Whitebeard's massive frame stood tall, but his patched black-and-white skin revealed the toll Chiga's earlier attack had taken. A rare trace of fear flickered in his eyes.

He had felt that lightning-speed kick before—Kizaru used a similar move. But this wasn't that.

Kizaru could never land a blow like that.

Uchiha Chiga could—and did.

The difference lay not only in raw physical strength, which Chiga far surpassed, but also in the More-More Fruit. With it, that single kick had reached a force surpassing even the Four Emperors.

The Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates cheered at their captain's return, calling out "Oyaji!" as they prepared to charge forward.

But Whitebeard didn't even glance at them. He raised an arm, blocking their path with a single command:

"Stay back. This man is not someone you can handle."

Without hesitation, he tore open his white coat, revealing his sculpted chest. He slammed the Murakumogiri into the frozen sea, sending out a wave of pressure.

Several Navy soldiers collapsed on the spot.

Chiga's eyes narrowed, and the immense pressure of his Rinnegan surged forth. It collided with Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki—and pushed it back.

Under Chiga's pressure, not only the weaker pirates but even some of the lower-ranking captains dropped to their knees, gasping for breath or fainting outright.

Whitebeard clenched the handle of his naginata tightly. He had no choice now—if this kept up, his side would collapse before the fight even began.

He braced himself to charge at Chiga, but suddenly—

A deep red aura slammed into Chiga from the side.

His Justice coat fluttered violently in the wind but stayed firmly buttoned. He didn't flinch.

Turning his head calmly, he said,

"Red-Hair. That your idea of a greeting?"

"Didn't you like it?" came the reply.

Swish. Swish. Swish.

Figures appeared beside Whitebeard. Leading them was Red-Haired Shanks.

His ship hadn't made it through the ice-blocked waters, so Shanks and his commanders had crossed the ice themselves.

They arrived just in time to see Whitebeard being suppressed, and Shanks had unleashed his Conqueror's Haki to help.

Chiga stood alone, arms folded, unshaken in the face of two emperors.

His composure stunned audiences worldwide watching through the Visual Den Den Mushi.

---

Dressrosa – King's Plateau

Violet held Rebecca in her arms, watching Chiga on the screen. A dreamy look glazed her eyes, and her heels tapped rhythmically on the floor.

As her mind melted into infatuation, the image of Chiga moved.

He simply raised a finger from his crossed arm.

Whitebeard and Shanks immediately braced, lifting their weapons.

In the next instant, Chiga vanished—transformed into a bolt of lightning.

Whitebeard, prepared this time, activated his Observation Haki at full strength. He caught the faintest flicker of Chiga's trajectory. Shanks did the same.

The two Emperors slashed at the same spot in perfect coordination.

CLANG!

Their weapons, wrapped in Armament Haki, struck Chiga's leg.

Suspended mid-air in his kicking pose, Chiga grinned.

"That was terrifying. Thought you almost broke my leg."

Whitebeard and Shanks didn't find it funny.

They had planned to disable his leg—even if not break it completely. But the blow didn't faze him at all.

And he was joking.

Chiga's smile vanished.

A purple glow flickered in his Rinnegan.

Shinra Tensei.

A concussive blast exploded from his body, hurling both Emperors backward.

Chiga somersaulted mid-air and landed lightly on the ice.

He raised both arms outward.

Banshō Ten'in.

Whitebeard and Shanks were yanked toward him from opposite directions like ragdolls.

But these were Emperors.

Even mid-air, they reacted.

Shanks's sword gleamed red, crackling with red and black lightning.

"Divine Departure!"

Whitebeard, meanwhile, flicked the tip of Murakumogiri. A massive quake ripple erupted, slicing the ice beneath Chiga's feet into violent fragments.

But Chiga remained composed.

He stabilized himself with his Deva Path powers.

Then, deep purple energy surged around him as a half-body Susanoo formed.

Shanks's attack slammed into the armor of the Susanoo with a sharp clang. The energy giant trembled briefly, then steadied.

Both attacks—neutralized.

As the Emperors reached Chiga, the Susanoo responded.

Two long energy blades burst from its arms, slashing downward.

Shark-fin-shaped slashes tore through the air, striking Whitebeard and Shanks with full force.

They screamed, coughing up blood, and plummeted to the ice like broken kites.

Chiga dismissed the Susanoo and began walking toward them.

---

Marco couldn't hold back anymore.

In full Phoenix Form, he dove toward Whitebeard, trying to heal him with his flames.

Beckman raised his pistol toward Chiga, ready to shoot.

But—

"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"

"Ama no Murakumo."

Marco collided headfirst with a massive ice bird, freezing half his body on impact. He fell awkwardly onto the ice, groaning.

Aokiji stood in his path, steam rising from his arm.

"You're not interrupting Chiga."

Elsewhere, Beckman froze.

A sword of light hovered inches from his throat.

Kizaru stood behind him, no trace of his usual laziness in sight.

"Don't move, Beckman." His tone was sharp, dangerous.

---

Back at the high platform, Akainu sat alone, his expression grim.

He adjusted his cap and muttered under his breath.

"They all left. Who's guarding this place now?"

---

I've started uploading two new fanfictions on my Patreon (they're free to read!).

One is based on One Piece and the other on Naruto.

patreon.com/Zphyr_

I'd love to hear your thoughts, should I keep going with them or stop?