"Brat."
Holding Murakumogiri in his hand Newgate looked toward Rowan.
"Just like the question you asked earlier, I'll ask you the same thing now. Are you ready?"
As those words fell Marco, who had just finished giving Vista emergency treatment, immediately waved to the others.
"Hurry! Carry him away from here!"
Izo glanced around.
"If you don't want to be caught in the aftermath and pass out, everyone below division commander level retreat to the ship"
Before he could finish Marco shouted as well.
"That includes the commanders! Everyone! Fall back!"
Beside him Jozu tilted his head.
"Is that really necessary? I think I can handle it."
Marco ignored him completely. Instead he led everyone toward the shoreline. Walking beside him while carrying Vista Izo asked,
"Even the division commanders? Someone like Jozu with that kind of defense, he should be fine if it's just the shockwaves, right?"
Marco slowly shook his head. While continuing to monitor Vista's condition he replied,
"It's different. In the past when Pops fought Roger they were simply old friends exchanging blows. But this time he's genuinely measuring that guy's strength."
"The reason Pops chose this deserted island right after leaving Fish-Man Island was because he intended to fight with everything he had. Jozu's defense is incredible. But if he falls into the sea he's just another Devil Fruit user. This island is going to sink beneath the ocean."
The moment those words were spoken Izo's expression changed slightly. He looked back at Jozu who was still standing there confidently without the slightest intention of retreating.
"In that case, shouldn't we drag him along?"
Marco chuckled.
"It's good for him to suffer a little. His Diamond Fruit has allowed him to avoid setbacks for too long. And he's one of the oldest division commanders. He needs to recognize just how wide the gap really is. Only then can he draw out even greater potential."
As he spoke Marco glanced at Vista who had already fallen unconscious from blood loss.
"We're all the same. The name 'Whitebeard Pirates' and Pops' title 'The World's Strongest Man' have made us far too proud."
Too proud? Not only Izo but several nearby division commanders who were retreating with the others also looked over. Perhaps "pride" wasn't quite the right word.
The Whitebeard Pirates' emblem was their pride. Perhaps "arrogance" was more accurate. The arrogance born from that name seemed to have been completely shattered today.
That young-looking Cloaked Man, could he actually be some monster from Pops' generation?
Heh.
A monster from Pops' generation? Marco smiled inwardly. He said nothing more. Ever since examining Vista's injuries he had already understood part of Pops' true intention.
Fish-Man Island and its future relationship with the Revolutionary Army might indeed have been important.
But taking advantage of this opportunity to strip away the arrogance that had quietly taken root within all of them was undoubtedly another purpose.
In that case that Revolutionary couldn't possibly be very old. When everyone eventually learned his real age they would probably be completely stunned. Not even the World Government knew the Cloaked Man's true identity.
Naturally the Whitebeard Pirates knew even less. But Pops' age was there for all to see. There wasn't a single powerhouse from the previous generation that he didn't know personally.
So that man was, at the very least, a member of the same new generation as they were.
Meanwhile Whitebeard glanced sideways at Jozu who was still calmly watching the battlefield without the slightest concern. The veins on his forehead couldn't help twitching.
Out of all my sons, this one's the simplest-minded.
Then thinking back to something Roger had once joked about he found it easier to understand.
After all once Jozu turned into diamond even his brain seemed to become as hard as diamond too.
Letting out a sigh Newgate looked toward Rowan.
"Brat. You've done well."
Rowan sighed helplessly.
"If I hadn't understood what you were trying to do, that slash really would have cut him in two."
"Then you'd be the ones insisting I draw my sword. And afterward, you'd also be the ones seeking revenge because your son was killed."
Hearing that, Whitebeard's great white mustache twitched slightly.
"Don't be so prejudiced against pirates, brat."
"On this sea, ninety-nine percent of pirates burn, kill, plunder, and have no sense of honor."
"But the Whitebeard Pirates aren't like that. And I, Whitebeard, am not that kind of man either."
His voice was filled with absolute confidence, and overwhelming pride.
Rowan recalled the time in Wano, when facing Kaido. Back then he had said that Oden was as naïve as Whitebeard and Roger.
