Stepping onto the snowy streets, Buggy and his crew walked openly, unconcerned. They were eager to see this so-called "Snow Woman" of legend with their own eyes.
They walked for quite some time, yet the mysterious Snow Woman never appeared. Instead, as they drew closer to the coast, the sound of fierce combat drifted to their ears.
Exchanging glances, the crew headed straight toward the sea to investigate.
At the shoreline, rows of battered pirate ships were moored. A large number of people stood aboard them—mostly burly men, many already middle-aged. Even the youngest among them looked to be in their late thirties or forties, while the oldest had heads of white hair. A few others blended in with the island's residents in both appearance and clothing. But their eyes were vacant, unfocused, like lifeless puppets.
Everyone on those ships had their gazes fixed nervously on the sky, where two figures clashed in midair.
One was a towering man cloaked in darkness—Gott. The other, clad in white garments with long silver hair, was an elderly woman: the Snow Woman.
Their powers collided violently, yet neither side gained the upper hand. For a moment, both halted their strikes. Gott glared at her fiercely.
"Snow Woman! Must you really fight me to the death? It doesn't have to be this way. Don't you want to leave this cursed island? Why stop me?"
The Snow Woman's frosted eyes glimmered with fury. She answered coldly, "Release the innocents imprisoned on your ships, and swear never again to harm this island's people. Do that, and I will let you be."
Her voice carried both resolve and helplessness—as if this was the last promise she could fulfill for the islanders.
Gott sneered. "You know I'll never agree to that. So why make such demands? These islanders are nothing to you. They aren't your kin—in fact, many resent you. What are you really after?"
His gaze grew ever colder, muscles tensing, his killing intent leaking through.
Seeing his response, the Snow Woman understood. Her final sliver of hope was shattered. She had once promised someone—she must protect the people here. And now, she steeled herself.
Her thoughts wandered briefly to the past.
She was not born on this island. Forty years ago, while fleeing relentless Navy pursuit, she stumbled into the island's foggy waters, gravely wounded. Unconscious, she was rescued by a man named Simon.
Simon was kind and upright. He nursed her back to health, and over time, feelings blossomed between them. But Simon was not content with a quiet life. He yearned to escape the island. Once the Snow Woman recovered, he set off again, vowing to find a path out.
She wished to follow, but Simon forbade it—her wounds had only just healed. Instead, he asked her to stay behind, to watch over the islanders as best she could. He promised he would return safely, with a way out, and they would leave together.
But fate was cruel. Years later, villagers recovered his wrecked ship drifting at sea. It bore scars of some great disaster. Simon never returned.
Though her beloved had broken his promise, the Snow Woman kept hers. For decades, she silently protected the islanders, shielding them from pirates and forcing raiders to think twice.
She no longer desired the bloody life outside. Once hunted by the Navy, she chose to remain here, never tempted even when others claimed they'd found an exit at a terrible cost.
Her enmity with Gott began more than twenty years ago.
When Gott arrived, he brought order to the chaotic island, wiping out savage pirates and establishing his rule. But over time, darkness festered. Neutral pirates vanished mysteriously, and the grateful islanders gradually forgot the Snow Woman's protection. Rumors spread that she devoured humans.
The Snow Woman grew suspicious, and her investigations uncovered Gott's corruption. Their conflict exploded, resulting in countless clashes.
In her prime, she held the advantage, but Gott's growing strength and his many subordinates turned the tide. She fought him for decades, but as age weakened her body, she gradually lost ground. If not for hidden survival techniques, she would already have fallen into Gott's hands.
Now Gott acted ever more ruthlessly, sacrificing innocents to further his schemes. Had he not feared some lingering restraint, the islanders themselves would long ago have become his prey.
The Snow Woman knew she could delay no longer. If she didn't act, Gott's ambition would doom them all. Today, she had resolved to end it once and for all.
Her brief reverie ended too late. Gott, seizing her distraction, launched an attack.
She reacted swiftly, her body dissolving into countless snowflakes that scattered in the air. Then, gathering into whirling currents, she conjured a colossal snowstorm—like a white tornado—hurtling toward Gott.
His face darkened. Covering his body in Armament Haki, he summoned a massive pair of black shears into his hands. With a sharp motion, he cut through the very air itself.
The snowstorm faltered briefly, as though sliced apart by invisible blades. But the pause lasted only an instant—then the blizzard surged forward once more, sweeping down upon Gott with unstoppable force.