"Pops?!!"
The pirates behind stared in horror at Whitebeard frozen within the ice. They never dreamed this man could be trapped by a Marine Admiral!
In contrast, the Marines wore expressions of sheer excitement.
"Excellent! Whitebeard is frozen solid!"
Yet Aokiji showed no such exhilaration, his gaze remaining grave as he watched Whitebeard.
At that moment, cracks suddenly appeared across the ice encasing Whitebeard!
Crack!
Crack-crack-crack-crack!
The fractures rapidly expanded until the entire ice sphere shattered into fragments!!
BOOM!!
Witnessing this, Aokiji remarked, "It seems vibrations can't be frozen after all."
In that case, he'd have to resort to other methods of attack!
Without hesitation, he leaped into the air while activating his Devil Fruit Ability.
"Ice Block, Two—"
CLANG!
Before he could finish, Whitebeard's Cloud-Cutting Scythe enveloped in Haki pierced straight through his chest!!
"Ad-Admiral Kuzan?!"
The Marines stared in disbelief, their eyes filled with terror.
Could it be... their Admiral was dead?
"Ahahaha! See that? That's Pops' power!"
"Damn Marine Admiral, got stabbed by Pops' Haki, didn't you?"
"Serves you right!"
The pirates roared with laughter, their expressions growing increasingly exhilarated.
"Haki?" Aokiji stated, "Such methods aren't necessarily effective against me!"
As long as he could perform Elemental Transformation in advance and shift his real body elsewhere, he could evade Haki attacks!
"Observation Haki," Whitebeard frowned.
It seemed this brat Aokiji had reached quite an advanced level in Observation Haki.
But Whitebeard wasn't concerned.
Dodging once didn't mean he could avoid a second strike!
Gripping his Naginata, Whitebeard prepared to withdraw his weapon.
Before he could act, Aokiji activated his Devil Fruit Ability, freezing Whitebeard's weapon into an ice pillar!
Had it not been protected by Haki, the weapon might have been permanently damaged!
"Take this, Whitebeard!" Aokiji shouted, "Ice Block: Two-pronged Spear!"
Whoosh~
Several ice spears materialized around Aokiji, poised to launch at Whitebeard!
At that moment, a figure gleaming with diamond luster appeared beside Aokiji, driving an elbow into his body!
"Armament - Shining Collision!"
SMASH!!
The devastating blow shattered Aokiji's body into frozen fragments!
After completing his move, Jozu turned to Whitebeard, "Pops, leave this guy to me! You go ahead!"
Whitebeard nodded, "I'll leave it to you then."
With that, the man strode away, heading directly toward the execution platform.
After watching Whitebeard depart, Jozu turned his gaze to Aokiji, who had returned to human form, and said, "Aokiji, I'll be your opponent!"
Staring at the gleaming diamond covering Diamond Jozu's body, Aokiji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, "You again...
Just got sent flying by this guy earlier, and now it's happened again."
"That's right, it's me!" Jozu declared. "This time, I won't let you escape!"
With a loud shout, Jozu charged rapidly toward Aokiji, simultaneously infusing his elbow with Armament Haki.
"Diamond Elbow!"
Facing Jozu's attack, Aokiji didn't waste words either, immediately using his Devil Fruit ability to create an ice bird and infusing Haki into its head.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
The next moment, their attacks collided!
"Clang!"
"Boom!!"
The impact between elbow and ice bird instantly unleashed a terrifying shockwave, sending nearby Marines flying!
"Ah!"
The Marines screamed as they were flung into the distance, each looking more miserable than the last.
One unfortunate soul flew toward where Hancock was standing.
"Hmm?"
Glancing at the Marine hurtling toward her, Hancock instinctively frowned before delivering a swift kick!
"Perfume Femur!"
"Crack!"
With just one kick, she turned the airborne Marine into a stone statue, then shattered it completely.
After dealing with this, Hancock looked toward the direction where Aokiji and Diamond Jozu were fighting and remarked, "Diamond Jozu, is it?"
After observing their battle for a moment, Hancock reached a conclusion.
That was... with Jozu's current strength, temporarily holding off Aokiji shouldn't be a problem.
Thinking this, Hancock said, "It seems I don't need to intervene to stop this Aokiji."
That was just as well—she could use this opportunity to find Meiser!
With that thought, she turned to look toward where Meiser and Borsalino were fighting, a smile appearing on her face.
Then, the woman sprang into action.
