"Ssssss!"
Scalding magma dripped onto the ice, instantly vaporizing vast patches of it.
Even ice as hard as steel could not withstand Akainu's magma for more than a breath.
Marine Headquarters had three immensely powerful Admirals. In this era, they commanded tremendous prestige and inspired immense fear.
To pirates, they were like demons-beings impossible to resist.
Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji.
Those three names carried enormous weight for marines and pirates alike.
Yet at this moment, Akainu, one of the Three Admirals, was being held aloft by the neck in one hand by the figure before them.
The wind blew past, making that figure's tattered clothes flap and twisting the white mist around his feet.
"Is it over?"
"Is the battle between River and Akainu finally going to be decided?"
"Their injuries are so horrific they make you shudder."
Countless eyes stared at the two figures as people spoke in trembling voices.
Indeed, both men's bodies were in a dreadful state.
A hole had been punched through Akainu's abdomen, and his face was a bloody mess. His nostrils, eyes, and mouth seemed to have been erased, leaving only bloodied flesh.
Half of River's face had vanished as well. From the side, the bloody flesh and flowing blood were clearly visible.
His body was likewise riddled with holes burned by magma, leaving him torn and battered.
Yet what was even more terrifying was that both men were still alive.
The sight left everyone stunned, marveling at their tenacious vitality.
"Looks like I'm harder to kill, Sakazuki!"
River looked up, the corner of his mouth on his remaining half-face curling into a grin as his chilling voice rang out.
"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!"
Akainu opened his mouth too, but all that emerged was a string of garbled, unintelligible sounds.
He wanted to struggle with all