The air on deck froze.
"W-Whitebeard…?!"
The sub-lieutenant dropped his binoculars.
"Why… why is Whitebeard on a Marine route…?"
The sea wind felt sharper.
That mountain of a man simply standing there felt like the weight of the ocean pressing down.
"All hands—Level One Combat Readiness!!"
The officer screamed hysterically.
"This is one of the strongest men alive—Whitebeard Edward Newgate!!"
Chaos erupted.
Ammo spilled.
Soldiers stumbled.
Communications broke down.
"Ensign Gern—return to position!"
The officer pleaded, drenched in sweat.
"That man causes tsunamis!!"
Gern didn't answer.
His right hand unconsciously gripped Eight Desolations.
Whitebeard hadn't even looked at them.
And yet—
Gern was trembling.
Not fear.
Excitement.
He drew the blade.
Vibration particles gathered instinctively.
"I actually want to experience…"
"The strongest in the world…"
The blade suddenly pulsed.
Clang!
A clear sword cry snapped his mind awake.
The deck trembled.
Marines instinctively backed away.
"Gern!! Are you insane?!" the officer screamed.
On Whitebeard's ship—
Marco noticed.
"Pops, I told you not to use Marine routes."
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed.
"We're already here! Sengoku and Garp won't be around."
Then—
His Observation Haki flared.
A sharp, focused killing intent—aimed directly at him.
Whitebeard grabbed Murakumogiri and turned.
"Oh?" he grinned.
"That Marine kid's interesting."
When Whitebeard finally looked over—
Electricity shot up Gern's spine.
Not predator fear.
But awe.
"WHITEBEARD!!" Gern roared.
The wrappings on Eight Desolations shattered into floating fragments crackling with vibration arcs.
"Stand firm, Marine brat!" Whitebeard laughed.
He swung his arm—
The sea trembled.
The air cracked like collapsing glass.
A massive air-quake shockwave roared toward the warship.
Gern clenched his left fist.
Vibration screamed between his fingers.
He mirrored Whitebeard's motion.
The two shockwaves collided—
SILENCE.
Then—
BOOM!!
The ocean collapsed into a hundred-meter crater before flooding back violently.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? A Marine who can quake?"
Marco's eyes shook.
"That's Pops' power… how can he have it?!"
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"what do you think can gern able to surprise Pops with his Power?"