21

"Did he really kill three Celestial Dragons?"

"And it was broadcast live... thousands saw it. The Celestial Dragons even called themselves pigs on camera..."

In Marineford, Sengoku was furious.

"Sakazuki has already engaged that boy, but he hasn't gained the upper hand!"

"He's young, but his combat power is terrifying."

Despite his anger, Sengoku was growing increasingly worried.

"Sengoku" said Tsuru, her voice laced with concern. "I suggest Akainu and the others pull back. The Celestial Dragons are already dead — there's no reversing that. And if this escalates, the repercussions from the World Government could be worse. Besides, aside from Crocodile, the other three enemies are extremely powerful."

"I'm afraid that continuing this fight will only lead to our admirals getting injured. That would damage naval morale and weaken us ahead of the war."

"Bullet and Elior are monsters. Even if Akainu and the others manage to win, it would come at a heavy price."

"It's just not worth it."

Sengoku furrowed his brows. Tsuru was right.

Kizaru and Akainu were both locked in battles against enemies who matched them in strength. If things continued like this, it would only be a brutal, costly fight—and right before the clash with the Whitebeard Pirates. The timing couldn't be worse.

After a long silence, Sengoku made his decision: They would settle the score with Elior and the others later.

He immediately ordered the Vice Admirals at the Sabaody Archipelago to have Akainu and the others retreat.

Boom!

Back in Sabaody, Akainu finally shattered the massive ice sphere created by Elior.

Now staring at Elior, Akainu's heart tensed. There was something unsettling in the boy's calm gaze.

To his side, Kizaru was locked in a fierce battle with Bullet, who had already activated his Clank-Clank Fruit ability.

As for Sentomaru, he was completely overwhelmed by Shiryu. His left arm had been severed by Shiryu's sword, and if he kept fighting, he'd likely be killed.

"Damn it!"

Akainu's frustration boiled over.

Elior rushed forward again, fists flying. Akainu countered instinctively. Their blows collided in a thunderous impact.

Elior's fists were coated in Armament Haki, while Akainu fought back with his bare fists — each punch ringing like a cannon blast.

After ten grueling minutes of exchanging blows, Akainu made a chilling realization:This boy's body was a fortress. An unbelievably durable physique—it was like punching steel reinforced with Haki.

"You bastard!"

Akainu roared.

Bang!

Akainu's fist struck Elior's chest, while Elior's fist landed squarely on Akainu's face.

The impact sent both flying, but Elior seemed completely unfazed, while Akainu's nose began to bleed, and red veins filled his eyes.

He looked utterly humiliated.

"You little brat... today, you're not leaving the Sabaody Archipelago alive!"

Clenching his fists, magma surged from Akainu's arms. Two massive lava hounds formed at his sides, snarling and snapping, dripping molten fire as they leapt at Elior.

Tch. You still think I'm just some brat, Akainu?"

Elior raised his hands in a unique gesture.

"Mahapadma"

He spoke softly, but the effect was immediate.

A shimmering, ice-blue aura erupted from his body—an expanding field of frozen stillness.

Time itself stopped.

This was Mahapadma, the trump card of Demon's Extract — an ability even more terrifying than a Devil Fruit.

Whereas Esdeath could only use it once per day, Elior, blessed with a monstrous physique and stamina, could invoke it multiple times. Unlike other ice-type abilities, this one didn't just freeze matter—it froze space and time.

Within the field, only Elior could move. The air stopped flowing, thoughts stopped forming, hearts stopped beating.

Everything was still.

The massive lava hounds, mid-air, froze like statues. The steam rising from them hung motionless.

Akainu himself — frozen in place. His expression, his body, his mind—completely locked in stasis.

The onlookers were stunned into silence.

"W-What is this…?"

Kizaru and Bullet paused mid-fight, watching in disbelief.

They had seen monstrous powers before—but this?

"Akainu… He's not moving. Not even a twitch."

"Oi, Sakazuki! What's going on!?" Kizaru called out, his voice edged with panic.

But Akainu couldn't hear him.

Inside the shimmering blue field, everything was silent.

Elior approached with calm steps, a smile playing on his lips.

"This is my ability," he said, knowing Akainu couldn't hear him. "You can think of it as freezing time itself. Inside this field, you're nothing but a lamb waiting for slaughter… even if you're an Admiral."

He stood inches away from Akainu, still smiling.

"Oh right… You can't think right now, can you? You won't even hear this."

Elior raised his fist—ready to end it.