"Resolve things peacefully? That's something you say to fool children!"
Sanji, Usopp, and the others wore expressions of disdain.
Only a fool would believe an Admiral—especially one who had tracked them down—would let them go peacefully.
However, Luffy suddenly changed his attitude.
He blinked his eyes as the tension draining from his shoulders.
"What? You want to resolve this peacefully? Then let's talk over a meal! Sanji, I'm hungry."
Chopper raised a hoof.
"I... I also vote for eating first."
The others wore expressions of utter speechlessness.
'What an embarrassing captain.'
Ray glanced back at Robin.
Her beautiful face revealed tension and fear.
Indeed, even though she had become more confident, facing Aokiji—the man who participate in the destruction of her homeland—still evoked a primal terror.
But contrary to Ray's expectations, Robin returned to her normal state after just three breaths.
She took a deep breath, her eyes hardening.
She slowly addressed Aokiji. "I never expected that you would be the one coming to capture me."
Nami looked at the lazy man ahead.
He was picking his ear, looking more like a bored tourist than a threat.
So she asked Robin, "Who is he?"
Robin smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"Admiral of the Marine Headquarters. One of the Three Great Powers—Aokiji Kuzan. His ability is ice. Everyone... you must be careful later."
Robin directly announced Aokiji's ability to the crew, afraid that carelessness might get someone frozen instantly.
At that moment, Luffy spoke while looking confused.
"He said he wants to resolve this peacefully, so let's just eat first!"
This foolish statement angered Nami and Usopp so much that they immediately gave Luffy a "love-filled iron fist."
BONK!
And it was a real iron fist, enhanced with Armament Haki.
Indeed, during their time on the ship, Nami had also awakened Armament Haki.
Although she couldn't quickly cover her fists or weapons in combat yet, she could use it with sufficient preparation time.
Usopp had awakened it shortly after her.
The two had been building up their Haki along the way, so they conveniently tested it on Luffy's rubber head.
"Ouch! That actually hurt!" Luffy whined, rubbing the bump.
This scene was naturally seen by Aokiji from a distance.
He narrowed his eyes, taking the Straw Hat Pirates' strength more seriously.
'Even the two weakest members of this group can use Haki? This isn't the typical pirate crew in the Grand Line. Scary.'
But Aokiji didn't make a move.
He knew what the Straw Hats had sensed: there were ordinary people nearby.
Just then, there was movement from the bushes.
A group of castaways emerged—ordinary people who had suffered a shipwreck.
They looked pale, thin, and weak from hunger.
Luffy looked at them, then suddenly stood up and turned to stare seriously at Aokiji.
This made the rest of the crew assume combat stances instantly.
Aokiji also tensed, though his mind was racing on how to protect the civilians if a fight broke out.
Suddenly, Luffy spoke.
"Since my companions say you won't resolve this peacefully, I definitely believe them. But! A great man once said that before fighting, we must eat! Also, we can't harm innocent people."
Luffy pointed at the dozen refugees. "Let's have a meal with these people first, send them away, and then we can have a proper fight!"
This dramatic declaration made the combat spirit the crew had mustered dissipate instantly.
They all glared angrily at Luffy but didn't argue. None of them wanted to accidentally harm these refugees either.
As for Aokiji, his eyes widened.
'Well... forget that you, a pirate, had the same moral idea as an Admiral. But was that even a questioning tone? You were purely giving me orders. Who do you think you are?'
'No wonder you're Vice Admiral Garp's grandson—truly rude and ..... exceptional.'
So Aokiji sighed, scratching his head.
"Arara... fine then. I don't really want to fight you all right now anyway."
Thus, Luffy and the others scattered to look for food, preparing meals for the refugees.
As for why the Straw Hat Pirates dared to scatter and search for food despite knowing an Admiral was sitting right there...
It was because Ray was currently at the center of the island, staying near Aokiji, watching him like a hawk.
...
While the others went hunting for fruits and mushrooms, Aokiji stood up and lazily walked over to Ray, who was sitting under a large tree, eyes closed.
"Ray... or should I say, Cold Prince? Why did you join the Straw Hat Pirates?"
Ray's expression remained completely unperturbed.
Without even opening his eyes or glancing at Aokiji, he offered no response whatsoever.
After hitting this wall of silence, Aokiji clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"You're actually the first pirate I've met who dares to ignore me even after learning my identity."
Yet Ray still paid him no mind.
"Arara... that's that then."
Aokiji stopped bothering him and went back to lie down beneath the giant rock.
He was somewhat speechless.
'My ability is the Ice-Ice Fruit, but this guy Ray is like ice itself. I wonder how this kid even gets along with others. I certainly can't stand it.'
...
1 Hour Later.
The Straw Hat Pirates returned from hunting with a bounty of wild game and fruit.
1.5 Hours Later.
They began eating.
Luffy played with the refugee children, making faces and stretching his cheeks while he shoved meat into his mouth.
Chopper treated and bandaged the injured castaways with professional speed.
Usopp and Chouchou comforted the traumatized kids, coaxing smiles back with tricks and stories.
Sanji walked over to Aokiji, carrying a bowl of rich meat soup and several pieces of roasted meat.
Aokiji looked up, puzzled.
"But I'm your enemy."
Sanji smiled, lighting a cigarette.
"When I'm cooking, everyone nearby is just a customer. However, business is business. When we fight later, I won't go easy on you."
Aokiji accepted the bowl, though he now felt somewhat confused.
"Hiss~ When did you join the Straw Hat Pirates, young man? I don't seem to have seen your bounty poster."
This comment made Sanji so angry he almost kicked the bowl out of Aokiji's hands.
But his professional ethics as a chef held him back.
"JUST EAT YOUR DAMN FOOD!" Sanji stomped away, muttering curses about "blind Marines."
After a while, Aokiji reached a conclusion through the process of elimination.
"Tch. What an incompetent record keeper," he muttered, sipping the soup. "The difference between reality and the photo is way too big."
...
Another hour later, everyone had eaten their fill.
The Straw Hat Pirates and Aokiji together escorted the refugees to the west side of the unnamed island.
Sanji prepared about one week's worth of rations for them.
Just as Luffy and the others were about to help the refugees build a large raft, Aokiji stepped forward.
He dipped a single finger into the ocean.
"Ice Age."
The sea groaned. In an instant, the water froze solid, stretching out to the horizon in a glistening white road.
He turned to the refugees.
"Follow the ice's guidance, and you'll reach the next inhabited island in five days. Go."
Thus, the refugees departed, bowing in gratitude.
As the last civilian disappeared over the horizon, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
All members of the Straw Hat Pirates dropped their gentle expressions.
They entered combat readiness, their Haki flaring.
Just from Aokiji's casual freezing of the ocean moments ago, they knew the truth.
Given this level of power... they couldn't afford even the slightest carelessness.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!