Roger gripped the hilt of the blade formed from Ace, and a surge of heroic spirit rose within him. With a swift backhand slash, he forced the advancing Akainu to retreat, his laughter booming across the battlefield.
"With my son by my side, I lack nothing!"
His declaration drew Lloyd's attention. The scene stirred a faint recollection in Lloyd's mind, reminding him of a certain figure from a cartoon on Earth, someone ultimately brought down by his own son and dragged into ruin.
Roger poured Armament Haki into the blade without hesitation. Ace trembled under the overwhelming enhancement, emitting a sharp metallic clang.
Several slashes tore through the air toward Akainu.
Akainu remained composed. A violent eruption of magma surged upward, colliding head on with the incoming slashes. In the next instant, his body transformed into flowing magma, closing the distance with explosive speed.
A burst of flames ignited along Ace's blade, intertwining with the dense coating of Armament Haki. Roger stepped forward and cut down toward Akainu.
Akainu let out a cold sneer. A massive magma hand formed instantly, grabbing the blade directly.
The moment the flames came into contact with the magma, they extinguished with a sharp hiss.
A cry of pain echoed from the blade.
Roger's expression shifted dramatically. Without hesitation, he exerted all his strength to wrench Ace free from the magma's grip.
Thick black smoke rose from the blade, accompanied by a constant sizzling sound. This was no ordinary weapon. It was his son's body.
Seeing Ace in such a state caused a sharp pain to pierce Roger's heart.
At the same time, confusion surfaced in his mind. Ace was a Logia user of the Flame Flame Fruit. Fire should not fear magma, yet the result before him told a different story.
Even Ace himself could not understand it.
In truth, even in another timeline, Ace had once been equally confused. Only through Akainu's explanation did he learn the truth. His flames were merely inferior fire, naturally suppressed by magma in both temperature and hierarchy.
Now, it was Akainu who answered once again.
He flicked his arm, dispersing the magma, his voice indifferent.
"They are nothing but ordinary flames. What gave you the courage to challenge magma of a higher temperature?"
Roger's expression stiffened, then darkened significantly.
How could he continue using Ace against such an opponent?
A sense of guilt surged within him. He could not allow his son to suffer even the slightest harm again.
At that moment, a weak but determined voice came from the blade.
"Father, I am fine. With Armament Haki protecting me, I can endure it. Please, fight with me without hesitation!"
Before Roger could respond, Akainu charged once more.
Left with no choice, Roger raised Ace and met the attack head on, continuously increasing the output of his Armament Haki.
Explosions erupted one after another.
Roger's clothing, formed through the power of Nika, evaporated into rising white steam under the scorching magma. Meanwhile, cracks of molten magma appeared across Akainu's body, only to repair themselves instantly as he moved.
Against opponents with powerful Armament Haki, a Logia user's elemental body did not become useless. Through keen Observation Haki and precise control of their element, they could still evade damage fluidly.
Magma, being semi solid and overwhelmingly destructive, was among the most formidable Logia elements. While avoiding attacks, the magma erupting from Akainu's body continued to unleash devastating force, making it extremely difficult for Roger to handle.
Elsewhere, a green hurricane spiraled violently through the sky. Countless vines chased after it like living serpents.
Below, Aramaki raised his arms, which had split into innumerable vines, and laughed loudly.
"Dragon, you are still as good as ever at running away!"
The hurricane halted abruptly, condensing into Dragon's grim expression.
A sphere of wind gathered in his palm. In the next moment, countless green wind blades burst outward, shredding the incoming vines into fragments that scattered across the sky.
Yet Dragon did not press the attack.
Instead, he transformed once more into a current of wind and sped toward Garp's location.
He did not fear Aramaki.
He simply refused to waste time in a drawn out fight. Garp, reduced to a puppet, could not display his full strength. Facing Aokiji alone, he was at a severe disadvantage.
As a son, Dragon would not stand by and watch.
Aramaki showed no concern for Dragon's intentions.
He had disliked Dragon since their days at the Navy Academy. Despite sharing a dormitory, no camaraderie had ever formed. Dragon's words and actions had only deepened his disdain over time.
Mercy was never an option.
Seeing Dragon attempt to escape again, Aramaki narrowed his eyes. Using Geppo, he stomped the air with explosive force, launching himself upward like a rocket.
His right arm transformed into a massive conical tree spike, instantly coated in Armament Haki, turning pitch black with a cold metallic sheen.
"Rampant Tree Spear!"
The attack shot forward with lethal precision, targeting the core of the wind current.
With powerful Observation Haki, Aramaki had already locked onto Dragon's true body within the invisible flow. Escape was no longer possible. The angle was ruthless. If struck, Dragon would be impaled.
Dragon abandoned evasion.
His body reappeared as he extended a clawed hand, his voice filled with fury.
"Aramaki, do not push your luck!"
His hand, coated in Armament Haki, was surrounded by countless microscopic wind blades.
"Dragon's Claw!"
The strike met the Rampant Tree Spear head on.
A powerful force surged through his claw, sending violent vibrations through the structure of the attack.
Cracks spread rapidly across the tree spike.
In the next moment, it shattered completely, revealing Aramaki's true arm within.
Aramaki's expression remained relaxed, a mocking smile curling his lips.
"Not running anymore? I knew it. It has been too long since we last met. As former classmates, we should have a proper reunion."
Dragon's gaze turned icy.
"I have nothing to say to someone like you. Since you insist on seeking death today, I will grant it."
Aramaki chuckled, unfazed.
"After all these years, your arrogance has not changed. Come, let me see what you have truly become."
In the next instant, past grievances and present hostility erupted.
The hurricane roared.
The forest surged.
Wind and wood intertwined, forming a vast emerald expanse that spread across the sky like a living ocean.
=≠=
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