ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

Speed comparable to lightning.

In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of him.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Wherever the slashes landed, the earth split apart, forming a massive rift valley that stretched toward the sea. The cracks were bottomless.

The members of the Whitebeard Pirates squinted slightly, their understanding of the Golden Lion and Caesar's strength becoming even clearer.

BOOM!

Caesar blocked it—directly!

A devastating attack, powerful enough to cleave a man in half, was stopped at the very last moment.

"Ugh..."

Caesar let out a roar, pouring all his strength into resisting the blow.

The veins on his arms bulged, muscles tightening to their peak as if they were on the verge of exploding—storing up sheer power.

"RAAH!"

With an enraged shout, he flicked his blade to the left.

CRACK! BANG! BANG!

The deflected slash crashed into a nearby rock formation.

Hundreds of boulders exploded instantly—reduced to nothing but dust.

The hands gripping Wado Ichimonji trembled slightly, and his breathing grew heavier.

He was still at a disadvantage.

The Golden Lion was not to be underestimated.

"Chop!"

But this time, the attack wasn't from the Golden Lion—it was from Caesar!

Through multiple battles, Caesar had studied and adapted to his opponent's techniques.

The moment the attack was unleashed, several spectators' eyes widened in shock.

Caesar was a learning madman—copying techniques in the middle of a battle?

Just like before, the slicing force skimmed across the ground—like an eagle gliding low.

CRACK!

The earth split apart instantly, as if the entire island were about to be divided in two.

Golden Lion frowned and calmly extended his right hand.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ground trembled violently.

Nearby boulders, shaking loudly, were suddenly pulled together with a deafening crash—forming a solid barrier in front of him.

The power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi once again placed Caesar at a disadvantage, just when he seemed to have gained the upper hand.

"Lion Might: Gosho Land Scroll!"

Golden Lion refused to let Caesar catch his breath. After blocking the attack, he raised his hand.

Hovering midair, he looked down at Caesar.

"The winner of this battle will be me."

His words were cold, absolute. Then, with a slight lift of his fingers—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

ROOOAAARRR!

The ground shook like an earthquake.

Amid the flying dust and debris, the dirt and rocks converged into the shapes of four massive lions—each one baring its fangs as they charged toward Caesar from different angles.

Caesar's grip on his sword tightened, and the wariness in his eyes quickly transformed into cold determination—into ambition.

The ambition to win.

"You're not getting past me!"

With a furious roar—

ZZZT! ZZZT!

His blade crackled with Conqueror's Haki.

Spinning midair, he drove his sword in a sweeping arc—unleashing a powerful circular slash.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The impact clashed directly with the lion constructs.

The sheer force shook the battlefield.

Amid the dust and wind, the watching Rocks Pirates grew more serious.

For a moment—silence.

Then the smoke cleared.

The lions had been sliced apart—reduced to mere piles of useless sand.

Caesar immediately turned his blade upward—launching a devastating slash toward the Golden Lion in the sky.

A slash infused with Conqueror's Haki.

In an instant, it reached the Golden Lion.

BOOM!

The Golden Lion's once-casual gaze turned serious.

This brat's Haki... was too strong!

His Conqueror's Haki was far more overwhelming than expected.

Golden Lion barely managed to block the attack.

Their eyes met.

CLANG!

Two figures blurred as they moved at breakneck speed—crashing into each other in midair.

Finally, both fighters slammed into the ground.

ZZZT! CRACKLE!

Purple-black lightning flashed violently.

The overwhelming clash of Conqueror's Haki infusion vs. Conqueror's Haki infusion sent powerful shockwaves across the battlefield.

Their Haki clashed relentlessly.

Sweat began to form on Golden Lion's forehead, while Caesar's burning gaze remained firm.

He could feel it—his mastery of all three Haki had risen dramatically during this battle.

His spirit had grown stronger.

This fight...

He would not lose!

"URAAAAAH!"

With one final, ferocious roar, he exerted even greater force—

BOOM!

Golden Lion was blown backward, sent flying.

[47] Ascension—Go to Sea!

Caesar stood his ground, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Though Golden Lion had held back, Caesar's growth in strength was undeniable.

The Rocks Pirates who had been watching were fascinated, the battle ending before they'd had their fill.

Lockes himself looked at Caesar with clear appreciation.

Just as he was about to speak—

RUMBLE!

The earth shook violently.

Caesar frowned, turning his gaze to the rift where his and Golden Lion's slashes had collided.

The land on both sides of the Great Rift Valley began to tremble and shift apart.

"Move! The island is splitting apart!"

Caesar bolted, grabbing Gnaly and Brad, then leaping onto the ship.

The others quickly followed, thrilled rather than fearful.

They had just witnessed firsthand how a battle between monsters could literally reshape the land.

What a lesson.

But next time, they'd rather not stand so close to the destruction.

—

Back on Hive Island, the excitement lingered.

Everyone was still buzzing about the battle.

Golden Lion's admiration for Caesar had deepened, and his desire to recruit him grew even stronger.

But Caesar paid little mind to it.

Instead, he returned to his usual training with Brad and Gnaly in the island's forests.

Digesting the lessons of battle.

Golden Lion had mastery over swordsmanship, Haki, and Devil Fruit abilities.

Caesar, on the other hand, relied on swordsmanship, Haki, and physical prowess.

If not for his stronger Conqueror's Haki, there would have been no way to counter the Devil Fruit disparity.

His goal of gathering materials for forging swords was nearly complete.

But this was the downside of not being a captain—his movements were restricted.

Day by day, he and his companions continued their rigorous training.

Caesar could feel it—his three types of Haki were growing sharper.

His aura was becoming even more dominant.

Then, one day—

"Mr. Caesar! Captain Lockes sent me! We're setting sail in three days!"

A panting pirate rushed over, speaking respectfully.

Caesar raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded.

The pirate, relieved, quickly turned and ran off.

After witnessing Caesar's battle with Golden Lion, far fewer dared to provoke him.