Facing Whitebeard's tsunami-inducing punch, the Spade Pirates' main members sprang into action.
"Mirror Fire!" (Kyokaen)
"Ice Fang!"
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Ace's flames struck first, but against the massive tsunami, they were barely more than a puff of smoke. Next, Yamato's icy breath froze much of the wave, though it wasn't as effective as an actual ice-type devil fruit user. Despite her efforts, parts of the tsunami still crashed forward. Finally, Shin used his Earth Flow Wall. Enhanced by the chakra in his body, the wall expanded to an enormous size, barely blocking the last of the wave's force.
While cheering, the rest of the Spade Pirates wisely kept their distance to avoid getting caught in the backlash.
"Gurararara! Quite the spirited newcomers!" Whitebeard chuckled as he leaped from his ship and strode towards the trio. Marco, Jinbei, and the other crew members trailed behind him.
"What now, Captain?" Shin asked Ace, smirking. "Duel or group fight? Because if it's the latter, we might as well surrender."
"No chance I'm giving up!" Ace grinned confidently. "I'll handle Whitebeard; you two stand behind me."
Shin nodded, relieved he wouldn't have to face Whitebeard's top division captains directly. His power was solid, comparable to the average captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. However, facing the likes of Marco or Diamond Jozu alone wasn't appealing—especially with Whitebeard bringing several other captains.
What's more, Whitebeard brought seven or eight division captains this time. Yamato could block Marco the Phoenix, while the rest could rush forward and beat him into a pulp.
Meanwhile, Yamato looked eager, whether from reading about Whitebeard in Oden's journals or her own thrill for battle. Still, she respected Ace's decision, so only Ace moved forward.
Seeing this, the sons of Whitebeard stepped back. They knew their father's pride wouldn't let him face a young supernova with help. Even though Whitebeard's health was beginning to falter, Marco and the others trusted his strength.
In the tense silence, all eyes were fixed on Ace and Whitebeard, though Shin couldn't help but glance towards the rear of Whitebeard's crew, where a dark, hefty figure was munching on cherry pie.
The result of Ace and Whitebeard's duel was predictable for Shin. Although Ace had grown stronger since leaving the original timeline, Whitebeard was on a different level.
As Ace charged forward, it took only a few clashes before he was sent reeling, coughing blood. Whitebeard, clearly holding back, still barely needed to exert himself.
"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!" Ace's fierce flames erupted, but Whitebeard's presence was unwavering. A mere shift of his haki-infused aura shattered the flames into embers.
Shin watched with interest. Whitebeard's control of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit was remarkable, even transferring shockwaves to disrupt attacks passively. A simple punch sent Ace sprawling again, and though Ace quickly stood, he looked shocked by Whitebeard's monstrous strength.
"Is this...the power of the four emperors?" Ace gasped.
Yamato clenched her kanabo, ready to intervene, but Marco stepped in front of her, while the other captains eyed Shin warily, blocking his path.
Just then, Ace summoned a wall of fire between the Spade Pirates and their foes.
"Yamato, Shin—take the crew and leave!" Ace's tone was firm, though Yamato looked torn, unwilling to abandon him.
Deuce, the Spade Pirates' strategist, nodded, rallying the crew. "We'll fall back to the ship and ambush the Moby Dick from there."
Deuce's plan was clever; if they managed to execute it, it might catch the Whitebeard Pirates off guard. However, strategy often had limits in a world dominated by personal power. Against overwhelming strength, tactics sometimes held little sway.
As the Spade Pirates reached the shore, they found a contingent of Whitebeard's men waiting for them. Deuce's face fell, but seeing only standard crew members, he regained hope. "Maybe we can push through!"
Then, they ran into the "ordinary" black-bearded pirate leading the troops. Deuce hadn't recognized him yet but assumed he was an average soldier.
They soon learned their mistake.
Of course, the most important thing is that the ordinary black-bearded fat pirate in Deuce's eyes is Blackbeard, who once left scars on the eyes of the red-haired Shanks!
Even though it was just a scar on young Shanks, it was no small feat. Even if Blackbeard had yet to consume the Dark-Dark Fruit, his strength placed him among Whitebeard's top-division captains. For Deuce and his crew, mere survival would have been a victory.
In the world of pirates, raw power spoke loudest, and Blackbeard's strength quickly left Deuce and his party sprawled on the beach, utterly defeated.
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[A/N: I can see that some of you gives 2 or 3 powerstone to reach this milestone. I appreciate that. Thanks for the support. ]
BONUS CHAPTER SINCE WE HIT A POWERSTONE MILESTONE!
For each power stones milestone—50, 100, 150, and beyond—I will release a bonus chapter.
I will also release a bonus chapter for every two reviews until it reaches ten reviews.
Review status: [8/10]
If you would like to gain early access, you can join me at www.patre on.com/bookbattalion
Chapter 90: Hyuga Clan's Sacrifice is now available.