Whitebeard was panting heavily, staring in disbelief at Rimuru, who still looked perfectly fine—even after taking hundreds of his punches head-on. What the hell was this situation?! His plan had been to drag the fight out, wear Rimuru down through attrition. But now, to his horror, it was clear—he was the one running out of gas! If he hadn't just now used every ounce of strength he had to quake the space around them and knock Rimuru back, he might've already lost.
"What's wrong, Grandpa Whitebeard? Is my tiny little fist too much for you to handle~?" Rimuru asked with an expression that tried so hard to look 'innocent'—but was absolutely dripping with mockery. He even held up his tiny fist for added effect. "Do you want me, a cute little kid, to go easy on you—the strongest man in the world?"
You laughed at me earlier, huh? Then get ready to experience the real hardships of life.
Let you off the hook? Ha! In your dreams! You're talking to Rimuru the Grudge-Hoarder, full name: Ri-Super-Petty-Mu-Vengeful-ru! Every single person who's ever wronged me has their name written down in the endless archives of Wisdom King Raphael's Infinite Library! I may not settle the score right away, but once the time comes… oh baby, the payback's served piping hot with a side of suffering. (╭(╯ε╰)╮)
Whitebeard looked at Rimuru, whose face now practically screamed "petty villain finally getting his moment," and his eye twitched uncontrollably. Was this kid seriously this vindictive? Acting like a brat...
Wait a minute—kid! Whitebeard gave Rimuru another glance. He really was just a kid! Ahhh… fine. You raise the storm, you get the flood. Time to reap what you sow.
"One blow to decide the winner," Whitebeard declared, tightening his stance. He didn't have much left—this was all or nothing now.
"Sure," Rimuru nodded. He didn't want to win by dragging it out either.
Whitebeard began concentrating all his Armament Haki into his right fist. The already jet-black hand darkened further, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. It looked like the very essence of darkness, with raw Haki vapor spiraling off of it like steam.
"Guess I'll have to take this seriously too," Rimuru muttered, eyes narrowing as he sensed the terrifying energy.
"Black Flame."
Out of nowhere, a black fire burst to life on Rimuru's right hand. The energy it gave off warped the very space around it.
The two lunged at each other at the same time, their feet shattering the ground beneath them with the sheer force of their launch.
BOOM!!
With a deafening explosion, their fists collided.
In that instant, half the island was swallowed by rifts in space—while the other half burned under the relentless black flames.
The island split in two.
"Damn it!" Marco felt the monstrous force bearing down on them. "Fall back! Everyone, retreat now!"
But it was already too late. A massive tidal wave had formed and was rushing in.
"All division commanders, stop the wave!" Marco shouted. He shot forward, transforming into his phoenix form, brilliant flames bursting from his wings.
"Undying Flame!" Marco unleashed a sea of fire, blocking the brunt of the oncoming water.
"Flower Sword: Blossom Sky." Petals began blooming midair, gentle at a glance—but strong enough to slice open the wall of water. Flower Sword Vista had stepped in!
One by one, each commander brought out their trump cards. The surge was finally stopped.
Marco was gasping for breath. He was completely exhausted—he'd burned through almost all his strength to keep the flames going.
"How did it end...?" he asked, shaking his head and looking toward the island.
The smoke slowly began to clear.
Rimuru's silhouette appeared first—still standing.
Whitebeard lay unconscious beside him.
Rimuru had won.
"Pops… lost?" The Whitebeard Pirates stared in shock. "That's impossible! How could Pops lose?!"
Even Marco and the other commanders were stunned. The man they thought was invincible... had actually been defeated. They didn't know what to think.
Rimuru sprouted a pair of wings and lifted Whitebeard up like a sack of potatoes, flying him back toward the ship. From a distance, it honestly looked kinda funny—like a bat flying off with a cow.
As soon as they landed, the dazed crew snapped out of it and rushed forward.
"How is Pops?" Marco asked with genuine concern.
"It's a bit serious," the ship doctor replied after checking Whitebeard over. "But nothing life-threatening. Just needs to rest for a month or so."
"Uh... sorry," Rimuru scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I guess I went a little overboard."
"Don't apologize," Marco rolled his eyes. "It's just a duel. People get hurt. Pops isn't the kind to hold grudges. He's Whitebeard, remember?"
"Yeah…" Rimuru smiled, looking down at the old man. "He is Whitebeard, after all."
"My Lord, don't you have that recovery potion?" At that moment, Ranga walked over, tail swishing casually.
"Oh right! Good call, Ranga!" Rimuru clapped his hands with a cartoonish pop of realization (⊙▽⊙!). He raised both hands—and two glowing blue jellies appeared.
"What the heck is that?" Marco and the others stared at the strange goo in confusion.
"This," Rimuru announced proudly, "is a Perfect Recovery Potion!" He tossed one of the jellies toward Whitebeard. As it touched his body, it burst and disappeared, leaving behind a glowing aura.
"It restores injuries and stamina!"
"Ahhh... that feels amazing!" Whitebeard's voice rang out as he slowly regained consciousness, sighing in bliss.
"It's THAT effective?!" The Whitebeard Pirates stared, jaws on the floor. (O_o!)