Kaidou's hulking figure stood up on the Moby Dick. He could have made a more stable entrance by flying, but that would have appeared lacking in grandeur. To make a more intimidating entrance, he chose to jump down from the sky.
Yet, one must admit, the quality of Whitebeard's flagship was quite impressive. Ordinarily, such a landing by Kaidou might have wrecked a less robust ship.
Kaidou greeted Whitebeard like an old friend, so much so that one might think he was there for a friendly visit.
However, Whitebeard's expression was far from friendly; after all, this was his ship.
"Stand back, he's not someone you can handle!"
Even though they hadn't seen each other for many years, judging by his performance back then and the recent news about Kaidou, it was evident that Kaidou had become an undisputed monster—not an opponent his sons could deal with.
As the crew members contemplated attacking Kaidou due to his invasion, Whitebeard's first response was to stop them.
Kaidou then slowly walked up to Whitebeard amidst the watchful eyes of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Newgate, you've gotten old."
Under Whitebeard's old hat were once golden locks, but now he wrapped his head with a scarf, his face more lined with wrinkles. At 61, Whitebeard wasn't yet the picture of feebleness, but he was indeed an old man.
At 46, in the pirate world, Kaidou was in his prime. Edward Newgate, Rocks, and Roger had all left a deep impression on him.
Seeing a former monster grow old, even he felt a bit sentimental.
"You brat, you've got some nerve to come aboard my ship. But since you're here, tell me how my brother Oden is doing!"
"That fool is your brother? He's dead, died seven years ago in a rebellion instigated by Kurozumi Orochi." Without concern, Kaidou spouted lies. Some truths were universally known but deliberately unmentioned. Currently, Kozuki Oden's cause of death was portrayed this way.
Dying due to Kurozumi's rebellion was the best way for the Hundred Beasts to rule Wano Kuni.
Oden is dead.
That word struck the Whitebeard Pirates like a bolt of lightning, even causing Whitebeard's pupils to contract in agitation. In an instant, he grasped his large sword with both hands, its blade entangled with terrifying Haki, slashing towards Kaidou.
Twelve Supreme Great Blade - Murakumogiri, a weapon that had accompanied Whitebeard through many battles. He refrained from using his Quake-Quake Fruit ability because employing it here would first harm his crew.
"How could Oden! Die because of a nameless plot!"
"Ohohoho, bring it on!"
The Hassaikai was similarly infused with Haki, not Armament but Supreme King!
Whitebeard's Murakumogiri was the same. Though aged, he hadn't reached the point of incapacity, and in a way, health tonics from the Hundred Beasts made his body more robust.
Though elderly, his power was still in its prime, far from losing the ability to gather Supreme King.
The Wolf Fang Club and the large sword clashed, and an epic Haki confrontation began. Terrifying auras spread from the collision's origin, first impacting the nearby crew members. The mere collision of auras sent these elite pirates of the New World flying.
The ship's railing creaked under the aftermath, fine cracks appearing on the hull.
"Take care of the others nearby! Newcomers retreat! This level of battle isn't for your eyes!"
Marco's feet transformed into bird talons gripping the deck. Even he felt on the verge of being blown away by the clash of auras.
The Sea roared with larger waves, the sky's clouds parted, and the sea breezes howled, as if the world lamented the clash of these two titans.
On a distant surveillance ship, a Navy soldier shouted into his communicator.
"This is surveillance ship 127! This is surveillance ship 127! Kaidou is fighting Whitebeard on the Moby Dick. I repeat! Whitebeard is battling Kaidou!"
After Kaidou extorted Whitebeard's location from another surveillance ship, the boat monitoring Whitebeard sprang into action. Their nerves had been tense for days, yet today they realized they had underestimated the world's top powerhouses.
.....
"Kid, you've grown a lot over the years."
In his struggle with Whitebeard, Kaidou did not fall behind. His Machamp strength and Supreme King entanglement were neck and neck with Whitebeard. Whitebeard deeply understood that today's Kaidou was not the kid he knew back then.
Protected by Charlotte Linlin, the young Kaidou had once lived safely on the ship. Now, he was a monster on par with Whitebeard.
"No, you're the one, old man. You're so ancient yet still a beast."
"What really happened to Oden?"
"Didn't I already say, that bozo died seven years ago because of his underling's plot."
Boom!
The large sword and Wolf Fang Club clashed again, anger clouding Whitebeard's face.
"If your aim was to infuriate me, then success is yours. Did you come to announce Oden's cause of death? Is that why you're here now?"
Kaidou appeared here after Izou discovered a clue; one didn't need to think hard to see the problem.
"Whether you believe it is irrelevant. That's the present state of affairs in Wano Kuni. That guy's daughter is now acting as the General of Wano Kuni, and I'm its protector. It is my territory now.
I'm not here to chit-chat, but to formally challenge you. Although, if you're up for a fight now, I'm not afraid. Provided you can handle the consequences!"
In their struggle, Kaidou transformed himself. Escaping combat without entering Human-Beast Form wasn't easy, and Whitebeard did not pursue. As Kaidou said, Whitebeard couldn't afford such losses.
Engaging Kaidou fully would result in considerable casualties, regardless of victory or defeat.
"Challenge?"
"Seven days from now, let's settle this on that island. If you doubt Oden's cause of death, then defeat me there and we'll talk!"
So saying, he tossed an Eternal Pose of an island, then leapt into the sky on flame clouds, fully aware that Whitebeard would undoubtedly accept this challenge.
This was his intention; a full-scale war wasn't in his interest, but not battling left him itching for action. Thus, by fighting Whitebeard, he could keep the conflict within a limited scope.
Yet, in his mind, Oden's worth dropped further; having the status of Whitebeard's brother and not utilizing it seemed outright foolish to him.