What If I Take You To Sabo?

Under me, I would call you the strongest…

Hearing this comment, the corners of Whitebeard's mouth twitched slightly. He didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

He was utterly spent—both physically and emotionally. The awakening of the Shock Fruit wasn't like other devil fruits. Its energy consumption was monstrous, and the final move he'd unleashed, triggering countless spatial vibrations simultaneously, was akin to millions of water pumps draining him dry. It was a gamble he rarely took, even in his prime.

This time, though, facing Finn, Whitebeard had chosen to push himself to the brink. Not because he wanted to survive, but because he had something to prove.

Now, lying on the battlefield, he watched Finn approach. The young man moved with an air of nonchalance, every step light, yet carrying a weight of undeniable power.

Whitebeard's voice was hoarse but steady as he spoke:

"Boy, arrogant as you are, you have earned the right. From today onward, you are the strongest man in the world."

Finn tilted his head, rolling his eyes as if unimpressed. "I don't care for titles," he said dismissively.

Whitebeard raised a brow. "Oh?"

"It's all meaningless," Finn continued. "No title could ever fully convey how extraordinary I am."

For a moment, Whitebeard stared at him, then let out a weak chuckle. "I thought you were noble for rejecting glory. Turns out, you're just on a higher level of arrogance."

"Call it what you want." Finn smirked, turning to leave. "Your sons will be here soon to collect you."

"You're not going to kill me?" Whitebeard's question was laced with curiosity, not fear.

"Kill you?" Finn stopped, glancing back over his shoulder. "Why would I? You're no threat to me. Let's be clear—this isn't me being merciful. It's just irrelevant."

Whitebeard fell silent as Finn walked away. Those words cut deeper than any blade. He realized, in that moment, the stark difference between them.

This boy wasn't like other enemies, desperate to eliminate threats. No, Finn was on a level where even Whitebeard's survival or demise was insignificant. For the first time in decades, Whitebeard felt something unfamiliar: helplessness.

"Dad!" Marco's voice pierced the silence.

A streak of flame shot down from the sky, transforming mid-air into Marco, the Phoenix. He rushed to Whitebeard's side, his expression frantic.

"Father, are you—" Marco's sentence was cut short as his foot landed in a puddle. He froze, looking down in confusion.

"Water? In the middle of this scorched battlefield?"

Whitebeard let out a raspy chuckle. "That's… my sweat."

Marco's jaw dropped. "What?! Father, you—"

Whitebeard raised a hand weakly, cutting him off. "If you saw how much I sweated earlier, you'd think this place was a pond."

Marco's shock deepened as he realized the extent of Whitebeard's exhaustion.

"Dad… even at your peak, giving it everything, you couldn't suppress him?"

Whitebeard shook his head, his voice tinged with resignation. "Son, it wasn't even close."

Marco shivered. "This sea… it's destined to change."

Meanwhile, Finn soared above the Spade Pirate Ship, stepping effortlessly on the air.

"Brother! Your strength…" Ace's voice trembled as he ascended in a plume of flames. "It's monstrous!"

Finn shrugged casually. "Too long a story, Ace. I won't bore you with the details."

Ace frowned, his fiery aura flaring in frustration. "Why? Why won't you—"

Finn cut him off, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. His tone softened. "Ace, you're talented. Too talented. You shouldn't waste it as a pirate. Come back with me. Grandpa can keep you safe."

Ace stiffened, pulling away. "Why only me? Why not stop Luffy from being a pirate too?"

Finn's eyes grew distant, staring at the horizon. "Ace, about your identity… Grandpa never told Luffy or me. But I've known all along."

Ace froze. His voice was barely audible. "Is it because… I'm not your real brother?"

The question hung in the air for a moment before Finn's fist collided with Ace's head.

"Idiot!" Finn bellowed. "Blood means nothing! You're my brother, and Luffy's too, no matter what!"

Ace rubbed his head, startled by the outburst.

Finn's expression softened, but his voice remained firm. "Ace, Grandpa doesn't care about Roger's blood, and neither do I. But the world does. The World Government won't rest until you're gone. And if you keep this up, you'll put Grandpa in an impossible position. Have you thought about that?"

Ace faltered. The image of their grandfather flashed in his mind, weathered and strong, yet burdened by their choices.

"I…" Ace started, but Finn interrupted again.

"If you won't listen to reason, then maybe…" Finn hesitated before smirking. "I'll send you to Sabo. He'll knock some sense into you."

Ace blinked, caught off guard.

"What do you say?" Finn asked, his tone lighter but still carrying weight.

Ace stared at him, torn between his dreams and his family. The sea breeze carried his silence as Finn waited for an answer.