"Uchiha Madara…"
"It seems that our becoming partners is an inevitable fact!" Aizen's luxurious white robe fluttered in the wind, his expressionless face barely hinting at a cold smirk. His words, void of any emotion, felt like a simple declaration of truth.
He completely disregarded Uchiha Madara's overwhelming aura.
"Hmph, are all the so-called death gods this arrogant?" A wild grin spread across Uchiha Madara's face. His body trembled with boiling excitement, his fighting spirit ignited. The calmness he had endured for so long was shattered in an instant, and Aizen's arrogance only made him feel like he had found a kindred spirit.
Indeed.
The moment Aizen appeared, Madara's loneliness as a being at the pinnacle of power vanished. It was as if he had returned to his glorious days of bringing an era of peace through sheer strength!
"Arrogant?" Aizen's voice was chilling. A strand of his bangs swayed as he raised his gaze, his eyes dark and unfathomable. "Uchiha Madara, I suggest you refrain from speaking arrogantly. It only exposes your weaknesses."
"Aizen Sosuke, I advise you not to get too confident!" Madara retorted, pride evident in every word. He folded his arms, his tone dripping with disdain. "Have you ever seen my power at its peak?"
Although his expression remained calm, the coldness in Madara's eyes was unmistakable. The air grew heavy with his killing intent, the Eternal Mangekyo spinning within his eyes, releasing a pulse of immense power.
"Your resolve to defy fate is admirable," Aizen observed, his voice indifferent. "But…"
"The so-called power at its peak is nothing more than an illusion!" Aizen's words cut through the tension, his challenge sharp and piercing, aimed directly at Madara's pride.
"Interesting…" Madara's laughter rang out, filled with a mix of fury and amusement. "So, you prefer to play mind games."
He was not one to buckle under provocation, especially not from a being like Aizen. The very air around him vibrated with his intense presence as he let out an uproarious laugh. The confrontation between these two titans reached a boiling point.
Just as it seemed that an all-out battle was inevitable, Leon, who had been silently watching, finally broke his silence.
"Please, you two, don't fight!" Leon pleaded, sweat forming on his brow as he watched the imminent clash. The combined power of Aizen and Madara was enough to obliterate the entire island, and though Leon wielded command over the summoned beings, their personalities were not so easily controlled.
Aizen's cold, calculating nature and Madara's domineering arrogance created a volatile mix. Leon knew their personalities, shaped by their respective worlds, would likely clash.
Aizen was a master of manipulation, ruthless and strategic, while Madara was all pride, raw power, and sheer dominance. Their commonality lay in their confidence to look down on all others, but this shared trait could lead to disastrous friction.
Leon's head was beginning to throb at the thought.
"Please, both of you, set aside your pride for now," Leon continued, trying to de-escalate the situation. He took two glasses of red wine from the nearby cabinet and handed one to each of the powerful figures.
"Since the bond between us seems unavoidable, it appears we're destined to be partners." Aizen gracefully took the glass, his noble aura unshaken. Deep down, he still longed for the throne of Heaven, but he reluctantly accepted the reality of his situation.
"Hmph," Madara grunted, taking his glass with a casual air. "If you want to fight, I, Uchiha Madara, am ready anytime."
Madara's words, filled with defiance, were no longer directed solely at Aizen. After their brief exchange, he had come to accept Leon as his partner, recognizing the necessity of working together.
"Finally, no fight," Leon exhaled a sigh of relief, watching the two kings lower their guard. The heavy atmosphere that had threatened to consume them faded, and for now, peace was restored.
"So this is the true purpose of the Devil Fruit," Robin whispered, awestruck. The overwhelming pressure she had felt from both Aizen and Madara left her speechless.
"In addition to Aizen and Madara, there will be many more strong beings summoned in the future. But I hope you can keep this secret," Leon said, his voice light as he pinched Robin's cheek affectionately, a playful grin spreading across his face.
"Mr. Leon, I will," Robin responded with confidence. Though they were not blood-related, she had come to regard Leon as family. Their bond had grown strong through their shared experiences.
Three Days Later
Grand Line, Koster Sea
After successfully summoning Aizen Sosuke, Leon didn't stay too long. He recorded the island's location on a compass before setting sail.
"Mr. Leon, what beautiful weather today!" Robin exclaimed, holding a telescope as she stood atop the watchtower. "It seems we'll reach the next island soon."
"What a rare moment of peace…" Leon stretched out on the sofa, sipping the hot tea Robin had brewed.
Suddenly, the ship lurched.
Boom! The deafening roar of something massive shook the three-masted sailboat.
"What the hell just happened?!" Leon and Robin both reacted at the same time. Even Aizen and Madara felt the disturbance, though they remained silent, assessing the situation.
Before anyone could fully process it, Leon's sharp instincts kicked in.
The sea around them trembled violently, as if something enormous was stirring beneath the surface. The ship began to rise, seemingly pushed by an immense current of energy. It was being lifted into the air, floating like a leaf caught in an unseen gust.
"Shit!" Leon cursed, barely managing to hold onto the mast as the ship shot upward.
Looking out from the deck, his face reflected shock. The entire three-masted sailboat was ascending vertically, propelled by a powerful undersea current.
That could only mean one thing…
The legendary Sky-High Current had arrived.