[Physical Repair Fluid] could fix any physical wound up to 50% damage, but Rodin currently had no use for it. Tashigi's body was stored in a fresh state in his space ring, but since her consciousness couldn't return, the fluid was useless.
[Beautiful High Heels] offered an exemption from seawater and seastone and could make the wearer ten years younger if they were over 35. This was a godsend, but no one on the ship was over that age. Still, it was a valuable item.
Rodin's thoughts were interrupted by a ripple in his Heart Network. The guests had arrived.
"Whoosh…"
Dover, flew back into the Birdcage, Haki depleted. "I need to rest for ten minutes," she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. Without a moment's hesitation, she pulled Rodin into her arms.
"Hey, hey! We'll fight for you!" Baki yelled, quickly separating the two. "You rest, don't you touch the captain!"
"I earned it, and I deserve it!" Dover snapped, glaring at the pirate who was getting in her way.
"Alright," Rodin said, standing up and trying to swallow the lump in his throat. He felt like a trophy. "There are two Admirals out there. It's my turn to fight." He vanished from the spot.
Mihoko, the female summon of Hawkeye, glanced at the two before moving her boots and soaring into the sky.
"It's all your fault that the captain has to go out there!" Baki said, disdainfully looking at Dove before flying off. "Tsk. You think you can have the captain?"
"Five-Color Strings!" Dove yelled, her fingers bent into claws, tearing at the air.
"Whoosh!"
A flash of white light sliced Baki's body into six pieces, but she remained floating in the air.
"Trash! Take care of yourself!" Dove yelled, trying to stand, but her weakness was overwhelming. She gripped her teeth, her chest heaving in anger.
Crocodile, who was guarding the ship, said calmly, "You're so full of life, you probably don't even need rest to recover your Haki."
"Just watch your boat," Dove retorted, trying to suppress her rage. She knew Crocodile was a rival for Rodin's affection, a man she didn't want to share with anyone.
On the edge of the Birdcage, a three-meter tall blue shadow condensed—Aokiji. He raised his sunglasses, feeling the surroundings. "The residents have all been evacuated into shelters, haven't they?" he wondered. "Or were they forced? The houses don't seem damaged, so it must be fine."
"So, what are you going to do?" he asked as a column of scorching magma poured into the cage nearby.
It was Akainu, who glanced at Aokiji before leaping onto a residential building and rushing toward a certain direction.
As Aokiji stretched and prepared to follow, a cold, sharp, white-patterned katana swung down at him. Aokiji, anticipating the attack, exhaled a cold breath and condensed a Haki-imbued ice blade to block it.
"Clang!"
The ice blade shattered, and the katana sliced straight through Aokiji's body, splitting him in half. He collapsed onto the ground like a broken popsicle.
Mid-air, Mihoko held the sword in both hands, her eyes filled with a dignified look.
"As expected of a woman who has challenged Hawkeye," Aokiji said, his body turning into an ice road that stretched all the way to a public restroom. He leaned against the door, his arms crossed.
"Squeak."
The door was not properly closed, and Aokiji stumbled, nearly falling into the toilet. At that moment, a shrill, old voice shrieked from within. "Pervert! Another pervert! Come and catch this Marine pervert!"
Aokiji's eyelid twitched. He hadn't realized the door was ajar. He glanced again and his face turned to a shocked red.
"How dare you look at me!" the old woman screamed.
"Grandma, I'm so sorry," Aokiji stammered, trying to escape, but the old woman's hand grabbed his cloak of justice. "Young man, you're not leaving!" she said.
Aokiji turned into ice and fled, but a tingling feeling made his scalp prickle.
"Yo!"
A cold voice and a sharp white light descended.
"Ice Spikes!" Aokiji pressed his hands together, and dozens of ice thorns formed a protective dome around him. The white light chopped down, shattering the ice and leaving a massive strech in the street.
Aokiji stood on a building, one hand in his pocket, facing Mihoko. "Little girl, you give me the same feeling as Hawkeye himself. It's incredible," he said. "Can you tell me why you haven't taken any civilians hostage?"
"Marines always talk nonsense," Mihoko replied, her eyes sharp. "Do you think you would stop if I did?" A strong person wouldn't use such a low-level tactic.
"A-la-la, you're right," Aokiji said, knowing that with Akainu around, the justice they sought would not be swayed by hostages. His right arm began to turn into ice.
Mihoko's heart tensed as a large column of lava erupted in the distance. She had to deal with Aokiji quickly.
"Looking at your expression, do you want to kill an Admiral? Then show me your true power," Aokiji said, pressing his palm to the roof.
"Silala…"
An ice snake shot across the ground, appearing at Mihoko's feet before turning into a series of ferocious ice pheasants that lunged at her.
At the same time, miles away, Buggy slashed a lava-formed dog's head. The moment her blade touched it, the attack was destroyed.
"Boom!"
A red explosion sent Buggy flying ten meters back.
"Dark Hound!!!" Akainu materialized on Buggy's head and punched down with his right hand at incredible speed.
Baki held her head, cowering like a little girl. Akainu's face was emotionless; he would kill any pirate, man or woman, in the name of justice.
In a flash, Rodin appeared. He clenched his right hand and shot a silent attack toward the dog.
"150 Million Volts: Thunderfury!"
Akainu's pupils shrank. He could feel the immense power, even though the attack was silent. But his prey was right there. He chose to take the hit and land his own.
The Dark Hound slammed into Baki. But her cowering expression turned into a weird smile.
"Boom!"
Akainu's fist passed right through Baki forehead as if it were a cloud of particles. At the same time, Rodin's Thunderfury, like a roaring thunder beast, engulfed Akainu.
"Marine Admiral," Rodin said. "Can you take this hit?"