In the dense forest, Kaito and Whitebeard stood facing one another.
Whitebeard suddenly roared, his voice echoing across the island.
He swung his naginata with overwhelming force. A pale blue shockwave tore through the air, splitting every tree in its path cleanly in half.
Kaito reacted instantly. His body shifted sideways in a blur, narrowly avoiding the slash.
Boom! Boom!
The ground trembled violently as soil and shattered earth exploded upward. A thunderous roar echoed through the surroundings.
Spectators stationed far from the battlefield whispered among themselves.
"It's begun."
"This will decide who truly rules the New World."
No Den Den Mushi were placed inside the island. Those outside could only listen to the sounds of destruction and imagine the ferocity of the battle within.
Suddenly, two waves of overwhelming Conqueror's Haki erupted at the same time.
White and golden pressure flooded the entire island, crashing together like titanic waves.
A massive beam of light shot straight into the sky, causing terror to grip everyone watching from afar.
With every exchange, the island shook harder. As the battle escalated, the entire landmass began to groan under the strain.
At the center of the island, without cameras or interference, Whitebeard and Kaito exchanged devastating blows.
Each strike appeared earth shattering, yet only the two of them understood the true depth of their power.
Whitebeard's naginata swept through the air like a curtain, leveling entire sections of forest. His iron fists followed, shockwaves bursting outward and obliterating everything they touched.
Kaito met him head on, gripping his blade tightly. Steel and shockwaves collided as the two began tearing the island apart piece by piece.
Time passed unnoticed.
Two full hours slipped by.
Crack. Crack.
At the edge of the island, fine fractures quietly appeared.
Sharp-eyed pirates noticed immediately, their faces turning pale.
"The island can't take much more."
"This is madness. This really is a New World level battle."
No one looked away.
By now, every tree on the island had been reduced to rubble. The once lush forest had become a barren wasteland.
Craters littered the ground endlessly. Every exchange was visible proof of the destruction unfolding.
Whitebeard's body was soaked in blood.
Kaito's black robe had long since turned crimson.
Everyone understood the end was approaching. Even so, not a single person dared step inside.
The pressure radiating from the battlefield was overwhelming. Anyone who entered would be crushed instantly.
This was no exaggeration. Both men truly possessed such power.
Another hour passed.
Whitebeard's breathing grew heavy. Kaito was not in much better condition.
Ten kilometers away, Marine warships lay in wait, packed so densely they resembled an endless swarm of ants.
Aboard the lead vessel, Kong stood with his hands behind his back. Behind him were Sengoku, Garp, Aokiji, and others, all silently watching.
They were waiting.
Waiting for the battle to end.
"Marshal Sengoku," a voice whispered through a Den Den Mushi. "The entire island has been shattered. A victor should soon emerge."
"How badly injured are they?" Sengoku asked.
"Both are covered in blood. Countless wounds. This should be the final exchange."
Sengoku's eyes narrowed.
"Understood."
Suddenly, Whitebeard's roar echoed once more.
"Kaito, let's end this!"
"Come," Kaito replied calmly.
Kaito's Sharingan narrowed.
Dark blue chakra surged violently from his body. Bones formed, followed by muscle and armor. In mere moments, a colossal Susanoo over a kilometer tall manifested, towering like a god over the land.
Whitebeard slammed his fists forward.
"Shockwave Slash!"
Invisible ripples tore through the air, racing toward Kaito with unstoppable force.
The Susanoo raised its blazing blue sword and swung without hesitation.
Two massive arcs of sword energy ripped across the battlefield, cleaving the air itself as they charged straight toward Whitebeard.
Boom!
The collision was like a meteor striking the earth.
A deafening explosion swallowed the island. Those watching from afar felt their ears ring as dizziness overtook them.
The land shattered inch by inch. The shockwave spread outward like a world ending storm.
Mud and debris erupted into the sky, forming a massive gray cloud that swallowed everything in sight.
Crack. Crack.
The fractures already crawling across the island widened violently.
If this continued, the island would be erased entirely.
Moments later, the dust dispersed.
The scene inside was revealed.
"It's over?"
"These two are monsters."
One figure stood, swaying but upright.
The other lay collapsed on the ground, bloodied and motionless.
"Pops!" Marco shouted, rushing toward the island without hesitation.
"He won!"
"Kaito won!"
"Whitebeard has fallen. The strongest in the world has changed."
"According to the duel agreement, the Whitebeard Pirates will join Kaito. The New World belongs to him now."
Reporters exploded into action. Pens flew, cameras flashed nonstop.
Across the world, people watching through screens stared in disbelief.
"Whitebeard lost?" Capone Bege muttered, cigar trembling slightly. "Who am I supposed to challenge now?"
Kid clenched his fists, fury burning in his eyes.
"So this is it. The New World is his."
Bonnie gritted her teeth.
"This place isn't livable anymore."
"Marshal Sengoku," a frantic voice rang through the Den Den Mushi. "It's over. Whitebeard is down. Kaito barely standing, but victorious."
Kong raised his hand without hesitation.
"Move out. Exterminate every pirate here. Cleanse the New World completely. End the era of the Great Pirates."
Whistles blared.
The Marine warships surged forward at full speed.
In moments, the ten kilometer sea zone filled with their silhouettes.
"That's the Marines!"
"Why are they here now?"
"Run!"
Panic spread instantly.
Reporters filmed wildly. Anyone could tell what was about to happen.
Kid, Bonnie, and the other Supernova immediately ordered their ships to retreat.
Before they could escape, a chilling voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Ice Age!"