The figure that emerged from the magma was almost identical to the Admiral Akainu Aramaki had once admired in his memories.
Equally cold.
Equally unyielding.
Equally unwilling to leave any room for mercy.
But this time, the fist was aimed at him.
Aramaki's face twisted bit by bit.
"What kind of joke is this..."
"I can't be wrong!"
He suddenly spread his arms and roared.
"Forbidden Hatred: Woods-Woods!"
"Boom—!"
The harbor shook once more as vast numbers of plants erupted from beneath the ground, wildly winding around Aramaki's body.
Bark covered flesh, branches formed bones, and vines twisted into muscles.
In the blink of an eye, Aramaki became a colossal tree man dozens of meters tall.
"Fireproof Forest!"
Fire-resistant wood frantically covered his entire body.
Before the charred bark could fully peel away, fresh bark had already grown over it.
Aramaki lowered his enormous wooden face, his eyes filled with obsession and rage.
"Sakazuki!"
"Without sacrifice, there can be no order!"
"Without hierarchy, the world will only become a garbage dump!"
"Protecting these trash who can't pay the Heavenly Tribute will only teach more countries to resist!"
The tree man roared as he crushed the docks beneath his feet, his massive fist wrapped in Armament Haki as it slammed down toward Sakazuki.
Sakazuki looked up, his gaze sharpening.
He could no longer let this man smash things around as he pleased.
Both of them were top-tier Logia users.
If they truly fought without restraint, it would not just be this harbor. At least half the country would be torn apart by magma and forest alike.
And Rock's order to him had been simple.
Defeat Aramaki quickly and bring him back to Headquarters.
Sakazuki slowly exhaled a breath of heat as crimson magma spread out from beneath his feet.
"Aramaki."
"I've