Aokiji raised his right hand and called out softly.
"Ice Time!"
A chilling wave shot forward, colliding with Rukia Kuchiki's Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren.
Crack! Crack!
The two blasts of cold clashed, freezing in place as thick frost gradually coated the ground.
A hint of admiration flashed in Aokiji's eyes.
This little girl isn't weak… at least, she's at an elite Vice Admiral level.
But compared to him, she's still lacking.
"Ice Time Capsule!"
Suddenly, Aokiji unleashed a surge of fierce cold. A shockwave raced along the ground toward Rukia, freezing everything it touched.
Rukia's pupils shrank, and she immediately leapt into the air with Shunpo, evading the attack.
"How naive!"
Aokiji seemed to have expected this. He raised his right arm and swung violently.
"Bakuzukui!"
A terrifying mass of ice condensed on his arm into a gigantic ice bird, lunging toward the airborne Rukia.
Even though Garp was on leave in the East Blue, the intel he sent to Marine Headquarters was complete.
Rukia's flight ability had already been considered by Aokiji!
The ice bird soared, its shockwave tearing through the air with a piercing shriek. Everything it touched turned to shards of ice instantly.
"So this is what the Soul King meant… the ultimate naval power on the seas, a Marine Admiral! Truly terrifying!"
Rukia tilted her white sleeve, extended her left hand, and began chanting Kido.
In fact, her Kido aptitude surpassed her swordsmanship.
"Ruler of All! Flesh-mask of myriad forms, the one who bears the name of humanity upon the crown! Carve twin lotuses upon the Wall of Azure Fire, and in the distant skies, await the Abyss of Flames! Hado #73: Sōren Sōkatsui!"
Two intertwined azure fire lotuses descended from the sky, colliding with Aokiji's Bakuzukui.
Boom!
The violent clash of ice and fire instantly triggered a massive explosion. Even the forces stationed on Judicial Island, who had withdrawn far away, heard it.
"Huh? She can use ice… and fire?"
Aokiji's expression shifted. Her abilities are unusually diverse… Ice, fire, flight…
Could she have eaten a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit?
No… that can't be it. If she had, she would have some animal traits.
His intuition screamed that there was a huge secret about her.
"Looks like I can't hold back!"
Aokiji thought, flicking his eyes toward Soifon nearby.
That woman was his true concern.
According to Garp's intel, Soifon's power was no less than an Admiral's.
Yet she had stood there with her arms crossed the entire time, observing without intervening. That posture was familiar—Admirals often let subordinates fight while they observed.
Unfortunately, Rukia, strong as she was, was still no match for him.
"Twin Ice Spears!"
Two massive ice spears formed beside Aokiji, shooting like cannonballs toward Rukia.
In an instant, they reached her. Rukia swung her sword and cleaved them in two, but the force still sent shivers through her arms.
The next moment, a terrifying pressure descended.
"Ice Blade!"
Taking advantage of Rukia's obstructed vision, Aokiji used Geppo to soar above her. In his hand, a blade made of solid ice slashed downward.
Clang!
Rukia blocked the strike with her sword. Aokiji, however, smirked with satisfaction.
"Got you!"
The next instant, terrifying cold erupted from Aokiji's hands, freezing the air itself.
"Ice Age!"
Aokiji's ultimate technique unleashed all his cold energy, capable of freezing the surrounding sea for more than a week—a near-perfect control skill.
Rukia's face turned pale. She couldn't withstand this attack.
And now, pressed close by Aokiji, escape was impossible.
"Hado #88: Ryūgū Shishi Raikōhō!"
At this critical moment, Soifon finally intervened.
A massive blue beam, accompanied by crackling lightning, shot toward Aokiji.
While elemental transformation could nullify most physical and energy attacks, it couldn't fully counter attacks with opposing attributes.
Ryūgū Shishi Raikōhō, combining light and lightning, carried immense heat and piercing power.
Aokiji's ice element could not fully defend against it.
Observation Haki alerted him—this attack could seriously injure him. Reluctantly, he released Rukia and retreated, evading the strike. After all, his true opponent was Soifon. If he was injured now, the battle could spiral out of control.
Boom!
The searing beam cut past him, the heat nearly melting his face.
The next moment, Soifon stood in front of Rukia, tilting her head slightly.
"Vice Captain Kuchiki, you're no match for him. Stand down."
Rukia, though reluctant to lose face, knew she couldn't fight recklessly. Aokiji's strength was far beyond her.
She bowed respectfully. "Then I leave it to you, Captain Soifon."
Aokiji landed, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
"Hado #73, #88… This isn't a Devil Fruit ability, but a developed system of powers?"
The thought made his heart tremble. Powers rivaling a Devil Fruit, but developed… The implications could be more dangerous than the Pacifist Plan.
"And since they call each other Captain and Vice Captain, they clearly have a complete organizational structure. This seems highly probable."
Aokiji's concern deepened.
Gathering composure, he introduced himself softly. "I am Admiral Aokiji of the Marines, under the World Government. And you are?"
Soifon's expression remained cold. "Captain of the 2nd Division, Gotei 13, under the Soul King—Soifon."
Aokiji's pupils constricted.
Gotei 13… If Soifon is this strong, there are twelve more like her?
Impossible!
Aokiji dismissed the thought as absurd. If such a force existed on the seas, the World Government would already know.
"Originally, I thought I could just go easy on them… but now, I have to capture at least one alive."
Aokiji shook off his casual demeanor. As a Marine Admiral, he couldn't ignore such a threat.
"Oh? Looks like you've woken up," Soifon said, a faint smirk appearing as she drew her Zanpakutō.
"Sting all Enemies to Death... Suzumebachi"
A golden short blade appeared on her fingers—a true weapon capable of countering any Logia-type Devil Fruit user.