BZZZZZ——
Even before they clashed, their terrifying Conqueror's Haki collided in midair, shaking the surroundings as space itself seemed to tremble under the force.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK——!!!
From thin air, countless white cracks spread like shattered glass, threatening to tear the very fabric of space apart. The ground beneath them heaved and buckled violently!!!
"What the hell… If this stalemate keeps up, Fish-Man Island is definitely going to split apart!!!"
"This is insane!!!"
Gazing at the massive shockwaves from the clash, Crocodile's expression grew grim. She raised her hand, summoning a sandstorm to dampen the impact and stabilize the ground.
This was something Orin had instructed her to do in advance.
The Whitebeard Pirates seemed to realize the same danger. They each used their own abilities to try and neutralize as much of the destructive aftermath as possible.
Only Mihawk remained motionless, standing at the bow of the Oro Jackson with arms crossed, his razor-sharp eyes fixed on the collision in midair.
So this… was the clash between the strongest in the world?
He couldn't help but feel the urge to test himself…
The gap between himself and the peak of the world.
Even Yoru trembled slightly in response, as though resonating with Mihawk's desire—yearning to carve a path toward the throne of the strongest.
...
Orin was above, Whitebeard below, while Ace and the famed naginata Murakumogiri collided fiercely in the air.
The battle was at a deadlock.
It was almost identical to that world-shaking clash years ago in the waters of Wano Country, when Roger and Whitebeard's titanic powers had collided.
Back then, Orin had been nothing more than a powerless observer, clinging to a tree trunk just to avoid being blown away by the shockwaves. But now… he was standing at the very center of it all, one of the main forces shaping the clash.
"Getting old already, Whitebeard? To be struggling against the same brat from back then~"
With both hands gripping Ace tightly, Orin unleashed monstrous strength, supreme Conqueror's Haki Infusion, Ryuo, and the power of spatial erasure, channeling every ounce of his strength—just barely managing to meet Whitebeard's peak strike head-on.
He grinned as he spoke, as though mocking Whitebeard.
"Gu ra ra ra ra… Don't talk like this! Even Roger wouldn't dare say something like that!!!"
Perhaps provoked by Orin's taunt, Whitebeard's muscles suddenly bulged like steel cords, his Conqueror's Haki wrapping entirely around Murakumogiri's blade. With monstrous strength equal to Orin's, he swung down violently.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK——!!!
The very air fractured like fragile glass, countless fissures spreading in every direction.
Orin narrowed his eyes, feeling an immense pressure descend upon him instantly.
So this… was the power of the World's Strongest Man?
In terms of raw strength, Orin was still at a slight disadvantage due to his younger age and lack of experience. In this direct clash, he was forced back slightly.
But since the awakening of the Warp-Warp Fruit—now near the level of a true Space Fruit—Orin's overall power wasn't much different from these peak monsters of the world.
At most, it was the difference between 98 and 100.
With a deafening impact, the clash ended.
Both men were forced to retreat under the sheer force of the collision.
In theory, Orin should have been pushed back further, but he instantly activated his fruit's ability, dispersing the kinetic energy.
In the end, both he and Whitebeard stepped back exactly three paces before stopping.
Orin felt a tinge of disappointment. He had thought that, at only twenty-two, he could already stand on equal footing with Whitebeard and even Captain Roger. But it turned out his raw power still fell slightly short.
Yet, to the Whitebeard Pirates watching nearby, this scene was nothing short of absurd.
What the hell… was this?
That Orin… actually fought to a draw with Pops?!
He was just a brat, younger than most of them, younger even than the so-called Supernovas dominating the seas right now!!!
Before making their move on Fish-Man Island, the Whitebeard Pirates had respected Orin's reputation—not only for his rumored strength but also for his overwhelming influence across the world.
They feared that if they angered Orin, the vast underworld network under his control could wreak havoc on their territories and allied islands. His elusive, unpredictable powers made him even more dangerous.
But they had never imagined…
That Orin actually had the strength to face their "Pops" head-on without falling behind!!!
This was Whitebeard—the strongest man of an era, the ruler of the seas!!!
...
The two stood opposite each other, gazes locked, their battle intent burning.
Whitebeard would not allow anyone to challenge his authority, nor threaten his sons or his territory.
Orin, meanwhile, simply wanted to hone himself… and measure the true gap between himself and legends like Captain Roger.
Both were ready for another strike.
But at that moment, a loud, booming voice cut through the tension.
"Both of you!!! Please, wait a moment!!!"
The voice carried tremendous weight, echoing even across the battlefield.
Strangely enough, upon hearing it, both Orin and Whitebeard paused, turning to look toward the source.
"King Neptune, huh…"
Orin's Observation Haki spread outward instantly, locking onto the approaching presence.
A massive figure emerged between them, towering over ten meters tall, his long merfolk tail swaying, a thick beard flowing beneath a golden crown.
It was none other than King Neptune, ruler of Fish-Man Island.
"Newgate, Orin, I beg of you—please, give me some respect! Do not fight here on Fish-Man Island!!!"
Though confused by his sudden appearance, Neptune's gaze was filled with urgency and worry.
He addressed them by name without honorifics, as he was familiar with both of them.
His bond with Whitebeard went back to their youth—they had once been good friends.
As for Orin, it was through the Roger Pirates.
Back when the Roger Pirates had passed through Fish-Man Island, they had even consulted Shyarly for a prophecy. Roger and King Neptune had become close friends then.
At that time, Orin had merely been a rookie intern aboard the Oro Jackson, tagging along behind Roger, forming a faint connection with Neptune.
"Oi, Neptune, the pirates threatening Fish-Man Island haven't even been dealt with yet,"
Whitebeard spoke, subtly implying that Orin was one of them.
"I'd say some uninvited pirates are the ones threatening my territory," Orin countered smoothly, his words sharp yet justified. "I'm just here to raise my Black Sun flag over Fish-Man Island!!!"
Neptune clutched his head in frustration.
Whether it was Orin's Black Sun flag or Whitebeard's pirate flag, both served the same purpose—deterrence.
Just like the islands under Whitebeard's protection or the Duramos Kingdom, raising their flags would grant Fish-Man Island full protection.
But the problem was…
Neptune glanced at the massive cracks tearing across half of Fish-Man Island.
Both of these great pirates wanted to claim Fish-Man Island as their own.
That… was the real problem.
"I beg you both, please calm yourselves!"
"Fish-Man Island cannot withstand power of this magnitude! If you keep fighting, the entire island could shatter, and the ocean will flood in, destroying it completely!!!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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