Although Rowan still believed Oden couldn't compare to those two when it came to principles and moral boundaries, they truly were alike.
In Rowan's memories, when Whitebeard was young, he had led a group of orphans back in his impoverished hometown.
He hadn't been a thug. Even after his death at Marineford, Marco had continued protecting that poor little island.
"Even if Vista had truly died beneath your blade, that would've been his own choice. We wouldn't start shouting about revenge."
Whitebeard tightened his grip on Murakumogiri.
"This isn't a battle where only one of us can survive."
"Before this, you held back against Marco, Satch, and the others. And that final slash was also something Vista himself requested."
Rowan spread his hands.
"So if he had really died, the worst that would happen is you'd give me a good beating to vent your anger, right?"
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard burst into laughter.
"Brat, you're a fascinating one."
He extended a hand.
"Become my son. You've seen it for yourself. We're family. On this sea, no bond is more genuine than this one."
Rowan let out a slow breath. So this famous scene actually happened to me.
"You know, I don't agree with your ideals."
His refusal was immediate. Then he continued.
"You suffered greatly as a child. After growing stronger, you chose to protect only the people within your reach. There's nothing inherently wrong with that."
"The Revolutionary Army doesn't force anyone to sacrifice themselves for others."
"But our beliefs are fundamentally different."
"My dream, and my will, are to change this decayed, corrupt world. To bring the dawn to every oppressed person in this world."
Rowan nudged the sword slightly from its sheath with his thumb.
"And if I became your son, do you know what would happen?"
"It wouldn't be me carrying the Whitebeard Pirates' name across these seas."
"It would be the Whitebeard Pirates carrying my name. And becoming the World Government's greatest thorn in the flesh."
As those words fell, Newgate threw his head back and laughed loudly. He admitted he had been thinking too simply. In a sense, what Rowan said wasn't arrogance at all.
He had killed five Celestial Dragons. Two of them inside Mary Geoise itself. There was no possibility that the World Government would ever let someone like him go.
If for no other reason than the security of Mary Geoise.
It had merely been a spur-of-the-moment invitation. Now that he thought about it, the Whitebeard Pirates really would become targets of the World Government.
They would inevitably be used as leverage to force Rowan to reveal himself.
"Interesting brat. Then let's begin!"
The moment the words fell, Whitebeard's nearly seven-meter-tall figure instantly appeared before Rowan. Murakumogiri descended from above.
This time Rowan didn't evade with the Flying Thunder God. His own stance had long been prepared. He drew his sword in one fluid motion.
A drawing slash! BOOM! The instant their weapons collided, black lightning exploded in every direction.
The rippling shockwaves spread outward like a massive explosion. The ground, already shattered by their previous exchange, broke apart once again.
Nearby, Jozu transformed half of his body into diamond to withstand the violent aftershocks.
The bearing of a king. Conqueror's Haki coating. This kind of attack was the hallmark of the world's greatest fighters.
Because against those standing at the summit of the New World, even advanced Armament Haki was nothing remarkable.
A monster. A man who can clash head-on with Pops. He's far too powerful. That face is a disguise. His real age can't possibly be young. Otherwise how could he possess such terrifying strength?
During that probing first clash, Rowan could clearly feel the violent vibrations traveling through his sealed Zanpakutō.
Or rather, it wasn't just the sealed Zanpakutō. The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit imbued into that massive blade sent vibrations through Rowan's entire body. Even his internal organs were trembling violently.
If not for the enhancement granted by his Steel Body talent, then with his former physique, his only option would have been to teleport away.
Otherwise, after enduring only a few of those vibrations, his internal organs would have been shattered.
"Facing the World's Strongest Man, if I still held back, that would be disrespectful."
As soon as the words fell, Rowan leaped backward.
"Reduce all creation to ashes. Ryūjin Jakka!"
The moment the release command was spoken, scorching flames erupted. Centered on the blade in Rowan's hand, the temperature of the entire island rose dramatically.
Even Whitebeard Newgate, who stood closest to him, activated his own power at once.
Crack! He threw a punch. Space itself fractured like shattered glass. The terrifying heatwave was blasted apart. Yet it immediately surged back again.
"Gurararara."
Whitebeard's interest was now completely piqued.
