It was like a famous painting come to life,
With those two present, even Doflamingo seemed to have been reduced to a mere backdrop.
The two simply stood there as the atmosphere gradually froze solid.
In the end, Austin was the first to smile and speak.
"I heard you defected from the Navy. Is that true, little chick~?"
"Little chick???"
As the Navy soldiers gradually regained control of their bodies, they were initially stunned when they heard that nickname. Then they looked at Kuzan and recalled his title, [Aokiji].
Their faces instantly stiffened.
They clutched their heads in disbelief.
"Could it be?!!! Black Spear was calling..."
Before the Navy soldier could finish speaking, the soldier beside him immediately covered his mouth and hurriedly gestured for him to be quiet.
What an oblivious fool.
Had he not noticed that ever since Black Spear used that nickname, the frost on Admiral Kuzan's face had thickened by several layers?
Shaking off the frost coating his hand, Austin smiled indifferently.
Kuzan slowly exhaled a breath of icy air.
"Yeah, I'm no longer in the Navy. So even if I attack you now, I won't feel any burden at all."
"Really~?"
Austin's smile remained unchanged.
The next second, without any warning, countless ice crystals rapidly spread from around Kuzan and grew toward Austin.
The Navy soldiers were horrified. From far away, they hurriedly dragged the heavily injured Smoker off, while even Doflamingo had no choice but to avoid the brunt of it.
The smile on his face faded slightly.
He had not expected Kuzan to truly dare attack Austin.
Although rumors said the two were mortal enemies, could Kuzan really not see the gap in their strength?
For someone like Doffy, who knew when to follow his instincts, he truly could not understand challenging an