However, the attack missed Kizaru.
The massive slash of energy didn't stop.
It continued its downward trajectory in a perfectly straight line, and everything in its path was simply annihilated.
The sturdy deck of the pirate ship, the solid walls of the hull—they were like paper against the overwhelming force, effortlessly split in two.
The Marine warship docked directly below suffered the same fate, instantly cleaved apart with a deafening shriek of tearing metal and a tremor that shook the entire archipelago.
The terrifying slash finally hit the sea.
BOOM!
The ocean itself was violently torn open by the invisible force, forming a massive, churning trench in the water.
The shockwave erupted outwards, tossing other ships in the distance like bath toys.
Some rocked violently, while others capsized completely, their crews screaming as they were thrown into the chaotic waves.
The whole scene looked like the apocalypse, both terrifying and breathtaking.
Kizaru stared, his lazy demeanor completely gone.
He was in shock, watching the sudden appearance of Whitebeard.
A cold sweat dripped from his forehead, soaking the collar of his pinstripe suit—a clear sign of how close he'd just come to death.
That single slash...
"Gurararara! Jozu, watch and learn," Whitebeard's voice boomed across the wreckage. He seized the moment to drive home a lesson.
"See? Do you still think your Devil Fruit makes you invincible now?"
Gripping his massive naginata, Murakumogiri, he stood atop the bisected pirate ship like a god of destruction, his gaze fixed sharply on his son.
Jozu lowered his head, a wave of frustration washing over him.
While his Devil Fruits had given him an edge, the truth was unavoidable: his Haki just wasn't on Kizaru's level, and it had ultimately cost him the fight.
The advantage he'd gained through surprise had slowly but surely slipped away.
"Yes, Pops... I understand," Jozu finally replied.
His voice was a little shaky, but his resolve was firm.
He knew now.
He needed to train his Haki like never before.
He couldn't just rely on his abilities anymore if he wanted to stand his ground in the battles to come.
When Whitebeard appeared, everyone else was simply stunned into silence.
What in the hell was going on? They were fighting a single commander, and suddenly an Emperor of the Sea just… showed up?
And that attack!
It was a casual swing with the force of a world-ending ultimate move, splitting a warship clean in half.
The sight sent a shiver down everyone's spine.
Kizaru stood not far away, his eyes locked on Whitebeard, his mind reeling.
He had no idea where the old man had come from.
There had been no warning, no sign.
If he hadn't reacted on pure instinct, that bisected warship would have been him.
The thought made him shudder.
"Ooh," Kizaru murmured, his voice deadly serious for once.
"The old man is genuinely scary now."
This time, he meant every word.
There was no taunting, no holding back.
Not only that, but Kizaru's keen senses told him something else, something deeply unsettling.
The Whitebeard standing before him seemed to be in even better condition than the last time they'd met.
The aura radiating from him was stronger, more vibrant, as if he'd gotten a new lease on life.
This put Kizaru on edge.
A healthy Whitebeard was a global-level threat.
...
"Pops," Jozu said, his earlier gloom vanishing instantly.
"So... Kizaru is yours?" He then turned, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he looked at the terrified Marines on the other warships.
"In that case, I'll go do some shopping. Our supplies are running out way too fast, especially with those dragons—each one eats and drinks like a pig."
Whitebeard gave a slight nod, a glint of approval in his eyes.
"Naturally. More power means a bigger appetite. Be careful."
With that, Jozu's body erupted in a dazzling light.
He transformed into a streak of light, shooting toward the nearest warship.
After tracing a graceful arc through the air, he landed solidly on its deck.
He took a moment to steady himself, then glanced around at the Marines who were scrambling back in fear.
He flashed a pearly white grin that was anything but friendly.
"Alright, boys! Hand over all the valuables! This is a robbery!"
The Marines froze, their fear momentarily replaced by incandescent fury.
They were the proud Navy!
How dare this pirate openly try to rob them?! It was the ultimate disgrace!
"Damn you!" a young Marine roared, his hand on his sword. "We... we...!!!"
But the fire in their hearts was quickly doused by the cold reality of the situation.
They were facing a man who had just gone toe-to-toe with an Admiral and held his own.
If they fought, they'd get slaughtered.
The entire deck fell into a tense, heavy silence.
Jozu's sharp gaze swept over them, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
"So, you're not planning to cooperate?" His voice was a low, deathly whisper that sent a chill down their spines.
"In that case, I'll have to take matters into my own hands. Ron taught me a valuable lesson: if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself."
A few brave Marines started to step forward, but at that moment, a dazzling golden light shot from Jozu's outstretched hand, fast as a meteor.
BOOM!
The farthest patrol boat was struck, erupting in a violent, ear-splitting explosion.
Flames shot into the sky, and a thick column of black smoke billowed toward the clouds.
The sight froze the advancing Marines in their tracks, their faces filled with involuntary terror.
The deck fell into a dead silence, the only sounds being the crackling of distant flames.
One Marine stammered, "Th-that power... it's just like Admiral Kizaru's Laser Cannon!"
Another soldier put it more bluntly. "No, you idiot. That is the Laser Cannon! And anyone who tries to stop him is the next target!"
With those words, any last shred of resistance died.
No one dared to even twitch.
They saw another flash of golden light, and Jozu vanished.
A moment later, his wild, gleeful laughter echoed up from inside the warship's hold.
"Hahaha, what fine wine! Leaving this stuff on a Marine ship is a waste! I'll take it!"
"Drunk Horse Fish from the West Sea?! This is top-quality stuff! Mine!"
"Fresh milk, too? You guys are living in luxury! Take it, i take it all!"
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