After thirty minutes of selection, the final combatants were decided.
Across the Pirate World, countless pirates stared at that towering figure, their excitement impossible to contain.
The strongest man in the world would not lose.
In contrast, many in the Ninja World felt uncertain.
Can that bowl-cut teacher really win?
Whitebeard exhaled slowly when he saw himself chosen. His body felt lighter—as if he had shed ten years in an instant.
"Might Guy…" Whitebeard murmured, studying the man on the screen.
He wasn't particularly imposing at first glance. Not handsome. Not overwhelming.
Yet Whitebeard could tell.
This man was anything but ordinary.
For the first time in years, he didn't have to worry about illness. About collapse. About death. He could fight freely—without restraint.
Whitebeard gently rested his hand on his blade, Murakumogiri, stroking the hilt like an old friend.
The real battle was about to begin.
"Might Guy," Whitebeard said, laughter rumbling in his chest,"Let me see your strength. Gurarararara!"
Elsewhere, Kaido and Big Mom ground their teeth in frustration.
They knew it.
Whitebeard stood above them all.
At his peak, he had rivaled the Pirate King himself. From the chaos of a lawless era, he had climbed step by step—from a nameless child to the strongest man alive.
Even now, old and sick, burdened by time, no one dared underestimate a man with a bounty exceeding five billion.
Ninja World — Afterlife
Madara Uchiha was so furious he nearly choked.
Once, his name alone had plunged the Ninja World into terror. And now—decades later—he had been overshadowed by a younger generation.
How could he not be angry?
But anger changed nothing.
He watched in silence.
Across the countless worlds, all eyes turned toward the two chosen warriors.
Other Worlds Watching
In the Dragon Ball World, Goku tilted his head.
"They don't seem that strong. Yamcha could probably handle them."
In a ruined city elsewhere, Jun Himeya opened his eyes.
"A battle between humans from different worlds… might be worth watching."
In a distant cosmic battlefield, Kai'Sa paused mid-pursuit.
"They're from low-level civilizations," she noted calmly."But I'm curious what they can really do."
In the next instant, both fighters vanished.
They reappeared on a massive combat stage—over a kilometer wide, shaped like a spinning top, encased in a glowing spherical barrier.
"So this is the arena?" Might Guy said, surveying the open battlefield.
Moments later, Whitebeard strode toward the center, Murakumogiri resting on his shoulder.
His towering presence alone made the air feel heavy.
"That's Whitebeard…?" Naruto whispered, heart racing.
The pressure was suffocating.
Even Madara narrowed his eyes as Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki surged outward like a tidal wave.
"…Interesting," Madara muttered. "Very interesting."
Might Guy studied his opponent carefully.
Whitebeard stood over six meters tall—nearly monstrous.
At first, the sheer size shocked him.
But then he remembered the Nine-Tails from his childhood.
Compared to that… this isn't so strange.
"Such overwhelming pressure," Guy thought."I wonder how it compares to the Eight Gates."
He clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
"Warrior of the Pirate World," he said firmly,"I am Might Guy. It is an honor."
Whitebeard laughed loudly.
"I am Whitebeard—Edward Newgate. The honor is mine."
They locked eyes.
Neither intended to lose.
This battle was not just for victory—but for the pride of their worlds.
In the Hokage's office, Kakashi finally spoke.
"Lord Third… Might Guy—"
"I know," the Third Hokage replied calmly."The Eight Gates are far beyond what we imagine. I believe in him."
Even Naruto stayed silent.
Everyone felt it.
This wasn't an ordinary fight.
Sasuke clenched his fists, sweat running down his back.
For the first time, the idea of running crossed his mind.
"If I were down there…" he thought,"I wouldn't even think of fighting."
Sakura felt it too.
The gentle, cheerful teacher she knew was radiating something terrifying.
On the Marine side, Sengoku's expression darkened.
"This is Whitebeard at full power…"
Kizaru crossed his legs, forcing a smile.
"Scary stuff."
Behind his sunglasses, unease flickered.
Akainu scoffed.
"Just a dying old pirate."
"If he were at his peak…" Garp murmured quietly.
Pirates roared across the seas.
On the Straw Hat ship, Luffy stared, speechless.
"That's him… the strongest man…"
Zoro's hand tightened on his sword.
"That power is beyond anything I've seen."
Elsewhere, Yujiro Hanma stood slowly.
"The purity of that power…" he muttered. "Ridiculous."
Musashi examined his blade, then shook his head.
"It cannot compare."
Baki watched in silence.
Could this man… really be stronger than my father?
The arena fell quiet.
Two legends stood facing each other.
The first clash of the multiverse was moments away.