"Teach," said the captain of the resurrected Fourth Division coldly, his gaze sharp as steel, "I really want to know… what kind of fruit could make you lose your mind—and drive you to kill one of your own?"
"Enough—enough talking! Shut your mouths, all of you!"
Blackbeard roared, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Whitebeard! What's wrong? Are you scared? Don't you dare face me one-on-one?"
A clear provocation—yet an effective one.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's deep laughter rumbled like distant thunder. "You've grown bold, Teach. It seems you've forgotten who taught you everything you know. Very well… let me remind you—today!"
His voice carried the weight of dominance that could shake the seas.
"Marco, Ace," Whitebeard said, raising his hand, "don't interfere. This is the captain's order… and my way of settling accounts with everyone—as your captain!"
"But, Pops—your body…" Marco frowned, his expression dark with worry.
He hadn't forgotten.
Whitebeard's body had already endured too much—
the wound from Squard's betrayal,
the magma blow from Admiral Akainu,
and the countless strikes he had suffered from the Marines' assault.
Even if those were "illusions" within this so-called world of song and legend—
his spirit still bore the scars.
On the surface, the great Whitebeard still looked as mighty as ever,
but inside, his strength was waning.
"Marco," said Diamond Joz, the Third Division Captain, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, "this is the captain's order."
Marco sighed deeply, saying nothing more. He stepped back, joining the other division leaders as they created an open space for the duel.
On the opposite side—
"Thief hahahahaha! You heard him, boys! Fall back! Don't interfere!"
Teach's laughter was filled with triumph.
Seeing that Whitebeard had taken the bait, he raised his hand dramatically, motioning for Catarina Devon, Vasco Shot, and the others to retreat as well.
Within moments, the field cleared—
a hundred meters of space,
with only Whitebeard and Blackbeard standing face to face.
The tension in the air was suffocating.
"Marshal Sengoku," a Vice Admiral asked in a low voice, "are we really just going to stand by and do nothing?"
"No need," Sengoku replied calmly, waving his hand.
His sharp eyes remained fixed on the two titans in the center of the chaos.
Both Whitebeard and Blackbeard were mortal enemies of the Marines.
If they tore each other apart, the Navy could only benefit.
If they both perished—it would be ideal.
But Sengoku knew better.
Such an outcome was almost impossible.
After all, Blackbeard's opponent was none other than the strongest man in the world.
Sabaody Archipelago — Live Broadcast Plaza
"Ooooooooh!"
"What's going on—what's happening now?!"
Tens of thousands of spectators—reporters, civilians, and thrill-seekers alike—stared at the massive live broadcast screens in shock.
"The Four Emperor Whitebeard and the Shichibukai Blackbeard… they're… they're going to fight?"
"Wait—what? A one-on-one duel between Whitebeard and Blackbeard?!"
"This is insane! Completely absurd!"
"How could Blackbeard possibly think he can take on Whitebeard alone?"
"He's got the heart of a bear and the guts of a leopard—does he have a death wish?!"
"Sure, he managed to defeat Fire Fist Ace and become a Shichibukai," one journalist muttered, "but that doesn't make him capable of facing Whitebeard!"
"Exactly! Who does Blackbeard think he is, challenging the world's strongest man!"
The crowd roared with disbelief and mockery.
"Tch," snorted the infamous pirate 'Sea Hound' Skulachman Ap, curling his lip in disdain. "Arrogant fool. How high must that Blackbeard's ego be?"
"This isn't arrogance," said the fallen Marine Rear Admiral Drake, his tone grim. "It's desperation—a man with no other way out."
"But look," said the sky monk Urouge, narrowing his eyes. "That grin… that sly look on Blackbeard's face… He's got something planned."
"Whatever trick or conspiracy he's hiding, it won't matter," said Capone Bege, the Flame Tank Captain. "Against absolute power, schemes mean nothing."
"It's starting," murmured Killer, his voice low, mechanical.
"Let's see," said Eustass Kid, his eyes burning with intensity. "Blackbeard… show us what you can really do—if you truly dare to challenge Whitebeard."