Due to Aokiji's intervention, the sea surged and churned, waves rising so high the ships rocked unsteadily. Shattered shards of ice fell slowly back into the ocean as Aokiji's figure gradually became clear to everyone.
"Former Marine Admiral Aokiji!"
The Whitebeard Pirates turned pale with shock, knowing well that Aokiji carried the reputation of being among the Navy's top combat powers.
"How could an Admiral be here?"
"No, he's a former Admiral. Aokiji left the Marines after losing to Akainu, and no one knew where he went," a crew member said with a grim expression. "But now he's with Teach!"
"Has he joined the Blackbeard Pirates?"
Even Marco's expression soured at this. He understood Aokiji's strength all too well. If the former Admiral had truly joined Blackbeard, they were in dire straits.
"Aokiji! Have you joined Teach?" Marco looked up, staring directly at the man.
"First Division Commander Marco..." Aokiji muttered the name under his breath but did not offer a verbal reply. Instead, his gaze turned cold as he leaped from the ship. The moment he touched the sea, the words drifted from his lips: "Ice Age!"
In an instant, the turbulent sea was transformed into a pristine, silent field of ice.
"Hahaha!" Seeing the frozen road laid out before them, Blackbeard laughed loudly. "Charge!"
The members of the Blackbeard Pirates leaped from their ships, charging toward the island with guns, cannons, and blades in hand.
"We-hahaha!" Unable to contain his excitement, Burgess was the first to jump down, bounding toward the front of the line.
"Stop them!"
Facing the assembled Whitebeard forces, Burgess clenched his fists and threw an ecstatic punch. "Champion Elbow!"
A massive shockwave tore through the ice, sending shards flying as it slammed into the shore. A squad of Whitebeard pirates was sent flying, scattered by the force of the blast.
Boom!
Screams echoed across the battlefield.
"The Champion, Jesus Burgess! Wasn't it rumored that he was defeated and sent to Impel Down?"
Marco knew the true battle had begun. There was no more time for shock or surprise—they had to hold them back with everything they had. The Division Commanders were itching for the fight, and at Marco's nod, they all charged out.
Only Vista remained by Marco's side. Their original plan was for the two of them to team up and take down Blackbeard, but with Aokiji on the other side, executing that plan would now be incredibly difficult.
They turned their eyes toward Diamond Jozu, the Third Division Commander. If he could finish his opponent quickly, they might still have a turning point.
"We-hahaha!" Burgess grew more excited as he fought, leading the charge right up to the Whitebeard Pirates.
Boom! Suddenly, the world blurred in front of him. He felt as if he had crashed into a mountain and was sent hurtling backward. In mid-air, Burgess spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolling back in his head.
"Ah..."
The Blackbeard Pirates following behind him were instantly struck with horror.
"It's the Third Division Commander, Diamond Jozu!"
The burly Jozu stood expressionless with clenched fists. The moment Burgess hit the ground, Jozu turned into a dark blur and charged again.
Swish!
Despite his massive size, Jozu's speed was extraordinary, reaching Burgess in a split second.
"Hmm?" Burgess's eyes snapped open, looking in shock at the incoming juggernaut. With no time to think, he threw out his fists instinctively. A massive shockwave collided with Jozu.
Boom!!
The ice beneath their feet shattered. Burgess was sent flying once more, while Jozu stood perfectly still, his body completely transformed into diamond.
Even though Jozu had the momentum and Burgess was defending in haste, the impact left a deep impression on everyone watching. These were the Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates! Not one of them was a pushover; any one of them was a top-tier master. Jozu's intervention reminded the Blackbeard crew that even without Whitebeard, this fleet was not to be trifled with. The newer members of Teach's crew abandoned their arrogance, realizing that if they were to win, it would be up to their captains to carry the weight.
"Jozu! Finish this quickly!" Marco shouted. Jozu's strength was indispensable right now.
Suddenly, Marco felt a cold wind and a sharp sense of crisis. Before he could react, Vista had already lunged forward.
Clang!
Aokiji and Vista clashed.
"Aokiji, why on earth did you join Teach?" Vista asked, his eyes narrowing as he faced the ice spear.
"After today, the Whitebeard Pirates may no longer exist," Aokiji replied, ignoring the question.
"No!" Vista shook his head firmly, a slight smile touching his lips. "The Whitebeard Pirates will not fall. Even if we are defeated today, we will return to this place before long."
Despite two years of silence from Whitebeard and Ace, they still believed with every fiber of their being that they would return. They looked forward to the "surprise" their Second Division Commander—or rather, their new Captain—would bring them. If Ace had grown enough to lead them back to reclaim their territory, then their two years of endurance would have been worth it.
By then, Pops wouldn't have to fight anymore. He could just spend his days drinking and laughing with them. Thinking of such a beautiful future, Vista couldn't help but smile from the bottom of his heart. That was what the Whitebeard Pirates truly craved.
They knew that if they lost everything now, reclaiming it would be nearly impossible—even if Ace reached Pops' level of strength. They didn't want to see Whitebeard have to take the field again. They were afraid; at Marineford, they had come so close to losing him. They feared him being wounded again... they feared him truly leaving them.
That was why they had supported the two-year training proposal.
Ace, you won't let us down! Right?
"What are you Whitebeard Pirates plotting? Whitebeard and Fire Fist Ace didn't really die, did they?" Seeing Vista's reaction, Aokiji voiced his suspicion. To be honest, he didn't believe they were dead either. He had seen them leave Marineford almost unscathed; it made no sense for them to just drop dead.
"Hmph..." Vista didn't answer. Flower petals began to swirl around his twin blades. "What kind of flower would you like to see?"
The light of his blades flashed, and endless, beautiful petals danced in the air as Vista unleashed a relentless barrage of slashes.
Clang! Clang!