After Aokiji melted into the horizon, the tension on the island broke.
All members of the Straw Hat Pirates, except Ray, let out long, shuddering sighs of relief.
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper sat on the ground, patting their chests to calm their racing hearts.
"So that's a Marine Admiral? Too terrifying..." Usopp whispered, his voice trembling.
"If I still had complaints about Ray deceiving us about training in the yokai world, I completely understand now," Nami admitted, wiping sweat from her forehead.
"Even though we've improved so much... without Ray here, we would definitely have been wiped out today," Chopper added, hugging his knees.
Regarding the comments from the "Cowardly Trio," Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji nodded in solemn agreement.
They had tasted the power gap, and it was bitter for them.
As for Robin, her gaze toward Ray and the rest of the crew had changed.
The lingering shadows of doubt were gone, replaced by profound gratitude and trust.
She walked to the center of the group and bowed deeply.
"Thank you all."
This made everyone quite awkward.
They scratched their heads, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"You're too polite, Robin! We're comrades after all!" Luffy grinned.
Ray coughed lightly, signaling that they were all on the same side and there was no need for such formalities.
At this, Robin straightened and revealed a charming, genuine smile.
She had finally let go of her reservations.
Sanji lit a cigarette, his hands steady despite the recent chaos.
He carefully recalled the sensations from the battle. "Ray... do you think the Marines will continue coming after us immediately?"
Zoro was pondering the same question, hand resting on Wado Ichimonji.
"If two Admirals of that level come for us at once... we're dead."
Luffy remained silent nearby.
As the captain, he hadn't been able to land the decisive blow against Aokiji.
This gap in strength frustrated him deeply.
After a moment of silence, Luffy spoke with rare seriousness.
"We're still too weak. We need to train harder. We must become strong enough so that we won't lose a single comrade when facing enemies like this in the future."
The others smiled, their determination hardening.
But Ray could sense the underlying unease in their hearts.
Seeing this, Ray took the initiative.
He gathered them around and explained the strategic situation.
"The Marines won't pursue us immediately," Ray stated calmly. "Aokiji tested us. He confirmed that capturing us would require a massive expenditure of resources—resources they likely cannot spare right now with the Yonko restless in the New World. The cost is too high."
After hearing this, everyone looked enlightened. Usopp and Nami were overjoyed.
"So you mean the Marines won't bother us for a while?!" Nami cheered.
Ray nodded. "Your strength is already impressive. I can confidently say that none of you are holding me back right now."
Not being fond of long speeches, Ray conveyed the remaining tactical analysis to Chouchou via telepathy, letting the dog share it with the crew.
Chouchou puffed out his chest with an extremely proud expression.
"Inferior humans! Listen carefully to the wisdom of—"
BONK! WHACK! THUD!
This time Chouchou wasn't hit by Ray, but rather received a group beating from Luffy and the others.
After being pummeled for five minutes, Chouchou, covered in bumps, tearfully apologized.
"This humble dog will now properly analyze the recent battle for you all, masters..."
Once the commotion settled, the crew finally relaxed.
They seriously studied the details of the fight.
First, it was worth acknowledging that they possessed the ability to damage an Admiral.
Even without Ray, the combined might of the Straw Hats could have forced Aokiji to use his Awakening.
In Ray's view, the crew's combined combat power had reached Shichibukai level.
Moreover, if Aokiji had given Luffy time, the captain still had trump cards he could have used.
As for the battle between Ray and Aokiji? Without the crew's assistance, it would have been difficult for Ray to injure the Admiral.
He might have even been injured himself.
Strictly speaking, the current Ray was still slightly inferior to Aokiji in a prolonged 1v1.
Finally, Ray offered some comfort.
"Today, we worked together and repelled a Marine Admiral. And you all still have plenty of room for improvement. As long as everyone keeps training... what does it matter if we face the Yonko in the future?"
When Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and the others heard these words, they smiled.
These words might seem ordinary, but coming from Ray, they meant the world.
He repeatedly emphasized one word: 'We.'
This meant Ray genuinely acknowledged them from the bottom of his heart.
They were no longer deadweights!
...
As everyone prepared to return to the Going Merry, Chopper noticed something in the bushes.
"Hey! Look!"
A few hundred meters away, three blockheads remained frozen as ice sculptures—Foxy, Porche, and Hamburg.
If left unrescued, they would certainly die of hypothermia.
"Can we save them?" Chopper asked Luffy.
"Sure," Luffy shrugged.
Thus, Chopper brought the three ice sculptures back to the ship, planning to conduct a thawing surgery experiment.
After all, he had never treated patients frozen by an Admiral before; the Foxy trio would serve as excellent guinea pigs.
...
Over the next three days, while patiently waiting for the Log Pose to reset, the crew gathered supplies and water.
As for the Foxy trio, they were completely cured by Chopper using hot water baths two days later.
Before departing, they expressed their gratitude to the Straw Hat Pirates with utmost sincerity (and terror).
Foxy made no mention of the Davy Back Fight.
Having witnessed the battle with Aokiji from the bushes, the three had lost all confidence in challenging the Straw Hats.
They quietly sailed away into the sunset.
Once the Log Pose finished charging, the Going Merry set sail for their next destination: Water 7.
...
Meanwhile, at a secret Marine base near Water 7.
Admiral Aokiji lay in a hospital bed, organizing his thoughts.
After careful consideration, he decided to report his assessment to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
In his view, the priority was to halt the pursuit of the Straw Hats and instead focus resources on the New World.
Without delay, Aokiji dialed Sengoku's private number on the Den Den Mushi.
Puru puru puru... Gatcha.
"Hello? Can you hear me? This is Kuzan."
The Den Den Mushi transformed into an image of a man with round glasses and a goatee.
"Kuzan. Since you're calling me, it must mean you've captured the Straw Hat Pirates, right?"
Hearing this, Aokiji let out a sigh.
The Den Den Mushi exhaled a visibly cold breath, frosting the receiver on Sengoku's end.
Sengoku immediately sensed something was wrong.
His expression turned serious. "You made a mistake? What exactly happened?"
After a moment of silence, Aokiji recounted the entire encounter—from the peaceful meal to the cataclysmic battle with Ray and the crew.
"Well~ that's the whole story. My injuries only healed yesterday. Fleet Admiral... I do not recommend the Marines continue targeting the Straw Hat Pirates right now. The cost is too high."
Sengoku fell into silence.
The furrowed brows on the Den Den Mushi revealed just how heavy his heart was.
Two minutes later, Sengoku finally responded.
"Kuzan... I support your suggestion. But... the Celestial Dragons have already made their move."
Aokiji's pupils trembled slightly. "Fleet Admiral... please explain."
"Ah~... because a message reached the ears of the Celestial Dragons.
A rumor... that [Nico Robin knows the location of the Ancient Weapon, Pluton.]"
After hearing this news, Aokiji understood instantly.
CP9. The World Government.
The gears were already turning to obliterate Water 7 if necessary.
His emotions began to spiral.
"Fleet Admiral... please do your best to stop this."
"I understand. I will try."
Gatcha.
After hanging up, Aokiji's expression turned extremely grave.
The storm he had tried to delay was already overhead.
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