"These flames are far hotter than those of that little Marine brat who plays with fire."
"So is this your strongest form?"
Within the sea of flames, Rowan answered unhurriedly,
"For now, yes. This is my strongest state. But before today, no one I'd killed had reached your level."
"And strictly speaking, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit does have a certain restraining effect against my flames."
Whitebeard swung Murakumogiri. Leaping high into the air, he brought it crashing downward.
"Then let's find out, brat!"
Ryūjin Jakka swung upward as well. The two overwhelming forces collided once more.
The blade, burning with a core temperature of six thousand degrees, had been unstoppable until now. Whether at the Sabaody Archipelago, or during the Heavenly Tribute incident in the East Blue, nothing had been able to withstand it.
Under such terrifying heat, even weapons coated with Armament Haki would gradually soften after only a few clashes. Eventually they would melt completely.
But now, facing Whitebeard's masterful Conqueror's Haki coating, and the shimmering vibrations surrounding Murakumogiri, the extreme heat itself seemed to be kept at bay.
"Brat, if this is all you've got, you're still not qualified!"
Whitebeard's voice echoed through the inferno. Murakumogiri split apart the flames. His left fist, wrapped in the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, slammed downward.
Crack! BOOM! Space shattered like a mirror. The flames were blasted apart by the vibrations.
Rowan answered with a punch of his own. Black lightning exploded through the air.
BOOM!! The aftershocks spread endlessly. Scorching flames swept across the deserted island. Centered on Rowan, the earth itself was burned into charcoal.
The very next moment it was shattered apart by Whitebeard's quakes. Along the shoreline, wave after wave crashed endlessly.
Marco transformed into his Phoenix form. He flew over the battlefield before returning to the Moby Dick. His face was filled with shock.
Standing beside him, Izo asked,
"What is it?"
Marco frowned, looking toward the burning island.
"The seawater has already reached at least sixty degrees Celsius. And that's this far away from the battlefield."
"You can imagine how terrifying the temperature must be at the center of the fight."
Izo froze.
"You're worried about Pops?"
Marco waved his hand dismissively.
"As if. Pops' power is far greater than that. I'm worried about Jozu."
"If the temperature keeps rising, and the island gets smashed apart, if he falls into the sea, he'll probably end up half-cooked."
On the other side, Satch, the crew's cook, stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Half-cooked won't taste very good. But if they keep fighting for a few more days, he should be perfectly done."
On another part of the deck, Teach gazed toward the island. His eyes were filled with satisfaction.
This Revolutionary, not only can he teleport, he also possesses such terrifying flames. But as long as it's a Devil Fruit ability, the Dark-Dark Fruit can suppress it.
As long as I can find that Devil Fruit, then even a monster like him can be brought under my command.
True freedom. The life of a true pirate. That is my dream.
Time passed second by second. By now the entire deserted island had been consumed by flames. The terrifying heat could be felt even from the distant sea.
Meanwhile the island itself had already broken apart into seven smaller islands. The power of Whitebeard's quakes had shattered it, as though a colossal earthquake had ripped it apart.
Morning sunlight gradually spread across the sea. Dense fog filled the surrounding waters. Steam blanketed the entire area.
The seawater around the island had been boiling throughout the entire night. Fish that had failed to escape floated belly-up, giving off a strong fishy smell, as though they had been slowly boiled alive.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, everyone was drenched in sweat. Their bodies had turned bright red, like shrimp steaming inside a giant pot.
"Move now!"
Marco finally roared. The Moby Dick began pulling away from the island. There was no choice. If they stayed any longer, the younger crew members would literally be steamed alive.
Just as the ship was about to leave, the sounds of collision, which had continued throughout the entire night, suddenly intensified yet again.
"Oh no!"
Satch looked toward the distant horizon. Sure enough, an enormous tidal wave was already rushing toward them.
"We can't get away in time."
Marco immediately understood. This meant the battle inside the island had reached its fiercest stage. The giant waves raised by Pops would only grow larger from here.
"All new recruits! Get below deck immediately!"
"Division commanders! Break through the waves! We have to get this ship away from this island!"
----------
Advance Chapters: patreon .com/OneFic