With the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit, the seawater rapidly turned to ice and spread downward at incredible speed. Not only was the towering tsunami frozen, but even the waters below were sealed in ice at a rate beyond imagination.
Seconds later, crystalline ice sculptures of the tsunami stood on either side of Marineford. The surrounding sea had also transformed into a frozen domain, glittering with captivating light.
"Oh, have you gotten stronger, Aokiji?" Whitebeard said with a smile as he looked over the frozen waters.
Elsewhere, as the battle at Marineford began, Luffy and the others, having already left Impel Down, were rapidly heading toward the center of the battlefield.
Consumed by concern for Ace's safety, Luffy had cast aside every distracting thought. At that moment, his brother's safety was the only thing on his mind.
Still, the combat strength aboard his ship was far from weak. With two former Seven Warlords of the Sea, Luffy himself, and several prisoners brought out of Impel Down, they were more than enough to serve as a surprise force.
But given their current strength, they were no more than a surprise force. Their power alone was nowhere near enough to change the course of the battle.
"Honestly, he's merely a pirate, yet he acts so arrogantly. Has the justice of this world truly fallen this far?" Akainu said darkly as he rose from his admiral's seat, his gaze grim.
Kizaru let out a strange chuckle. "Hehe, are you stepping in already? As one of Marine Headquarters' strongest forces, is it really all right for an admiral to take the field personally from the very start?"
Akainu snorted. "Hasn't Kuzan already gone in? If you want to slack off, then just stand back and watch."
Kizaru gave a carefree laugh without