(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Ace, a member of the mysterious D family and son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, carried within him boundless potential.
Yet, despite his remarkable talent, he was young and far from reaching his true peak.
Over the years, Sasuke had guided Ace in mastering his Devil Fruit powers and developing his Haki.
But when standing against Whitebeard, the vast chasm of experience and power was undeniable.
On this isolated island, an extraordinary scene was unfolding.
The formidable captains of Whitebeard's crew had fallen one by one at Sasuke's hands, while Ace himself had been knocked down by Whitebeard with ease.
As Ace lay down there, he had already resigned and accepted his loss.
"You can take my life now, Whitebeard. I know the limits of my skill,"
Ace spoke with calm conviction, his voice steady despite the wounds covering his body.
He had fought the world's strongest man, and now he knew what level he was in.
He would accept the winner's choice, whether it was to kill him or spare him.
He didn't regret anything.
"Just… keep my crew out of this. Let them go."
Whitebeard paused; his gaze softened.
"You do have a king's spirit, Ace. It's no wonder you've drawn so many to follow you."
His voice boomed, yet held an underlying respect.
"But, kid, it seems like you don't quite understand the situation here…"
Through his innate Haki, Whitebeard sensed the battlefield's state, a faint look of pain darkening his expression as he glanced over his fallen crew.
"How could he make them look so vulnerable?" he muttered, a hint of frustration in his tone.
His loyal captains were defeated in such a short time—it was unthinkable.
Marco, his stalwart right hand, lay helpless in Sasuke's grasp.
Turning to Ace, Whitebeard asked with genuine curiosity, "Tell me, kid, how did you manage to get Uchiha Sasuke to join your crew?"
Ace managed a weak grin.
"Jealous? Sasuke's the best first mate in the world. I pulled him in before you even had the chance to. And originally, he was planning to join you"
Though bloodied and bruised, Ace's pride was clear.
He couldn't help but recall his first encounter with Sasuke in Alabasta.
"You missed out, Old man" he teased, a spark of defiance in his voice.
"Is that so? Gurarara" Whitebeard's booming laughter echoed as he turned his attention to Sasuke.
"Uchiha Sasuke! Why don't we settle this with a talk over a couple of sake barrels?"
Sasuke walked closer, holding Marco with one arm as he regarded Whitebeard coldly.
"Your sons are disappointingly weak," he remarked.
"And you, Whitebeard… are no different."
"Gurarara"
"That's how one should be when young!"
Whitebeard's laugh deepened, but even Marco and Ace couldn't help but feel the sting of Sasuke's words.
With a single powerful look, Sasuke and Whitebeard clashed in a stunning collision of Conqueror's Haki, tearing the very sky apart.
Centered between these two powers, the small island trembled.
Jinbei and Marco, still conscious, stared in awe.
Such a clash was something few ever witnessed; it reminded them of Whitebeard's legendary clashes with pirates like Roger and Kaido.
"Gurarara! You've got a wild spirit, kid. You might even surpass Shanks one day! But that doesn't excuse you from roughing up my crew!" Whitebeard's voice thundered as he raised his weapon, sending tremors through the air.
Sasuke remained unfazed, his Susanoo's fiery eyes glowing as he gripped his blade.
"World's strongest man? That will soon be in the past."
Whitebeard's grin faded, surprised by Sasuke's audacity.
Few dared challenge him so boldly, but Sasuke's power commanded that respect.
"Come at me with all you've got!" Whitebeard challenged, his voice carrying across the island.
"Fine! Don't regret it, old man." Sasuke retaliated.
He first started with a fire jutsu.
"Katon: Gōryūka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique)" This one was sent into the sky, and disappeared from view. So, it was treated as some sort of battle-opening theatrics.
Then he looked at Whitebeard and started hurling a barrage of Yasaka Magatama, his Sharingan blazing with deadly intent.
"Yasaka Magatama"
Whitebeard met the attack with his Gura-Gura no Mi ability, sending shockwaves clashing violently against Sasuke's Yasaka Magatama technique.
The island shook as they fought, the very ground cracking beneath the weight of their powers.
Dust and debris filled the air, only their towering figures visible amid the storm.
"Not bad for the so-called strongest," Sasuke muttered, pushing the Susanoo forward against the relentless vibrations emanating from Whitebeard's strikes.
"Gurarara! That's no ordinary Devil Fruit you have there," Whitebeard marveled as Sasuke's unique abilities matched his own blows.
The sea raged, the earth itself quaking from their titanic clash.
Whitebeard's strike finally pierced through, and the Susanoo shattered with a thunderous roar.
Sasuke staggered back, the mighty armor splintering under the onslaught of vibrations.
"Damn… his attacks can penetrate Susanoo itself," Sasuke thought, a grim look flashing across his face as the cracks snaked through his armor.
Whitebeard's mastery over his powers was as relentless as it was destructive.
Yet, Sasuke's gaze held a gleam of excitement.
"Is that all, Whitebeard? I expected more." As he spoke, dark clouds churned above them, crackling with deadly energy.
"Lightning Style: Kirin!"
The skies erupted, and a colossal, red lightning beast roared as it descended.
Whitebeard's eyes widened, knowing he had no time to dodge.
The bolt struck with unparalleled force, and even the mighty Whitebeard staggered under its impact.
Marco's voice broke through the chaos.
"Pops!" His worry for Whitebeard was clear, though he was helpless to intervene.
Sasuke's smirk deepened, watching as Whitebeard steadied himself.
"This isn't just any normal Lightning attack, old man," he taunted.
"This one was enhanced by my own Haki!"
The combination of Sasuke's lightning with his Conqueror's Haki magnified his power, and even Whitebeard could feel the intensity.
Although Sasuke lacked mastery over Armament Haki, his command of Conqueror's Haki was fearsome.
In this sea, he wasn't just a challenger—he was a conqueror, a force to be reckoned with.