Kicking a Marine blocking her path, Hancock shouted, "Don't stand in my way!"
"Ah!!"
The struck Marine let out a piercing scream before flying off into the distance.
"Damn it, this woman is controlled by the Blood-Eyed Ninja! We're no match for her!" a Marine cried.
"We need to find a way to free her!"
"True, otherwise we'll keep suffering losses."
Having made this decision, the Marines began scheming about how to rescue Hancock from her supposed control.
But unfortunately, facing a Pirate Empress who willingly allowed herself to be "controlled," their plans were doomed to fail.
"That bastard!"
Watching Hancock cut a path forward, Sengoku's veins bulged in fury.
He then picked up a Den Den Mushi and ordered, "Strawberry, you two go stop Boa Hancock!!"
"Boa Hancock?"
Strawberry was momentarily stunned upon hearing Fleet Admiral Sengoku's command, then looked toward Hancock's direction and said, "That woman controlled by the Blood-Eyed Ninja?"
After clearly seeing what the woman was doing, Strawberry frowned and said, "She really is a troublesome woman."
He then called out to the Navy Vice Admiral beside him, "Let's go, we need to stop Boa Hancock!"
The Vice Admiral who was called instinctively wanted to say something, but after considering Fleet Admiral Sengoku's earlier words, he swallowed his words.
Subsequently, the two used Moonwalk and quickly charged toward Boa Hancock's direction.
"Pirate Empress, stop right there!!"
Hearing the voice from above, Hancock instinctively frowned.
She then fixed her gaze on the two figures in the air and said, "Two Navy Vice Admirals?"
"Great, it's the Vice Admirals!"
Seeing the two Navy Vice Admirals land on the ground, the Marines immediately showed expressions of delight.
With two Vice Admirals here, they should definitely be able to stop the Pirate Empress!
"We can't let you run wild any longer," Strawberry said coldly.
"That's right!"
"With the two of us here, you better stay put obediently!"
Crack~
Hearing their words, veins bulged on Hancock's forehead. Was she being looked down upon?
She then stomped her foot, shattering the ground beneath her, and declared, "You two, don't get in my way of finding Meiser!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Hancock swiftly charged forward and delivered a kick aimed at both of them!
"Go, stop her!"
"Right!"
The two Navy Vice Admirals shouted and launched their own attacks against Hancock.
Clang!
Boom!!
"Ah!!"
The Marines who hadn't managed to retreat in time were sent flying by the shockwaves generated from the three's battle!
Subsequently, the three engaged in an intense fight in the area. Their wide-ranging combat style made both Marines and pirates hesitant to approach the vicinity!
However, as the fight continued, everyone began to notice something odd—why were the two Navy Vice Admirals gradually falling at a disadvantage?!
Could it be that even two Navy Vice Admirals combined were no match for the Pirate Empress?!
At this thought, shock appeared in everyone's eyes.
"As expected of the Pirate Empress, her strength is truly formidable," Ivankov remarked.
Thankfully, she had been hypnotized by Meiser, otherwise they would definitely be at a disadvantage!
"Don't dwell on that, we need to focus on dealing with the Marines in front of us!" Jimbei said.
As he spoke, Jimbei assumed a signature Fish-Man Karate stance and threw a punch forward!
"Fish-Man Karate: 5000 Tile True Fist!"
Boom!!
With that single strike, he sent a group of Marines blocking their path flying!
"Damn Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea...."
"Charge, don't retreat, stop them!"
"Right!!"
Led by several Navy Vice Admirals, the Marines swiftly rushed toward them.
"This is never-ending..."
Seeing the continuous stream of Marines charging at them, Jimbei instinctively frowned.
Just then, Bartholomew Kuma appeared beside them, calmly observing the oncoming Marines.
"Huh?"
Recognizing Bartholomew Kuma, Jimbei was momentarily stunned, then asked in surprise, "What happened to that Navy Vice Admiral from earlier?"
Bartholomew Kuma didn't speak, merely pointing in the direction he had come from.
Following the direction of the other's finger, Jimbei noticed the Navy Vice Admiral lying on the ground.
It was clear that this Navy Vice Admiral had been knocked unconscious by Bartholomew Kuma.
"He's already taken down..." Jimbei remarked in surprise.
It seemed Kuma's strength was even greater than he had imagined.
"As expected of you, Kuma," Ivankov said with a complicated expression.
Even after having his consciousness erased, this guy's power remained formidable.
