Hawkins had foreseen a moment in the future—a chance that could completely alter fate.
However, he had not anticipated that the arriving force would be a Marine squad led by Admiral Aokiji and three elite Vice Admirals.
Now, he saw it clearly.
But it was too late.
Such was the nature of divination.
Yet, Hawkins remained composed, his gaze deep and unfathomable as he calmly observed Aokiji raising an immense ice wall with a mere wave of his hand.
Theoretically, his survival rate and margin for error were significantly higher than those of Urouge and Perona beside him.
So, even if he lost this gamble…
He would be the last to die.
"Hawkins, this really isn't the time for your cryptic nonsense!"
Urouge glanced at Hawkins in surprise, as if suddenly recalling something, a spark of realization flashing in his eyes.
"Wait, a few days ago, I had you perform multiple readings for me. Every time, the result indicated that my muscles would reach their peak perfection in 322 days. That means… I have at least 322 days left to live, right?"
The implication was clear—he couldn't possibly die here today.
"…"
Hawkins instantly grasped Urouge's reasoning, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
"Eh? Is that true?"
Floating in mid-air and visibly flustered, Perona widened her eyes as she turned to Hawkins.
"Hey, Strawman! You told me my figure would become fuller and more voluptuous in two years. That means I'm guaranteed to live at least that long, right?"
"…"
Hawkins opened his mouth but said nothing, silently staring at Urouge and Perona.
After a few moments, he finally squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "At the time, you both thought the predictions were too far off and refused to believe them…"
"We believe them now!"
Perona and Urouge responded in unison.
Hawkins fell silent.
He decided that until this high-stakes gamble was over, he would no longer engage in conversation with these two.
Seeing Urouge and Perona still chatting so casually, the Marines, led by the Vice Admirals, immediately took action.
They moved in from both sides, forming an encirclement in an instant.
At this point, there was no escape for Perona and her group.
"Perona, if you can run, do it. Don't even think about fighting."
Shakky extinguished her cigarette, her voice laced with concern.
In her judgment, she saw no realistic way for Perona and the others to escape.
But…
Perhaps miracles did exist.
"…Mm."
Perona nodded, casting a glance at Aokiji.
Negative Hollow!
Without warning, Perona sent several spectral apparitions underground, aiming for Aokiji's feet.
Aokiji's keen Observation Haki immediately sensed the malicious intent directed at him.
Whoosh—!
His body instantly transformed into ice, leaving behind an irregularly shaped ice sculpture in his place.
Three Negative Hollows emerged from the ground, phasing harmlessly through the ice effigy Aokiji had left behind.
"…It missed."
Perona frowned.
In an instant, the now-elementalized Aokiji appeared behind her.
A frigid mist rose, and an overwhelming chill filled the air.
"Your ability is quite troublesome…"
Aokiji remained expressionless.
The Marines' intelligence division was not idle—they had already compiled extensive reports on Perona's rule-based Paramecia ability. They knew enough not to underestimate her.
He extended his frost-laced right hand toward her shoulder.
If he made contact, she would be instantly encased in ice.
"Looks like you've underestimated me, Admiral."
Shakky suddenly appeared at Aokiji's side, her Haki-infused hand gripping his wrist just in time.
At that moment, Perona finally reacted. Seizing the opening, she hastily retreated, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the dangerously powerful admiral.
Meanwhile…
Hawkins' entire body underwent a transformation.
Demonic Appearance!
Strands of straw slithered from his collar and sleeves, weaving around his arms, neck, and even his face.
His physique swelled before their eyes, and in mere moments, he had taken on the grotesque visage of a monstrous scarecrow.
Cursed Nails!
Between his elongated straw fingers, Hawkins clutched several long, pitch-black nails.
In his transformed state, he flicked his arm, sending the deadly projectiles hurtling toward Aokiji's vital points.
"Arara…"
Unfazed, Aokiji allowed the black nails to pierce through him.
An attack lacking Armament Haki posed no threat to him whatsoever.
Ignoring the fact that Shakky still held his wrist, he casually swung his free hand and sent a jagged ice spear flying toward Hawkins.
Hawkins, who had zero aptitude for Observation Haki, failed to react in time.
The ice spear tore through his chest, and within seconds, the chilling frost spread over his entire body, freezing him solid.
With Hawkins dealt with, a sudden wave of cold surged from Aokiji's body and feet, expanding outward to envelop the nearby Shakky.
"Logia-types are such a pain…"
Shakky's eyes narrowed as she swiftly released Aokiji's wrist and leapt back, narrowly avoiding his area-of-effect ice attack.
Urouge had considered punching Aokiji, but seeing the frost spreading toward him, he quickly abandoned the idea and retreated.
After all, he had just witnessed Hawkins getting impaled and frozen solid in mere seconds—he had no intention of experiencing the same fate.
Perona, Urouge, and Shakky all pulled back.
But Aokiji wasn't the only threat on the battlefield.
Vice Admiral Onigumo and his forces charged at Urouge and Perona.
Judging Shakky's strength to be significant, they left her to Aokiji while focusing their efforts on subduing the other two.
Urouge and Perona were quickly entangled in battle with the Marines.
Shakky, on the other hand, had no choice but to face Aokiji directly.
There was no alternative.
He was, without question, the most dangerous opponent on the field.
"You can't protect them."
Frost formed along Aokiji's face, his voice as cold as the ice he wielded.
"…Some things can only be known after trying."
Shakky's thick lips pressed together as she lunged forward, launching an attack.
Her Haki-infused hand sliced through the air with a fierce sound.
"Arara…"
Aokiji's expression shifted slightly as he mused, "The remnants of the Rocks Pirates… really are monsters."
With a casual motion, he conjured a tide of ice, sending it surging toward Shakky.
Elsewhere…
Hawkins, who had been impaled and frozen, suddenly shed his icy shell.
The gaping wound in his chest vanished without a trace.
Plop.
A small straw effigy tumbled from beneath his cloak.
"…So this is an Admiral's strength."
Having used a substitute effigy to survive, Hawkins warily watched Aokiji clash with Shakky.
For the first time, he wondered if he had been a little too composed.
From the current situation…
Total defeat—or capture—seemed all but certain.
"Hawkins! I thought you were dead!"
Urouge's voice cut through the battlefield.
He wasn't in great shape.
"If you're still breathing, get over here and help!"
"…"
Hawkins was speechless.
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