"Approaching the waters of Sleeping Island, visual range…"
"Entering Sleeping Island waters… raise the flag."
"Sleeping Island dock in sight. Target individuals confirmed: Nation-Slayer Vane, Gecko Moria, and the blind swordsman reported by the agents."
Worried that Vane and the others might flee at the first sign of trouble, the ship only raised the World Government flag after entering Sleeping Island's waters.
"Yaaahh～～ Looks like it's real. Their dock's already cleared out—just three people standing there to 'welcome' us. When we came in, there were Fish-Man underwater passing the message back."
Saint Sommers stroked the beard on his chin. Though draped in an exquisite cloak, underneath he wore short sleeves, shorts, and slippers—like a landlord lounging at home.
Saint Sommers—a free-spirited, unrestrained middle-aged man who favored carefree attire. Yet as an official member of God's Knights, he had no choice but to layer it with refined outer garments.
A conceptual-type Thorn-Thorn Fruit user—real thorny vines, not the sea-urchin kind covered in spikes.
And also a swordsman.
"It doesn't matter. As long as their key figures haven't escaped."
A reserve member of God's Knights, Figarland Shamrock possessed formidable swordsmanship. His blade was empowered by the Cerberus Fruit.
He had come specifically for Vane. Sommers, as a full member of the order, was more inclined to hold the line and oversee the situation.
The rest of the crew were merely attendants—handling navigation and such.
Saint Sommers: "You'd better be careful. They don't look like they have any intention of running."
"All the better. Anyone who dares attack Mary Geoise will face judgment from above."
...
On the dock.
Watching the World Government ship draw closer and closer, Vane had no intention of letting them set foot on the island. Once they reached a suitable distance, he leapt into the sky.
Blood Demon Art — Netherworld Demon Form!
Blood Demon Art — Articuno Wings!
He turned into a streak of light and plunged into the sea.
Crack—crack—crack…
Within five kilometers, the entire surface of the ocean froze solid beneath a thick sheet of ice.
The World Government ship happened to be within that range and was instantly frozen in place.
"Report! Our ship has been frozen by the sudden ice layer!"
"Get out of my sight. Do we need you to report something we can clearly see?"
Saint Sommers sighed. "This will be a troublesome opponent. I recall there's a Vice Admiral in the Navy with similar abilities."
"The ship can't advance. Disembark onto the ice."
"The rest of you stay and break the ice around the hull."
Sommers and Shamrock jumped onto the frozen surface. The moment his feet touched the ice, the thick hair on Sommers's bare calves stood straight up.
He slipped one foot out of his slipper and rubbed it against his other leg.
"It's freezing… Should've dressed warmer."
On the other side, Fujitora and Moria followed Vane onto the ice as well.
Fighting on the ice would cause the least damage to Sleeping Island.
Under a "two-way charge," both sides soon met at the center of the frozen sea.
There was no righteous proclamation, no needless speeches. They simply faced each other. For a moment, the air itself seemed thick and viscous.
"Nation-Slayer Vane, accept your judgment."
Shamrock drew the Cerberus Blade and pointed it at Vane.
Now their opponents were clear.
As Vane unsheathed his sword, he instructed calmly, "You two be careful with that old man. I'll deal with this arrogant brat."
Vane had a rough estimate of Sommers's strength—or rather, of the strength of God's Knights.
The Five Elders were likely not far from Admirals in power—if weaker, then only by a slim margin.
Members of God's Knights were on the level of Yonko commanders. The older ones were even stronger; the younger ones slightly weaker, but still comparable to top Yonko officers.
At Sommers's age, he was at least as strong as a Yonko's right-hand man. If it were only Moria—even if Moria regained his Haki—he could only barely hold on in a direct clash.
With Fujitora added, suppressing their opponent shouldn't be a problem. But defeating him? Vane thought that unlikely.
Because official members of God's Knights possessed a monstrous form of immortality—power bestowed by Imu. Whether it granted true agelessness like the Five Elders was uncertain, but it was undoubtedly a kind of undying body.
The method to break it likely had something to do with Armament Haki. But Moria's two types of Haki were only passable at best, and while Fujitora's Observation Haki was exceptional, his Armament Haki wasn't particularly outstanding yet.
"Filthy commoner! You dare speak of defeating me!"
Hearing Vane say he would "deal with him," the pride in Shamrock's heart flared into fury.
"Shamrock, was it…"
Vane smiled faintly as he drew his blade, looking at the enraged Shamrock.
When attacking the enemy, the best strategy is to strike at the heart. And he knew exactly how to provoke Shamrock.
"I've met Shanks. Is he your older brother or younger brother? Either way… you're far inferior to him."
After learning he was a Celestial Dragon, Shanks had once returned to Mary Geoise and lived there for a time. But unable to tolerate the Celestial Dragons' conduct and lifestyle, he eventually left.
To the Celestial Dragons, that act was betrayal. And as Shanks' twin brother, Shamrock was naturally compared to him.
Vane saying he was inferior to Shanks struck directly at a sore spot Shamrock deeply cared about.
Even Sommers, standing nearby, inwardly marveled. The young man had some skill—he'd already caused Shamrock to lose some of his composure.
"Cerberus Devour!"
Shamrock stepped forward, skimming across the ice as he charged toward Vane. Red-black flames erupted from his blade, and behind him manifested the phantom image of Cerberus.
Much like how Shanks' Gryphon appeared when he drew his sword.
Vane swung his sword as well. Armament Haki coated the blade, and the Mythical Zoan energy from Lilith gathered behind him, forming a phantom image of her figure.
A Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit weapon? As if he didn't have one too!
Let me ask you—does your three-headed dog look as good as my loli sword spirit? Answer me! Look me in the eye!
Clang—!!
Boom!?
The two blades collided, and the massive shockwave shattered the ice beneath their feet!
And it didn't end there—black and blue-white Conqueror's Haki erupted simultaneously, crashing against each other!
A clash of Conqueror's Haki.
Shamrock: "A lowly commoner like you dares possess Conqueror's Haki?"
Vane: "I'm the one surprised! A lapdog who spends his life kneeling before a throne actually has Conqueror's Haki?!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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