Chapter 50: 50. I Am Whitebeard
"Everyone here knows how to dash ahead, one by one," Luffy's crew moved swiftly, leaving only Sanji lagging behind. He strolled, shielding himself from the sea breeze and lighting a cigarette with practised ease.
In an instant, he vanished.
A sharp clang echoed as his black shoe met the intersection of two long knives.
Boom!
A bulky figure was sent flying, leaving a mark on the deck.
"Another pesky swordsman left for me?" Sanji exhaled smoke, hands in his pockets. He stepped into the air effortlessly, fixing his gaze on the moustached man in the distance.
"Clumsy footwork," Vista, with a gentlemanly smile, straightened up, impressed by Sanji's display of power.
"Straw Hat Pirates' cook, Sanji," he introduced himself, taking a drag from his cigarette.
"Leave our captain be. This is a matter between captains. It does not concern you," Sanji retorted.
Vista, undeterred, smiled, "Surprising to find such skill in a rookie crew. But remember, we sail under the Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors."
"Vista, Captain of the 5th Division, Whitebeard Pirates," Vista declared elegantly before disappearing.
"Dangdang!"
Invisible shocks crackled through the air, spherical transparent shock waves exploding without a visible source. Moments later, torrents of fiery molten iron and sword waves cascaded down, illustrating the intensity of the battle.
"These are Ace's little brother's crew? How did they amass such young talents?" One of the remaining Whitebeard Pirates marvelled.
The rest of the Whitebeard Pirates stood back, merely observing. With only four Straw Hat Pirates present, this wasn't about revenge; it was merely a test. They were too proud to resort to besieging tactics.
But even in this limited confrontation, the Whitebeard Pirates were astonished by the Straw Hat crew's strength. The three captains they sent were among the strongest in their ranks. Marco, Vista, and Jozu were formidable figures, well-known even in the treacherous New World.
Yet, the Straw Hat crew members effortlessly held their own. Roronoa, the swordsman, matched Marco, nearly a match for the Four Emperors. The reindeer stood toe-to-toe with Diamond Jozu, and the self-proclaimed chef even outdid Vista, a master swordsman.
And these were newcomers, barely a year at sea, all in their early twenties. Young, yes, but monstrously powerful and terrifyingly skilled.
"Are rookies supposed to be this scary?" Captain Izou couldn't help but remark.
They mused over whether they'd spent too long in the New World. The outside world had changed. Newcomers, barely a year at sea, could now stand toe-to-toe with the Whitebeard Pirates. The crew was already formidable, so what kind of leader could command such monsters?
A chilling thought raced through everyone's mind as they gazed at the imposing figure with a calm demeanour, sharp eyes, and overwhelming presence. He strode purposefully towards the mightiest man in the world.
Whitebeard, towering before them, sat upon his massive chair like a king. But Luffy didn't approach like a subject meeting a monarch. This felt more like a confrontation between two kings.
"You're a funny kid," Whitebeard's voice softened, but a hint of condescension lingered in his smile.
With each step, Luffy's footfalls echoed, resonating through the hearts of all present. An invisible shockwave swept through, leaving everyone momentarily breathless.
"I'm here. Can we talk?" Luffy removed his straw hat, meeting Whitebeard's gaze with unwavering determination.
"What do you want to discuss, kid?" Whitebeard's tone was lofty, his eyes flickering with silver-white light, his aura bearing down on Luffy like an impending catastrophe.
Luffy recalled Rayleigh's advice. "Use your strength to convince him. Be assertive," he reminded himself.
"If we want to save Ace, we'll need more than just a few of us. Whitebeard commands vast troops and possesses immense power. If we can persuade him to help, our chances of success are high," Rayleigh's words echoed in Luffy's mind, accompanied by a knowing smile.
But Luffy paid no heed. He trusted Rayleigh implicitly and knew he wouldn't steer them wrong.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's booming laughter rang out in response to Luffy's bold declaration. "It's been ages since I've seen such a gutsy kid," his laughter, filled with heroic spirit, seemed to suffocate those around him.
The overwhelming pressure seemed to freeze the very air, halting even the nearby skirmish.
"Dad's a bit riled up," Marco observed, retracting his flame wings and landing on the railing, eyeing Whitebeard's hearty laughter.
"Is this the power of the world's strongest man? It's truly monstrous," Zoro remarked, a mix of shock and excitement evident in his voice.
"Did you just give me an order, boy?" Whitebeard's laughter ceased abruptly, his gaze condescending as he peered down at Luffy.
In his eyes, the silver-white glow intensified.
"Old Man, aren't you interested in saving Ace, too? Then lend me your strength," Luffy insisted impatiently, donning his straw hat.
He sensed an urgency in the air as if the odd uncle before him was running out of time.
"You brat, do you even know who I am? I'm Whitebeard!" Whitebeard roared, his voice shaking the very sea.
Rising to his feet, he tore off the tubes and bottles, seizing his massive sword from nearby. With terrifying strength and fury, he swung it towards Luffy like a raging tsunami.
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