One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

"Terrifying! This level of power is almost comparable to what Whitebeard used to unleash!"

"And there's Barrett too—this is like a monster out of the old era!"

"He's not even sixteen yet!"

Rayleigh was shaken by Vane's attack. The sheer destructive force of the blow blasted apart an area over two hundred meters wide. Rayleigh, who had been about sixty or seventy meters away, had to retreat quickly—there was nowhere left to stand near the impact zone!

He continued pulling back until he was nearly three hundred meters out, the air thick with smoke and debris. Even with his sharp eyes, Rayleigh couldn't see anything through the haze. The massive trees around him only made visibility worse.

"I've got a bad feeling Akainu's going to lose," Rayleigh muttered. "To have grown this powerful at only fifteen… that's unheard of."

"That fruit—it's like the Gura Gura no Mi, but with freezing abilities stronger than Aokiji's… and his physique is monstrous! A single punch can do this much damage!"

Rayleigh couldn't help but admire him.

"On top of that, he has all three types of Haki, he's skilled in swordsmanship, and most impressive of all—his age!"

"If he survives the road ahead, this new era might just belong to him. The New World's throne will be his to claim!"

In the smoke-filled battlefield, Vane stood on the shattered earth, his figure partially obscured by thick haze. He activated [Observation Haki], searching for Akainu's presence. The admiral was buried under rubble—his body badly damaged.

Though the blow hadn't landed directly, the force had torn through Akainu's elemental body.

For Logia users like him, [Elementalization] was usually a safeguard—but not this time.

[Godfall!]

A roar erupted from deep beneath the ground.

"Meteor Volcano!"

Akainu's bellow echoed like thunder.

Vane's Haki sensed Akainu forcing his way out. His fists transformed into giant molten lava gauntlets, dripping magma and setting the stones beneath ablaze.

This was Meteor Volcano, Akainu's most powerful technique. Massive molten fists launched into the air in quick succession, then rained down like a meteor shower. The sky turned crimson. The temperature surged. Lava fists fell from above in droves, distorting the air, scorching the trees, and turning the ground into a blazing inferno.

After suffering back-to-back blows, Akainu's temper snapped.

He no longer cared what happened to Sabaody. Vane didn't care either—this was an illegal zone, home to smugglers and pirates. Neither man had any reason to hold back.

Akainu's only goal now was to kill Vane.

Even if the Celestial Dragons or the World Government demanded Vane alive, Akainu didn't care. His creed was absolute justice. If he had to commit dark deeds to uphold that justice, so be it.

The sky lit up with molten fists falling like fireworks—if not for their destructive power, it might have been beautiful.

But the ground split open, flames consuming everything. The space turned blood-red with heat, the air blistering. Even the floating bubbles in the Sabaody air popped instantly.

"…What terrifying power."

Vane exhaled and punched upward—sending a lava fist flying back the way it came.

"You brat! You've pissed me off!"

Akainu emerged from the flames, still sheathed in molten rock—like a lava demon rising from hell.

Vane caught the bloodlust in his opponent's eyes.

Akainu wasn't just angry. He was furious. If Vane escaped, or worse—defeated him—his name would be tarnished forever. His enemies would mock him. His status as a Marine Admiral would be shattered.

He couldn't afford to lose.

That meant only one thing: Vane had to die. Or, at the very least, be captured.

"Die!"

Akainu flashed forward. In less than two seconds, he appeared in front of Vane and unleashed a savage punch.

"He's faster! Rage boosts strength just like those warriors from that Saiyan race…"

No more Hellhound or signature moves—just raw, brutal strength.

Vane met the punch head-on, his arm coated in [Armament Haki].

Boom!

The shockwave was like steel slamming against steel. Dust and smoke scattered in all directions.

Their fists clashed less than half a meter apart. Vane could see Akainu's snarling expression—and almost laughed.

They were locked in a dead heat. Neither punch was breaking through.

But Vane had no time to waste.

Suddenly, two thick icicles shot out of the ground, flanking Akainu. Before the Admiral could react, the icicles slammed together—crushing his head.

Vane followed up with a devastating kick to Akainu's midsection, launching the Admiral's lower half through the air. His torso cracked under the blow, severed once more from the rest of his body.

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