Outside Crescent Bay, Aokiji had already frozen the surrounding sea, turning the endless ocean into a boundless expanse of solid ice.
With the Pacifista systematically annihilating the pirate ships, every possible route of escape for the Whitebeard Pirates had been completely severed.
"Pacifista, finish them off. Don't let a single pirate escape," Sentomaru commanded coldly.
Beams of light rained down in response. Laser attacks tore through the ranks of the subordinate pirate crews, explosions blooming one after another and inflicting horrific casualties.
"Damn it… these monsters are way too strong!"
The pirates' faces were pale as they stared at the Pacifista advancing relentlessly.
"And our ships… all destroyed by those Bartholomew Kuma lookalikes…"
Despair crept into their voices. They had rescued Ace—yet now the sea had become an endless ice continent, their ships reduced to scrap. There was nowhere left to run.
Karma, a captain from one of the subordinate crews, stepped forward and roared, "Don't give up! If we can seize a few Marine warships, we can still escape and return to the New World!"
"But what's the point?!" someone shouted back. "The entire ocean is frozen by Aokiji! As far as the eye can see—it's nothing but ice!"
"Fire Fist—!"
A blazing punch suddenly carved a path through the battlefield. Flames roared across the ice, melting it into steaming seawater and blasting away Marines in its wake.
"Don't panic!" a familiar voice shouted. "I can melt the ice!"
Ace had arrived.
Alongside him were Jinbe, Luffy, Crocodile, Ivankov, and the rest, charging straight into the fray.
"Ace…!"
"He's here!"
"With Ace, we still have a chance!"
The pirates erupted with renewed hope, their morale surging at the sight of him.
But tension flared again when eyes fell on the figure beside Ace.
"Crocodile? Why is he with Ace?!"
"Isn't that the guy who tried to assassinate Pops before?!"
Crocodile merely snorted, offering no explanation. Ivankov waved a hand dramatically and laughed.
"Eeh~ the story's a bit complicated, darlings. But for now, Crocodile Boy and we fabulous people have formed a temporary alliance to deal with the Marines."
Given their situation, no one argued.
With the sea frozen solid, their ships destroyed, and the Marines still holding the numerical and high-tier advantage, survival demanded cooperation—no matter how uneasy.
Sentomaru's gaze locked onto Ace and Luffy, his expression icy.
"So you really made it this far… Straw Hat. Fire Fist Ace. But this is where it ends."
He raised his arm sharply. "Pacifista—eliminate them."
Instantly, mouths and palms glowed red as lasers fired in unison.
Ace and the others scattered, dodging the beams as they counterattacked in perfect coordination.
"Fire Fist!"
"Fishman Karate: Five Thousand Brick Fist!"
"Desert Spada!"
"HELL WINK!"
"Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol!"
The combined assault slammed into the Pacifista like a storm. Metal bodies were hurled into the air, exploding mid-flight or collapsing in sparks and smoke.
For the first time since the ice sealed the sea, the Marines' iron grip began to crack.
After destroying several Pacifista, Ace and the others did not dare to relax.
At that moment, Blenheim—the Ninth Division Commander—who was carrying the frozen Jozu on his back, shouted urgently, "Ace! Hurry over here and help thaw Jozu!"
"Got it!" Ace responded at once, rushing over.
Looking at Jozu, now reduced to a massive ice sculpture, Ace's gaze fell on the shattered left arm. His fist tightened.
"Jozu's arm…"
A Ninth Division crewmember quickly explained, "It broke when he fell after being frozen by Aokiji. It wasn't because of Commander Jozu himself."
"I know," Ace said quietly, nodding. His voice was calm, but regret weighed heavily in his chest.
If he hadn't acted so recklessly earlier… perhaps things wouldn't have come to this.
Flames ignited in Ace's hands, carefully controlled, and slowly washed over Jozu's frozen body. He dared not rush—melting the ice too quickly could do more harm than good.
The others formed a protective ring around them. In a situation like this, even a single interruption could be fatal.
Jinbe stamped his foot against the ice, his expression growing darker by the second.
"The entire sea has been frozen… and it stretches endlessly. What a terrifying power."
Even with Ace's Mera Mera no Mi, escaping wouldn't be easy.
Just then, a lazy, familiar voice drifted over the battlefield.
"Ara~ra… so you finally made it, Fire Fist Ace."
Aokiji stepped forward with a contingent of Marines, his breath frosting the air. His tone was calm—almost gentle—but carried unmistakable resolve.
"I've been waiting for you here for quite some time. Honestly, I didn't expect you to escape this far."
He paused, eyes settling on Ace. "Although I owe Garp-san a great deal… as a Marine, it falls to me to stop you today."
"Aokiji…"
The Whitebeard Pirates tensed instantly.
"This won't be easy."
"But at least it's only Aokiji."
"Anyone below Commander level—do not confront an Admiral!"
Ace straightened, his expression solemn. Akainu's crushing defeat still burned in his memory—but Aokiji was different.
Ice and fire.
His flames could counter this opponent.
As the fire continued to gently melt the ice around Jozu, Ace spoke firmly, "I'll deal with Aokiji. Everyone else—seize a Marine warship as quickly as possible. We need a route to retreat."
Curiel, the Tenth Division Commander, immediately stepped forward.
"No, Ace. You should lead the others to seize the warships."
Harta, the Twelfth Division Commander, nodded in agreement.
"That's right. His real target is you—leave Aokiji to us."
Fossa, the Fifteenth Division Commander, added, "And once we take a ship, we'll still need your flames to melt the ice and escape."
Ace looked at their determined faces. After a brief pause, he nodded slowly.
"…Then I'll leave it to you."
The decision was made.
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