Going All Out

Going All Out

"Water Breathing, Second Form—Water Wheel!"

"..."

Kuzan's expression turned cold, a piercing chill radiating from his deep-set eyes. He had not stopped just because his objective had been achieved, nor was he retaliating against the guy's nonsense earlier. As a Marine Admiral, he was not that... petty.

He simply wanted to see this guy's true strength.

Watching Xieche flip through the air and use the circular slash unleashed by the long blade in his hand to instantly block every ice spear, even he, a Marine Admiral, had to admit that he was worthy of Teacher Zephyr's recognition. A Marine genius trainee who had graduated after just two and a half years of training.

This genius Marine, who had seemingly vanished after being sent away and had never again appeared at Marine Headquarters, had not fallen into ruin or lost his talent as those people claimed. Instead, he had hidden in the weakest sea and deceived everyone.

And this kid's swordsmanship... as gentle as water, as ceaseless as water...

Great strength, swift speed, and astonishing explosive power!

It was as though he were truly facing an endlessly rushing, ever-changing current. Even though there was clearly no water before him and even the sea had been frozen by him, when facing the sword aura Xieche unleashed, Kuzan felt as if he were standing in a real river.

And the Haki he had displayed... Had this kid figured out how to master Haki on his own after being sent to the East Blue?

He had to admit it...

Everyone had underestimated him.

As a Marine Admiral, he had seen many swordsmen. Some were violent enough to destroy everything, blazing as fiercely as fire; others possessed sharpness capable of cutting through anything.

He had even witnessed the sword aura of top-class swordsmen splitting the sea and cleaving the sky with a single strike, yet he had never seen sword aura so gentle and yet so endlessly varied.

Could this kid who intended to invite him to Red Romance actually be a gentle fellow?

Was he joking with him?

Just then.

As Kuzan stood there deep in thought with a speechless expression—

"Water Breathing, Third Form—Flowing Dance!"

Xieche's body immediately moved at high speed like a stream of water. His movements were so swift that several afterimages were all that remained in his wake as he launched an attack at Kuzan.

As a Marine Admiral—and a Logia user with the Ice-Ice Fruit—he naturally had no reason to be afraid.

No matter what kind of water it was, even the unfathomably deep sea could be frozen by him.

But when facing this kid's swordsmanship, he put away his initial disdain.

With so many people watching, he could not afford to stumble in the gutter.

How would Marine Admiral Aokiji ever show his face after that?

Seeing this strange, smooth, fluid high-speed movement—not the Six Powers' Shave, but a technique that changed like flowing water—Kuzan showed a look of surprise. A trace of appreciation flashed through his eyes, but he immediately exhaled a breath of cold air, suddenly forming an ice blade in his hand. He swung it swiftly to his left, directly blocking Xieche's attack.

As the ice blade clashed against Sandai Kitetsu...

"Ice Time!"

He rapidly released another blast of freezing air, instantly flash-freezing Xieche, who had appeared beside him.

"Are you still determined to shield this criminal?" Kuzan stood before Xieche, his voice cold and merciless. "Dander Xieche, your strength has indeed exceeded my expectations, but it is not enough to stop me!"

An eerie cold gleam shone in his deep eyes as he stared straight at Xieche.

"It is not too late to turn back. Give up, Dander Xieche. You are no match for me."

A terrifying aura radiated from his entire body—domineering and ruthless, as if he were prepared to destroy everything standing in his way.

Perhaps this was the true face of a Marine Admiral!

"As long as you let go, I can promise that Marine Headquarters will pardon all your unlawful acts. I can even conceal everything that happened here for you."

However.

As the words fell.

Xieche remained completely unmoved by Kuzan's temptation.

This guy was an actor!

For all he knew, he might just be putting on an act for him!

Though he did not understand why the man still refused to stop after things had reached this point, Xieche did not dare let down his guard and simply ignored Kuzan's offer.

Over the years, he had continuously practiced and studied Water Breathing. He had long since learned to keep his mind free of distractions, remain calm and steady, and ignore the temptations and provocations of others.

His body jolted as he used Haki to shatter the ice encasing his feet and lower body. There was still no tension on his face. Instead, he let out a helpless sigh. "Can't this really end here?"

