After a moment of silence—
"Hmph, did he retreat?"
Zoro snorted, his eyes burning with unwillingness and Battle Intent.
"What a pity, I didn't even get to have a good fight."
He slowly sheathed his blades, his tone icy.
Yet, it carried an uncontrollable fervor—that was a swordsman's yearning for a stronger Realm.
Luffy, on the other hand, grinned:
"Hehe, next time we meet, I'll definitely smash him!"
Sanji sighed softly:
"With our current strength, even if we can use Ultimate Technique Mode, we are still far from being able to defeat him."
"At most... we just gained the qualification to fight him."
His voice carried a touch of calm realism.
Although the Ultimate Technique Mode just now was enough to make them strong in this sea.
But... facing an existence like Aokiji, they still had a long way to go.
Lin Ning looked around and said in a steady tone, "Don't underestimate yourselves."
His gaze was like a torch, scanning the three people beside him, his words full of determination.
"How long have you been cultivating? And you want to contend with the strongest in this sea?"
"To be able to survive Aokiji's attack, and even directly confront his strongest blow, is already enough to leave your name on this sea."
His voice paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:
"Aokiji's last move was performed treating us as 'equal opponents'."
Hearing this, Zoro's eyes flickered slightly:
"Hmph, next time we meet, it won't be as simple as just taking one move."
His palm gently caressed the hilt of the blade at his waist, a fervent Battle Intent burning in his eyes—
Asura Mode was still far from reaching its limit!
"Bang—"
Just then, a faint Qi explosion sounded.
Everyone turned to look, only to see Luffy's figure instantly shrink.
From his towering, mountain-like little giant form, he directly returned to his original height.
"Ah!?"
Luffy looked down at his hands, his face full of astonishment.
Immediately after, he shouted unwillingly, "Hey, hey! I haven't even had five minutes!"
Sanji lightly blew on the cigarette in his hand, a playful smile on his face:
"Haha, Luffy, you can't even last five minutes?"
"Hahahaha—"
As everyone was joking, Lin Ning, Zoro, and Sanji's figures also returned to their normal states one after another.
Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, and the others in the distance looked at the changes in the battlefield, their faces showing ecstasy after the shock!
Nami excitedly clenched her fists, "We won! Admiral Aokiji retreated!"
Usopp and Chopper were even more excited, dancing with joy.
"Admiral... We made an Admiral run away!!! We're invincible, ah ah ah—!!!"
Robin smiled slightly, looking up at the sky that had returned to tranquility.
She whispered, "They... actually repelled Aokiji."
In the sky, snow and ice still fell, reflecting colorful light... Three days had passed since the battle with Aokiji.
The azure sea shimmered under the sunlight, and the sea breeze swept across the deck.
The going merry sailed steadily in this vast and boundless sea.
Although the fierce battle with Marine Admiral Aokiji had passed three days ago.
The aftermath of that battle was deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts.
It made them realize their own strength, and how much they still lacked compared to the true powerhouses of the sea.
Therefore, everyone on the ship became even more diligent.
On the deck, Lin Ning, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji's figures were sweating under the scorching sun.
They continuously practiced the Body Tempering Technique, striving to extend the usage time of Ultimate Technique Mode.
Meanwhile, Usopp, Nami, Chopper, and Robin also began to train seriously.
Even if they couldn't reach Luffy's Realm, they wanted to be more than just spectators in future battles.
Their goal was to fight alongside their companions!
After the training, everyone lay on the deck, panting heavily.
They faced the gentle sunlight, enjoying a rare moment of rest.
Nami stretched with a big yawn, closed her eyes, feeling the sea breeze, her lips curving slightly upward as she sighed softly:
"The weather is really nice."
Sanji then emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate of meticulously prepared dishes, his steps light, excitedly shouting:
"Miss Nami~! I specially prepared potato-flavored Paille for you, please be sure to try it!!"
His figure almost turned into a phantom, rushing to Miss Nami's side with afterimages.
He held the plate with both hands, his eyes sparkling with pink hearts, "Please enjoy! Miss Nami!"
Nami's eyes lit up as she smelled the fragrant aroma, and she immediately took the plate.
"Mmm~~ Delicious!"
Sanji instantly became excited upon hearing this.
He raised his hands high, "Ah ah ah! I'm so happy!!!"
He leaned against the ship's railing, falling backward with his face to the sky.
Immersed in his own world of happiness, his face was full of intoxicated expressions.
"So noisy!!"
Suddenly, a low, impatient voice broke the peace—
Zoro was originally leaning against the railing, his eyes slightly closed.
He was leisurely enjoying the sea breeze, savoring a rare moment of tranquility.
However, Sanji's howling exploded in his ears like a clap of thunder.
His brows furrowed, and he immediately roared impatiently:
"Are you going to let people rest or not?! If you make another sound, I'll cut you down!"
Sanji still had an intoxicated smile on his face, and he waved his hand lazily.
His tone was full of disdain, "Yes, yes, I'm sorry, Cactus Head."
"...What did you say?"
Zoro raised an eyebrow, opened his eyes, and his face instantly darkened.
Sanji seemed not to notice the change in Zoro's expression.
A mischievous smile played on the corner of his lips, "Huh? I said, Cactus—"
Zoro immediately stood up from the railing, veins bulging on his forehead.
His fists clenched, making cracking sounds, and he gritted his teeth, saying:
"What did you say?!!!"
"Perverted Cook."
"You... What did you call me? Damn Mosshead!"
"Wrinkly Swirly Brow!!"
The next second, the two glared at each other.
Sparks flew in the air, and one could almost see electric arcs crackling between them.
Boom!!
Zoro and Sanji instantly crashed into each other like two cannonballs.
Fists and feet intertwined, fighting mercilessly.
"Die!!!"
"Come on!!!"
Zoro swung his fists, while Sanji raised his long legs.
The two quickly plunged into their usual "daily brawl," turning the entire deck into a chaotic mess.
Usopp, looking unfazed, picked up his telescope and leisurely observed the distance.
He sighed, "Sure enough... these two guys can't go a day without fighting..."
Chopper, on the other hand, frantically circled around them, shouting anxiously:
"Hey, hey! Stop fighting!! What if you get hurt?!"
Nami rubbed her temples helplessly, "Honestly, these two idiots..."
Her hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, and a dangerous smile appeared on her face:
"It seems it's time to make them sober up..."