—Kai was alive. But then his expression froze.
Defeated Edward Newgate?
That name… sounded so familiar.
Wait. That's Whitebeard's real name!
Kai defeated Whitebeard? How is that possible!?
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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