"I can't figure it out. You obviously can't defeat me—so why keep struggling? Do you really still believe you're the world's number one man?"
"No!" Kronos' eyes narrowed, his voice slicing like a blade.
"You're old!"
That last line struck harder than any weapon.
It was the kind of truth that could pierce deeper than steel, and Whitebeard felt his heart sink at the words.
Deep inside, Whitebeard knew it well. He was no longer the man who once led his crew into battle against the Marines without hesitation.
Now, he was nothing more than an old relic—an aging father figure fighting desperately to protect his family.
If not for his sons, Whitebeard might have accepted his decline long ago. But for their sake, he refused to fall. Even in despair, he would force open a bloody path!
"Captain, there's no point in wasting words with this walking corpse," Albedo scoffed coldly.
"In my eyes, he's nothing but an old man half a step into the coffin!"
"That's right! The era of that old relic is long over!" shouted one of the trainees.
"This is the age of Captain Kronos!"
The younger crew members of the Kamui Pirates were eager sycophants. They dreamed of the day Kronos would surpass Whitebeard and rise to the level of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. If that happened, their own status would rise with him.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard, refusing to acknowledge defeat, launched attack after attack with desperate fury, as if possessed by the spirit of his youth.
Kronos showed no fear and offered no mercy. He clashed against Whitebeard blow for blow, their powers shaking the heavens.
The clash raged on for a full day and night.
At the center of their battle, everything within several miles was reduced to ruins.
By the time the dust settled, Hive Island—once known as Honeycomb Island—was half destroyed.
The aftermath of this battle would surely shake the world.
Hive Island wasn't just any territory. It was one of the largest islands on the seas, long sought after by Pirate Emperors.
In the past, Rocks D. Xebec himself had claimed it as his base, gathering his fearsome crew and daring to challenge even the Celestial Dragons.
Rumors claimed the island still held treasures left behind by Rocks. Whether true or not, one fact was undeniable: for Hive Island to be devastated to this degree, the strength of Whitebeard and Kronos was beyond terrifying.
At last, Kronos drew in a deep breath, his aura flaring.
"This is the final blow, Whitebeard!" he roared.
"Let's end this!"
He poured every ounce of his remaining power into his next strike. The time to decide the victor had come.
Then—Kronos moved.
His speed exploded, blindingly fast—like thunder splitting the heavens.
His fist, wrapped in overwhelming Armament Haki, radiated a power that shook the very air itself.
Whitebeard gritted his teeth, his hands tightening on his massive bisento. His eyes burned with determination.
"Bring it on!" he bellowed.
"Let's see… who's stronger!"
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