What a terrifyingly powerful man…
The world had long proclaimed Whitebeard as the strongest man alive. Fujitora had heard the stories many times.
But hearing was nothing compared to seeing. The instant he stood before him, Fujitora realized—those rumors were far from the truth.
This man was not merely strong.
In his perception, the old giant seated before him was like an immovable mountain, utterly insurmountable. Overwhelming didn't even begin to describe it.
Whitebeard, for his part, was equally surprised.
That the Marines had sunk so low as to elevate a blind man to the rank of admiral… it seemed almost absurd.
"Whitebeard," Fujitora said respectfully, inclining his head, "please forgive the discourtesy of my sudden visit."
Thinking of his orders, Fujitora's voice carried a tinge of resignation as he continued:
"Fleet Admiral Kizaru has commanded me to prevent open conflict between you and the World Government.
"As for your ultimate destination—we will not interfere. But he asks that you cease needless slaughter along the way."
"Gurararara…" Whitebeard laughed thunderously, peering at the blind man before him. "So the Marines want to stop me?"
He truly could not fathom what that sly bastard Kizaru was up to. If they weren't going to obstruct his voyage, then why meddle in what he did along the way?
"We have no intention of standing in your path," Fujitora replied evenly. "We only ask that you do not make your presence too loud, too brazen."
"Brazen? Old man, do you know who stands before you?" Whitebeard grinned broadly. "I am Edward Newgate—Whitebeard! I've never had the luxury of moving quietly."
"I have said what I came to say," Fujitora answered calmly. "The Fleet Admiral's only command was to ensure you don't cause unnecessary trouble en route."
With that, he sank cross-legged onto the deck, his sheathed blade resting across his knees—resolute, as if ready to hold his ground against Whitebeard himself.
Whitebeard's brow furrowed, anger rising faintly in his eyes. As a central pillar of the Gedora Alliance, he had already heard whispers of Kizaru's designs. Yet even so, he didn't move to strike, only narrowed his eyes, glaring sharply at the admiral before him.
Beneath that piercing gaze, Fujitora felt immense pressure, though he betrayed nothing. He remained silent, immovable.
The air aboard the Moby Dick grew heavy, oppressive. The crew shifted uneasily under the crushing tension.
Then—
BOOM!
A violent explosion erupted beside the Moby Dick, seawater exploding skyward. From the depths, a colossal shape surged upward.
"What—what the hell is that?!"
"Sea King?!"
"No! It's metal—Sea Kings aren't made of iron!"
The gray, gleaming surface crushed that thought instantly. What rose was no living beast but a titanic, steel leviathan.
Its massive head swung toward the Moby Dick.
From its gaping maw, a monstrous cannon extended, glowing as it charged.
Hummmm…
Energy gathered with a shrill vibration, the air itself trembling.
"Damn it—!" Whitebeard growled, gripping his chair and moving to rise—
But someone else moved faster.
Still seated moments before, Fujitora now rose in a single motion, both hands tightening around the hilt of his sheathed sword.
Shing…
The blade slid free of its scabbard with a drawn-out cry, like the roar of a dragon.
The air itself seemed to answer.
"What a terrifying blind man…"
Whitebeard's instincts flared—he tilted his head skyward, sensing what was about to come.
Vmm… vmm… vmm…
The sound grew louder, like the friction of the heavens themselves. Shadows swept over the deck.
The pirates looked up—
"Nani…?!"
"A… meteorite?!"
Their eyes went wide in disbelief as an enormous flaming rock blazed across the sky, crashing down with apocalyptic force.
All heads turned toward the blind admiral standing on their deck.
This… was his power?
The meteor screamed downward, dragging a trail of fire—
"Too… too strong!"
"Impossible—who can call down meteors from the heavens?!"
The sheer spectacle left the Whitebeard Pirates shaken to their core. None had ever dreamed that such a power could exist.
"…Gravity," Whitebeard muttered, his face solemn. As a seasoned warrior, he had seen enough to recognize it.
The Gravity Fruit—a terrifying ability. Its destructive potential could not be underestimated.
That this newly appointed admiral wielded such power… it was shocking.
Fujitora gave a faint glance toward Whitebeard but said nothing.
KRASHHHH!!!
The meteor struck true, smashing into the steel leviathan and engulfing it in fire. No roar escaped the creature—only a tortured metallic screech as it shattered beneath the impact, sinking back into the sea alongside the blazing stone.
A tidal wave dozens of meters high surged outward, bearing down on the Moby Dick like a mountain of water.
Without hesitation, Fujitora slashed his sword in a single, horizontal arc.
SHIIING—!!
"Kenjutsu!"
The slash flew, invisible force cutting through the towering wave.
BOOOOM—
The wall of water collapsed, shattered as though dragged apart by unseen hands, dispersing before it could strike.
Though the sea still roiled, the mortal danger was gone.
Every eye aboard the Moby Dick turned once more to the blind man, who had already resheathed his sword and sat back down, calm as ever.
"…So strong."
No one could find any other words.
"Gurarara… Admirals truly are worthy of the name," Whitebeard laughed, settling back into his seat. "Bring sake! Pour for Admiral Fujitora!"
At once, his men fetched casks of treasured liquor, setting them before the admiral.
"Gurarara… try Whitebeard's brew," the old titan roared cheerfully. "At first, I couldn't fathom what Kizaru was plotting. But now… I think I see."
Fujitora raised the cup, drinking quietly. At Whitebeard's words, he lifted his pale eyes to meet him.
"Oh? So you've divined the Fleet Admiral's intent?"
Truthfully, even Fujitora himself had not fully understood Kizaru's reasoning. Yet this man claimed to.
"If I'm not mistaken," Whitebeard said, his grin wide beneath his mustache, "those things are swarming beneath us right now.
"Kizaru's order wasn't about sparing lives. He just didn't want us drawing too much attention…"
He upended his massive sake gourd, laughing heartily.
Fujitora froze, his body trembling.
Could it be…?
Was the Navy preparing to sever ties completely with the World Government?
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