Shanks and Redfield's head slammed into each other with a heavy crack.
In the instant their skulls collided, arcs of Haki flashed like lightning.
Both men rolled their eyes back almost simultaneously and collapsed unconscious on the spot.
It wasn't just Ian's physical strength behind that impact. The surge of Haki carried the true force of the blow.
His body was stronger than theirs by a clear margin, and his Haki surpassed them even further. From the start, there was never any room for surprises in a fight like this.
Even monsters like Shanks and Redfield couldn't endure a serious strike from Ian.
With such an overwhelming gap in every aspect, the result was nothing less than a difference of dimensions.
"How is this possible…"
Vista staggered, then dropped to the ground.
His once-straight spine slumped as if its strength had been drained.
The Fifth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates looked pale as a sheet, sweat pouring down his forehead like rain.
"How… how could something like this happen… How could this even be real…"
How could anyone in this world be that strong?
That was Charlotte Linlin, Redfield, and Shanks.
Three of the most powerful pirates alive—defeated by Ian in just a few casual moves?
How could such a gap even exist?
An illusion. This had to be an illusion… right?
"IAN!!"
A furious roar shook the entire island, rippling all the way across the sea.
Whitebeard charged forward, dragging his massive naginata behind him. The moment he closed in, he performed a dragging slash, the Supreme Grade blade wrapped in both types of Haki and trembling with quake energy. It cut through the air like lightning, cleaving straight down toward Ian.
Then—
Ian raised his left hand and caught the blade between his fingers.
"Oh?"
Ian grinned. "That shock is really something. My hand's almost numb."
"Raaah!!"
Whitebeard didn't even try to pull the naginata back. Instead, he released it entirely. His right fist swelled with quake force and Haki, muscles bulging as he drove a full-powered punch at Ian.
Ian lifted his right hand.
Whitebeard's punch crashed into an invisible wall of Haki.
After a brief stalemate, Whitebeard was suddenly blasted backward by the terrifying force of Ian's Haki.
His right arm trembled—not from using his ability, but because the clash had shaken the muscles along the entire limb.
Whitebeard staggered several steps, only managing to steady himself when his right foot slammed heavily into the ground.
When he lifted his head to look at Ian, his eyes had already darkened to a stormy gloom.
"So then, Whitebeard-san," Ian casually tossed Murakumogiri back to him and took a calm step forward. "Where exactly is the last Road Poneglyph? Would you mind handing it over honestly?"
"Ian…"
Whitebeard took back his beloved blade, straightened his posture, and both his expression and tone became unbearably complex.
He couldn't win.
In all his long decades of life, this was the first time such a clear and unmistakable thought had taken root in his mind.
The kid standing before him—young compared to his many sons—possessed strength so monstrous it defied imagination.
A part of him even doubted whether Ian was truly human, truly someone born on this sea.
Could any sentient being in this world reach such a level?
"I can tell you where I hid that Road Poneglyph."
That was what Whitebeard said.
Ian's lips curved upward, understanding immediately. "Then in return, I can grant you one request—I'll spare the lives of your children."
"You know they mean nothing to me. As long as they don't show up in front of me looking for trouble, I can't be bothered to deal with them."
"Then I thank you."
Whitebeard nodded lightly, letting out a faint breath of relief.
"Pops!!"
Marco's tears burst forth in an instant.
In that moment, he understood exactly what decision the father he respected most had just made.
But what son could watch his father walk toward death and remain unmoved?
Marco's arms transformed into bright blue wings, beating fiercely as his body shot upward, streaking through the air like a blue meteor.
"Marco! Take everyone and leave!"
Whitebeard slammed his naginata into the ground and roared.
"This is the captain's order!"
Marco froze mid-flight, his wings rigid.
"Pops…"
Tears streamed from Marco's eyes like a broken dam.
"Father!"
Whitebeard Pirates members were crying just as hard.
"Don't you feel anything at all?"
Mihawk glanced sideways again, watching Teach out of the corner of his eye.
Teach looked completely unfazed. With a righteous, matter-of-fact tone, he said, "This was Pops' own decision. No one has the right to question it."
"Since he chose to stand against Lord Ian, this outcome was inevitable."
Mihawk's mouth twitched slightly.
Ian truly accepted anyone under his banner—cold, ruthless, and without restraint.
A man like Teach would betray the moment he found the chance.
But then again, this was Ian—the unmatched, invincible man across all eras.
Before someone like him, this black-bellied glutton probably wouldn't ever get that opportunity.
"Listen well, my sons!"
Whitebeard didn't turn around. His broad back faced the tear-stricken sons behind him.
"This is your captain's final order! The Whitebeard Pirates disbands today! From now on, none of you are allowed to be pirates again! Go live the lives that belong to you!"
"Pops! W-wahhh!"
The pirates of the Whitebeard crew broke down completely.
They cried like children on their first day of kindergarten.
Thinking about it… it wasn't far from the truth.
They really were about to lose their shelter.
"So the era of the Whitebeard Pirates ends here?"
Mihawk crossed his arms, tone filled with a wistful sigh. "That grand, turbulent era has finally reached its closing curtain."
"Zehahaha!"
Teach burst into wild laughter. "From here on, it's Lord Ian's era!"
Mihawk didn't deny it.
Only one enemy remained.
After finishing all his final arrangements, Whitebeard looked toward Ian with contentment.
"Forgive me, but these last words must be spoken."
"I understand."
Ian nodded lightly. "So, where exactly is the last Road Poneglyph?"
"At the Sphinx," Whitebeard replied. "I placed that Road Poneglyph in my homeland, on the highest peak along the northern coast. There's a lighthouse there, just beneath it."
"I see."
Ian nodded again. "Don't worry, we're only after the Road Poneglyph. Your homeland isn't of interest."
"Kurarararara!!"
Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter.
One had to admit, putting aside their opposing sides, this kid wasn't actually annoying. Fate had a strange way of working.
**********
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