Originally, each of them had hoped to put on a spectacular display in this duel, yet none had expected the space-time pendulum to choose the combatants.
Now, there was no chance for anyone.
Might Guy was undoubtedly strong—not merely ordinary strength, but a presence so firm and calm that it radiated confidence even in the face of extreme danger.
Yet no matter how powerful Might Guy was, if his opponent was Ashveil, then victory was impossible.
In comparison to Ashveil, this Pot Lid Head, despite his strength, seemed trivial—like a mere clown. There was no doubt about it.
Was there anyone stronger than Ashveil in the entire Other World? On that point, everyone still had immense trust in Ashveil's abilities. The shock he caused was simply too overwhelming.
Someone who needed no cultivation, who after just a little over a month at sea could overturn a rule that had lasted eight hundred years—this talent surpassed even the mightiest of monsters.
On the vast sea, a Red-Haired man smiled knowingly.
"There's no hope now. I had hoped for an evenly matched battle, yet the space-time pendulum directly named Ashveil."
"What's the point of fighting now? As long as Ashveil wishes, he can defeat that Pot Lid Head with a mere flick of his finger."
Lucky Roux gnawed thoughtfully on his large chicken leg.
"There's no hope. Ashveil will instantly dispatch that strangely dressed fellow."
Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, wore a disappointed expression.
"Sigh… as soon as Ashveil makes a move, that guy will surely fall. From the moment the space-time pendulum spoke Ashveil's name, Might Guy was already doomed."
While others expressed disappointment, Ashveil shouted casually toward the space-time pendulum in the sky.
"What a joke, space-time pendulum, actually calling my name! Don't you know I just went through a big battle and need to rest? I choose to forfeit this fight!"
The statement stunned everyone. Unexpected, yet somehow fitting Ashveil's calm and confident demeanor.
With Ashveil stepping aside, the opportunity to face Might Guy fell to Marco. Excited, Marco saw this as his chance to prove himself. Envy, jealousy, and resentment spread among others who had hoped for the spotlight.
Even Edward Newgate, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, revealed a tinge of envy.
"Marco, you're incredibly lucky. Such an opportunity must be seized," Whitebeard said, the gleam of jealousy in his eyes.
The Red-Haired Pirates, observing from afar, expressed similar frustration.
Red Hair Shanks shook his head.
"I had hoped to steal some of Ashveil's recent limelight, but the space-time pendulum's decision favors Marco. He truly got lucky."
Benn Beckman walked up, cigar in hand, smiling bitterly.
"Haha, Marco is fortunate this time. If this chance had come to our crew, we would surely have defeated that Pot Lid Head. Now, the glory belongs to the Whitebeard Pirates."
Though disappointed, the Red-Haired Pirates watched intently.
In the Whitebeard Pirates' area, Marco bristled with excitement.
"Hahaha, this is perfect, Pops. Today, I'll prove myself and show the world that our Whitebeard Pirates aren't strong only because of Ashveil. I, Marco, am formidable too!"
For days, he had been a mere bystander during Ashveil's battles, at times feeling insignificant. Now, he finally had his chance.
Blue flames erupted around Marco as he ascended into the sky. Might Guy, eyes gleaming, emitted a green aura and charged forward.
"You, from the Other World, do not understand Haki. In the presence of my blue flames, your defenses are meaningless. This battle is already won for me!" Marco proclaimed.
Might Guy frowned.
"What Haki?" he asked.
"In front of youth, I can break all defenses. The Azure Beast of Konoha enters!" Might Guy roared.
A white, ferocious tiger formed instantly, charging toward Marco.
Boom!
Blue flames clashed with the white tiger mid-air. The sky itself seemed to shatter under the collision of two auras from different worlds.
Marco plummeted, blood at his mouth, disbelief etched on his face.
"This… how is this possible? You could bypass my defense?" he stammered.
Might Guy's strike had indeed seemed like an unusual Armament Haki, though Marco could not comprehend it.
"You call this Genjutsu, right? I've specially trained to counter defenses like yours. A little Chakra is enough to find your body and strike," Might Guy said confidently.
The Whitebeard Pirates watched in stunned amazement. They knew Marco's strength—comparable to an mid Admiral—but Might Guy had defeated him instantly. And this wasn't even Might Guy's strongest attack; his red aura hadn't yet been unleashed.
Marco's blue flames flared as his regeneration accelerated, smoke rising from his swiftly healed wounds.
Might Guy's face lit up with excitement.
"You… you're a monster, aren't you? I must end this with a single, powerful blow."
Marco, realizing the gravity of his opponent's strength, activated his half-beast form. Sharp claws sprouted from his feet, and his body began to transform.
Might Guy widened his eyes.
"You… a rare beast," he said in astonishment. This reminded him of someone he had once defeated, a shark-like creature. This time, a formidable avian opponent appeared.
Marco flapped his wings and struck Might Guy with claws wrapped in Armament Haki.
Boom!
The collision unleashed a terrifying surge of energy, cracking the ground beneath them. Even Whitebeard and Golden Lion Shiki felt the immense power radiating from the combatants.
"This Pot Lid Head's strength is remarkable!"
"Terrifying physical techniques… can Marco withstand them?"
Despite Marco's defensive enhancements, Might Guy's absolute power prevailed. Marco retreated, a bitter smile forming. He had hoped to gain glory, but now his defeat was undeniable.
Might Guy, seeing Marco falter, opened the Eighth Gate.
"One Foot!!!"
A massive shockwave surged forward. Marco predicted the attack with Observation Haki and attempted to dodge, confident in his Devil Fruit speed.
Yet from afar, Ashveil watched leisurely, expressionless.
"This battle is over. Marco has failed," Ashveil said.
The Whitebeard Pirates reacted with shock.
"No way! Marco is the first division commander of the strongest crew, with a Devil Fruit Awakening almost equal to an Emperor. And yet Ashveil declares him defeated by this Other World warrior?" Ten Yasha Doflamingo exclaimed.
Empress Hancock's eyes widened in disbelief. She knew Marco's prowess well—his feats during Marineford were legendary—but he had fallen to Might Guy, a stranger from another world.
"Could Ashveil be mistaken?" Flower Sword Vista asked timidly.
Instantly, all eyes turned on him. Ashveil—was a god-like figure in this world. The probability of error was effectively zero. Vista quickly retracted his words, realizing his mistake.
"Of course, Ashveil wouldn't be wrong. My carelessness," he admitted nervously.
Even Empress Hancock scolded him.
"Exactly, Vista. How could you doubt Ashveil's prediction?" she said disdainfully. Vista dared not retort, aware of his error.
As Ashveil predicted, Might Guy's shockwave struck Marco directly, who was unable to evade it despite his efforts. The terrifying strength before him had clearly surpassed even Emperor-level standards.
Marco's eyes widened.
He finally realized that the man in front of him was beyond formidable.
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