Rising Ocean Current!
Yang Ning was momentarily stunned—then realized Aokiji had mistaken his skill effects for Devil Fruit abilities.
He didn't bother correcting him. Unlike most in the One Piece world, he had no habit of announcing his powers. If Aokiji wanted to believe it was a fruit, fine. That misconception might even be useful later—say, to exploit an enemy's false assumption about his weakness.
But that was for another day. Right now, Yang Ning's head throbbed.
Truly, this was an Admiral.
Even their all-out combo attack had barely scratched him.
This was a man who once fought Akainu for ten days straight. Their best strikes? Probably just a flesh wound.
"Yang Ning! Esdeath!"
Nami's voice rang out from the ship. Yang Ning and Esdeath exchanged a glance—silent, understanding. The plan was ready.
The moment their eyes met, they turned—almost in unison.
Yang Ning wasn't naturally fast—but he activated Soul-Sucking Strike on his legs.
Force is reciprocal. The ice cracked under his foot—and he shot forward like an arrow.
In just two or three breaths, he reached the New Windbreaker. Beneath the hull, the ice was shattered. Churning seawater heaved the ship and surrounding ice in violent pulses.
If the ice hadn't been so thick, it would've formed a colossal sea spiral.
No time to think. Yang Ning pushed off again—using the explosive power of his skill to leap onto the deck. From turn to touchdown: under five seconds. Faster than he'd ever moved.
"Hey, Esdeath—Esde—?"
He turned with a grin, ready to boast about his speed—only to find no one behind him.
"No way… is he really that slow?!"
Panicked, he leaned over the railing—and his blood ran cold.
Esdeath hadn't run.
The idiot stood alone on the ice, greatsword raised, facing Aokiji by himself.
He was faster than Yang Ning. His strongest slash hadn't even pierced Aokiji's skin. Yet he stayed.
So stupid.
So loyal.
Yang Ning's eyes burned with tears.
He understood: surviving an Admiral's pursuit was impossible without a rearguard sacrifice. Esdeath was buying their escape with his life.
But—
"How could you lie to me?!" Yang Ning roared. "Do you think I'm a coward who fears death?!"
Furious, he lunged toward the railing—ready to jump back.
He'd be captured, sure. Thrown into Impel Down for "training." But criminals like him weren't executed quietly. The Navy and World Government loved public spectacles—a grand execution to terrify the world.
And as long as he wasn't dead… he'd go on a killing spree in Impel Down.
A mere Admiral? He'd overwhelm him with sheer numbers.
Eyes red, Yang Ning lost control—but Sylvester and Willie didn't.
Tears streaming, they clung to him, using their weight to drag him back. They knew he wouldn't hurt them.
"Captain… don't let Esdeath's sacrifice be in vain!"
Nami, eyes reddening, said nothing. She activated her Weather Fruit.
She couldn't control ocean currents directly—but she could manipulate air pressure and wind to trigger the pent-up current early… and amplify it.
Behind Yang Ning, Arthur approached silently. One hand pressed to Yang Ning's back. Fluorescent green light flowed into him.
[HP: 2277/11660]
[HP: 2321/11660]
[HP: 2410/11660]
Yang Ning's health climbed rapidly under the dual green glow on chest and back.
No words. Arthur's pale face said it all: Whatever you choose, I stand with you.
Suddenly—the churning current stilled. Eerily calm.
Before Sylvester could speak, the sea collapsed.
A bottomless pit yawned beneath the New Windbreaker.
They watched helplessly as their ship plunged into the abyss.
But before they hit the depths—a massive black shadow shot upward with colossal force.
When the New Windbreaker burst back into sunlight, they were riding a surging upwelling current, soaring skyward.
The Marines froze in shock. They were from Marine Headquarters—they'd heard of rising currents. But here? In this frozen zone?
"Damn it! How can a rising current exist here?!" Vice Admiral Dalmesia roared.
He couldn't forgive himself. Their encirclement had been perfect—yet the pirates escaped.
Feet blazing—Moonwalk on the left, Shave on the right—Dalmesia shifted into a spotted, dog-like hybrid form and charged toward the ascending ship.
But the current rose too fast. He was too far.
Frustrated, he unleashed Tempest Kicks mid-air—hoping to knock the ship down. He knew it was futile.
At that moment, only one person could stop the escape.
Dalmesia's eyes snapped downward—searching for Aokiji.
What was the Admiral doing?
Sparring with Esdeath—using hand-to-hand combat.
Again.
"Oh dear," Aokiji sighed, glancing up at the rising ship. "What an interesting idea. You have a very capable navigator."
Esdeath, battered but standing, leaned on her greatsword and smiled weakly.
"Yes. And not just the navigator. All my companions are capable."
Aokiji met her gaze. "Then you shouldn't have died here so easily."
Esdeath swayed—but raised her blade, horizontal, unwavering. Her eyes burned brighter than steel.
"Facing the world's pinnacle… there's always a price to pay… to leave."
"Heh."
Aokiji chuckled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Then—his body shattered into ice shards.
"Fist Bone – Ice Fist!"
The same technique. The same trajectory. The same brutal uppercut from below.
In his weakened state, Esdeath couldn't block it. He laughed bitterly as the blow landed:
"That move again. This time… no Arthur's mark to save me."
Ice reformed—Aokiji materialized before him.
Esdeath gathered every ounce of strength, muscles straining for one final slash.
He would die—standing.
But the killing blow never came.
Instead—Aokiji kicked him hard in the waist, sending him flying like a cannonball… in a very strange direction.
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