On the edge of Fish-Man Island, a vast coral plain had been cleared away. What was once a fantastical deep-sea wonder had been transformed into a brutal stage for a showdown between two absolute powerhouses.
"Gurararara! Kid, take this punch!" Whitebeard roared. His fist, as large as the ram of a giant warship, was enveloped in a milky-white spherical glow. He didn't strike Takuro directly; instead, he slammed his fist violently into the air in front of him.
Crack—!!!
The atmosphere let out an unbearable shattering sound as the invisible force of vibration transformed into a violent shockwave. It surged forward like a tsunami, peeling back the solid ground and shattering it like fragile biscuits. A massive ravine of utter destruction rushed straight toward Takuro—a power capable of tearing an entire island apart.
"This ability is quite interesting," Takuro noted, his eyes flaring with excitement. "Excellent!"
Facing this terrifying blow, Takuro didn't dodge or retreat. He pulled back his right fist, his arm muscles instantly bulging. Without any extra light effects, he condensed pure, extreme power and unleashed a punch of his own.
Boom— — — — — —!!!
The fist met the vibrational shockwave head-on. It wasn't just an explosion; it was the brutal compression of two extreme forces. A visible ring of air blast erupted from the center, accompanied by a deafening roar that pushed away the seawater for thousands of meters, creating a temporary vacuum. Any debris was ground into dust the moment it touched the edge of their power.
Takuro stood his ground, a wild smile spreading across his face. "Not bad! This force is strong enough! You're much stronger than those small fries from before!"
On the highest terrace of Ryugu Palace, King Neptune and Queen Otohime gazed nervously at the battle through a massive glass window. Even from that distance, the impact sounds and vibrations made the entire palace tremble.
Queen Otohime was pale, her knuckles white as she clasped her hands together. "It's too terrifying... such power... will Fish-Man Island really not be destroyed?" she asked with tears in her eyes.
"Don't worry, Otohime," Neptune said, putting a steady arm around her shoulders. He had an almost blind faith in his old friend. "You must believe in Newgate! He is Whitebeard, the 'Strongest Man in the World'. He has stood at the pinnacle of this sea for decades and has never been defeated. This kid Takuro might have some skill, but he's not even worth a look in front of true peak power! Newgate will win and protect our home!"
At the edge of the battlefield, Marco, Jozu, Vista, and the other division commanders watched with initial confidence.
"See? A kid is just a kid," one commander said, crossing his arms. "Even if he's hit by Pop's vibration power, he can only struggle to resist. Pop hasn't even gotten serious yet; he's just warming up."
However, as the fight continued, their confidence turned into shock. Whitebeard's attacks became increasingly fierce. His weapon, Murakumogiri, was imbued with mountain-splitting power and a vibrational aura, capable of cleaving a giant warship in two. His fists unleashed constant air quakes that reshaped the entire terrain.
But Takuro moved like a phantom. He sometimes used his body to directly withstand the vibrational impact and would immediately rush back, full of vigor. The excited smile on his face only grew brighter.
"What's going on?! Is that guy a monster?" the commanders whispered in panic. "He's taking Pop's vibrations head-on and his speed is still increasing! He's only using martial arts and that strange golden energy... he doesn't even have a scratch on him!"
Marco's blue flames ignited unconsciously as he stared at the field. "Something... isn't right," he muttered. "Pop has shown considerable strength, so why does Takuro still look so relaxed?!"
In the center of the battlefield, Whitebeard stopped his pursuit after punching Takuro back dozens of meters. He leaned on his polearm and watched Takuro, who was casually dusting off his chest. Whitebeard's eyes were no longer dismissive; they were filled with extreme solemnity.
"Gurararara... Kid," Whitebeard laughed heavily. "What... kind of monster are you, exactly?"
Takuro twisted his neck, and a golden aura flared up with a loud boom. Fine white electrical arcs began to crackle around his body as the energy made space itself tremble. He bared his teeth in a wild, unrestrained grin.
"Monster? Don't compare me to the low-level creatures of your planet, old man," Takuro said. "The warm-up should be over, right? If you don't go all out now, I might just shatter your bones with the next move!"
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion