The hard rock and earth now felt as soft as dough, making it hard to stand. The forest was filled with the screams of animals and thousands of beasts were stampeding. Countless fish and sea creatures jumped out of the water in panic.
Soil from the deep abyss, unseen for millennia, was brought to the surface, illuminated by moonlight. As the last rays of the setting sun sank into the sea, McKinley Island, like a shattered mirror covered in white cracks, crumbled with a "Bang!
"Die!"
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The jet-black naginata, wrapped in the fearsome Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), slashed three times, sending three figures flying and scattering blood.
Rowen felt a searing pain in his chest. The naginata had sliced through his rib, momentarily stopping his breathing. Thankfully, as a Thunder-Lightning Human, even without being able to Elementalize, his resilience was still remarkable.
At the critical moment, Rowen violently twisted his body and narrowly avoided being cut in half.
The other two fared similarly, each using their own skills to avoid instant death, but they were still severely injured by the devastating Tremor.
Achieving this result against three opponents at once was something only Whitebeard could do!
On the distant battlefield, the Marines, still reeling from the sight of the explosion on McKinley Island, were stunned by Whitebeard's powerful and ruthless three slashes.
The Admirals, seen as monsters by the sea!
The Soryu, who had accomplished the feat of killing BIG MOM!
The three of them were beaten back?
"No... no way? Did those three really lose?"
A soldier dropped his weapon in despair and looked into the distance.
Shua!
The deck was in an uproar.
Hearing his murmur, the others remembered that without the Admirals and Soryu to support them, Whitebeard's next target would surely be them!
At the thought of facing Whitebeard, that terrifying monster who had surpassed the three of them, countless soldiers on the battleship turned pale and trembled with fear.
"Why panic? The outcome is not decided yet!"
Chaton appeared on the mast with his short, stocky figure with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, still wearing that mischievous grin.
"Don't forget what Vice Admiral Soryu's nickname is!"
"I don't think he will lose."
Vice Admiral Soryu's nickname?
The soldiers froze, then their faces lit up with joy.
Yes!
Before the title of "Marine Soryu" became popular, Rowen had another nickname that was deeply engraved in people's minds.
It was...
**The Undying Vice Admiral!!!**.
A legend that had risen from a dug grave, now a tale among new Marine recruits who would often seek out veterans to confirm if it was just a made-up story.
When they were told it was true, they were left questioning reality.
There are countless strong fighters on the sea, but Rowen was undoubtedly the most unique.
Because he was undying!
"Keep fighting, soldiers!"
Chaton, uncharacteristically serious, enveloped the battleship in his Deceleration Domain, penetrating each cannonball before withdrawing the Domain and continuing, "Justice will prevail!"
"Will prevail!!"
"Marines will prevail! Justice will prevail!"
Meanwhile, as the soldiers' morale was restored, back on the remains of McKinley Island... three figures crashed heavily onto a thin layer of desert, barely above sea level.
The tremor had wiped out everything on the island, leaving only a barren, yellow-brown sandy foundation for a foothold.
Unlike BIG MOM, Whitebeard couldn't bend the ocean to his will. Without solid ground, the battle became much harder for him.
"Huff... hiss... huff..."
Supporting himself with his naginata, Whitebeard was panting heavily.
This series of attacks, though immensely powerful, was incredibly exhausting. Even Whitebeard felt the strain and couldn't immediately launch another attack.
---
---
**Most importantly, the previous injuries that Rowen and Akainu had inflicted on him on [Moby Dick] now manifested themselves when Whitebeard exerted himself. Blood seeped from the wounds on his chiseled abs, soaking his gray pants and leaving mottled stains.
"Cough cough... what a terrifying guy!"
The first to rise, unsurprisingly, was Rowen. His nearly pierced chest began to heal rapidly as some unknown force caused his flesh and bones to regenerate.
The deep wound, the size of a baby's arm, quickly filled with fresh, pink tissue that knit together in seconds. Within a few breaths, Rowen's chest was smooth and unblemished again.
Ripping off his damaged suit and discarding it, Rowen reached out and summoned the Thunder Dragon Crescent Side Halberd. The weapon spun through the air and embedded itself in the ground beside him.
Clang!
Holding the thunder halberd, Rowen was enveloped in lightning and quickly returned to his peak condition.
"But what's the point of fighting an undying man?"
Boom!
Lightning and Haki surged around him, the thunder reverberating and lighting up the night sky.
In the darkness, Rowen's body crackled with electricity, the powerful current wrapping around his weapon. As he swung the halberd, arcs of electricity scorched the ground, making him appear both divine and demonic.
**Heaven-Resisting Thunder Cry-Third Style!**
**Cloud Dragon Kill!**
In the next instant, Rowen transformed into a lightning whirlwind, his halberd flashing like a thunderbolt and instantly reaching Whitebeard's chest.
"Soryu!"
Whitebeard furrowed his brow. It wasn't the first time he had witnessed Rowen's regenerative abilities, but each time it filled him with disbelief.
While Kizaru was leaning against a rock, coughing up blood, and Akainu was struggling to stand through the pain in his chest, Rowen had already recovered and was attacking with the same ferocity as before.
Clang!
Whitebeard, reacting purely on instinct as Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) couldn't keep up with Rowen's speed, raised his Naginata just in time to strike the Thunder Halberd.
Boom!
The metal clash sent sparks flying. Rowen felt his arm go numb and was forced back several feet to steady himself. Whitebeard, leaning back slightly, quickly regained his stance.
The gap in their strength was still considerable, but Rowen's lips curled into a slight smile.
"Not bad, Whitebeard! When BIG MOM got hit by that move, she couldn't do much after that."
Sizzle... Sizzle...
Radiating arcs of electricity spread across Whitebeard's skin, causing random muscle spasms. It was the same paralyzing effect Rowen had used against BIG MOM.
In fights at their level, especially against a seven-meter monster like Whitebeard, direct attacks were more effective than paralysis. Rowen's Paralyzing effect mainly slowed down the opponent's reactions.
In a high-stakes battle, even a moment's delay could be fatal. However, Whitebeard was able to block Cloud Dragon's Kill, proving that Paralysis wasn't strong enough and needed to be strengthened.
(End of chapter)
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