Around the island, Onigumo and the others watched with solemn expressions.
Battles at the Admiral level were exceedingly rare. For elite Vice Admirals like them, witnessing such a confrontation was both a shock and a valuable experience.
Not far away, reporters clutched their Video Den Den Mushi, pens flying rapidly across their notebooks as they struggled to capture the most explosive headlines surrounding the battle for the position of Fleet Admiral.
Cold air spread endlessly while molten lava rolled violently. The sheer pressure radiating from the island forced even Onigumo and the others to sigh in disbelief.
"As expected of Admirals," one Vice Admiral muttered. "That kind of power… even watching from here makes my heart feel heavy."
"That's normal," Doberman replied calmly, a cigarette clenched between his lips. "They were already called monsters when they were still in training. We are human. Comparing ourselves to them is meaningless."
Even as he spoke, his eyes never left the battlefield.
The island itself looked as if it were being torn apart.
Akainu and Aokiji fought without restraint, and before long, mirror-like cracks spread across the ground. The land groaned as if it might collapse at any moment.
Aokiji frowned.
In the next instant, an overwhelming wave of cold erupted outward.
"Ice Age!"
The entire island froze solid.
Even the surrounding sea was instantly locked in ice, expanding the battlefield several times over.
Yet despite the widened terrain, neither of them moved elsewhere. They remained on the island, fully aware that Marine forces were stationed nearby. No matter who emerged victorious, the observers were still their subordinates.
Losing high-ranking officers due to collateral damage would be a loss no future Fleet Admiral could afford.
With the island stabilized by ice, the battle intensified even further.
Boom!
Lava and frost collided violently, painting the island in a breathtaking yet terrifying spectacle of fire and ice.
The sun rose in the east and fell in the west.
One full day passed.
Then another.
The two Admirals fought like tireless beasts, unleashing devastation without pause.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
By the seventh day, their movements finally slowed. Their chests heaved heavily as exhaustion began to surface.
Onigumo and the others exhaled deeply.
It was finally nearing its end.
Admirals truly lived up to their reputation. At first, everyone watched with awe. As the days dragged on, even seasoned Vice Admirals felt numb from witnessing such overwhelming power.
Watching nonstop for seven days and nights would exhaust anyone.
Suddenly, a violent surge of heat and cold exploded from the island, sweeping outward like a storm.
Onigumo narrowed his eyes sharply.
"They've awakened their abilities. The winner is about to be decided."
The island transformed completely.
One half was sealed in endless ice, cold enough to numb the soul. The other half boiled with magma, temperatures high enough to incinerate flesh instantly.
Two extremes split the land into separate worlds.
From the lava surged a massive molten hound, roaring as it charged toward Aokiji.
At the same time, a towering ice phoenix rose from the frozen ground, letting out a deafening cry as it rushed forward.
The clash sent steam billowing into the sky, shrouding the island in thick mist like an illusionary realm.
The battle reached its true climax.
Lava Dragon.
Ice Lion Majesty.
Molten fists collided with frost-covered arms.
Each exchange left the watching Vice Admirals stunned by the sheer mastery of elemental power.
Three more days passed.
At last, the battle came to an end.
Both men stood in tatters.
Their uniforms were shredded, faces pale with exhaustion, breathing ragged and uneven. It was clear they had pushed themselves beyond their limits.
Suddenly, Akainu extended his hand.
Lava surged violently as a massive molten arm erupted forward, seizing Aokiji's left leg.
Aokiji retaliated instantly, ice condensing with overwhelming force as he slammed his attack into Akainu's abdomen.
Neither had the strength left to evade.
Both endured the final exchange head-on.
The outcome was decisive.
Aokiji's left leg was destroyed by the overwhelming heat.
Akainu suffered permanent internal damage.
Grinding his teeth against the pain, Akainu forced himself upright, step by step. His willpower was unmistakable, the embodiment of the Marine hawks.
Aokiji, however, collapsed, his consciousness fading.
"You lost," Akainu said coldly. "From this moment on, I am the Fleet Admiral."
Molten lava gathered slowly in his hand, hovering dangerously close to Aokiji's neck.
Yet after a long pause, Akainu turned away.
Years of camaraderie lingered, even now.
In the distance, Marine warships surged forward. Onigumo immediately led the medical teams to the island.
The ten-day battle was over.
Aokiji was defeated.
Akainu became the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
A legendary island was born.
Half ice.
Half fire.
A land locked in eternal balance.
---
Whole Cake Island
Beside a quiet river, Kaito reclined lazily in a deck chair, fishing rod in hand, resembling a carefree old fisherman.
Perospero approached, admiration clear in his eyes.
"Captain, the news just arrived. The battle is over. Aokiji was defeated, and Akainu has become the new Fleet Admiral."
"That was inevitable," Kaito replied calmly. "Once you understand their personalities, the result was obvious."
"Where is Aokiji now?"
"Receiving treatment at Marine Headquarters."
"Keep watching him," Kaito said. "The moment he leaves the Marines, inform me. I'll recruit him personally."
Perospero widened his eyes. "You believe he'll leave the Marines?"
"Yes," Kaito said without hesitation. "His prestige remains high, but his ideals clash completely with Akainu's. With Akainu in power, leaving is the best choice."
"I understand. I'll arrange it."
"How are things among the pirates?"
"They're prosperous. Everyone supports your policies. Even the forty thousand former Marines are integrating smoothly."
Perospero hesitated. "One more thing. X Drake, one of the Supernovas, wants to join us."
"Where is he now?"
"Near our waters."
"Have Bullet capture him and lock him up with the Marine prisoners," Kaito said coldly. "That man isn't clean."
Perospero stiffened. "You believe Drake is Marine?"
"Yes," Kaito replied. "But he's not ordinary. He's a high-level chess piece. Someone meant to strike when it matters most."
"Understood," Perospero said quickly, departing without delay.
---