Chapitre 111: Before the Battle
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On Moby Dick
"Kid, I know who you are," Whitebeard rumbled, his voice deep and resonant. "You're the one with 3 billion bounty from the World Government. So why are you fighting alongside them now?"
Whitebeard's surprise was evident. Akira's actions—attacking Enies Lobby, destroying warships, battling an Admiral, and even assaulting a Celestial Dragon—had clearly marked him as an enemy of the World Government.
Shrugging, Akira replied nonchalantly, "Sure, there's some bad blood between us. But business is business. I was going to refuse this job... and, well, they just offered too much."
"Gurarararara!"
Whitebeard paused briefly at Akira's words before bursting into hearty laughter, as if he had just heard the most amusing thing in the world.
"Gurarararara! Kid, you're truly entertaining!"
"What can I say? Life's tough. At least I'm not crawling for money—nothing shameful about that."
"Gurarara! If only you had come to the New World sooner, I'd have taken you as my son!"
"No, thanks. I don't fancy being anyone's son, even if it means inheriting your immense fortune."
"Gurarararara!"
Despite being adversaries, Whitebeard couldn't help but laugh heartily at Akira's sharp humor. It had been a long time since he'd encountered someone so amusing.
"You brat! Thinking of inheriting my fortune? You're too early for that—this old man's got another hundred years in him! Gurarararara!"
"Kid, your flight technique reminds me of someone…"
"Don't sweat it. My ability to fly is a secret art of the Uchiha clan."
Akira already knew who Whitebeard was referencing—Golden Lion Shiki. The user of the Float-Float Fruit, Shiki had once been part of the Rocks Pirates alongside Whitebeard. After their disbandment, Shiki formed the Flying Pirates. Captured and imprisoned 22 years ago, he later escaped and now resided in the East Blue.
There was no doubt the Float-Float Fruit was incredibly powerful. If given the opportunity, Akira wouldn't hesitate to claim it.
"Is that so? The Uchiha clan truly is extraordinary!"
"Old man! Let me handle this guy!"
The voice belonged to Jozu, Whitebeard Pirates' Third Division Commander. The burly figure stepped forward, standing on the ground before Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's aging body, strained by injuries, now relied on tubes and oxygen to function. Yet here, to prevent being underestimated by the Marines, all supports had been removed. Jozu couldn't allow his father's strength to be drained any further.
Whitebeard spoke firmly, "You all focus on saving Ace. Leave this brat to me!"
"Father!"
"Go! Do you think I'd lose to this brat?"
One look from Whitebeard was enough for Jozu to relent. He understood his father's resolve. The best way to support him was to rescue Ace and return swiftly.
Jozu rallied the others with a shout: "Go! Save Ace!"
"Push through! Push through!"
The pirates surged forward, charging once more toward the bay's defensive walls.
"All Vice Admirals, engage! Do not let them breach the perimeter!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Fire! Don't let up!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Keep them from landing!"
"Take down the commanders!"
The battle reignited, but the space around Akira and Whitebeard was left untouched.
The Marine, already distrustful of Uchiha Akira, had no intention of assisting him. Only Shisui and Hancock might intervene if necessary.
Before the battle began, Akira had instructed Hancock to focus on staying safe. She was to avoid fully committing to the fight, instead remaining vigilant of both the Marines and the other Warlords.
Though strong, Hancock couldn't rival Shisui, and many in the battlefield surpassed her abilities.
Shisui was busy holding off Marco, ensuring Akira wouldn't have to face the second-strongest member of Whitebeard's crew alongside their captain.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard's crew, following their captain's orders, focused on rescuing Ace, trusting Whitebeard to handle Akira. They believed in him—he was still the world's strongest man.
Clang!
Whitebeard planted his naginata, Murakumogiri, firmly into the ground, exuding an aura of overwhelming confidence.
"Kid, countless people have coveted my head over the years, but they've all ended up as mere piles of bones. If you want it, show me what you've got!" Whitebeard said proudly.
His title as the world's strongest wasn't gifted to him; it was earned through countless battles.
Many challengers had fallen before him, and today, he couldn't afford to lose.
Akira waved dismissively. "You've got it wrong—I'm not here for your head."
"What?"
Whitebeard was momentarily taken aback.
"The World Government's offer was just 5 billion berries. If I were to take your head, I'd charge them at least 50 billion. So for 5 billion, I'm only doing a 5-billion-berry job. I don't work extra without proper pay."
"Honestly, if they hadn't offered so much, I might've helped you out instead. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"AKIRA!"
The Fleet Admiral's voice thundered, furious at Akira's flippant remarks. With the entire world watching this live broadcast, such statements were a nightmare.
Yet deep down, Sengoku felt a pang of relief. If not for the contract with the Uchiha Security Company, Akira and Shisui aiding Whitebeard would have spelled disaster.
"Relax," Akira said nonchalantly. "I said I'd get the job done. You'll get your money's worth."
"Gurarararara!"
Whitebeard's laughter erupted once more, unable to count how many times Akira had amused him.
"Gurarararara! What an arrogant brat! Even if you're working for the World Government, I don't dislike you!"
"But, you're standing in the way of me saving my beloved son. So don't expect me to hold back!"
"Come on, kid! I'll show you what it means to be the world's strongest!"
Boom!
Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki surged, a tidal wave of raw power.
Boom!
Akira answered with an equally overwhelming blast of Conqueror's Haki.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone