Chapter 260: The Annoying Whitebeard
On the Moby Dick.
Whitebeard stared at the Dragon Flame before him, the flagship of the Dragon Flame Pirates, his eyes flashing with a hint of shock.
But what truly shook him was the ship itself—there were nine auras onboard comparable to his own, and even that little summoner kid possessed such strength.
Whitebeard grew serious, his domineering tiger-like gaze fixed on the summoner.
Seeing that look, Jiang Qize's lips curved into a teasing smirk. Whitebeard was strong, yes, but he had two fatal flaws: overconfidence in his own strength, and being overly attached to his "sons."
Either flaw alone could easily cost him his life.
Most importantly, none of his subordinates were real powerhouses besides him. Marco… could only prolong a battle. Once his stamina ran out, he'd still die.
"Whitebeard, are you here to welcome us?"
Jiang Qize smiled at him.
"Gulalalala… Summoner kid, you've been making quite a stir lately," Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"So?" Jiang Qize asked.
"Well… why don't you be my son?"
Whitebeard, cheeky as ever, said something irritatingly audacious.
"Ah~"
A shadow blotted out the sky, descending rapidly, carrying terrifying momentum with the howling wind.
Gurgle… gurgle…
Bubbles, steaming and rising from the surrounding waters, appeared around the Moby Dick.
The sea churned violently, rising as a massive Lava Giant emerged from the depths.
On the Dragon Flame.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Massive figures appeared behind Camon and the others, cold eyes locked on Whitebeard's crew, emanating terrifying pressure.
Rumble…
The dark clouds above thickened, lightning dragons rolling across the sky as if the heavens themselves were collapsing.
"You want me to be your son? Ask my crew first. If they agree, I might consider it," Jiang Qize said, smiling at Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's most iconic line had always been: "Be my son."
Never did Jiang Qize imagine he'd hear it, and addressed to him, no less. But he wasn't Ace or the others—he had no interest in adopting a father. If anyone were to take a parent, it would be him.
Waves of terrifying energy distorted the sky and earth, forcing Whitebeard to shift color. A wave of his own fearsome Conqueror's Haki surged out from his body.
Crack… crack…
The aura of the Wind God and the others was instantly crushed. Black lightning slithered through spatial rifts, tearing across the air.
Marco and the rest's pupils shrank in alarm, a heavy pressure settling over them, tinged with guilt.
They hadn't expected the Dragon Flame Pirates to be this overwhelmingly powerful, far stronger than they anticipated.
Seeing Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki, Jiang Qize's lips lifted slightly, and a tangible Conqueror's Haki emanated from him as well.
Boom!!
The clash of the two kings exploded through the space between them, a terrifying shockwave rippling outward.
Boom boom boom…
Columns of water in the distance were blasted upward by the shockwave.
Whitebeard, however, was forced back half a step. His bisento trembled violently in his hands before he stabilized.
At this moment, the Wind God and the others withdrew their auras.
After all, this was meant to be a playful intimidation—pushing too far could be excessive, and they didn't want to harm anyone.
Crack… crack…
Jiang Qize and Whitebeard continued to lock Conqueror's Haki, neither giving ground.
"Old man…"
Marco and the others stood behind Whitebeard's massive frame, faces tense.
For the first time, they had seen their father retreat—even if only half a step.
It was a heavy blow to their faith, shaking them profoundly.