Marine Headquarters - Marineford.
In the conference room, high-ranking officials watched the events unfolding on Sabaody Archipelago through live footage while continuously issuing commands.
...
"Have we determined the reason for King's appearance? Is Kaido behind him?"
"According to intelligence analysis, both Kari and King belong to the Lunarian Tribe. That's why King has come."
"As for Kaido... our intelligence agents stationed around Wano Country haven't reported back. Kaido hasn't left Wano Country."
...
"Since a cadre of the Beasts Pirates dares to come alone, we should make him stay." Akainu crossed his arms and spoke in a deep voice.
Sengoku pondered for a moment before shaking his head: "Totto Land's expansion has been particularly aggressive recently. Our Marine forces in the New World are all engaged against the Big Mom Pirates. Choosing to start a war with the Beasts Pirates at this time wouldn't be wise."
The majority of the Marine's forces were stationed across the four seas, and the Headquarters itself required Admiral-level combat power. The forces that could be allocated to the New World were limited, insufficient to sustain battles against two Emperor-level pirate crews.
"The World Government's recent directives focus on completing the Seven Warlords of the Sea and arresting Kari. As for King... driving him away will suffice."
...
"Hmph!"
Akainu snorted coldly: "Ultimately, this so-called Seven Warlords system is just a product of the higher-ups' impulsive thinking. It's completely meaningless!"
"Pirates are pirates, how could they..."
"That's enough! Sakazuki!"
Sengoku's expression turned stern: "This matter has its own considerations from above. Moreover... the effectiveness of the Seven Warlords has already been demonstrated, hasn't it?"
"Mihawk is powerful combat strength. The key locations he guards have prevented many pirate crews from entering the New World."
"This time he also responded to the summons..."
Sengoku's tone softened toward the end: "Using pirates to control pirates is only a temporary measure, Sakazuki. You need to understand my position."
Akainu opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing.
He clearly sensed the change in Sengoku's stance, no longer as firm as before.
Not being in that position himself, Akainu could never truly understand Sengoku, only feeling that he had grown weak.
...
"I'll go myself. Let me make this clear beforehand - if that firebird doesn't flee, I'll kill him along with the rest!"
Just as Akainu stood up, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.
There was only one person at Marine Headquarters who could approach him with such ease.
Kizaru smiled slightly: "If you go, you'll destroy Sabaody Archipelago. It's better if I go."
Akainu frowned slightly, turning to cast a reproachful glance.
With their tacit understanding, Kizaru immediately grasped the meaning behind that look.
『It's precisely because you're not taking action that I proposed going myself!』
Kizaru spread his hands with a laugh, pointing at the screen: "No need to rush. Our promising new Marine star still holds the upper hand, doesn't he?"
"This is the young people's stage. It wouldn't be good to interrupt too soon."
Akainu followed his pointing finger, pondered for a moment, and sat back down.
"Hmph, as long as you know what you're doing."
Kizaru stood behind him, a faint glint visible beneath his sunglasses: "No problem... Young Griffin is quite strong..."
...
...
Sabaody Archipelago.
For the first time, snowflakes fell upon this "Summer Island."
As an Ancient Zoan user himself, King sensed a completely different aura from this white wolf.
This feeling...
It was like facing Kaido's Mythical Zoan Fruit!
A legendary creature that doesn't exist in reality, as illusory as a dream!!
...
Swish—
Kari drew his sword and retreated, then instantly accelerated upon landing, circling to the white wolf's side. With his blade tip lowered, he executed an upward sliding slash.
ROAR!!!!!
The sudden roar shook his eardrums painfully, causing his movement to falter.
The next instant—
The Snowfall White Wolf's massive body pounced forth like a collapsing snow mountain, the cold wind it stirred whipping the ground snow into vortices.
The giant wolf's descending forepaws differed from other wolves—rather than wolf claws, they more closely resembled human hands grown with sharp talons.
From within the palm larger than Kari's entire body, powerful wind blades erupted.
...
Wind Release·Gale Palm!!
——
Ice Release is a combination of Wind and Water Release. After obtaining the Twelve Techniques, Griffin reverse-engineered Wind Release ninjutsu from Ice Release.
In his full beast form, Griffin possessed greater life energy—in other words, more Chakra.
Boom boom boom boom boom!!!
Before Kari could raise his sword to defend, he was swallowed by the raging winds, his body sent flying like a kite with its string cut before crashing heavily against the mangrove roots.
The air trembled from the impact.
Rip—
The white wolf possessed speed defying its massive size, tearing through the air as it continued its pursuit!
——
Bang!!!
A burst of flames erupted where Kari had landed, and he shot skyward wreathed in fire.
After reaching a certain height, he deliberately paused mid-air to look down: "Dare to follow me."
Crack— Crack—
Ice crystal platforms materialized in mid-air one after another, and Griffin leaped upward between them.
Just as he reached Kari's altitude...
An endless sea of fire greeted his vision.
Fire Release－Great Fire Annihilation!!
The fiery curtain blotted out the sky above Area 1!
——
Amid the auction ruins, Kari had avoided large-scale Fire Release to prevent accidentally killing Doll and the others.
Griffin hadn't granted him permission to harm his subordinates.
No one would have imagined that the man who had stained the Celestial Dragons' holy ship with blood would care about a few branch Marines.
...
Facing the sky-obscuring sea of fire, the Snowfall White Wolf lightly exhaled a white breath.
The white mist rapidly spread, its extreme cold repelling the approaching flames.
In an instant, an iceberg expanded outward from the white wolf's body.
Ice Release－Thousand Mountains.
Scorching fire waves and freezing cold intertwined in deadly combat, exploding into dense white mist and billowing steam.
However the fire sea raged, the mountain remained steadfast and unmoving!
——
Until the iceberg shattered and the fire sea dissipated, the two figures clashed once more.
Griffin shifted between beast and hybrid forms as they fought from sky to ground, then from the mangrove roots back into the air.
Their movements were too fast for the naked eye to follow—only through constantly exploding shockwaves, and ground that instantly frosted over then scorched, could one trace the battle's trajectory.
...
Experts like King and Mihawk, who had mastered Observation Haki, could clearly see their combat.
Seeing it... only shocked them more.
Their attacks followed no fixed patterns, with no predictable breathing rhythms—each move seemed invented on the spot.
Their manipulation of flame and ice was too complex to comprehend, always striking from unexpected angles.
False images, clones, and mirror reflections continuously appeared, creating a dazzling spectacle.
And then there was their Body Technique.
Griffin always counterattacked at the last possible moment, his timing precise to the millisecond.
As for Kari, he was even more extreme. Due to his unique physique, he completely disregarded his own injuries, solely focused on leaving wounds on Griffin.
...
The Marines' Body Technique had a distinct 'subduing' style, not intended for killing.
The Pirates' Body Technique was more straightforward, but appeared too crude and easily countered.
They were completely different...
Every strike carried the conviction of a certain kill, yet they could swiftly transition to defense after a missed attack—it was practically an artistic display of offense and defense.
...
This was combat that didn't belong to this era.
King clearly recognized this.
In terms of pure power, Kari and Griffin were still far from reaching his level.
But if their power were equal...
King was certain he wouldn't last three moves against Kari!
And this was despite him possessing the superior physical talent of the Lunarian Tribe!
...
So this is ancient-level combat, techniques with complete inheritance...
Incredibly powerful!!