"So this is the strength of a Marine Admiral? Even though I've fused multiple Devil Fruits, I'm still nowhere near his level!"
After just one clash with Aokiji, Jiang Lin immediately realized the vast gap between their powers.
Aokiji's mastery over the Ice-Ice Fruit had already reached a level that left people in awe, while Jiang Lin had only come into contact with Devil Fruits for a few short days. When it came to control and development of his powers, he was nowhere near Aokiji.
However, although Aokiji's mastery was overwhelming, that didn't mean Jiang Lin had no chance. Right now, his goal wasn't to defeat the Admiral—it was to survive against him for one full minute.
"You've attacked the Ice-Ice Fruit user, Kuzan. The system is now copying the opponent's Devil Fruit. The host must endure for one minute."
Staring at the countdown ticking away on the system's interface, Jiang Lin gritted his teeth and launched his attack.
"Laser Beam!"
From midair, several golden beams shot from Jiang Lin's hands, streaking straight toward Aokiji below.
"Ice Time Bird!"
In response, Aokiji instantly unleashed a massive ice phoenix that soared toward Jiang Lin.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ice bird spread its wings, tearing through the connected bridges and walkways of Level 4. Huge chunks of stone collapsed, falling into the boiling sea of blood below with thunderous crashes.
The overwhelming force of the attack made Jiang Lin's face stiffen. Aokiji wasn't giving him the luxury of dragging out time—he had opened with a full-scale move, aiming to drive him from the sky.
If Jiang Lin fell, he knew the only outcome waiting for him was to be frozen solid.
Facing the ice bird's assault, Jiang Lin crossed his arms and unleashed Yasakani no Magatama! A torrent of countless light bullets poured down on the creature. Ice shards rained to the ground and into the bloody sea below with booming detonations.
"Got you!"
Aokiji's cold voice rang out as the giant ice bird suddenly opened its maw and swallowed Jiang Lin.
With its prey caught, the bird dove like a kite with its string cut, plummeting headfirst toward the ground.
"Totsuka-no-Tsurugi!"
"Laser Beam!"
Trapped inside, Jiang Lin refused to sit still. He fired laser beams to blast at the bird's body while simultaneously stabbing at the weakened areas with the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.
Just before he could be smashed into the ground, his assault succeeded—the ice bird's massive body was blown open, leaving a narrow passage just wide enough for a person to slip through.
The moment the path appeared, Jiang Lin used Yata-no-Kagami to escape, reappearing again in midair.
"Troublesome…"
Aokiji's eyes narrowed coldly. Leaping high into the air, he extended both arms, releasing thick ice pillars that connected the walls of Level 4.
As the pillars locked in place, frigid air surged from his body. The once-scorching chamber of Level 4 rapidly froze over.
"Oi, oi, oi… isn't this a bit much? You're even using Ice Age here?"
Watching the encroaching cold, Jiang Lin's composure faltered.
Against the technique known as the strongest area-control move, Ice Age, even if he had developed the Glint-Glint Fruit to Kizaru's level, he still wouldn't dare take it head-on.
"Only twenty seconds left… fight or flee?"
Time was running out. White ice spread upward from the sea of blood, crawling along the walls and bridges until it converged toward Jiang Lin in the sky.
"One of the Navy's strongest forces—Aokiji. Your power… will be mine!"
Staring at the onrushing ice, Jiang Lin finally made his decision. If he shrank back now against Aokiji, then how could he ever stand tall when the time came to face Akainu, whose power was even greater?
"Gum-Gum… Pistol!"
Just then, Luffy arrived from behind, bringing Buggy, Galdino, and Bon Clay with him.
Without hesitation, Luffy stretched his arm, grabbed onto one of the ice pillars, and flung himself upward, launching a punch straight at Aokiji, who stood in the center.
"A… Admiral… Aokiji?!"
Buggy's face drained of color when he saw the Admiral holding his own against two enemies at once. Without a word to Luffy, he immediately turned and bolted.
"Wait for me—!"
Galdino quickly followed in panic.
"Luffy-chan! I'll help you! Oooh!"
Unlike them, Bon Clay spun and danced toward Luffy with reckless courage.
"Straw Hat kid!"
Aokiji's expression shifted the instant he saw Luffy.
"Partner! I'm here to save you!"
Luffy called out earnestly to Jiang Lin above. Ever since Jiang Lin became part of his crew, Luffy regarded him as more than just a comrade—he was family, a brother. Now that Jiang Lin was in danger, there was no way Luffy would stand by and watch.
"Thanks, brother… be careful!"
Jiang Lin knew full well how terrifying Aokiji was. Against him, he couldn't claim even the slightest chance of victory.
"We meet again."
Luffy gave Jiang Lin a firm nod, then turned his gaze to Aokiji.
"You shouldn't have come here."
Aokiji's deep voice echoed. The freezing air continued to pour out, ice already creeping close to Jiang Lin's body.
"I had to."
Luffy's tone was unwavering, his expression carrying an unshakable determination.
"Then I'll just have to stop you."
As soon as he spoke, the biting cold surged from Aokiji's feet up through Luffy's body.
"Luffy! Watch out!"
Seeing his friend in danger, Jiang Lin instantly used Yata-no-Kagami to teleport to his side, shattering the rising ice with a kick.
"Second Gear!"
White steam burst out as Luffy's body flushed red in an instant.
"Got you! Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
Seizing the chance created by Jiang Lin's reckless dive, Aokiji launched his counterattack. Five jagged ice spears shot at Jiang Lin, the numbing chill making his brows furrow.
"Damn it… still not enough?"
Jiang Lin sighed bitterly. But when he glanced at the system timer and saw less than five seconds remaining, hope rekindled in his eyes.
"Petrify!"
Spreading his hands wide, five radiant beams fired from his fingertips, colliding head-on with Aokiji's ice spears.
Light clashed against ice, petrification against freezing. Standing upon the ice-bridges, the two locked eyes, engaging in their final contest.
"One minute complete. Ice-Ice Fruit successfully copied."
The system notification sounded just as a deafening explosion erupted between them. A dense white mist billowed outward, instantly swallowing the battlefield and obscuring everything from view.