On the western shore of the island.
The Whitebeard Pirates were landing one after another.
Leading the charge was a man wearing samurai attire with two swords at his waist.
His strides were enormous, covering several meters with each step as he eagerly rushed toward the center of the island.
Kozuki Oden.
It had been four years since he joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
During these four years, he had followed Whitebeard in conquering the New World, already considering the Whitebeard Pirates his home.
But now, his heart was racing inexplicably.
From the other end of the island, an immensely powerful aura emanated.
"Interesting!" Oden grinned and quickened his pace.
Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the island, the Roger Pirates noticed the figure sprinting toward them.
Rayleigh drew his saber, while Gaban raised his twin axes.
Standing side by side, they fixed their gaze on the rapidly approaching figure.
"The one coming seems quite strong," Gaban narrowed his eyes. "Shall we stop him, Rayleigh?"
"Agreed," Rayleigh shifted his blade, adopting a combat stance.
"Wait, you two!"
Roger suddenly rushed out from behind, pushing them aside as he laughed heartily:
"Let the captain handle this! I don't want you two getting hurt!"
Before the words faded, he charged straight toward Kozuki Oden.
Rayleigh and Gaban remained where they were, muttering:
"He's just itching for a fight himself."
"Who can't see through the captain's intentions?"
At that moment, Kozuki Oden was dashing through the forest.
He could sense the powerful aura closing in on him.
Closer and closer, clearer and clearer—
Finally, a figure burst through the gaps in the trees ahead.
That intense aura—it was from this man!
Oden's eyes lit up, his blood boiling with excitement.
"Hello there, samurai," Roger grinned.
No sooner had he spoken than he struck.
So fast that Oden couldn't even see it clearly!
All he perceived was a blur as the figure closed in.
Then, a flash of blade light—
"Divine Departure—!"
A single slash descended!
Before Oden could even draw his swords, an overwhelming force struck him through the air.
It wasn't the blade itself, but the Conqueror's Haki enveloping it.
Through the air, it slammed directly into him!
"Guh—!"
Oden spat out a mouthful of blood, his body sent flying backward like a cannonball.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
He crashed through seven or eight large trees, shattering each one to splinters.
Finally, he slammed into a mountainside, embedding himself into the rock wall.
"Cough... cough..."
Oden struggled free from the rock wall, landing on the ground utterly bewildered.
What... just happened?
He hadn't even seen how his opponent drew his blade before being sent flying.
"Is this the power of a top-tier fighter?!"
There was no fear in Oden's eyes, only intensified excitement.
Wiping the blood from his lips, he charged forward again.
But just then—
A massive figure leaped over his head!
Whitebeard!
With one great leap, he soared over Oden, rushing toward Roger.
His Cloud Cutter raised high!
"Here he comes?!"
When Roger saw that familiar figure, the excitement in his eyes intensified.
He tightened his grip on his saber and charged forward!
Whitebeard leaped down from mid-air, his Cloud Cutter slashing down fiercely!
Roger swung his blade to block!
Clang—!!!
The moment their blades collided, the heavens and earth changed color!
Countless black and red Conqueror's Haki lightning bolts erupted and swept wildly across the island.
The white clouds in the sky were torn to shreds, and the sea was stirred into towering waves.
The shockwave swept through like a hurricane, breaking trees and shattering rocks wherever it passed.
On the island, those with slightly weaker strength were directly blown away by this powerful blast.
"Waaah—!"
Buggy was sent tumbling across the ground several times, only managing to stabilize himself by grabbing onto a reef.
Shanks also clung tightly to a tree, his eyes fixed intently on the two figures clashing within the brilliant light.
Clang—!!!
Another tremendous clash!
Both Roger and Whitebeard were forced back several steps, their eyes locked on each other.
Whitebeard grinned:
"You're full of spirit, Roger!"
Roger laughed in response:
"Long time no see, Newgate!"
The two stared at each other for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter simultaneously.
"Gurararara!"
"Hahaha!"
By now, members of both the Whitebeard Pirates and Roger Pirates had arrived, standing behind their respective captains.
The air was thick with tension.
"Hand over all your treasures!" Roger and Whitebeard said simultaneously.
As soon as the words fell—
"Charge!"
Marco the Phoenix led the assault!
He spread his blue flame wings and shot toward the Roger Pirates.
The rest of the Whitebeard Pirates followed closely behind.
Rayleigh drew his sword and pointed: "Take everything!"
The combatants of the Roger Pirates surged forward!
The great battle had erupted!
Main battlefield: Roger vs Whitebeard.
The two clashed once again!
Blades crossed, Haki radiated everywhere!
Each collision caused earthquake-like tremors, each exchange tore through the sky.
The other battlefields were equally intense.
Rayleigh faced Marco the Phoenix.
Marco darted through the air, swift as lightning.
His claws wrapped in Haki, he repeatedly struck at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh's swordsmanship was exquisite, each precise slash deflecting Marco's attacks.
"Kid, your ability is quite interesting," Rayleigh laughed.
"Old man, you're not bad either!" Marco grinned, pouncing again.
Gaban confronted Kozuki Oden.
Oden drew his twin swords, his blade work expansive and powerful, each strike carrying immense force.
Gaban swung his twin axes, clashing fiercely with Oden's dual blades!
Sparks flew, Haki radiated!
"Samurai, your swords are good!" Gaban praised.
"You too!" Oden laughed excitedly, charging forward again.
The ten-meter tall giant Nozdon faced Diamond Jozu.
This was a pure collision of strength against strength!
Nozdon slammed his fist down, Jozu raised his diamond-hard arm to block.
Boom—!!
The shockwave spread outward, cracking the ground with countless fissures!
"Hahaha! That's the stuff!" Nozdon roared with laughter.
"Again!" Jozu grinned, equally excited.
Sword Master Taro faced Vista.
Vista's twin blades were elegant and nimble, fast as lightning.
Since eating the Quick-Quick Fruit, his speed had reached astonishing levels.
Taro's swordsmanship was superb, but now he could only defend passively, struggling to parry.
"So fast!" Taro gritted his teeth, desperately blocking.
Vista's sword gleamed like snow, striking from all directions, leaving him no chance to counterattack.
The younger crew members were not idle either.
Teach, Thatch, and the other youths of the Whitebeard Pirates faced off against Shanks and Buggy.
After three days and nights of fierce battle, neither side gained the upper hand.