"What… is this?!"
Every single person on Fishman Island—whether native or outsiders like Marines and pirates—turned their gaze towards the plaza.
A colossal phantom of a six-winged angel soared into the sky, spreading its Wings as it chanted a religious hymn…
Then, it gradually shrank until it faded from sight.
"A miracle! This is a miracle!"
"An angel has descended upon Fishman Island! We haven't been abandoned after all!"
Witnessing this spectacle, some of the island's natives, who had completely lost hope for the future, found their courage rekindled—a spark of "hope" igniting in their hearts.
But the massive six-winged angel phantom did not disappear entirely.
Instead, it continued to shrink, eventually condensing onto Michael's body.
Even Whitebeard couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
Not even he had ever seen a Devil Fruit ability with such overwhelming presence.
Soon, as the angelic phantom fully merged into Michael's body, his pristine white Marine uniform began to shift and expand, transforming into an intricate set of rune-etched angelic armor.
Yet upon closer inspection, one would realize—this armor was alive.
It was forged from flowing Holy Light.
"Po-Pops!"
Whether it was Marco, still recovering from his injuries, or Jozu and Vista standing by, all instinctively rose to their feet, assuming defensive stances.
The terrifying aura radiating from the young man in the sky was enough to fill them with dread.
"Hmph, no need for reminders, I can see him." Whitebeard let out a hearty laugh, "Gurararara! To think such a young Admiral-level fighter exists! A monster like this roaming the seas without a single whisper of his name! Garp! Your Marines sure know how to keep secrets!"
"Wahahaha! Of course! There's plenty more to surprise you, Whitebeard!" Garp boasted in reply, then immediately furrowed his brows in suspicion, muttering under his breath.
"What the hell? Has Michael grown this strong so quickly? Judging by the aura he's radiating now, he might even be stronger than Kuzan..."
As one of the world's top-tier fighters, Garp understood better than anyone that the stronger one becomes, the harder it is to grow further.
Especially after reaching elite Vice Admiral level—countless have stagnated there for life.
Yet Michael seemed utterly unbound by such limitations.
But... exaggerated as it was.
In Garp's eyes, even with Michael's current strength, defeating the prime Whitebeard remained impossible.
Because opponents who reached this level...
Whitebeard had crushed plenty of them.
The thought made Garp clench his fists.
Given Whitebeard's temperament, Michael likely wouldn't be in mortal danger.
But one could never be too careful.
So Garp resolved to save Michael even if it meant sacrificing a warrior's pride.
As for teaming up against Whitebeard? That option didn't exist.
Not only were all of Whitebeard's commanders present.
Even if Garp and Michael could kill Whitebeard together...
Where were they?
Fish-Man Island!
Ten thousand meters beneath the sea!
Letting Whitebeard go all out in a death match here?
Then regardless of outcome, millions would perish in the crushing depths!
Was he stupid? Was Whitebeard stupid?
This fight would likely end inconclusively.
The Marines and Whitebeard Pirates currently maintained a non-interference balance.
Whitebeard knew full well his crew couldn't overpower the entire Marines in direct conflict.
But the Marines wouldn't mobilize everything just to eliminate the Whitebeard Pirates either.
Maintaining balance was their unspoken arrangement.
Today's skirmish was harmless.
"Gurararara! Angel brat! Come! Let this old man test whether you've earned your place among the strong!"
Whitebeard raised Murakumogiri high, his Conqueror's Haki coalescing invisibly—but compared to his earlier casual infusion...
This was at least doubled.
"Damn it, you crazy old man!"
Michael shook his head midair, sensing Whitebeard's terrifying energy still escalating.
Even now, Whitebeard hadn't used his Devil Fruit powers!
The gap between his current strength and the world's strongest man remained substantial.
So...
That nonsense about "Admirals and Emperors being equals" only applied to the likes of Kaido and Big Mom.
Admiral-level was merely the threshold to earn peak Whitebeard's acknowledgment.
But such thoughts were pointless now—Michael's mind held only one word: fight.
The holy aura emanating from Michael instilled an overwhelming urge in the surrounding civilians and pirates to kneel and sincerely repent.
"Thud!"
As the sound of one weak-willed person collapsing to their knees echoed, it became an unstoppable chain reaction.
One after another, they dropped heavily to the ground, bowing their devout heads in worship to the angel towering above them.
"Get up! No kneeling allowed!"
"I am Marine Rear Admiral Angel D. Michael!"
"No one deserves your worship! Not even me!"
"I came to Fish-Man Island for three things only!"
"Justice! Justice! And goddamn JUSTICE!"
At Michael's furious roar, all those kneeling froze in shock, lifting their heads to gaze at the angel bellowing from the heavens.
And when the word "justice" resounded across the sky from the angel's lips, warmth surged through their knees, as if an invisible force lifted them from the ground.
Those who had already knelt rose to their feet.
Those about to kneel straightened their spines.
"Hey, angel brat! Let me ask again—your name is Michael, right?"
"Are you deaf, old man? How many times do I have to say it?!"
"Gurararara! What a fiery temper!" Whitebeard laughed heartily. "If only you were my son!"
"Still trying to get the upper hand, huh?"
Michael rolled his eyes, his energy having reached its peak.
Morning Star trembled violently... the moment had come!
"Whitebeard! Here I come! If you're old, you might as well retire!"
With a powerful flap of his wings, Michael left sonic booms in the air as he descended from above, charging straight towards Whitebeard.
"Gurararara! You arrogant little brat! I... am the damn Whitebeard!"
Without hesitation, Whitebeard swung his Murakumogiri.
He slashed directly towards Michael, who descended like divine lightning from the heavens.
The terrifying Conqueror's Haki Coating tore through the air before him, even creating a momentary vacuum in its wake.
Blade clashed against blade, erupting in dazzling brilliance!
The clash between the rising powerhouse and the pinnacle of the world was utterly earth-shattering!
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