"Dragon Claw Fist!!!"
Sabo, the young Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, launched a fierce assault toward Admiral Aokiji.
"Ah la la... are you trying to settle the score for your brothers?" Aokiji drawled lazily, his tone as casual as ever. "I just hope this doesn't end the same way it did before."
The fist wrapped in ice and Haki met Sabo's Dragon Claw Fist head-on. The impact sent cracks splintering through the frozen air.
However—
Killing Sabo with a single strike, like he once did Ace, was no longer possible.
After all, unlike Ace who relied on the powers of his Logia fruit, Sabo was a master of close-quarters combat. Years of grueling training in the Revolutionary Army had honed his Armament Haki to an exceptional level.
But even so...
Even if Aokiji couldn't end him instantly, he remained confident he could take Sabo down. He was, after all, one of the strongest combat forces in Marine Headquarters.
A wave of biting cold radiated from Aokiji's body, freezing the very air around them. Frost began creeping up Sabo's arm where their fists met.
Sabo's expression darkened. He was about to move—
Then, a furious voice erupted behind him.
"EX—!"
"Second Gear! Rubber-Rubber… Jet Pistol!!!"
Luffy's shout tore through the chaos as his fist—nearly invisible to the naked eye—crashed straight into Aokiji's chest.
Crack!
Boom!
Aokiji's ice body shattered into countless glittering fragments that scattered across the battlefield. For a moment, it seemed as if he'd been destroyed—but the shards soon gathered and reformed, his figure solidifying again in the distance.
"Ah la la," Aokiji sighed, scratching his head. "So you're both joining in now? Brothers fighting side by side… this is going to be a little troublesome."
From another front, a familiar lazy voice called out through the din of war.
"Kuzan, if things are too tough over there, want to switch places?" Admiral Kizaru suggested with a wry grin, light flashing across his golden form.
"Hm… I'll pass," Aokiji replied immediately.
Compared to dealing with the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh, he preferred facing Sabo and Straw Hat Luffy. At least they were somewhat easier to handle.
"Sabo! We're coming to help too!"
Captain Lindbergh of the South Army flew in on his jetpack, crackling energy flaring from his gauntlets.
"The opponent is a Marine Admiral," said Karas, the stoic commander of the North Army, his coal-black feathers rustling as he transformed his arm. "We can't afford to underestimate him, no matter what."
"Got it."
Sabo nodded firmly.
He had no intention of repeating Ace's mistake.
Besides, his younger brother Luffy was already fighting—there was no stopping him. Sabo understood Luffy's resolve too well to tell him to stand aside.
With Lindbergh and Karas providing backup, Sabo could finally focus on fighting without worrying about Luffy's safety.
"Ah la la la... this really is getting troublesome," Aokiji muttered again, sounding almost bored.
"In that case, I'll lend a hand!"
A voice called from above as Admiral candidate Tokikake—known as Chaton (Brown Pig)—descended using Moonwalk, the air cracking beneath his feet.
"Don't think you can just show up and do as you please!" roared a voice like thunder.
Diamond Jozu, the third division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, charged forward, his diamond-coated fist slamming into Chaton and sending him flying.
Originally, Jozu had intended to back up Ace and take on Aokiji himself. But with Sabo and the others already engaging the Admiral, there was no need to interfere.
Elsewhere, another fierce duel erupted.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi—there aren't many beautiful and deadly swordswomen like you on the seas," laughed Foil Bista, captain of the Fifth Division. "Allow me the honor of crossing blades!"
Before Momousagi (Gion) could move to support Aokiji, Bista intercepted her. The two master swordsmen clashed, their blades gleaming in the sunlight, leaving those who watched their dazzling swordplay utterly breathless.
Across the battlefield, Whitebeard's division commanders and New World captains were fully engaged with Marine elites, each skirmish raging with unmatched ferocity. The war had entered its most intense and chaotic phase—a true stalemate.
But among all the fronts, the most perilous battleground of all was the one where Marco the Phoenix faced off against Admiral Akainu.
The 6th Division Captain Izo and the 10th Division Captain Curiel fought alongside him, but—
Even together, they were hard-pressed to stand against the relentless might of the magma-wielding Admiral.
"You worthless scum! Get out of my way!" Akainu roared, his magma fist sweeping through the air like a volcanic storm.
Lava splattered across the battlefield, scorching everything it touched. As Akainu moved to encircle Whitebeard with Marshal Sengoku, it seemed the tides of war were turning decisively against the pirates.
And then—
Without warning—
Crescent Bay erupted.
The sea itself rose up, surging with terrifying power as massive waves towered over the battlefield.
"Fish-Man Karate: Ocean Current Shoulder Throw!!!"
Whooosh!!!
A colossal torrent of seawater slammed into Akainu, steam exploding into the air as magma met ocean.
"How about cooling off a little, Admiral Akainu?"
Standing amid the mist and rising vapor was none other than Jinbe, the Warlord of the Sea.
His calm, unwavering eyes burned with quiet defiance as he prepared to strike again.