Whitebeard watched Jack, who was holding his ground effortlessly against three division commanders. His brows furrowed.
Marco and King were nowhere to be seen, and while the other commanders had a slight advantage, it wasn't enough to turn the tide of battle.
The captains of the allied fleets were held back by Kaido's officers, and even the small edge Whitebeard's side held didn't change the overall situation.
Seeing his sons on the lower ranks fall one by one, even though he didn't know their names, Whitebeard couldn't help but move.
"Gurararara! Whitebeard! So you're finally making a move!"
Kaido, who had been observing Whitebeard with his Observation Haki, noticed his movements the instant he leaped off the ship's deck onto the shore. Kaido grabbed his kanabo, Hassaikai, and set down his sake gourd, striding toward Whitebeard.
"Bwahahaha! Whitebeard! Your head is mine!"
As always, there were fools who didn't understand the difference in strength, rushing toward Whitebeard. With a slight swing of his naginata, Murakumogiri, the unfortunate pirates fell silently, lifeless before they hit the ground.
Meanwhile, Kaido had entered the battlefield. Several Whitebeard Pirates tried to block his path, but with one swing of his kanabo, their bodies were smashed to pieces—barely fit for a newborn dog's meal.
The two titans locked eyes. The clash of their Conqueror's Haki swept across the battlefield, clearing it entirely.
Even Jack stepped aside, making room for the duel.
"Whitebeard!"
"Kaido!"
The two charged at each other. Kaido brought his kanabo down with all his might, while Whitebeard swung his naginata upward.
Clang!
Kaido's voice thundered, but in Jack's opinion, Whitebeard still had the upper hand.
It wasn't just about strength—Whitebeard didn't call out his attacks.
Kaido-sama, Jack thought, true masters don't shout their techniques. Maybe you've been reading too many martial arts novels.
After exchanging a few more blows, Kaido shifted into his hybrid form. The ground beneath them sank further under the sheer force of their battle.
Clang!
Boom!
A massive crater formed after the clash. Jack remarked under his breath:
"Well, at least the fish-men will have a new habitat. Saves us a fortune on renovations."
"Hey, you bastard!"
Jozu's voice roared with frustration. The three commanders battling Jack—Jozu, Vista, and Thatch—felt insulted by his nonchalant attitude as he continued to glance toward Kaido and Whitebeard's duel.
"Huh?" Jack looked down at the three, his tone indifferent. "You fight your fight, I'll watch mine. If you've got what it takes, kill me. If not, quit whining."
"You're dead meat!"
Fuming, Jozu turned his entire body into diamond and charged at Jack.
"Jozu, don't let him provoke you!" Vista and Thatch quickly moved to calm him down.
Hearing their shouts, Jozu cooled off, and Jack sighed in disappointment.
Damn. These three aren't half bad, Jack admitted to himself. Vista was as skilled as that swordsman he had encountered before—"Hawk Eyes" Mihawk. Thatch and Jozu's abilities were also nothing to scoff at.
Their coordination was flawless. Jozu would tank his attacks, while Vista and Thatch exploited openings. It was clear their goal was to stall him, not to defeat him outright.
This agility of theirs… I really need to work on mine, Jack thought grimly.
Suddenly, Jack felt a chill run down his spine. It was as if someone was watching him intently. He glanced around but couldn't find anything out of place.
One figure, however, caught his attention—a Whitebeard pirate fighting a fish-man. Their battle seemed evenly matched.
"Huh? What's with that body shape? Skinny legs, huge belly… and so much hair! Damn, I hate hairy people!"
"Don't underestimate us, you bastard!"
The trio's attacks pulled Jack's focus back to the fight.
Meanwhile, Marshall D. Teach, hiding under his hood with his missing teeth showing, let out a sigh of relief.
From the moment the fight began, Teach had been observing Jack with his Observation Haki.
Jack's incredible defense and regenerative abilities fascinated him. Even against three division commanders, Jack showed no signs of slowing down.
It was no wonder the World Government had started calling Jack the second Kaido. His title as the World's Strongest Fish-man was well-earned.
Teach's eyes gleamed with ambition. If he could obtain the Yami Yami no Mi, would someone like Jack join him?
His mind raced. From Jack's lingering gazes at Kaido's daughter—the one wielding the spiked kanabo—it was clear Jack had a weakness for women.
This guy isn't the type to stay in anyone's shadow for long, Teach thought. He's ambitious and ruthless. As his strength grows, it's only a matter of time before he and Kaido clash.
Perhaps in the future, with the right incentives—beautiful women, promises of power—Jack could be swayed to his side.
But first, Teach reminded himself, he needed the Yami Yami no Mi. If he couldn't get it, there was no point in dreaming of the future.
Clang!
Teach blocked another attack from his fish-man opponent, who grinned smugly.
"You're pretty strong for a human!" the fish-man exclaimed. "To trade blows with me, Ralph-sama! I recognize your strength!"
Teach looked at the fish-man like he was an idiot but laughed heartily.
"Zehahaha! You're not bad yourself!"
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg