Aokiji sat cross-legged at the prow, gazing down at Robin.
"The amount of a bounty doesn't just reflect a criminal's strength—it also reflects the level of threat they pose to the World Government. That's why, at only eight years old, your bounty was already set at seventy-nine million Berries.
Though you were just a child, you were cunning enough to survive—betrayals, escape, currying favor, using others. With your sharp mind, you've lived on in the dark world until now.
And it seems this time… you've chosen these people as your refuge."
Leno stepped forward, staring straight at him. "Listen, old man. Robin's lived alone since she was eight, enduring fear, loneliness, persecution, and endless escapes. Don't you dare dismiss her suffering with such casual words, bastard!"
Aokiji glanced at him, then went on. "You'll soon regret bringing along such a troublesome woman. Every organization Nico Robin has ever been a part of was destroyed. Every one of them—except her. Why do you think that is, Nico Robin?"
"Is that so? But that was the past, what does it have to do with the present?"
"Those organizations perished because they were weak—trying to act tough without the power to back it up. They nearly dragged Robin down with them. She's fortunate this time to have encountered me." Leno casually picked his ear.
Kuina stepped forward. "The past doesn't matter. What matters is now!"
"Robin is our crewmate now! We won't let you badmouth her, big guy!" Carmen yelled from behind Kuina, waving her fists.
Seeing their expressions, Aokiji mused quietly. "I see. So you've grown quite attached to her."
"What are you trying to say? If you want to capture me, then do it already!" Robin shouted, almost hysterical.
"Treinta Fleur: Clutch!"
Her countless arms wrapped tightly around Aokiji's body—but he remained calm.
"Looks like I spoke too much. I thought you were a clever woman. Seems I was wrong."
"Hook Claw!"
Crash! Aokiji's form shattered into icy fragments across the deck.
"A Devil Fruit user?"
"A Logia?" Kuina and Nojiko weren't surprised; after all, Leno's endless rambling about Devil Fruits had drilled the basics into their heads.
But Chopper, clueless, gawked. "W-whoa! He shattered into pieces! He's dead!"
The words had barely left his mouth when the scattered shards of ice began to reform, slowly shaping back into Aokiji's body.
"No way! Run, everyone! He's a monster!"
"Oi, Chopper, calm down. That's the power of a Devil Fruit," Leno sighed. "Stop freaking me out."
"Ah-la-la, you hit pretty hard," Aokiji muttered.
Robin's face was pale, despair seeping into her eyes. ''So this is the end, after all…''
"I don't want to take your life, but…"
As his arm reached out toward her, Robin closed her eyes in hopeless surrender.
Clang!
The ice never touched her. She opened her eyes to see Kuina's blade pressed against his frozen hand.
Clang!
Nojiko followed up from the other side, her strike blocked by his other arm.
"Ah-la-la, I almost forgot—two beautiful ladies, both formidable swordsmen."
"This is a rare chance. Go all out—see for yourselves the gap between you and an Admiral," Leno said with a grin, pulling Robin back while addressing Kuina and Nojiko.
The two women needed no convincing. Hunting pirates had become monotonous, but here stood a peak-level opponent. A priceless opportunity. And with Leno watching their backs, they unleashed their powers.
Kuina's hair turned golden, eyes glowing, wings spreading from her back. Nojiko's hair and eyes turned blood-red, black leathery wings unfurling behind her.
Chopper's jaw dropped. "So pretty… But wait, why doesn't my Devil Fruit give me wings?"
"Ahem, Chopper," Leno said, utterly straight-faced. "You ate the Human-Human Fruit, Zoan: Commoner form. No wings. But if you train your body properly, you'll actually be stronger than them."
"Really?!"
Chopper's eyes sparkled. "Then I'll train harder! I'll develop my body and become a true man!"
As Chopper cheered himself on, Leno averted his gaze—only to find Nami glaring at him. Guiltily, he turned away again.
Back on the deck, sword strikes and ice blades clashed violently, gouging scars into the planks and scattering shards of frost. Leno winced in pain.
"Oi! Take the fight out to sea! Don't wreck my ship!"
Swish! Swish!
The two women's figures flashed forward in unison, striking together.
"One-Sword Style: Iai!" ×2
"Holy Judgment!"
"Blood Cry!"
Two slashes—one golden, one crimson—formed an 'X' as they flew at Aokiji. For once, his composure cracked. Hastily, he covered his arms with Armament Haki.
Boom!
The twin strikes forced him back, driving him into the sea.
"Yes! He's a Devil Fruit user—seawater will finish him off!" Carmen cheered.
"No… it's not that simple. The strength of a Marine Admiral is beyond our imagination," Robin warned.
And indeed—Aokiji's feet touched the water, and in an instant the sea froze solid, ice spreading outward rapidly until even their ship was locked in place.
Carmen's eyes went wide. "H-he froze the ocean?!"
Aokiji rose to his feet, exhaling cold air, his expression serious now as he fixed on the two women.
"Ah-la-la… swordsmen really are troublesome. Looks like I'll have to get serious."
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
He launched his signature technique—a colossal ice phoenix soared toward the women.
Kuina didn't dare take it lightly. Her blade, coated with Armament Haki, shone with golden light as her wings flared. In a flash, she vanished.
"Extreme—Holy Starfall!"
Clang!
Her strike split the massive ice bird in two, and in the next instant, she was upon Aokiji, blade sweeping across.
Clash!
Her slash was blocked by his jet-black arm.
"Ah-la-la, that was sharp. You really can't be underestimated, miss."
"Since you're going all out, it would be rude if I didn't respond seriously. Very well—let me show you the world of ice."
His aura flared—cold surging violently. The frozen sea cracked under the pressure, shards of ice flying into the air only to freeze again instantly.
A white mist spread, swirling among jagged ice spires, his silhouette looming within. His voice cut through, chilling to the bone.
"Ice Mass: Two Thorn Pikes!"