Hope They Weren't Too Foolish

"Kuzan! Even you have betrayed the Marines?" Momonga demanded darkly.

"Betrayed? No! I'm merely following the justice I truly approve of in my heart. You know, as early as twenty years ago, when the Ohara Incident happened, I asked myself whether Marines who slaughtered unarmed civilians deserved the word 'justice' on the backs of their coats. But as I learned more and more about the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, I gradually realized that unless the Marines became completely independent, they would forever be accomplices with the blood of innocents on their hands."

Aokiji casually set his beloved bicycle aside, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity.

At the same time, the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit began spreading outward at incredible speed.

In just a few seconds, the area near the berths was covered in a thick layer of Solid Ice.

"Are you trying to wipe us all out?" Doberman turned and glanced at the vast white frozen landscape behind him.

Once upon a time, this had been the Marines' proudest pinnacle of strength, as well as the firmest support in the hearts of countless soldiers.

But now, it had become their most terrifying enemy.

Such a tremendous change was not something Vice Admirals like them could accept. Even the soldiers aboard the warships stood dumbfounded, as though the faith in their hearts had completely collapsed, frozen in place and at a loss.

Aokiji smiled and shook his head. "Quite the opposite. I actually don't want too many people to die here today. Perhaps you still don't understand, but Allen was angry just now. If I hadn't acted, all of you would die here today—and your deaths would be meaningless."

"What?"

Momonga frowned instinctively, beginning to wonder what this tall former Marine Admiral was really trying to do.

"It's