CHAPTER 95: Clash on the Frozen Sea

Crack.

The sea groaned as it solidified. Warships and vessels alike were completely frozen in place, immobilized by the sudden drop in temperature.

Even the waters several meters below the surface had turned to solid ice, locking the ships in an unyielding grip. A chilling frost enveloped the entire area, the atmosphere growing dense and oppressive.

From his bicycle, Aokiji stepped off slowly and stared at Mio, speaking in a calm yet stern voice.

"Your journey ends here."

"That may not be the case." Mio grinned, turning toward the warship. Spotting familiar faces onboard—such as Vice Admiral Gion—he waved casually.

"Your Navy really doesn't let up, huh? We just got a new ship, and you're already this serious? Bit much, don't you think?"

"The newcomers aren't as strong as you are," Gion replied coldly, unsheathing Kinpira, her blade glinting with sharp menace.

"Then maybe the blame lies with the weak, not with me," Mio replied with a helpless shrug. But his grin sharpened, and his tone turned ice-cold. "But if it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get."

Aokiji was undeniably powerful.

But among the three Admirals, he was the one Mio feared the least—especially when backed by a typical fleet.

Clang.

Raikiri was drawn, its gleaming blade reflecting the sun's icy hue.

Then—

"Hanba!" Mio roared.

ROAR!

From beneath the frozen sea, directly below the warship, a monstrous howl shattered the silence. Ice exploded violently as a massive hand erupted from the depths and smashed into the ship's underbelly. The powerful strike tore the bottom apart, launching the warship into the air. Panicked screams rang out as Navy soldiers were flung in all directions.

Gion barely managed to evade the chaos, leaping high into the air. As she caught sight of the creature responsible, her pupils shrank.

That size. That terrifying power.

Whoosh!

A sudden sound split the air.

Mio was already airborne, Raikiri raised high, swinging toward Gion with lethal precision. A wave of black sword energy burst from his blade.

Clang!

Gion reacted just in time. Pivoting mid-air, she intercepted the slash with Kinpira. Landing gracefully on the ice, she stared Mio down with unwavering eyes.

She could feel it—Mio's strength rivaled her own. Possibly even exceeded it.

Strange abilities. Skilled swordsmanship. Overwhelming Haki. And above all, his rapidly growing physical prowess.

This man's growth is absurd.

"This time, with Admiral Aokiji here, you're destined for Impel Down," Gion declared coldly.

"Don't be so sure." Mio spoke lightly and took a step forward—only to vanish in that instant. His sudden reappearance at Gion's side sent a chill down her spine. That strange teleportation… even with full awareness, reacting to it was almost impossible.

Swish!

Mio slashed with Raikiri, Armament Haki swirling across the blade. A black crow-shaped energy projectile burst forth, diving toward Gion's neck with ruthless intent.

From a distance, Aokiji frowned.

He moved to intervene—only for his instincts to suddenly flare.

Without hesitation, he crossed his arms in front of his face.

Boom!

A brutal force slammed into him. Lilith had appeared mid-air and delivered a devastating kick. Though Aokiji managed to block it, the impact created a shockwave that rippled through the ice.

Lilith landed and stepped back, her expression cool and resolute.

"You're not allowed to interfere with my master's battle."

"Master?" Aokiji raised a brow. The term caught him off guard. What kind of crew dynamic was this?

But now wasn't the time to question it.

"Then I'll capture you first. You're all headed for Impel Down anyway."

Lilith chuckled, amused. "Capture me? Feel free to try."

As she spoke, a pair of majestic wings unfurled behind her. With a graceful flap, she rose into the sky, hovering above the battlefield.

Aokiji's eyes narrowed. Flight-type opponents were always a pain.

Still airborne, Lilith smiled confidently. Not only could she fly, she also had the powers of the Replacement Fruit. Alone, Aokiji lacked the means to pin her down.

"Tch. What a pain…" Aokiji muttered.

Erica and Kuroken were now closing in from opposite flanks.

Meanwhile, Warwick had plunged into the Navy ranks like a wild beast. Screams echoed as he tore through marines without mercy. Apart from Robin, the rest of the crew was overwhelming the opposition.

And then—

Aokiji glanced down at the frozen sea beneath his feet.

He could sense it. A massive presence lurking deep below the ice. Watching. Waiting.

It was Hanba.

Not just a brute—an intelligent beast.

"This is going to be more troublesome than I thought…" Aokiji muttered.

He extended his hand, and dozens of jagged ice blades formed in the air beside him.

With a flick of his wrist, the blades launched toward Lilith.

Shhhk!

The sound of slicing air rang out as the shards flew like bullets.

Lilith flapped her wings again, summoning a violent windstorm. The gales shattered the ice blades into harmless glittering fragments.

"A fantasy beast Zoan… just as I thought," Aokiji muttered, then leapt backward.

Boom!

Four scarlet tentacles slammed down where he had just stood, the ice splintering under their force.

From the mist, Hei Yan emerged. His eyes glowed red with the Sharingan.

"What a pain…" Aokiji said, more irritated than surprised. He had sensed the ambush with Observation Haki and narrowly avoided it.

No sooner had he moved than two ferocious sword slashes came at him from opposite directions.

Erica. Lilith. Kuroken.

They had him surrounded.

Aokiji's expression finally turned serious.

These weren't simple pirates.

Their abilities were bizarre. Dangerous. Unpredictable.

He had to deal with them one by one.

"I'll take you down first," he muttered.

With a tense shift in stance, he vanished.

When he reappeared, he was directly in front of Kuroken.

His hands gleamed with cold energy as he shouted,

"Ice Ball!"

Five massive pillars of ice exploded outward, shooting toward Kuroken. The temperature plummeted as frigid air spread across the battlefield.

Kuroken felt the blood in his veins begin to freeze.

But then—his Sharingan spun rapidly.

Just in time, four crimson tentacles erupted from Hei Yan and dragged Kuroken out of the attack's range.

The ice pillars slammed into the ground, shattering what little stable footing remained.

The clash had only just begun.

And it was far from over.