Who knew how much stamina Aokiji had burned through to create towering walls of ice while relocating, all to slow Maud and Luo's pursuit.
But that alone would have been one thing.
In such a short time, he had actually turned the entire Tree Island 13 into a gigantic maze of ice.
The ability to change the environment with a mere wave of the hand was probably the most terrifying aspect of awakening a Logia-type power.
He had truly gone all out to ensure his comrades could retreat safely.
As Maud cleared away the ice walls, he released Observation Haki to confirm Lafitte and the others' situation. Only then did he relax.
"Did he escape...?"
Under the perception of Observation Haki, Aokiji used his mastery of opening holes in the ice walls to guide the remaining Marines into gathering together as quickly as possible before departing.
He was not surprised by Aokiji's choice.
Compared to the act of "running away" as an admiral, Aokiji clearly considered preserving his comrades' lives more important.
If it had been Akainu, how could he have had so many misgivings?
They were both admirals, but their personalities made all the difference.
Maud had no intention of pursuing him and stopped destroying the ice walls.
His earlier actions had merely been meant to annoy Aokiji.
After all, if everyone on both sides gathered within the same battlefield,
Maud could attack Onigumo and the others, while Aokiji could attack Brook and Jim.
If he went even further, Aokiji might attack the severely wounded and unconscious Perona and Urouge. Philo, who was working hard to treat them, would also be completely powerless before Aokiji.
Maud did not want to gamble with his comrades' safety, much less exchange their lives.
A thousand enemies, or even ten thousand, were not