One Piece: I will become stronger by checking in

Just as Kai was about to make a move, Aokiji leaped into the air nearby, casually greeting him with an attack.

Kai sighed. In the original timeline, these were the kinds of moves Whitebeard had to deal with. But now, for some reason, they were all coming for him.

Back then, Whitebeard's beloved "sons" would rush to block such attacks for him. But now…

Kai effortlessly coated his fist in Haki and shattered Aokiji's incoming ice spears, then turned to glance at his so-called allies.

Nami and the others were busy welcoming Robin after her rescue. Luffy and the rest of the crew looked in his direction but… that was it.

They just stood there. Watching.

No one moved to help him.

Seeing this, Kai couldn't help but feel that the difference between people was truly staggering. When Whitebeard was under attack, his crew fought tooth and nail to protect him. But here he was—fighting alongside the future Pirate King—and no one was lifting a finger.

Even though they were shipmates, Kai, with the wisdom of his past life, had always treated Luffy and his crew like younger siblings.

And now? Their "big bro" was under fire, and they were just going to stand there? Unbelievable.

Shaking his head, Kai brushed the thought aside and refocused on Aokiji. It was what it was—life was full of disappointments.

Kai looked up at Aokiji and said calmly, "Uncle Aokiji, isn't this a bit much?"

"We got along just fine before—back in Alabasta, in Water 7. And now, this is how you greet old friends?"

Aokiji sighed, his breath chilling the air. "Kai, I respected you before, but we're on opposite sides now. The World Government sees you as a serious threat, so…"

He raised his right hand, and five razor-sharp icicles shot toward Kai.

"Tch."

Kai smirked and shattered the icicles mid-air. "Uncle, let's not waste time with warm-ups. We've fought before—you know these tricks won't work on me."

With that, Kai bent his knees slightly—Somersault Cloud appeared beneath him in an instant. In a flash, he shot toward Aokiji like a lightning bolt.

"Boom!"

Kai's kick sent Aokiji plummeting straight down. The moment he hit the ocean, a massive shockwave erupted. Within seconds, ice spread from the impact point, freezing the entire inner bay—just like in the original war.

In the center of it all, Aokiji lay at the bottom of a deep crater in the ice. He groaned, slowly climbing out, wiping away a trickle of blood before anyone could notice. But Kai had seen it.

Aokiji's eyes darkened.

Kai… had gotten even stronger.

From their first encounter in Alabasta to their second in Water 7, and now here—every time they crossed paths, Kai's strength had skyrocketed.

Last time, the difference had been big. But now?

Aokiji clenched his fists. It had barely been a week since Water 7. A single week.

And yet, Kai had already broken through to a whole new level.

Now he understood why the World Government was so terrified of him. With this kind of growth rate, it wouldn't be long before Kai was capable of shaking the world itself.

If they let him grow unchecked, it was only a matter of time before he tipped the balance of power.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield—

"Everyone! Move in! Rescue Ace!"

A pirate from Whitebeard's fleet roared, charging forward.

The frozen sea had given them the perfect opportunity to advance.

As soon as he shouted, a wave of pirates surged forward, leaping onto the ice and making a mad dash toward the execution platform.

The war had officially begun.

Kai turned his head slightly, narrowing his eyes at the one who shouted the loudest.

Scuard.

The "Filial Son's Blade."

Kai frowned. Wasn't this the guy who betrayed Whitebeard in the original timeline?

Even though things were playing out differently now, Kai had a gut feeling—this guy was still bad news.

Some people were just born traitors.

In the original war, if it weren't for this backstabbing bastard, Whitebeard wouldn't have taken such a lethal wound before the real fight had even begun.

If not for him, Whitebeard wouldn't have struggled against Akainu. He wouldn't have been left open for that fatal blow.

Kai scoffed. Yeah, this guy needed to be watched.

Without hesitation, he controlled the Somersault Cloud and soared toward Whitebeard.

Whitebeard, standing tall like a mountain, watched his approach but made no move. He sensed no hostility from Kai.

Kai landed smoothly on the deck of the Moby Dick, standing before the strongest man in the world. He looked up and said, his voice calm but filled with challenge—

"Whitebeard. The strongest man in the world. Do you still live up to that title?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Kai's Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.

A storm of pure willpower crashed against Whitebeard, shaking the very air itself.

Whitebeard raised a brow in surprise, then let out a booming laugh. "Gurarara…"

And in the next moment, his Conqueror's Haki surged forth to meet Kai's.

When the two clashed, the very sky above them cracked.

Black lightning streaked through the battlefield.

Pirates and Marines alike trembled under the sheer pressure. The weak collapsed instantly, while even seasoned warriors broke into cold sweats.

The battlefield came to a standstill.

"What the hell is happening?!"

"Demon King Kai… and Whitebeard?!"

On a nearby ship, Diamond Jozu clenched his fists. "What the hell do you think you're doing to Pops, you bastard?!" He started forward, but a hand stopped him.

"Marco?!" Jozu growled.

Marco, his expression unreadable, kept his gaze locked on Kai and Whitebeard.

"Hold on," he said. "From what we know, Kai isn't the kind of guy to pick a fight for no reason. And he's got a good relationship with Ace. Let's wait and see."

Pirates and Marines alike were dumbfounded.

Weren't these two supposed to be allies?

Why did it look like they were about to tear each other apart?

Regardless of the reason, the Marines were thrilled. If Whitebeard and Kai clashed, it could only work in their favor.

At the heart of the storm, the two warriors stood locked in a silent battle of wills.

The battlefield trembled beneath them. The world seemed to hold its breath.

And then—

"Hahahaha!"

"Gurararara!"

Two earth-shaking laughs rang out at the same time.

The war was only beginning.