Although freezing could disrupt the body's normal functions and was highly lethal to ordinary people, he had long been prepared for Kuzan's arrival.

Especially after the special training methods of Water Breathing and the sea, his body had already become strong enough to withstand this ice.

And Kuzan clearly had not yet used his true strength!

But now, it seemed that unless he fought properly and showed what he could do, this would not end.

A serious expression appeared on Xieche's face. He leaned his upper body slightly forward, gripped his long blade in his right hand, and once again assumed the opening stance of Water Breathing swordsmanship. With a blank expression, he said, "To be honest, it really is getting cold. And dawn is almost here. I'd still prefer to finish this sooner."

Having invited Robin aboard, he had long been mentally prepared for Kuzan's arrival.

He also knew that Water Breathing alone would not make defeating a Marine admiral easy. But do not forget... this was a world ruled by the sea, where the power of the sea existed.

As the Marine Genius Colonel, Water Breathing was not the only thing he knew.

At this moment.

Everyone looked up, watching the battlefield between the two with tense expressions...

The sharp, tyrannical ice froze everything, as though it wished to drag all things into an ice age. Yet a small, feeble river had not been frozen by that biting chill, instead rushing toward that terrifying world of ice.

It flowed on without end, stubbornly resisting the cold without freezing over!

But at this moment...

Everyone knew that against that domineering, razor-sharp ice—against a Marine admiral like a monster, capable of changing the sea and the currents—Xia Che seemed to be at a disadvantage.

Robin clenched her fists tightly and looked up at the figure who had stopped, hand gripping the sword hilt. Her eyes never relaxed for even an instant as she stared at him.

Her mind involuntarily returned to the time when they had first met.

A demoted Marine, gazing at the sea in confusion, had invited her—the Devil Child wanted by the World Government—to travel with him to the East Blue.

Back then, she had truly believed that he had ulterior motives.

Yet, without her realizing it, so many years had passed. He had also kept the promise he made then, giving her protection and a peaceful, stable life, right up until today...

When she was in danger, just like the giant she had encountered in Ohara all those years ago, he stood before her. He had not abandoned his promise to invite her aboard, and he still protected her even when facing a terrifying enemy.

But had she... made another mistake?

"Robin~"

Noticing the regret and self-blame on Robin's face, Nami tightly grasped Robin's trembling, icy hand. Though her own body was shaking and her eyes were filled with worry, she still said firmly, "Don't give up. That guy definitely won't lose."

At this moment, Nami understood that the Arlong Pirates, who had once terrified her, were not even worth calling worms before this monster.

That guy was too terrifying!

How could a monster like this exist on the sea?

But she still believed in that figure who had stood before her when she was at her most desperate.

"Since he hasn't let go, then trust him! If things really don't work out, we'll go out to sea as pirates and run away! I've already had someone prepare a ship. If things truly go bad later, we'll take that guy and escape immediately. Or..." As she spoke, her voice still trembled slightly. "Maybe we should wait on the ship first!"

However.

"I believe in him!"

In response to Nami's comfort, a smile once again appeared on Robin's face, which had been filled with regret, guilt, and fear. It was that elegant, intelligent, and unhurried smile.

She nodded heavily.

"I have already entrusted myself to him. No matter the outcome, I will wait here for BOSS."

"???" x2

Nami and Guina froze, staring at Robin with strange expressions.

Why did that sound a little odd?

Wasn't this too fast?

But before Nami could say anything.

Suddenly.

Xia Che, who had been standing still...

At this moment.

Moved!

And his movement came with a sentence.

"Are you really not going to Red Romance? I told you, it's my treat!"

"..."

Kuzan also saw Xia Che move, but before he could figure out what this brat was trying to do, he suddenly heard those words. His face darkened again, and just as he was about to teach the brat a lesson—

In the blink of an eye.

A voice rang out from across from him.

It was an ethereal, gentle, yet calm voice.

"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Sea, Boundless!"

As the words fell.

Kuzan's expression changed instantly.

The entire sea had clearly been frozen over, yet at that moment, he seemed to hear... the sea surging.