BOOM!!
A thunderous detonation swept across the harbor.
The moment fire and ice collided, the two opposing forces triggered a violent chain reaction.
Blazing heat rapidly transformed enormous amounts of ice into water.
At the same time, the overwhelming frost suppressed and consumed the raging flames.
Thick clouds of steam surged upward.
Within moments, the battlefield disappeared beneath a curtain of white mist.
From the outside, the clash appeared evenly balanced.
But the truth was different.
Every passing second drained a tremendous amount of strength from both combatants.
"Ace is ridiculously strong! He actually forced Admiral Aokiji into this situation!"
"Hahaha! Two Devil Fruit abilities are completely unfair! Just imagining Pops empowered by another Devil Fruit is exciting!"
"Honestly, the Ice-Ice Fruit isn’t bad either. If somebody had both the Flame-Flame Fruit and the Ice-Ice Fruit, couldn’t they create some kind of steam-based ability?"
"Why think that far ahead? Just get Ron to enchant it for you!"
"Hahaha! Good point! I was overthinking it!"
As Jozu and the other commanders laughed and chatted, they continued advancing.
Step by step.
Closer and closer to the battlefield.
The moment they entered striking distance—
Vista exchanged a glance with Jozu.
The two men immediately understood each other’s intentions.
Both grinned.
Then they moved.
At exactly the same time.
"Rose Rondo!"
"Brilliant Impact!"
Sunlight reflected off Jozu’s diamond-coated arm.
The shining limb resembled a massive crystal hammer.
His muscles bulged as explosive power surged through his body.
Even the force generated by his movement produced fierce gusts of wind.
At the same time, Vista launched himself into the sky.
Bathed in sunlight, he appeared dazzling.
His twin swords danced gracefully through the air.
Like silver dragons weaving across the heavens.
Crimson rose petals drifted around him.
Yet these beautiful petals were anything but harmless.
Every single one carried razor-sharp sword energy.
Enough to cut through steel.
Soon, countless petals filled the air.
They intertwined with one another.
Forming a massive crimson net that enveloped the battlefield.
"Damn it!"
Aokiji’s expression changed instantly.
Both anger and surprise flashed across his face.
He never expected Jozu and Vista to attack at such a critical moment.
As expected of pirates.
They cared little for fairness.
As long as it achieved their goal, they would use any opportunity available.
Unfortunately—
He had no time to think further.
Aokiji attempted to mobilize his powers.
Too late.
Jozu arrived first.
His diamond arm crashed into Aokiji’s chest like a speeding battleship.
The terrifying impact forced the Admiral backward.
Before he could recover—
Vista was already there.
His twin blades flashed.
A deep slash instantly appeared across Aokiji’s back.
Then Ace joined the attack.
Flames exploded around his fist.
The fiery punch landed squarely against Aokiji’s chest.
Already injured from the previous attacks, the Admiral suffered another heavy blow.
Under the relentless combination assault—
Aokiji finally spat out a mouthful of blood.
Blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
His body staggered before collapsing onto the ground.
For a brief moment, Aokiji assumed the pirates would rush over and finish him.
Instead—
Something completely beyond his expectations happened.
Not a single pirate charged toward him.
Every one of them rushed toward the blood he had just coughed up.
"HAHAHA! This blood is mine!"
"Get lost! It’s mine! That’s blood from an Ice-Ice Fruit user!"
"Leave some behind for Ace and Jozu! Nobody take everything!"
The pirates scrambled frantically.
Glass bottles appeared from every direction.
Each drop of blood was treated like priceless treasure.
They carefully collected every trace.
Not a single drop was wasted.
Aokiji stared blankly.
Confusion filled his face.
Why were these people so obsessed with his blood?
Why were they fighting over it?
Was there some hidden value in his blood that even he didn’t know about?
Unfortunately—
He had no opportunity to investigate.
Although he failed to uncover the truth behind the three golden pillars of light—
He had obtained information that was arguably even more important.
The Whitebeard Pirates now possessed someone capable of wielding two Devil Fruit abilities.
"Ah la la..."
Aokiji slowly rose to his feet.
He wiped the blood from his mouth.
"This trip has certainly been worthwhile."
His gaze settled on Ace.
"Second Division Commander Ace."
"I’ll remember you."
The familiar lazy smile returned to his face.
"That’s enough for today."
"We’ll settle the rest another time."
"Geppo."
The moment the word left his mouth—
Aokiji stepped into the air.
His foot landed against empty space as though it were solid ground.
One step.
Then another.
Then another.
Each movement increased his speed.
The air cracked beneath his feet.
Booms echoed throughout the sky.
Within moments, his figure became a distant blur.
Like a bolt of lightning disappearing beyond the horizon.
Only the lingering wind remained.
Along with a group of pirates staring after him with expressions that mixed gratitude and regret.
"Ace, if the three of us had kept pushing, we might’ve been able to leave Aokiji here!"
Jozu looked unwilling to let the matter go.
After all, capturing a Marine Admiral would shake the entire world.
His bounty would skyrocket.
Meanwhile, Vista carefully withdrew a tiny glass vial from his coat.
His expression was incomparably serious.
As if he were handling the most precious treasure in existence.
Then he carefully scraped every trace of Aokiji’s blood from his blades into the bottle.
Not even a single droplet was wasted.
"Jozu."
Vista shook his head.
After sealing the vial, he tucked it safely inside his clothing.
Only after patting it twice to ensure it was secure did he continue speaking.
"The fact that we managed to ambush him and inflict serious injuries is already a miracle."
His expression gradually became solemn.
"But stopping a Marine Admiral from escaping..."
Vista paused briefly.
"We would have paid an enormous price."
There was helplessness in his voice.
But also certainty.
Today’s victory was only temporary.
To truly bring down an Admiral—
Several lives would likely have to be sacrificed.
"Is he really that terrifying?"
Jozu’s eyes widened.
"Of course."
Vista nodded without hesitation.
"Never underestimate an Admiral."
Ace agreed as well.
"An Admiral is still an Admiral."
Suddenly, his complexion turned slightly pale.
"Cough..."
His body swayed.
But only for a moment.
He quickly regained his balance.
Then a grin spread across his face.
"The Phoenix form is absurdly overpowered."
"That last attack consumed an unbelievable amount of stamina."
"Yet most of it has already recovered."
"A guy with two Devil Fruit powers is basically cheating!"
"Hahaha!"
"Come on!"
"I’m going to find Vice Captain Ron and get one for myself!"
"I want Pops’ Tremor-Tremor Fruit!"
"Same here!"
The group burst into laughter.
Still chatting excitedly about future Devil Fruit powers, they headed back toward the ship together.