"N... Nani?!?"
"Low-tier pirates?!!!"
Hades's sudden roar made Teach freeze for an instant.
And in that instant, another gash was cut across his chest by an Armament Haki ice blade.
"OW OW OW OW OW!!!"
Compared to Blackbeard's stunned reaction, Kuzan remained much calmer. He had long since grown used to Austin—Hades—never playing by the rules.
The sharp black ice blade knocked aside an axe blade with a backhanded sweep, while a fist wrapped in black Armament Haki immediately shot toward Hades's face.
Naturally, it was blocked by the other axe.
The group fought without restraint.
Faint sounds of panic and arguing drifted through the forest.
"Hey!!! Luffy, calm down!!!"
Chopper and Usopp joined in trying to persuade him.
"Wait, Luffy! Those people look terrifyingly strong!!!"
But clearly, they could not stop him.
"Get out of my way!!! Who's that axe freak calling a low-tier pirate?!!!" Luffy shouted furiously.
"I'm the man who'll become the Pirate King!!!"
Hearing that shout, Hades's lips curled upward.
People from the King of Pirates were indeed the easiest to read, weren't they?
"If I were afraid of the Marines, I wouldn't have risked my life to set sail!!!"
He planted his feet and gathered strength.
King Luffy stared intently at the battle ahead, where every movement could trigger landslides and earth-shattering destruction. There was not a trace of fear on his face.
His eyes held only a yearning for the title of High-tier Pirates.
Zoro, Sanji, and the others, however, saw the situation clearly. That Marine Admiral and the man wielding two axes were absurdly powerful!!!
As Teach lay on the ground crying out in pain, the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit faltered for a moment, and waves of biting cold instantly surged forth.
"Ice Age!!!"
Layers of ice spread outward in an instant.