The deaths of Brogy and Dorry were witnessed by the Giants who were still fighting desperately across the battlefield. A sorrowful cry erupted from the Giant Tribe, shaking the frozen battlefield.
"Captain Brogy!!"
"Captain Dorry!!"
However, the Navy had no reason to mourn the fallen warriors of the Giant Tribe, nor did they intend to show any mercy because of their deaths.
The moment the Giants lost their focus due to their grief, countless attacks descended upon them like a storm of rain.
In only a brief moment, a large number of Giants were struck down. Some collapsed with severe injuries, while others died beneath the relentless assault.
The entire frozen battlefield was dyed red with the blood of the Giant Tribe, transforming the once pure ice into a horrifying sea of blood.
When Loki witnessed this scene, the sense of belonging toward his race that he had buried deep within his heart resurfaced once again.
That forgotten feeling burned fiercely within him, like an uncontrollable flame consuming everything in its path.
His gaze locked onto Akainu and Aokiji, who were slowly approaching him. His eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and his expression carried an intense killing intent.
"Bastards! I will definitely kill you!!"
Loki gritted his teeth and forced his battered body to stand.
Seeing this, Aokiji raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.
"This guy can still stand? His vitality is truly impressive."
Akainu looked at Loki indifferently, his expression unchanged.
"He's only struggling at the end of his life. Let's finish eliminating these pirates."
Aokiji shook his head.
"Ara ara."
The surrounding temperature began to drop again as freezing air gathered around his hands.
However, before Aokiji could make his move, Loki suddenly raised his head and let out a thunderous roar.
At that moment, the solar tattoo covering his body, which had previously dimmed, suddenly began shining brilliantly once again.
The golden flames of the sun gathered behind him, forming a massive pillar of fire that shot into the sky.
This sudden change immediately attracted the attention of everyone on the battlefield.
Akainu frowned as he looked down and noticed that the shoulder area of his coat had inexplicably begun burning.
Aokiji's expression changed slightly. He felt an unbearable heat spreading throughout his body, as if he was about to melt.
The freezing air surrounding his hands weakened and eventually disappeared.
Under the shocked gazes of everyone present, Loki's muscles expanded once again.
His enormous body grew even larger, and the remains of the warship beneath his feet were instantly reduced to dust under the terrifying heat.
Even the thick ice beneath him began melting rapidly. Seawater surged upward, only to immediately turn into steam before disappearing into the air.
Countless golden particles gathered behind Loki, forming the solar disc once more.
However, unlike before, the new solar disc was surrounded by a golden flame cloud, resembling a blazing sun wrapped in heavenly flames.
Akainu narrowed his eyes.
"It seems this Loki's Devil Fruit has awakened."
Aokiji pulled at his collar, feeling the increasing heat around him.
"Things have become troublesome. Zoan-type awakenings usually grant users stronger physical abilities and recovery. That guy is much harder to damage now."
Akainu remained expressionless.
"It only delays his inevitable death."
As he spoke, his body once again erupted with violent streams of magma.
High above, Loki looked down at Akainu and Aokiji with cold eyes. He slowly raised one hand, his voice filled with rage.
"Humans, you have completely angered me!"
Akainu shouted loudly, and his entire body shot toward Loki like a cannonball propelled by exploding magma.
"What kind of creature do you think you are?"
A massive fist of magma followed behind him, carrying overwhelming heat and destructive power.
Loki had no intention of avoiding the attack.
Carrying a giant golden fireball that resembled the sun itself, he descended from the sky and charged directly toward Akainu.
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion echoed across the entire battlefield.
A gigantic fireball appeared at the moment Loki and Akainu collided, and the ice beneath them shattered layer by layer from the tremendous impact and heat.
Aokiji frowned slightly. Worried that Akainu would fall into the ocean after the collision, he raised his hand and restored the damaged ice surface beneath them.
As the flames above gradually disappeared, a massive figure was sent flying from within the explosion.
Loki's body crashed into the ice like a meteor, creating a huge crater.
Immediately afterward, another figure emerged from the flames, covered in crimson magma.
It was Akainu.
The figure that had fallen into the ice was naturally Loki, whose Devil Fruit awakening had pushed his power to a new level, but still failed to overcome the overwhelming strength of Akainu.
Aokiji tilted his head slightly while standing on the frozen surface, cold air flowing from his hands.
"That was quite a reckless attack."
Akainu stood firmly on the ice.
The clothing covering his chest had already been destroyed during the collision, revealing severely burned skin underneath.
The power of the awakened Apollo Fruit had clearly reached another level. Even Akainu could no longer ignore its destructive force.
However, Akainu's own Magma Fruit had awakened long ago.
The clothing close to his body had already transformed through his ability, quickly repairing itself. His crimson suit remained almost untouched.
Meanwhile, Loki climbed out from the collapsed ice.
Compared to Akainu's injuries, Loki's condition was far worse.
A clear fist mark remained on his body, and blood flowed from countless wounds, dripping onto the ice below and forming a pool beneath him.
Loki raised his head and looked toward Akainu.
His face was pale, and he tried to speak.
However, the moment he opened his mouth, a large amount of blood poured out.
Mixed within the blood were fragments of damaged internal organs.
After releasing that blood, Loki's aura weakened instantly.
His body finally reached its limit, and he collapsed onto the ground.
This time, he no longer possessed even the strength to move.
His Devil Fruit had only just awakened, and before he could unleash widespread destruction, he had already suffered a crushing defeat at Akainu's hands.
Just as Akainu had stated, a Devil Fruit ability alone did not determine everything.
Loki lay motionless on the battlefield, forcing his eyes open.
Akainu's figure gradually became blurred in his vision.
No matter how unwilling he was to accept it, his defeat had already become reality.
By this time, the sky had completely darkened.
A bright moon slowly emerged from the night sky.
The cries of the Giant Tribe grew weaker across the battlefield, while only the Navy's battle cries continued to echo loudly.
Aokiji stepped forward and stomped heavily on the ice.
The next moment, countless thick ice spikes erupted from the frozen ground, spreading rapidly toward Loki.
Just as the ice spikes were about to pierce Loki's body, a thunderous elephant-like roar suddenly echoed across the battlefield.
Immediately afterward, a gigantic arm reached out from a distant location and grabbed Loki within its palm.
The ice spikes struck the enormous hand, but they failed to pierce through its skin.
The giant hand protected Loki and quickly pulled back.
Then, a sound resembling the beating of a massive heartbeat resounded throughout the battlefield.
"Bang."
"Bang."
"Bang."
The Drums of Liberation.
Akainu and Aokiji instantly recognized the sound.
The Giants who had collapsed on the ground and lost their ability to fight suddenly opened their eyes.
Their faces turned red with excitement, and one after another, they forced themselves back onto their feet.
Both Admirals looked toward the direction where the giant arm had disappeared.
A mountain-like black shadow was slowly approaching.
Above Mary Geoise, Lloyd, who was already wearing the Fleet Admiral uniform, watched the scene with a faint smile.
"Joy Boy, you finally appeared."