Naruto: I Reign Supreme with Templates Across the Multiverse.

Zenkichi walked through the crowd of pirates aboard the Moby Dick as though he were alone. His calm voice echoed across the deck.

"Whitebeard, I'm here to take you in."

Silence fell, followed by a thunderous uproar.

The members of the Whitebeard Pirates, who regarded Whitebeard as their father, bristled with fury. Unlike the disjointed chaos of the Beasts Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates were bound by loyalty and love for their captain.

Seeing Zenkichi speak so arrogantly to Whitebeard was an unforgivable insult.

"You dare mock our old man?!"Marco shouted, blue regenerative flames surging around his body as he charged forward without hesitation.

Diamond Jozu followed close behind, his body gleaming like a polished gemstone as he barreled toward Zenkichi like a cannonball.

Behind them came Vista and other Whitebeard commanders, each radiating battle intent, surrounding Zenkichi in moments.

Whitebeard chuckled and took a deep swig from his sake cup, seemingly unfazed. But in the next moment, a crushing force blanketed the entire ship.

The overwhelming pressure of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Zenkichi, rippling through the air.

Without him lifting a finger, most of the pirates collapsed where they stood, the deck beneath them splintering and cracking under the sheer intensity.

Whitebeard's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. He gripped his massive naginata tightly and stepped forward.

"You," he said, his deep voice carrying weight, "Who are you really? What's your goal?"

Zenkichi met his gaze without flinching. "I've already told you. I want you to join me. Become one of my men."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Making me your subordinate can't be your endgame. What are you really after?"

"This world has been fractured for far too long," Zenkichi replied calmly. "It's time for unity."

"I've heard there's a Void Throne in Mariejois. A throne left empty to symbolize a world without a king… a world where no one rules."

"It's been vacant for 800 years," he continued, "but that ends now. I will be the one to sit upon that throne."

Though he was aware of Imu's existence, Zenkichi had already dismissed him. In his eyes, Imu was a coward, a hidden shadow without the courage to act—a ghost unworthy of his attention.

Whitebeard's frown deepened. "So your target is the World Government. What does that have to do with us?"

Zenkichi's tone sharpened. "All things under heaven belong to the king. Every land, every sea, must bow to the one true ruler."

"You warlords, with your fragmented empires and scattered fleets… you're in my way. Submit to me or be erased. There is no third option."

Whitebeard laughed, gripping his naginata tighter.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that. But words alone don't prove anything."

Zenkichi's voice lowered. "That wasn't bravado. You can feel it, can't you? Charlotte Linlin and Kaido are already mine. Will you be next?"

"If you surrender now, I'll let you remain with your sons. I'll give you autonomy. But defy me, and I'll crush you."

A long silence stretched between them. Whitebeard's gaze remained firm, but there was respect behind it.

"If you want my allegiance, you'll have to earn it," he said.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Zenkichi replied with a small smile.

Whitebeard moved first. His naginata surged with power as he unleashed a devastating shockwave from his fist. The air itself cracked with the force of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, a white halo pulsing around his arm.

Zenkichi met it with his own—only his vibration was even stronger.

Their blows collided mid-air, unleashing a titanic shockwave that shook the heavens. But Zenkichi's strength overwhelmed Whitebeard's, and the old pirate was sent flying, crashing into the far end of the deck.

Despite the impact, Whitebeard was not severely wounded. Zenkichi had held back, offering mercy.

Blackbeard Teach, who had once harbored ambitions of his own, shrank into the crowd, lowering his head in silence. The fear in his eyes betrayed him.

With Whitebeard's surrender, the rest of his crew quickly followed. For the sake of his sons, Whitebeard gave up his pride, his title as the world's strongest, and his dreams of dominance.

He had fought long and hard, but in the end, what mattered most to him wasn't power or glory—it was family.

Slowly, he stood up from the wrecked deck and let out a weary sigh.

"You're stronger than me," he admitted. "I'll follow you."

Later, as word of Zenkichi's victory spread, he made his way to a desert island where the Red-Haired Pirates were feasting. He arrived uninvited, but none dared challenge him.

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