Outside Crescent Bay, Admiral Aokiji had already frozen the entire surrounding sea. What was once ocean had become a vast field of ice stretching endlessly in every direction.
With the Pacifista eliminating the remaining Pirate ships, every possible escape route for the Whitebeard Pirates was cut off.
"Pacifista, handle these Pirates. Do not let a single one escape," Sentomaru ordered.
In response, beams of light flashed as laser attacks rained down on Whitebeard's subordinate crews, causing heavy casualties.
"Damn it, these monsters are too strong!"
"They look exactly like Bartholomew Kuma!"
Despair spread through the crews as they watched their ships fall one after another.
"We were supposed to escape after rescuing Ace. How are we supposed to leave now? The whole sea is frozen!"
The hopeless voices echoed across the battlefield.
Karma, captain of a subordinate crew, forced himself forward and shouted, "Don't give up! If we seize a few Marine warships, we can still break out and return to the New World!"
But even with his encouragement, the Pirates looked defeated.
"Seize a warship? What good will that do? Aokiji froze everything. There's nothing but ice as far as we can see!"
Suddenly, a roaring blaze cut through the despair.
"Fire Fist!"
A burning fist struck the ice, flames surging forward and melting a wide path through the frozen sea. The heat rolled across the battlefield like a wave.
"Don't be afraid. I can melt the ice!"
Ace arrived with Jinbe, Luffy, Crocodile, Ivankov, and the others. Their appearance revitalized the despairing Pirates.
"Ace!"
"Great, Ace made it!"
"With Ace here, we've got hope!"
But tension rose the moment Crocodile stepped forward.
"Crocodile? Why is he with Ace?"
"This guy tried to assassinate Pops before!"
Crocodile simply snorted without answering. Ivankov hastily explained, "It's a long story, but for now we're working together. That's all you need to know."
That alone was enough. The battlefield situation was far too dire for arguments.
Aokiji's ice covered the sea. The Pacifista destroyed every ship. Even with Ace rescued, Marineford still held the upper hand in numbers and elite fighters. Retreating would be nearly impossible without a path through the ice.
Sentomaru glared toward the group. "Straw Hat Luffy. Fire Fist Ace. I didn't expect you two to make it this far, but this is the end. Pacifista, eliminate them."
Dozens of Pacifista unleashed simultaneous laser blasts.
Ace and the others dodged immediately, countering with their own attacks.
"Fire Fist!"
"Fishman Karate, Five Thousand Brick Fist!"
"Desert Spada!"
"Hell Wink!"
"Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol!"
Explosions rattled the battlefield as each Pacifista was blown back, damaged or outright destroyed.
Even after neutralizing them, Ace and his group didn't let their guard down.
Blenheim, the Ninth Division Commander, rushed over with Jozu on his back, shouting, "Ace, help thaw Jozu!"
"I'm on it!"
Ace hurried over, his expression tightening when he saw Jozu's shattered left arm.
"Jozu's arm…"
A nearby Ninth Division member quickly explained, "It wasn't an attack. Commander Jozu fell while frozen by Aokiji. That's why it broke!"
"I understand," Ace replied, regret flickering across his face.
He still blamed himself. His earlier impulsiveness had cost them dearly.
He allowed flames to gather in his palms, lowering the heat gently over Jozu's frozen body. Thawing couldn't be rushed; if the temperature was too high, it would cause further damage.
Jinbe looked out over the endless ice field, his expression darkening.
"A frozen sea without end. What terrifying power. Even with Ace's flames, melting all this won't be easy."
He had hoped that reaching the open sea would turn the advantage in their favor. Instead, the frozen expanse had become another battlefield controlled by the Marines.
A lazy yet cold voice drifted over the ice.
"Ara la. You finally made it, Fire Fist Ace."
Aokiji approached with a squad of Marines behind him. His expression was calm, but his words carried lethal intent.
"I've been waiting. Honestly, I didn't expect you to get this far. I owe Garp a lot, but I'm still a Marine. I'll be the one to execute you today."
Tension rippled through the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Aokiji…"
"This is bad."
"Everyone below Commander level, don't engage an Admiral!"
Ace's expression hardened. His flames outmatched Aokiji's ice in raw advantage, but he had already been heavily pressured by Akainu not long ago.
Even so, he stepped forward to shield his frozen comrade.
Flames continued melting the ice encasing Jozu while Ace spoke firmly, "Everyone, I'll take care of Aokiji. Hurry and seize a warship so we can retreat."
Curiel, the Tenth Division Commander, immediately objected.
"No. You should lead the charge to seize a warship. We'll hold off Aokiji."
Harta, the Twelfth Division Commander, added, "Exactly. His target is you. Let us handle him."
Fossa, the Fifteenth Division Commander, chimed in as well.
"And after we get a warship, we'll need your flames to melt the ice. You can't stay here."
Ace hesitated, but their determination was unshakable.
He finally nodded.
"…Alright. I'm counting on all of you."
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