Newgate watched his sons sparring with such enthusiasm that his own hands began to itch.
Whitebeard slowly raised Murakumogiri: "Since we've met, we might as well have a fight, eh?"
Roger drew his sword, Ace, the blade gleaming in the sunlight: "Couldn't agree more!"
Both men broke into wild grins, a unique understanding and respect shared between the strong.
Shanks and Buggy scattered to the sides, eyes widening as they got a close look at Whitebeard: "That's Whitebeard? He's huge!"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, speaking calmly: "Stay where you are. Those two monsters aren't playing around."
Rhett leaned against the mast, a slight smile on his lips: "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on these little troublemakers."
"Boys—"
"Stay back!"
Before the words could fully leave their mouths, two overwhelming waves of Conqueror's Haki collided!
"BOOM—!!!"
The entire island shook violently, rocks on the beach floated into the air, and massive waves exploded from the sea in the distance. The young onlookers were knocked to the ground, their faces filled with awe.
Whitebeard struck first, Murakumogiri infused with the destructive power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, slashing down at Roger!
"Heaven Split!"
Space itself seemed to tear open as a terrifying shockwave surged forth.
Roger laughed, charging forward instead of retreating, fist coated in Conqueror's Haki, and punched out!
"Divine Departure!!"
The two forces collided, creating a massive crater in the center of the island, the shockwave uprooting trees within a hundred-meter radius.
The young spectators were sent tumbling.
Jozu exclaimed in amazement: "This… this is insane!"
Vista gripped his wooden sword tightly: I want to be that strong someday! Is this what it means to be a master swordsman?
Whitebeard advanced with large strides, Murakumogiri sweeping horizontally. Roger leaped back nimbly, countering with a whip-like kick!
"THUD!"
Whitebeard blocked with one hand, the other grabbing Roger's collar, preparing to execute a shoulder throw!
But Roger used the momentum, flipping over and kicking Whitebeard's chin!
"Gurarara! Not bad!" Whitebeard laughed, taking the hit and countering with a punch to Roger's stomach!
Roger was sent flying dozens of meters, but he adjusted mid-air and landed smoothly, grinning: "Again!"
Both men unleashed their strongest Conqueror's Haki, black and red lightning intertwining, the entire island trembling!
"Roger! Try this!" Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri with both hands, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit concentrated to its limit.
"Newgate! Show me your full strength!" Roger's fist was wrapped in unprecedented Haki.
"BOOM————————!!"
The world seemed to lose its color as a hundred-meter-wide crater formed in the center of the island, seawater rushing in to form a small lake.
As the dust settled, Whitebeard and Roger stood facing each other, both laughing.
Whitebeard struck first, Murakumogiri imbued with the power to shatter space, cleaving down at Roger! The ground of the island split into massive fissures, the shockwave sweeping everything in its path!
Roger charged forward instead of retreating, sword slashing horizontally—
The two forces collided, creating a hundred-meter-wide crater in the center of the island, seawater rushing in to form a whirlpool. The onlookers were blown back by the shockwave, even Rhett had to summon a barrier of black mist to shield himself.
"It's not over yet!" Whitebeard roared, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit erupting once more, fist slamming into the ground—
The entire island began to collapse, the crust torn apart, the terrifying shockwave rushing toward Roger!
Roger's eyes burned with fighting spirit, Conqueror's Haki concentrated to its limit, he leaped forward to meet the impact—
"Newgate, try my new move—Portgas D. Ace: Blade of the End!"
A blade of light cut through the sky, the black and red slash piercing through the shockwave, aiming straight for Whitebeard's chest!
"THUD—!"
Whitebeard was forced back dozens of meters, feet carving deep grooves into the ground, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth.
"...Gurarara, impressive." He wiped the blood away, fighting spirit undiminished, though his body swayed slightly.
Roger sheathed his sword, his grin as bold as ever: "Newgate, how was that?"
Whitebeard laughed: "Don't get cocky… I'm just not at my best today."
He slowly straightened up, Murakumogiri planted firmly on the ground: "This fight… you win."
Silence fell over the area.
Marco and the others stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were hearing. Whitebeard… admitting defeat?
Roger stepped forward, extending his fist: "Next time."
Whitebeard grinned, bumping fists with him: "Gurarara… next time won't be so easy."
Whitebeard sat cross-legged, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the firelight. He took a swig of strong liquor, gaze fixed on the distant sea.
"Gurarara… Roger, do you remember Rocks?"
Roger, who was gnawing on a piece of roasted meat, paused, then grinned: "That lunatic? Of course I remember."
Whitebeard fell silent for a moment, his deep voice carrying a weight in the night: "Back then, we all thought power was everything. Rocks sought domination, the ambition to overturn the world… but in the end, none of us found what we truly wanted. You saw it too—the Rocks Pirates were held together by Rocks' iron fist, a scattered group bound only by profit, not trust. As long as the benefit was great enough, the brother who was cordial with you one moment could stab you in the back the next. That's when I started to doubt where I truly belonged."
Roger wiped his mouth, his expression unusually serious: "But you found it, didn't you?"
Whitebeard glanced at the rowdy Marco, Jozu, Vista, and Thatch, a smile tugging at his lips: "Yeah… family. That's where I belong."
The firelight illuminated his face, the usually stern features softened.
Roger laughed heartily, patting Whitebeard on the shoulder: "Kuhahaha! Not bad, Newgate! You're a real dad now!"
Whitebeard chuckled, but then his tone shifted: "What about you? What are you after?"
Roger's smile faded slightly, a thought that had formed after the battle at God Valley.
"The truth."
"The truth of the world, the Void Century, the Will of D… I want to unravel it all."
Whitebeard studied him for a few seconds, then nodded slowly: "Gurarara… that's just like you."
He raised his flask: "Then I wish you luck in finding your answers."
Roger clinked his cup against it, downing the drink: "Yeah, I will!"
Rhett leaned against a nearby rock, blood mist swirling around his fingertips. He listened to their conversation, his expression complex.
Shanks appeared beside him, holding a piece of meat: "Rhett, what are you thinking about?"
Rhett snapped out of his thoughts, ruffling Shanks' red hair: "I'm thinking… what kind of big shots you brats will grow up to be."
Shanks' eyes sparkled: "I want to be a great pirate like the Captain!"
Rhett chuckled: "Is that so? Then work hard."
The night deepened, the bonfire gradually dying down.
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates and Roger Pirates lay scattered across the beach, snoring loudly.
Whitebeard gazed at the stars, suddenly speaking: "Roger, if you ever find the answer… let me know."
Roger lay with his hands behind his head, eyes closed, and smiled: "Kuhahaha! I will!"
The waves gently lapped against the shore, as if bearing witness to this promise.