"Damn Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea!" Vice Admiral Momonga shouted. "Attack, take them down!"
"Right!"
Doberman and the others roared in response, then charged toward Ivankov and the rest alongside Momonga.
Seeing this, Ivankov immediately yelled, "Hold them off! Buy time for Straw Hat Boy!"
"Right!"
Jimbei and the others roared back, then rushed forward to confront the Navy Vice Admirals.
As the elite fighters on their side, they had to stop the enemy's top-tier combatants!
Soon, the two sides clashed, erupting into fierce battle.
"Death Wink!"
"Tempest Kick!"
"Clang!"
A pale blue slash shot from the Navy Vice Admiral's hand, shattering Ivankov's shockwave.
"One Sword Style: Rat's Tail!"
A Haki-infused slash mercilessly aimed for Jimbei's head!
Jimbei immediately enveloped his fist in Haki and punched directly at Momonga's blade.
"Fish-Man Karate: 5000 Tile True Fist!"
"Clang!"
"Boom!!"
A terrifying shockwave erupted from the impact, sending the running Luffy flying through the air!
Seeing this, Vice Admiral Dalmatian's eyes flashed with delight, and he dashed toward Luffy without hesitation.
"Shave!"
Using the Navy Six Styles, he appeared beside Luffy in the blink of an eye.
Then, the Vice Admiral in his half-beast form coated his fingers with Armament Haki and thrust them toward Luffy's shoulder.
"Finger Pistol, Mottle Flash!"
"Thud!"
The sharp dog claws easily pierced through Luffy's shoulder!
"Ahhh!!"
Luffy screamed in agony as the force sent him flying backward, eventually crashing hard onto the ground.
"Luffy..."
Witnessing this, Garp's veins bulged on his forehead, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
At that moment, he desperately wanted to save his grandson and take him away from this place.
But he couldn't—because he was the Hero of the Marines.
"Garp."
Sensing the change in Garp's aura, Sengoku calmly glanced at the seat below and said evenly, "Remember your position."
He hoped Garp would understand what needed to be done now; otherwise, he would have no choice but to deal with his old comrade himself.
Garp fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then closed his eyes with a grim expression.
Seeing that Garp made no further moves, Sengoku nodded and turned his gaze to Luffy.
Under his watchful eyes, Luffy was struggling to get up from the ground.
"Damn it!"
"Don't get in my way!"
Watching Luffy's ferocious glare, Vice Admiral Dalmatian sneered coldly, "Did you think we'd let you approach the execution platform so easily?"
"Don't be naive, kid!"
"This is a battlefield!"
How could they possibly let this brat rescue the prisoner they were determined to execute at all costs?!
"So what?!"
Clutching his shoulder, Luffy glared angrily at Vice Admiral Dalmatian and declared, "I will save Ace no matter what!"
Hearing Luffy's words, Vice Admiral Dalmatian fell silent for a moment before saying, "It seems you still haven't grasped the reality of the situation!"
"In that case... let me personally send you to your grave!"
As his words fell, an intense killing intent erupted from Vice Admiral Dalmatian's eyes.
The man then leaped up, charging rapidly toward Luffy.
"Die, Straw Hat Boy!"
With Armament Haki infused into his fist, Vice Admiral Dalmatian aimed a blow straight at Luffy's head!
If he could strike the opponent's skull, he was confident he could finish him off!
Sensing the lethal threat, Luffy instinctively tried to jump away and evade the attack, but his opponent was faster!
'This kid is done for!'
Seeing the panic on Luffy's face, a flicker of delight passed through Vice Admiral Dalmatian's eyes.
He would personally execute Dragon's bloodline!
"Die!"
"Clang!"
"Wha...?!"
His pupils contracting sharply, Vice Admiral Dalmatian stared at the man blocking his path.
Bartholomew Kuma?!
Seeing Bartholomew Kuma raise his arm to block the attack, Vice Admiral Dalmatian's heart sank to the depths.
He knew he couldn't attack the Straw Hat Boy anymore.
At that moment, Kuma launched his attack.
"Bzzz～"
His palm, the size of a bear paw, struck Vice Admiral Dalmatian directly.
"Thud～"
Under the effect of his Devil Fruit ability, Vice Admiral Dalmatian was sent flying.
"Whoosh～"
"Boom!!"
Like a cannonball, Vice Admiral Dalmatian crashed straight into the ruins!
"Vice Admiral Dalmatian!"
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