Whitebeard's voice thundered like a clap of thunder, carrying an unmatched confidence.
The blade of his naginata was wrapped in the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and the air was thick with a suffocating pressure, the power of the world's strongest man.
Hashirama Senju stood atop the wooden golem, his long black hair whipping in the gale, his red armor gleaming brightly.
He threw his head back with a laugh, filled with boldness and excitement: "I didn't expect to encounter a foe like you in this world!"
A glint of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes as he slowly pressed his palms together, chakra surging wildly within him.
Enhanced by Roy's Divine Tree, even in his reanimated state, he could still utilize Sage Mode.
Although its duration was shortened, at this moment, he was no longer the same Hashirama from before.
"But I don't need that yet. I'll try out this new power too." A grin spread across Hashirama's lips as he forcefully clapped his hands together, "Armament Haki!"
With his low shout, a vast amount of Armament Haki surged forth like a tidal wave, rapidly coating the wooden golem's body.
Its surface took on a jet-black metallic luster, as if clad in an impenetrable suit of armor.
Hashirama's Sage Body and Armament Haki were a perfect match; while the quality of his Haki might not have been the strongest, its quantity was immense, enough to compensate for any lack in quality.
Seeing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Whitebeard's eyes, quickly replaced by excitement.
He let out a booming laugh and swung his naginata fiercely: "Gurararara! Interesting!"
The blade of his naginata was wrapped in the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and simultaneously, his Conqueror's Haki coated the edge like a tangible force. It was the power befitting a king, capable of tearing through any defense.
Whitebeard's naginata and Hashirama's wooden golem fist clashed once more, unleashing an earth-shattering roar.
This collision was more terrifying than any before. The clash of Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, the impact of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and Wood Release, triggered a cataclysmic surge of energy.
*BOOM—!*
The entire island crumbled under this force, the earth splitting into countless bottomless chasms, and the sea was upheaved into waves hundreds of meters high.
Fragments of the island flew through the air before crashing into the ocean, kicking up massive sprays of water.
The two figures were propelled backward by the explosive shockwave, landing steadily on another island. This island was larger than the previous one, but it too would soon be unable to withstand their ensuing battle.
Whitebeard laughed heartily, swinging his naginata again, "Again!"
Hashirama met the challenge without flinching, pressing his hands together as the wooden golem's fist, once again coated in Armament Haki, met Whitebeard's attack.
*BOOM—!*
Their battle erupted anew, each collision triggering immense energy fluctuations.
Islands continuously collapsed under their might, the sea churned into monstrous swells. In the distance, the Moby Dick tossed violently on the waves, its crew clinging tightly to the ship, fearing being thrown into the sea.
The fight had raged for an entire day; the sky shifted from bright to dim, and then to a canopy scattered with stars.
Whitebeard's breathing was slightly labored. Though his physique remained formidable, such an intense battle was taking a toll on his body.
His heart condition, in particular, seemed to be worsening amidst this fierce duel.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed loudly, his gaze still sharp, but a subtle hint of gravity lurked deep within his eyes.
On the other side, Hashirama Senju stood atop the wooden golem, his reanimated body feeling virtually no fatigue.
His form would shatter repeatedly during the fight, only to swiftly regenerate. As long as no special sealing techniques were used against him, he was virtually immortal.
However, even so, the durability of his Sage Techniques and Armament Haki paled in comparison to when he was alive.
Each use of Sage Technique drained the energy within him; this body was not perfect.
"If this keeps up, Pops' body might be in trouble." Marco stood on the deck of the Moby Dick, his brow deeply furrowed, his eyes filled with concern.
He could see Whitebeard's condition deteriorating, but at this point, Whitebeard was completely immersed in the fight, and no one could stop him.
"Pops…" Ace clenched his fists, anxiety flashing in his eyes.
He wanted to rush in and help, but reason told him that a battle of this caliber was far beyond his ability to intervene.
Whitebeard took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Hashirama Senju, his voice carrying unprecedented seriousness: "Boy, the power I'm about to use is my full strength. Try to survive!"
As his words trailed off, his Conqueror's Haki erupted violently. The clouds in the sky seemed torn apart by an invisible giant hand, revealing the pitch-black night sky.
The space around Whitebeard began to distort as the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit fully awakened, a piercing cracking sound echoing through the air.
"Awakening!" the Whitebeard Pirates crew exclaimed, their eyes filled with shock.
This was Whitebeard's ultimate trump card, a power Pops only unleashed against foes like Roger or Garp.
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Whitebeard, Hashirama Senju's eyes showed a glint of admiration: "Truly formidable."
After a full day of combat, he had gained a profound understanding of Whitebeard's strength.
A power like this could perhaps overcome even Madara Uchiha from back in the day.
"Sage Art!" Hashirama Senju shouted, pressing his palms together. An unimaginable amount of natural energy instantly flooded into his body.
His aura surged dramatically, as if he had become one with the heavens and earth.
Ace and the others on the Moby Dick felt this aura, their faces instantly paling.
"This guy… he still wasn't going all out…" Ace muttered, a tremor in his voice.
"Monster…" one crew member whispered, fear evident in his eyes.
"Pops…" more began to worry, fearing Whitebeard's body wouldn't withstand such a battle.
Hashirama Senju's Sage Mode was incomplete, yet he still pushed it to its limit without hesitation.
He pressed his palms together again. The already colossal wooden golem became even more imposing under the augmentation of Sage Art. Several wooden dragons rose from the ground, merging with the golem, transforming it into a figure resembling a deity or demon from myth.
"Come, Whitebeard!" Hashirama Senju's voice echoed through the night sky, filled with boldness and fighting spirit.
Whitebeard laughed loudly, swinging his naginata: "Show me where your limits lie!"
Their powers clashed once more, unleashing a cataclysmic surge of energy.
Another island crumbled completely under their might, slowly sinking beneath the sea under the terrifying impact.
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