Chapter 292: Full-Scale War with the Whitebeard Pirates (End)
Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit can erupt countless streams of scorching magma, turning the land into a sea of lava and fire. After awakening his power, he can transform entire regions into burning hells, and his Meteor Volcano technique resembles the apocalypse.
Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit, in an instant, can freeze a thousand miles, turning the area into an endless ice field and snow-covered mountains, freezing everything beneath a layer of cold ice and snow, turning the world into a vast white wasteland.
As for Kizaru... (Sorry, I'm not sure)
Eric 's Thunder-Thunder Fruit, however, has a divine appearance.
Controlling the weather, commanding thunder...
In various mythological systems, gods who govern thunder usually hold a high status.
In Greek mythology, Zeus, the leader of the twelve Olympian gods, wields thunder as a weapon to maintain order between heaven and earth.
And now, Eric is the god of thunder in the pirate world!
In the dark thunderclouds, countless lightning snakes roll and twist, and between heaven and earth, it seems as if only the roar of thunder exists.
"Gu la la la..." Whitebeard laughed fearlessly. "Turning the weather of this island into a battlefield favorable to you? You don't think this will let you win, do you?!"
"Of course, my warm-up has just begun!"
"What a sharp-tongued kid!" Whitebeard swung his Tremor-enhanced Cong Yun Qie, striking hard at Eric .
The awakened Devil Fruit power was also draining Eric 's physical strength. His body began to release currents, the blue electricity surrounding him being pushed to the extreme, emitting a brilliant white light.
His height, which was originally less than two meters, suddenly expanded several times. Eric 's body was surrounded by powerful currents, transforming into a thunder god!
"Thunder of the Gods is here—200 million volts, Thunder God!"
The harsh crackling of electricity reverberated, and the electric orbs around him expanded. In the blink of an eye, Eric grew to nearly the same size as Whitebeard.
"Even if your size increases, your strength won't!" Whitebeard sneered.
"That's not necessarily true!" Eric swung the Fire Tip Spear, now transformed into a "short spear," with purple flames burning at its tip, clashing against Whitebeard's massive blade.
Boom—!
The forces of equal strength made the earth tremble once more.
"Gu la la la... Your size increase has definitely boosted your strength. Kid, come again!" Whitebeard raised his weapon and stood firm, his free left fist infused with Tremor power, swinging heavily at Eric .
Numerous, web-like cracks appeared in the void, and an invisible shockwave shot toward Eric .
"Divine Punishment!" Amidst the endless storm of lightning, Eric 's left arm transformed into flowing lightning, and a massive bolt of lightning shot horizontally, clashing against the incoming shockwave.
At the same time, several lightning bolts shot down from the thunderclouds, striking at Whitebeard.
Boom, boom, boom!
The electric charges vanished in the air, and the shockwaves swung back and forth between the two. The ground around them couldn't withstand the immense force and exploded into crumbles.
"How annoying..." Whitebeard, swinging his sword as if swatting flies, shattered the lightning that could destroy everything.
"..."
Eric silently watched this, but still manipulated the thunderclouds to strike Whitebeard with lightning spears.
"Hey, kid, your lightning is really annoying." Whitebeard inhaled deeply, gripping the hilt of his sword. The destructive power of the world was gathering around Cong Yun Qie. His target shifted to the thundercloud above.
"Tremor Blade, Sky Breaker!"
Crack—!
The air was split by Whitebeard's blade, and a crack in space connected to the heavens. The wind suddenly picked up.
Whitebeard's attack dispersed the thunderstorm, and the unstoppable shockwave tore apart the thick thunderclouds in the sky.
Faint starlight leaked through the gap, only to be covered again by the refilling thunderclouds.
"The changes in the environment after the awakening of the Logia power aren't so easily changed, Whitebeard," Eric smiled. "Feel the baptism of thunder!"
"Gu la la la, if your attack can even touch me, I'll admit defeat!" Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"I didn't come to fight you just to 'touch' you, I came to defeat you!" Eric flashed in front of Whitebeard.
"Kingdom of Heaven!"
"You're just a little brat—Tremor Blade!"
Lightning struck the sky continuously, either targeting Whitebeard to disrupt his attack or hitting Eric to restore his strength. The battle continued into the early hours of the third day.
"Shh!" The sound of a blade cutting into flesh suddenly echoed, jolting the onlookers.
Eric , who had exhausted his energy, was caught off guard and struck by Whitebeard's Naginata.
The blade of Cong Yun Qie split open Eric 's chest and muscles, and the lightning surrounding his body dissipated instantly.
A huge wound sprayed blood, and through it, one could see his beating heart and his rising lungs.
Eric tried to take a deep breath but couldn't get any air, only making a hissing sound as air moved in his chest.
"Eric !"
"Captain!"
Members of the Dawn Pirates rushed toward him with anxious faces.
"Let me help, I can treat him," Marco said, having witnessed all of Eric 's strength over the past three days. Marco was also moved by Eric 's perseverance.
Marco's palm, burning with blue flames, reached for Eric 's wound.
"Eric , you must be okay—Healing!" Wendy, nervously extending her small hands, let a soft light fall, which, combined with "Regeneration Flame," began to repair his broken body.
"Get out of the way, Bullet of Time!" A bullet with the ability to reverse time shot toward Eric .
With all the healing abilities working together, only Eric could enjoy this kind of treatment.
Whitebeard was panting, his age showing, his physical strength greatly reduced. He hadn't fought for two days and nights in a long time.
Members of Whitebeard's crew also watched Eric 's fallen form in awe. At first, they were angered by the news in the papers, but seeing Eric fight Whitebeard made them realize he had the audacity to back up his arrogance!
Even if he lost to their old man, he was far stronger than them, who couldn't even withstand a single blow.
Only Blackbeard's eyes continued to wander over the Dawn Pirates, hoping to find the person with the Dark-Dark Fruit power.
'It seems like none of them have the Dark-Dark Fruit ability, but—' Blackbeard looked at Kurome, the only one who had defeated "Water Buffalo" Atmos in a secluded place. He needed to pay attention.
Having received numerous healing abilities, Eric suddenly opened his eyes.
The members of the Dawn Pirates clearly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Eric , thank goodness..." Wendy's large eyes were filled with tears. Kuina also sighed in relief, murmuring, "You said you wouldn't lose, but didn't you lose? You really had us worried."
"Sorry, my bad," Eric straightened his upper body. Proud Kyouko gave him a "I told you so" look, standing there with her arms crossed.
He gently patted Wendy's head, softly comforting her, then turned to thank Marco for his assistance.
[ Ding... Temporary Mission Completed: The World's Strongest Test ]
[ Gained 4 Achievement Points ]
"Gu la la la... You awake?" Whitebeard walked up to Eric , "Incredible. Among all the enemies I've fought, you're the only one who doesn't carry killing intent. Why is that?"
"Why...?" Eric looked toward the sky. "Killing doesn't solve everything, and— you're still protecting many islands, right? Maybe because of that, I want to protect those defenseless civilians too."
"Gu la la la, in that case, you can inherit my will and become my son!"
"That, I must refuse."
"Hmph, what an unlovable kid." Whitebeard understood from the battle that someone with Eric 's strong will wouldn't easily change his mind.
Whitebeard stood up and called out, "Men, let's go!"
"Wait!" Esdeath and Scáthach blocked the way, "Fight us before you leave!"
"..." Whitebeard made a face of annoyance.
So, the Whitebeard Pirates were delayed for another three days.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10