Tsuru glanced at the officer who had spoken. "If Grimm truly wanted to become the Pirate King, he would have claimed the title long ago."
She offered no further explanation and turned her gaze to Kong. "Mr. Kong — the real danger lies with Kaido's forces."
"Agreed."
Kong nodded in approval. Tsuru's analysis was sharp and well‑reasoned — truly worthy of her title as Chief Strategist. He clapped his hands to signal his decision.
"This battle could very well reshape the balance of power across the New World. We must monitor it closely and keep it under control."
Orders were issued immediately. Sengoku was dispatched to oversee the clash between Kaido and Big Mom, while Tsuru was tasked with observing the fight between Grimm and Whitebeard.
As they prepared to part ways at the docks, Sengoku spoke up. "Tsuru… what of the matter with Doflamingo?"
Tsuru shot him a sharp look. "I have no idea what the World Government is thinking — they ordered me to call off the manhunt for him. Their actions grow more secretive and inexplicable with every passing day."
For more than a year, Tsuru had been leading the pursuit of the Donquixote Pirates, who controlled the criminal underworld of the North Blue and had extended their influence deep into the Grand Line.
After a failed operation on Minion Island, she had rescued a young man named Drake.
Their original objective had been to seize the Op‑Op Fruit — but it had vanished. The fruit was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the entire Marine organization.
Tsuru had intended to continue the pursuit, only to be ordered to stand down by the Government, who refused to give any reason.
"One day… I will arrest him myself," Sengoku muttered through gritted teeth.
"Is this about the death of your adopted son? Stay calm, Sengoku. Doflamingo's background is far more complicated than it appears. Do not let personal feelings cloud your judgment."
Tsuru's voice was firm as she spoke to his back.
Sengoku paused mid‑step onto the deck of his warship. After a long moment, a heavy reply drifted back: "I know… believe me, I know."
The New World
Whitebeard Pirates vs. Holy Light Pirates
Beasts Pirates vs. Big Mom Pirates
These two reports spread like wildfire across the entire New World.
Upon hearing the news, the various crews allied with Whitebeard immediately set sail, rushing toward the newly named New Amazon Lily.
In contrast, the Marines deployed only two warships to this front — purely for surveillance.
Meanwhile, Grimm's side remained completely calm and unhurried, continuing to consolidate his territories without sending reinforcements.
For the conflict between Kaido and Big Mom, however, the Marines mobilized far greater forces: Admiral Sengoku, along with Vice Admiral Zephyr — Chief Instructor and Commander of the Marine Elite Strike Force — leading a total of eight warships.
The difference in scale was so striking that everyone in the know wondered: Why such a massive gap in deployment?
The Marines possessed far superior intelligence networks, far more extensive than those of any pirate crew.
By the time Tsuru arrived with her fleet, none of Whitebeard's allied crews had yet reached the area.
"So the Kuja Pirates have officially joined Grimm's command…"
"And that must be Mannoroth, the Phantom Warship. It truly is enormous — you could almost mistake it for an island!"
The female Marines aboard Tsuru's ship murmured in amazement.
"Chief Tsuru… do we really have enough strength here to survive the aftermath of these two monsters clashing?"
Vice Admiral Peachbeard — tall, striking, and curvaceous — lowered her spyglass and frowned as she asked the question.
"Rest assured," Tsuru replied with unshakable confidence. "They will not fight to the death. This is merely a contest of strength — they will stop once one side gains the upper hand."
"You sound very certain…" Though still filled with doubt, Peachbeard said no more.
Back on the island where Whitebeard and Grimm fought:
BOOM!
A full day and night of battle had done nothing to dampen the fury of the two combatants.
Whitebeard had learned his lesson; he now used the Tremor‑Tremor Fruit only when absolutely necessary, relying instead on his immense Haki and the power of his bisento for the rest of the fight.
BOOM!
Another deafening crash sent shockwaves rippling across the island. This time, Whitebeard gained the upper hand.
He stepped forward, driving his weapon — coated in hardened Armament Haki — with such force that it knocked Ashbringer flying from Grimm's grip.
Seizing the opening, Whitebeard unleashed his Devil Fruit power and slammed his fist toward Grimm's head.
Grimm raised his shield to block, yet was still hurled backward fifty meters by the impact.
Whitebeard did not press the advantage. Not because he chose not to — but because using his ability had drained him, and he needed time to recover.
Huff… huff…
He drew a ragged breath, removed his hand from over his chest, and called out in a booming voice, "That one must have stung, didn't it, boy?!"
"Hah… hahaha…"
At those words, Grimm suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"You know what? That felt amazing, Father Whitebeard! There was a time when you could kill me with a single strike — yet now, after fighting for hours, you still can't finish me off! Your era… is coming to an end, Whitebeard!"
"Gurarararara! Ending? Never! The sons of the sea will sail across the New World forever!"
Whitebeard did not grow angry at the mockery; instead, he threw his head back and laughed.
"Is that so? If Edward Newgate wishes so badly to prove he still stands tall… then let us continue!"
Grimm slammed his foot down, leaving two deep craters in the rock. He launched himself into the air, Ashbringer reappearing in his grasp, and swung it down with all his might.
Whitebeard already bore more than five wounds across his body, yet at Grimm's words, he seemed to forget the pain entirely.
He charged forward, his bisento glowing with a sphere of white vibration energy. With a single swing, he sent Grimm flying once more.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Whitebeard followed up with a flurry of strikes. Winds howled, space itself warped and cracked, and dust and stone fragments filled the air, obscuring both men's vision.
Closing his eyes, Whitebeard relied entirely on his senses. Two seconds later, he swung his blade hard to the left — right where a faint afterimage of Grimm appeared.
The blade cut straight through, but the figure dissolved into motes of golden light.
"Stop playing tricks, boy!" Whitebeard called out.
"Then try this one!"
Grimm unfurled a pair of wings, turned his body into a beam of light, and plunged down from five hundred meters above, Ashbringer raised high.
Right beside him, five identical winged angels descended in perfect formation.
Whitebeard drove his bisento deep into the earth, sending massive tremors rumbling through the ground.
He crossed his arms over his chest, then threw both fists outward with explosive force.
"World‑Shaking Roar!"
As the name implied, the entire world seemed to freeze for a heartbeat.
Seconds later, the five angels surrounding Grimm stiffened in mid‑air, and Grimm himself was brought to a sudden halt.
The shockwave was so powerful it felt as though the entire ocean had been flipped upside down, like a table overturned.
Even Hancock, who was locked in battle with Jozu and Vista nearby, struggled to steady herself, driving her feet deep into the earth.
Her expression hardened as she whispered, "So this is the true power of Whitebeard and the Tremor‑Tremor Fruit…"
__________________
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