"Captain Mike!" Whitebeard's voice, deep and magnetic, boomed through the Den Den Mushi, laced with both a challenge and an unmistakable anticipation.
"Let me see what you're really made of!"
As a veteran pirate who had ruled the seas for decades, he knew the fundamental truth of their world: the right to speak was always determined by strength.
Respect between the strong came from a mutual recognition of power, not from hollow words.
This young Captain had somehow won the favor of two Warlords and two Admirals.
Was it sheer charisma?
'Obviously not,' Whitebeard thought.
'With a man like Mihawk's temperament, most people wouldn't even pique his interest.'
"Jozu," Whitebeard commanded, a sharp gleam in his eyes, "activate the Video Transponder Snail."
"Understood, Pops," the Diamond commander replied, smoothly pulling out a slightly bulky Den Den Mushi and pressing a button.
The snail's screen lit up, projecting Whitebeard's massive, imposing figure.
At the same time, in the Yuba hot spring, another Den Den Mushi came to life, revealing the image of Mike—young, poised, and exuding an extraordinary, unshakable calm.
"Captain Mike…"
"Emperor Whitebeard…"
A cold glint flickered in Mike's eyes.
"You want to see my true strength?"
"I do," Whitebeard's voice rumbled. "Show me why so many strong men have put their faith in you. Show me if you are truly worthy of taking my flag down from Fish-Man Island."
'If you want my territory, brat, prove you have the power to hold it.'
"..."
Mike didn't answer immediately.
His core principle was simple: if he could talk his way out of something, he wouldn't fight.
"Kid, show us what you've got," Kuzan interjected from the side, a keen interest in his voice.
"Otherwise, given Whitebeard's temperament, he won't hand over Fish-Man Island so easily."
The Admiral's words echoed softly in Mike's ears.
'He's right,' Mike mused, a glimmer of realization in his eyes.
A man like Whitebeard, whose pride was as vast as the ocean itself, would never be swayed by mere words or connections.
"Haa—" Mike took a deep breath.
A small demonstration of his strength would earn the Emperor's recognition and allow him to smoothly take over Fish-Man Island.
His grand "Tourism Plan" could then proceed exactly as he envisioned.
Just then, a low, raspy voice came from behind him.
"Boss... show the world your true power."
It was Crocodile, his eyes burning with a fervent, almost fanatical light.
Smoker merely snorted, exhaling a plume of smoke.
"Kid, show us that 'Mugetsu' thing again!" he said, trying to sound indifferent.
"Fine," Mike's lips curled into a confident smirk, though his eyes carried a sharp, chilling edge.
"Since you all want to see it, then watch closely. I'll put on a show for you." He turned his gaze back to the image of Whitebeard.
"Whitebeard, name your terms. How do you want me to prove myself?"
Whitebeard's massive figure trembled slightly on the screen.
"You will face Vista. If you can defeat him, I will acknowledge you."
"Good," Mike said. "Let's take this to the skies. Wouldn't want to wreck the hot springs Crocodile worked so hard to build."
He gestured toward Vista, who was now standing with Ace and Jozu.
Vista gave a slight nod.
"Agreed."
.....
Above the Yuba oasis, the air was thick with humidity and heat.
Two figures stood poised in the scorching atmosphere, the gazes of everyone below—Marines, Warlords, Emperors, and the future Pirate King's crew—fixed upon them.
"Ace, Captain Mike... he's strong," Zoro murmured, his gaze locked intently on the battlefield.
"That slash back then... we all saw it."
The other Straw Hats nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Don't worry," Ace said, clapping Zoro on the shoulder, though his own heart was pounding.
"Vista is one of our strongest swordsmen. Even if he loses, it'll be a close fight."
Meanwhile, Kuzan and Smoker stood to the side, their eyes sharp.
Behind them, Crocodile stood like a mountain with a trace of eager anticipation on his face.
And behind him, the "Mike Cheer Squad" had already gathered.
"Go, Captain, you're so cool!" they chanted.
Under the blue sky, Vista hovered midair with a complicated emotion stirring in his heart.
'Pops arranged this duel... so I could satisfy my own desire for a challenge, while also gauging this man's true power.'
'That's our Pops, always looking out for his sons.'
"This is an opportunity Pops fought for with the fate of an island," Vista took a deep breath, the fire of challenge burning in his eyes.
"Come, Captain Mike! I won't be holding back!"
"Good," Mike responded simply, his tone resolute.
"Then neither will I."
"Bring it on!" Vista's eyes flashed with excitement as he kicked off the air, charging at Mike with the speed of a hawk.
Watching his rapid approach, Mike raised his blade horizontally before him.
The Kusanagi no tsurugi, gleamed coldly, ready to cleave through any obstacle.
"Secret Technique—" Mike growled, his entire aura shifting abruptly.
The air around him seemed to freeze under an immense pressure.
"Azure Dragon Strike!"
--------
Sōryūha (蒼龍破, Dragon Strike/Azure Dragon Wave, "Blue Dragon Blast"): Sesshomaru uses the Blue Dragon Blast with with Inuyasha's Bakuryūha to defeat Sō'unga.
Fang Style = Sesshomaru style, Mike can transform into sesshomaru while also wielding his abilities.
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