After Marco swallowed the capsule, a strange energy rippled through his body. His expression shifted, eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of the transformation happening within.
"Brother Tsubasa, what exactly does this thing do?" Marco asked, feeling the unfamiliar surge of power coursing through him. His question drew Shanks and Buggy closer, both clearly intrigued.
Kaoru Tsubasa smiled faintly, resting one hand on his sword's hilt. "That capsule grants you a power similar to the Hie Hie no Mi—the Ice-Ice Fruit. You'll be able to control freezing temperatures, but unlike a Logia, you won't be able to turn into ice yourself."
"With your current strength, you should already be able to manipulate frost. But full mastery depends entirely on your own training," Kaoru continued.
Marco's eyes lit up with excitement. "Seriously?"
He pointed at the ground experimentally.
Crack—!
In an instant, frost exploded outward. The air chilled as every building surrounding the tavern was flash-frozen in glittering layers of blue-white ice.
Rogue Town Naval Base
"Vice Admiral Garp! Several buildings on X Street have been frozen solid!"
The marine's voice cracked with panic as he saluted.
"Ice?" Garp frowned, crossing his arms. "Could it be Kuzan's doing? No... he's supposed to be elsewhere."
Even so, Garp sighed. "Fine. I'll check it out myself. With Roger's execution tomorrow, we can't afford any chaos."
X Street Tavern
"Hey, Marco!" Kaoru snapped, his breath visible in the freezing air. "If you're going to use your powers, at least control them! Look around!"
The ground beneath Kaoru's feet was encased in frost, Shanks' upper body was frozen stiff, and poor Buggy—entirely encased in ice—looked like a frozen clown statue.
With a flash of irritation, Kaoru slammed his fist on Marco's head—his signature Iron Fist of Love.
"Ow! Brother Tsubasa! I didn't mean to!" Marco clutched his head, pouting in pain.
"Then quit talking and thaw this mess—now!"
Marco, seeing Kaoru raise his fist again, quickly retracted the ice.
The sudden release of cold sent a chill through the gathered townsfolk. Buggy sneezed violently. "S-s-so cold! Ah-choo!"
Many nearby civilians hugged themselves for warmth, and a few even fainted.
Kaoru sighed. "Honestly…" He raised a glowing hand. "Spiritual Arts—Healing, Group Recovery!"
A soft light radiated outward, instantly warming and healing the affected civilians.
"Hey! Marco!" Buggy shouted, stomping over. "You nearly froze me solid! You'd better cough up a few hundred million berries for damages!"
Typical Buggy—never missing an opportunity to demand money.
Marco averted his gaze and pretended not to hear.
"Don't you ignore me!" Buggy yelled, pointing dramatically. "If you don't pay up, I'll take this straight to Whitebeard himself!"
"Calm down, Buggy," Shanks said, stepping between them.
Buggy's eyes widened. "Don't you start, Shanks! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have lost my treasure back then! You ruined my life!"
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry, Buggy," Shanks replied casually, scratching his head.
Kaoru chuckled softly and placed a hand on Buggy's shoulder. "Alright, alright, calm down. How about this—come visit Redoria sometime. I'll give you a chest full of treasure myself."
Buggy froze. "Wait… really, Brother Tsubasa?"
Kaoru smiled. "Really."
In an instant, Buggy broke into pieces—literally—his body flying upward in excitement, leaving only his feet planted on the ground.
"Good grief…" Kaoru sighed, watching Buggy's disembodied laughter echo through the street. "Money-grubbing as ever."
Moments Later
"What's going on here?"
The deep, commanding voice came from behind.
Garp had arrived, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Oh, long time no see, Garp." Kaoru greeted him casually. He wasn't surprised—Marco's little frost explosion was hard to miss.
Garp's gaze drifted downward—and stopped at the sword on Kaoru's waist. "That blade… it looks familiar. Don't tell me—"
"This?" Kaoru tapped the hilt lightly. "It's a keepsake. Something Roger entrusted to me."
(From somewhere in the afterlife: "Oi, I'm not dead yet!")
Garp frowned deeply. "Roger gave you that sword?"
Kaoru smiled faintly. "What's wrong? Planning to steal it?" His hand instinctively tightened around Ace's hilt, ready for a fight if Garp made a move.
Of course, Kaoru wasn't in his full-power state—his real body was still in Redoria. This clone had only a fraction of his true strength.
Garp grinned and flexed his right fist. "Nah. No sword could ever match my fist anyway."
"Then what are you here for?" Kaoru asked.
"Just a warning. Don't cause any trouble here, kid."
Kaoru chuckled. "Hahaha, understood. It was just a small accident."
"Good." Garp turned to leave, though his eyes lingered briefly on Kaoru. "Don't push your luck."
He walked away, his heavy boots echoing against the frozen street. Truthfully, he did want to arrest Kaoru and his companions—but with Roger's execution tomorrow, the Navy couldn't risk stirring up more chaos.
Once Garp was gone, Kaoru left the area with Marco, Shanks, and Buggy in tow.
"Vice Admiral Garp," a young marine asked nervously, "who was that man, sir?"
The question alone was bold—borderline suicidal. If Garp were anything like Akainu, the marine would've been incinerated on the spot.
But Garp just snorted and picked his nose. "Him? Just another pirate. Compared to Roger, he's nothing."
If only he knew.
Because the man he'd just let walk away—Kaoru Tsubasa—was strong enough to suppress both Whitebeard and Roger at once.
Even if this was only his clone.