"Stop, Aokiji!"
Just as Aokiji raised his fist to strike, Luffy suddenly dashed forward. Steam burst violently from his body as he activated Gear Two. His eyes burned with urgency as he roared, "Gum Gum Gatling Jet!"
In an instant, countless accelerated fists slammed into Aokiji's body. The flurry was fierce and relentless, but before Luffy could push his attack any further, a piercing scream tore from his throat.
"Ahhh!"
"Straw Hat Boy!" Ivankov shouted in horror.
Luffy collapsed heavily onto the frozen ground. Frost rapidly crawled over his fists at a terrifying speed, spreading up his arms until both were frozen solid up to the elbows.
Aokiji looked down at him calmly and spoke in a low voice, "Straw Hat, when I was younger, your grandfather took good care of me. If you want to escape, do it now. This battlefield is still too early for you."
Without sparing Luffy another look, Aokiji turned his attention back to Fire Fist Ace. His raised fist gathered freezing power once more, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
"Desert Spada…"
A sharp blade of compressed sand sliced through the air, aiming straight for Aokiji's torso. However, Aokiji's Observation Haki had already predicted the attack. His body instantly transformed into ice and mist, allowing the sand blade to pass harmlessly through him.
He turned his gaze toward the source and sighed lightly. "This is really endless trouble. From beginning to end, this has nothing to do with you, Crocodile."
Crocodile stared back coldly, his voice filled with disdain. "Hmph. I simply cannot stand the smug faces of you Marines. The more you want him dead, the more I will interfere."
Aokiji scratched his head as cold air spread from his body once again. "The war has already reached this point. I do not have the time to bother arresting you. If you insist on interfering, then I will execute you on the spot."
"Ace, are you alright?"
Luffy forced himself up despite the numbing cold, dragging his frozen arms behind him as he rushed to Ace's side. His eyes trembled as he stared at Ace's right side. The entire right arm was gone. Most of the shoulder had been destroyed. Ribs and torn flesh were exposed, and through the gaping wound, even internal organs could be seen beneath the frost.
Ace used his remaining flames to melt the ice around his legs. He turned to Luffy and forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. With such a troublesome younger brother like you, how could I die so easily?"
Seeing that smile, Luffy finally felt some of the panic loosen in his chest, though his eyes never left Aokiji. At the same time, the Whitebeard Pirates quickly gathered around Ace. When they fully saw the extent of his injuries, their faces turned pale with shock.
"Ace Boy…"
Ivankov rushed to his side, equally shaken by what he saw. Luffy immediately grabbed Ivankov's arm and shouted, "Iva, save Ace. You must have a way, right!"
Ivankov quickly examined the wound. Through the massive hole in Ace's shoulder, half of his liver was visibly frostbitten. His expression turned grim.
"With these injuries, the entire right side of his body has suffered severe frostbite and necrosis. Surgery is necessary. Ace Boy, you absolutely must not melt the ice at the severed arm now. If you do, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Ace nodded weakly. "I understand."
He had only melted the ice on his legs earlier. The frozen wound on his shoulder remained untouched. After a short pause, he continued in a strained voice, "The right side of my body has completely lost sensation. I feel tired and freezing, but… strangely light. Even a little excited."
Those words made Ivankov's heart sink. He immediately realized what was happening. Ace's body was releasing massive amounts of adrenaline as a final self defense mechanism. That meant he was pushing far beyond his limit.
"No, Ace Boy, you must not be excited right now," Ivankov said urgently. "And do not move anymore. Your body is in critical condition. To protect you, your body is flooding itself with adrenaline and numbing your brain. You must receive treatment immediately."
"Iva, then hurry and operate on him," Luffy shouted desperately.
"There are no conditions for surgery on this battlefield," Ivankov snapped. "But the situation is urgent. We can only take extraordinary measures. This will greatly shorten his lifespan, but it is better than dying here."
"The healing hormone…?" Luffy asked, his eyes lighting up with hope.
Ivankov nodded. "Yes. It will force rapid cell regeneration and division. It may save his life."
"Then do it," Ace said firmly. "As long as I can go back alive, what does losing a bit of lifespan matter!"
At that moment, a towering figure approached. It was Jozu, commander of the Third Division.
"Jozu, you recovered," Ace said in surprise.
Jozu nodded, then turned to Ivankov. "In that case, can you help me too?"
His steps were stiff as he moved closer. "I was frozen for too long. My body still feels heavy and weak."
Ace looked at him seriously. "Jozu, this comes at the cost of lifespan."
Jozu met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "Whether we live to see tomorrow is uncertain. Who cares about the future? Right now, we survive today. Ivankov, I am counting on you."
"Leave it to me," Ivankov said. His fingertips lengthened into sharp nails as he growled, "Healing Hormone. Excitement Hormone."
Two needles pierced into Ace and Jozu almost instantly. Ace clutched his ruined shoulder and let out a groan of agony. Jozu's body, in contrast, suddenly surged with fierce vitality.
"Ace, what's wrong?" Luffy cried out in panic when he saw Ace collapse to one knee in pain.
Ivankov remained calm. "This is a normal reaction. His cells are rapidly dividing and regenerating. The necrotized cells on his right side are being forcibly revived. Naturally, the pain has returned."
After a brief pause, Ivankov added seriously, "Pain is a good sign. It means half of his body can still be saved."
Luffy clenched his fists anxiously. "Ace… he will be alright, right?"
Ivankov burst into his exaggerated laughter. "Do not worry, Straw Hat Boy. His condition is bad, but still better than yours was back then. However, until he fully recovers, he will need protection."
Hearing this, Jozu finally felt at ease. He turned his massive body toward the battlefield ahead.
"Then I will leave Ace to you. I am going to save Marco first."
With that, Jozu charged straight toward the massive ice mountain imprisoning Marco.
_____
The rate at which I get little to no power stones, lol💀
Well, if you want to at least read ahead (60+ to 90+) chapters in advance.
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