"Akainu, I'll make an exception and show you what true fusion is!"
Bullet grinned, his body deeply covered with Armament Haki. The devil fruit power surged from him like a tsunami, devouring everything in its path—ruins, rocks, and twisted metal. In the blink of an eye, dozen meter tall machine, stood before everyone.
Bullet couldn't stand Akainu's provocation. A joke! He was famous for his devil fruit. How dare Akainu challenge him with that now? If he didn't teach the man a lesson, he wouldn't be able to show his face in the future.
"Come on, Akainu, show me your strength!"
A manic gleam flashed in Bullet's eyes. He coated his body with a colossal amount of Armament Haki and charged, swinging his enormous fist. Akainu, the Lava Man, didn't back down. His lava giant waved its sharp claws to meet the attack.
Bang bang bang—!!
The two behemoths, despite their contrasting agility, collided repeatedly. Scalding heat waves radiated from their clash, making it suffocating. Each impact shook the entire island and churned the surrounding sea into a frenzy of towering waves.
"Captain, if they continue, this island might sink!" Shiryu's voice was tinged with envy as he watched from a distance.
The battle between Bullet and Akainu was a storm of a thousand troops, a whirlwind of destruction. The havoc they wreaked was immense. If not for Adrian and Aokiji's influence preventing the magma from spreading, the island would have already been consumed by fire and lava.
Shiryu couldn't help but feel jealous. Bullet, had always made fun of him, and he wanted revenge. But he knew he couldn't win.
"Leave them be. Keep an eye on Kizaru. We'll withdraw as soon as my side is finished," Adrian said casually.
Punk Hazard was a dead island, worthless enough for the World Government to abandon. The only part of the island useful to Adrian was Caesar's experimental institute. As long as Bullet and Akainu's battle didn't reach it, Adrian wouldn't intervene. He couldn't help but notice the scene before him. It was like a battle between Ultraman and a monster.
"Aokiji, how long are you going to keep this up?" Adrian looked at the Ice Man, who was cornered but still resisting.
"I'm not like Sakazuki. Your aggressive tactics won't work on me." Aokiji became calmer the more critical the situation was. He spoke with a half-warning, half-threatening tone. "Since Borsalino has arrived, Marine reinforcements will be here soon. I believe that's the main reason you acted early."
"Now, all I need to do is delay until they arrive. With your current numbers, you'll surely die."
Clap clap.
Adrian applauded, a slight nod of his head. "Your analysis is correct, but do you really think you can last that long?"
As his voice faded, the yellow sand beneath Aokiji's feet swirled and rose, instantly forming an impenetrable sand cage around him. The Armament Haki attached itself to the cage, solidifying it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of Aokiji's desperate attacks echoed from within the cage, but after a great effort, he was powerless against Adrian's high-level Armament Haki.
"This is scary, friend Adrian. What you're doing is very dangerous~~"
Sensing the shift in the situation, Kizaru rushed over. Shiryu and Van Augur, beside him, couldn't stop the logia user who was now fighting with all his might.
"Get lost!" Adrian's eyes flared with fury. He clenched his right fist, and a white halo enveloped it.
Boom!
With a single punch, a terrifying shockwave swept out.
"This isn't good~~" Kizaru's expression changed instantly. He gave up his attack and fled, turning into light.
But Adrian had already disappeared, melting into the yellow sand and reappearing inside the dark sand prison.
"Damn it... Yata no Kagami!"
Kizaru realized he'd been tricked and shot into the sky. A second later, countless brilliant laser photons rained down on the prison like a torrential downpour. He no longer cared about hurting Aokiji. If he didn't stop the attack, Aokiji would surely die.
Boom—!!
Smoke and dust billowed into the sky, engulfing the black prison where Adrian and Aokiji were. The entire island shook violently.
"Damn it!"
Shiryu's face was filled with frustration. He swung his sword, Raiu, at Kizaru, and a lightning-like blue slash wave shot through the air. He was panicking. If he messed up Adrian's plan, he would be punished, but more importantly, he'd be killed by the Empress and Bullet. Adrian's orders were simple: hold Kizaru. If he couldn't do that, he had failed.
"Don't get in my way." Kizaru dodged the slash wave and glared at Shiryu. He was preparing to launch another round of attacks.
"Heh, I'll never let you disturb the captain's plan!" Shiryu sneered darkly and raised his sword, releasing a series of huge, lightning-like slash waves. He was giving it his all.
At the same time, Van Augur kept harassing Kizaru. Although his attacks were no match for the powerful logia user, this was the task Adrian had entrusted to him. He would see it through to the end.
"You two who don't know your place, the old man will..." Kizaru's previous calm and composure had vanished. He was about to kill Shiryu and Van Augur. But just then, a magnificent golden coffin suddenly descended from the sky.
Boom—!!
The earth shook violently.
Clatter...
The golden lid opened, and six golden chains as thick as arms shot out, directly dragging Aokiji's body from the dungeon. The coffin lid then closed with a heavy thud.
The sudden scene stunned everyone—from Akainu, who was battling Bullet, to Kizaru, who was a blinding light in the sky.
It was over.
Aokiji...was dead!