ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The entire island trembled, an unrelenting quake shaking its foundations. Cracks slithered across the rocky terrain, as if the land itself was splitting apart under the sheer force of their battle.

Yet, the two combatants remained unfazed.

Whitebeard hadn't felt such excitement in a long time. Though this kid—Caesar—was still far from his level, his potential was undeniable. His growth was like a rocket ascending toward the heavens, an unnatural acceleration that piqued even Whitebeard's interest.

Keng! Keng! Keng!

Blades clashed, sending shockwaves through the air. Each collision grew more violent, distorting the wind itself. Even the waves surrounding the deserted island roared as if they, too, were caught in the intensity of the fight.

The combatants separated, locking eyes across the battlefield, their weapons poised. The earth trembled beneath them.

No words were exchanged.

Caesar's gaze flickered to the black lightning crackling around his blade. His breath hitched—this was it. Haoshoku Haki infusion. He had finally grasped it. Excitement surged through him.

He tightened his grip on his sword and met Whitebeard's gaze with unwavering resolve.

"Come on, the last blow!"

Whitebeard threw his head back and laughed, his deep, booming voice reverberating through the battlefield.

"Ku la la la la! Come, brat!"

Boom!

Both figures launched forward. Their movements blurred, leaving only afterimages in their wake. The human eye couldn't follow their speed.

Clang!

Weapons clashed once more. Sparks erupted, lighting up their fierce expressions. Their blood burned with the thrill of battle, their will to win driving them to their limits.

"Ugh—ahhh!"

Caesar's veins bulged as he pushed forward, his cheeks flushed with exertion.

"Ku la la la la!"

Whitebeard laughed wildly, his voice laced with pure, unrestrained joy.

BOOM!

Haoshoku Haki burst forth, colliding with Whitebeard's legendary Gura Gura no Mi shockwave.

A massive explosion erupted in mid-air, forming a towering mushroom cloud that illuminated the night sky.

The tremors reached as far as Hachinosu—Hive Island.

On the shore, Rocks D. Xebec, Golden Lion, Big Mom, and other titans of the era turned their gazes toward the devastated battlefield.

The island quaked once more before the chaos settled.

Yet, the hearts of those who witnessed the spectacle remained unsettled.

That rookie—Caesar—was too strong.

To clash with Whitebeard to such an extent…

Crack.

A sharp, crisp sound cut through the silence.

Bang!

A shattered blade clattered onto the ground.

Caesar's pupils constricted.

His sword—broken!

---

Ho… ho…

He lay on the ground, chest heaving.

Lost…

Kneeling, Caesar clenched his fists, unwilling to accept defeat. Even after unlocking Haoshoku Haki infusion, he still couldn't match Whitebeard.

Whitebeard approached, his towering figure casting a long shadow over him.

"Keep working hard," the legend said, his voice filled with a rare warmth. "I look forward to the day you can defeat me. Ku la la la la!"

With that, Whitebeard turned and walked away, leaving Caesar to process his defeat.

Caesar gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand on shaky legs.

Suddenly—

Click… click…

The ground beneath him cracked. The sea surged violently.

Before he could react, the entire island began to collapse.

He stepped into the air with Geppo, watching as the battlefield sank beneath the waves.

A sense of awe flickered across his face.

Their battle had obliterated an entire island.

Good thing it was uninhabited.

---

After the clash with Whitebeard, Caesar didn't rush into another fight.

He needed time.

Time to digest everything that battle had taught him.

Most importantly, mastering Haoshoku Haki infusion.

He had used it unconsciously, but whether he could summon it at will was another matter.

He clenched his fists. This technique… It amplifies both attack power and overall combat ability.

Losing that battle didn't discourage him—it fueled him.

His mind raced like a high-speed CPU, analyzing every detail.

And then—his broken sword.

His second shattered blade.

Tsk.

It was time to get a real weapon.

Not just any weapon. A 21 O Wazamono blade—one of the world's finest.

Only a true Black Blade could carry him forward.

But even among the legendary swords, not all would suit him. The bond between a swordsman and his blade determined its true strength.

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his chin in thought.

Then, it hit him—

"I should find a master swordsmith to forge a blade just for me."

And there was only one name that came to mind.

[30]—Shimotsuki Kozaburo!

---

Days later.

A crescent moon hung high in the night sky.

After wrapping up training with Brad, Caesar found himself in a lively island tavern.

This place had a modern KTV feel—blaring music, flashing neon lights, and a crowd of drunken pirates.

The atmosphere grated on his nerves, but Brad seemed fascinated.

Caesar sighed, lifting a mug of beer and taking a few gulps. The tension in his body eased slightly.

Still, his mind remained elsewhere.

Finding a master swordsmith wouldn't be easy. Where could he even start?

"Where did you get your information? Is it accurate?"

Caesar's ears twitched.

Not far away, two pirates whispered to each other.

"Of course, it's accurate. I bought it from Shakky."

"Shakky? That retired pirate?"

"Yeah. She's in the information business now."

Caesar's gaze sharpened.

He turned to Rocks, who had been watching him.

"Shakky, huh?"

Rocks smirked.

"You want to buy information on the world's top swordsmiths?"

Caesar nodded.

Rocks chuckled darkly, recalling the battle that had annihilated an island. Even the strongest needed the right weapon.

"Fine. Let's go."

Caesar bowed his head slightly in gratitude and turned to leave.

But then—

"However—"

Rocks' voice stopped him in his tracks.

A sinister smile tugged at the corners of the legendary pirate's lips.

His eyes gleamed with cold amusement… and bloodlust.