All Things Turn to Ash, Ryujin Jakka

Binding Path #81: Danku

Akainu's Great Eruption slammed into an invisible wall of air, and the scorching magma scattered to both sides of Haku!

"Does that Akainu guy have a brain?" Sengoku cursed. If Haku hadn't blocked that attack just now, how many Marine soldiers would have been casualties? The thought alone made him feel a chill.

Haku's face also turned grim. The opponent was gambling on whether he would protect Garp's warship and the soldiers aboard when launching this attack! No matter the outcome, Akainu wouldn't be the one at a disadvantage.

Haku shouted sternly, "Everyone, get away from the plaza immediately! Otherwise, you'll face the consequences!"

With that, Haku instantly appeared before Akainu, his right fist infused with Armament Haki, sending Akainu flying towards the center of Marineford's plaza.

Garp also wore a troubled expression. He said to Aokiji, "Kuzan! Haku is angry. Hurry up and freeze the plaza!"

Everyone found it strange, wondering why Garp wanted Aokiji to do that.

Ice Age

Aokiji's expression turned serious as he followed Garp's instructions. He knew Haku was about to get serious!

Instantly! The entire Marine plaza transformed into a world of pure white ice and snow.

Akainu, covered in writhing magma, crashed into the center of the plaza!

"Bastard!" he cursed. Haku's merciless punch sent a sharp pain through his chest. If he wasn't mistaken, at least a few of his ribs were broken!

Haku's figure also appeared in the center of the plaza, facing the Marine Admiral before him. He swung his Zanpakuto, unleashing a massive slash.

Akainu quickly elementalized to dodge the attack. Using the momentum from evading the slash, he lunged forward, his arm extending at incredible speed, and attacked Haku with Hell Hound!

Haku's expression remained unchanged as he easily sliced Hell Hound in two. Facing Akainu, Haku said arrogantly, "Originally, I planned to hold back a little, at most fighting you to a draw. That way, everyone would save face!"

Haku raised his Zanpakuto, the tip pointing directly at Akainu. "Now I've changed my mind. You might get burned by the next slash. So! Admiral Akainu, are you ready!"

Akainu's face turned furious upon hearing this. "You brat! What are you joking about? I'm a magma man who ate the Magma-Magma Fruit. Do you really think you can defeat me!"

"Inugamae Guren"

Black and red magma churned, and a giant red dog formed!

Akainu unleashed Inugamae Guren towards Haku, aiming to bite the arm holding Haku's Zanpakuto.

Fierce flames surged from Haku's body, engulfing both him and his sword!

From afar, Kizaru's eyes widened in astonishment. "My, my! What a terrifying kid! Is that a Devil Fruit ability?"

Aokiji wore a pained expression. Maintaining his Devil Fruit ability, he was acutely aware of the terrifying heat within the plaza.

All things, to ash. Ryujin Jakka!

Facing this attack, Haku chose to first release Ryujin Jakka.

Endless flames and intense heat enveloped the entire plaza!

The entire blade of Ryujin Jakka, wrapped in copious flames, emerged from its deep purple hilt! The heat radiating from the flames rapidly turned the ice covering the entire plaza into steam!

"Castle Burn." The flames released from the blade enveloped Akainu's Inugamae Guren like giant hands!

Akainu felt a bad premonition. He cut off the continuing output of Inugamae Guren and retreated.

The flames unleashed by Haku engulfed Inugamae Guren and instantly turned it to ash!

Akainu's pupils contracted to a single point. If he hadn't dodged just now, he suspected he would have been completely incinerated by Haku's flames?

"Torch!"

Haku instantly drew his sword and unleashed a tornado of flames, sweeping towards the retreating Akainu.

Akainu roared, "Great Eruption!" A giant magma fist scattered the flame tornado before him!

At some unknown point, Haku's figure appeared behind Akainu. He slashed upwards with Ryujin Jakka. The slash, carrying scorching heat, wounded Akainu's back.

Akainu immediately elementalized, evading Haku's pursuit. He felt a sense of relief that he hadn't chosen to engage in close combat with Haku earlier!

Then, he rapidly condensed a giant magma fireball, over a meter in diameter, in the sky. Akainu hurled the magma fireball at Haku. Everything the fireball passed through was reduced to ash by the intense heat!

Haku neither dodged nor evaded, gripping Ryujin Jakka with both hands and raising it high. He roared, "Scorching Hell!"

Dozens of towering pillars of fire converged, repelling the magma fireball towards the sea and detonating it!

A powerful shockwave triggered a tsunami that surged towards Marine Headquarters.

To prevent Marine Headquarters from being submerged, Aokiji once again used Ice Age to freeze the entire tsunami.

"Such a terrifying ability!" Kizaru raised his arm to shield his eyes, not wanting to be blinded!

Sengoku, however, felt a pang of sorrow for Marineford's plaza. Without a doubt, after this battle, the plaza would be ruined!

Aokiji's expression was also grave. He knew that the power of that previous attack, if it had landed on the sea, could have easily boiled the ocean!

Seeing this, Akainu's heart grew heavy. He knew that once his Magma-Magma Fruit ability was countered, he would easily be at a disadvantage!

Haku lunged forward, instantly appearing before Akainu. He swung Ryujin Jakka, each swing accompanied by a burst of scorching flame.

Akainu rapidly elementalized, evading Haku's attacks. He chose a hit-and-run tactic to stall for time, not believing Baiyuan's stamina could last this long in a prolonged fight!

However, Haku gave Akainu no chance. His figure instantly appeared at Akainu's side. Ryujin Jakka, carrying terrifying heat, sliced across Akainu's body.

"Great Eruption!" Akainu endured the pain and spat out a giant magma fist, sending Haku flying backward!

Haku slammed heavily into the center of the plaza. Fortunately, he had just blocked the blow with his Zanpakuto. Otherwise, he would have been severely injured by now!

Sengoku, watching from a distance, called out, "Hey! Garp, the flames your grandson used, they aren't Devil Fruit abilities, are they?" Clearly, he had already seen something!

"Huh? Sengoku, what are you talking about? Those two brats were making too much noise fighting, I didn't hear clearly?" Garp pretended not to have heard.

Sengoku knew the other man was covering for his grandson, so he didn't press the issue further.

If Haku could have heard what Sengoku said just now, he would only have marveled that the Fleet Admiral, known as the "Wise General," had deduced from this short period that his abilities weren't from a Devil Fruit!

Meanwhile, a new change on the battlefield drew everyone's attention back.

Sengoku's expression changed, and then he roared furiously in Akainu's direction, "Sakazuki, you bastard, do you intend to destroy Marineford!"