Heavy snow fell, and even the azure sea froze over.
The temperature grew ever more bitter, carrying a faint solemnity. Amid the oppressive atmosphere, a hint of fighting spirit slowly rose.
Gazing at one of the Marines' current Three Admirals before him, River grinned and gave his body a slight shake, shattering the ice encasing him.
"Did a lazy guy like you come all the way here just to spout this nonsense?"
Aokiji's expression was cold as he slowly shook his head. "I've never really agreed with your so-called justice."
"Nothing you've done has been particularly fitting for a Marine."
As he spoke, his gaze swept toward the Ark Maxim on the distant sea.
"On the contrary, you might be the most unstable, dangerous element in the Marines."
River fell briefly silent at those words, then laughed again. "Justice?"
He raised his right hand slightly and rested it on the sword hilt at his waist.
A trace of melancholy entered his eyes, and he sighed softly.
"Kuzan, you still don't have a very clear understanding of justice!"
The snowflakes swirled more fiercely. The cold had seeped into the marrow, and far across the sea, people shivered from the chill.
Yet River, dressed in thin clothing, seemed not to feel the cold at all.
Crack, crack!
Another layer of ice spread over him, freezing his legs in an instant before creeping toward his upper body and arms.
The next second, River gave a slight shudder, breaking the ice apart. His eyes sharpened in that same instant.
"If you have nothing else to say, turn around and leave!"
"Otherwise, what you're doing right now is already enough for me to consider you an enemy!"
Aokiji extended his right hand and leaned forward slightly, unmoved by those words. An Ice Saber materialized, and