ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The friction of the shells slicing through the air produced a piercing, high-pitched whistle.

Everyone on the ship immediately frowned.

After a brief moment of surprise, Kaido scoffed and turned away in disdain. "Tch, is it another Devil Fruit user?"

Without hesitation, he gripped his kanabo, Hassaikai, and prepared to strike.

A split second later—

Clang!

Caesar unsheathed his blackened, haki-infused blade, leaped into the air, and met the incoming projectiles head-on. With a crescent-shaped slash, he intercepted the high-speed shells.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

A chain of explosions lit up the sky, their shockwaves battering the pirate ship.

Caesar landed lightly on the deck, his sharp gaze locking onto Kaido. "That guy is my opponent."

Kaido paused, then snorted, an irritated scowl on his face.

From the other ship, Rocks D. Xebec clapped his hands together, grinning wildly. "Not bad."

On the Wald Pirates' ship, Douglas Bullet, Binjack, and Sebastian watched intently.

"Whoaaaa la la la la..."

World's Strongest Selfish Man, Golden Lion Shiki's former comrade, World Government's nightmare—"Demon Heir" Douglas Bullet—laughed, his green beard swaying with the movement.

"As expected of a New World pirate. Quite powerful."

But...

His eyes gleamed with arrogance. "It doesn't matter. Everything and everyone before me will be destroyed."

"Captain, you don't need to get your hands dirty. I'll handle him," Sebastian volunteered.

Wald hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I'll take care of him myself."

His Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) had already sensed Caesar's strength. This wasn't an opponent to take lightly.

Suddenly—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Wald launched himself into the air using Geppo (Moonwalk) and landed on the Rocks Pirates' ship, instantly cutting down several minor crew members. Seizing two fallen guns, he aimed them at Caesar.

Caesar narrowed his eyes, his sword shifting slightly forward, crescent-shaped slashes forming in the air.

Wald dodged with ease.

But Caesar didn't falter, closing in to engage in melee combat.

"Double Speed—10x the Gun!"

The twin black muzzles locked onto him.

Click. Boom!

With lightning-fast reflexes, Caesar's blade severed both firearms in a single stroke. Even the bullets were shattered midair by the sheer force of his Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki).

As the black smoke cleared, a long fissure remained where his attack had passed through.

Wald's smirk faded, his expression turning serious.

"You're more skilled than I expected… But you're still 21 years too young to challenge me!"

With a fierce roar, Wald vanished and reappeared right in front of Caesar. His hardened, blackened fist came crashing down.

Clang!

Caesar blocked it with his sword but was forced back several steps.

Too strong.

Wald had mastery of all three types of Haki, was proficient in Rokushiki, and wielded the Moa Moa no Mi, an ability that made him even more terrifying.

But rather than discouragement, Caesar's fighting spirit surged higher than ever.

What a rare chance—to clash against such a complete warrior.

He let out a deep growl, his muscles tensing violently, before swinging his sword with even more force.

The battle raged on.

Whitebeard, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow.

"That Caesar... he's something else. He's already adapting to Wald's techniques."

Kaido, who had fought Caesar numerous times, also widened his eyes slightly.

"This brat… he's never used high-speed movement techniques before."

He understood Caesar's body well. Despite lacking Wald's raw speed, his relentless training had allowed him to close the gap in mere minutes.

'This kid… his learning ability is monstrous.'

Rocks, watching in amusement, burst into laughter.

"Looks like I made the right choice bringing him aboard!"

Clang!

Caesar's blade slashed toward Wald's back.

Direct hit.

But… nothing.

His hardened black Busoshoku Haki made the attack feel like an insect bite.

Caesar clenched his teeth. At long range, he could counter Wald's fruit abilities, but at close range, he was at a disadvantage against such overwhelming Haki.

[21] Wald Escapes, Caesar Grows Stronger!

Three days passed.

The battle continued, though its intensity had diminished.

Both ships had taken heavy damage. If not for the commanders of the Rocks Pirates deflecting attacks, their vessel would've already sunk.

At this point, both warriors were relying purely on endurance.

The sky was filled with afterimages as they exchanged blow after blow.

Then—

Bang!

Caesar was struck hard by Wald's haki-infused punch, sent crashing down like a meteor.

Blood sprayed from his mouth. His body slammed onto the deck.

"Caesar!"

Brad rushed over in concern. "Are you alright?!"

Rocks clicked his tongue.

Whitebeard exhaled. "Let the doctor treat him. He did well enough—holding out this long against a top-tier Devil Fruit user who's mastered both Haki and Rokushiki is no small feat."

But Rocks wasn't paying attention.

He strode past the wounded Caesar and Brad, fixing his gaze on Wald, who stood panting on his own ship.

Wald finally exhaled.

If the fight had continued, he might have lost.

He hadn't expected Caesar to grow stronger during their battle. His plan to finish him in ten minutes had completely backfired.

Binjack sat on Wald's shoulders again, worried. "Are you alright, Captain?"

"Captain Wald…" Naiqin, too, looked tense.

Just one Rocks' commander had pushed their captain this hard.

And standing on the other side of the battlefield was Rocks D. Xebec—along with three monsters even stronger than Caesar.

They had no chance of winning.

Rocks smirked.

"Since you're here, leave behind everything of value."

His predatory aura exploded, sending chills through the air.

The Rocks Pirates erupted in cheers, their overwhelming bloodlust crushing the spirits of the Wald Pirates.

Despite winning the duel, Wald found himself in a hopeless situation.

He gritted his teeth.

If they stayed, they would die.

Exchanging a glance with Binjack, they came to a silent agreement.

They had to retreat.

Lockes sneered. His Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) rippled outward, causing many of Wald's weaker crew members to collapse unconscious.

Crack.

Even the ship's wooden boards began to split under the pressure.

Wald's pupils shrank.

Lockes scoffed. "Think you can run?"

Suddenly—

"Double… 100x Speed!"

With a deafening boom, the Wald Pirates' ship vanished in an instant.

The Rocks Pirates stood frozen in shock.

A black dot lingered on the horizon.

"…The hell?"

Kaido clicked his tongue.

Rocks smirked.

"Well, isn't that interesting."