On the Ark Maxim, Roy withdrew his gaze, a satisfied smile curving his lips.
Although there are two decent Devil Fruit User among the Shichibukai, they seem less important compared to Pure Gold, who can grant 'immortality' this time.
Roy turned his head and continued to observe the battlefield.
The Red Count stood beside him, leaning on his cane, also watching the melee below.
" Roy," he suddenly spoke, "When do you plan to make your move?"
Roy smiled, "No rush."
"Wait for them."
Red Count raised an eyebrow. "Them?"
Roy nodded, his gaze sweeping towards the outer edge of the island.
There, the ice is spreading.
Aokiji's power has frozen the entire sea area.
On the ice, a series of black figures were rapidly approaching.
The Holy Knights.
It's finally here.
Aokiji's freezing ability completely changed the battlefield.
Click--click--click--
The ice spread at an alarming rate, turning everything in its path into ice sculptures.
The seawater, ships, and even the pirates who couldn't escape were frozen on the ice, remaining in their dying struggles.
Looking down from high above, the entire " Eye of the Abyss " sea area has turned into a vast ice field.
The floating islands rested on the ice and were firmly anchored by the ice.
The ships that were originally drifting on the sea were all frozen in place.
Only a few ships reacted quickly enough to jump onto the island and escape the disaster.
"The Navy! It's the Navy!"
" Aokiji! Aokiji has frozen the sea!"
"It's over! There's no escape!"
Terrified screams rose and fell.
Those small and medium-sized pirates were completely panicked.
They had originally planned that if they were lucky, they could steal some Pure Gold and run away. The ship was moored nearby, making it easy to escape.
What about now?
The sea is completely frozen over, and the boat is frozen solid—there's no way to get anywhere!
On the ice, countless naval soldiers, led by their officers, were advancing towards the floating islands.
Sengoku stood at the bow of the flagship, his face grim. He raised his hand and said coldly:
"Advance across the entire army and tighten the encirclement."
"No action is permitted without my order."
"Let the pirates fight first, wear down their strength."
Akainu's body churned with magma, his eyes filled with resentment. " Fleet Admiral! Just attack! Kill all these pirates!"
Sengoku shook his head. "Making a move now would be counterproductive. Await orders!"
Akainu snorted coldly and said nothing more.
Kizaru lazily picked at his nails, saying, "Oh dear, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is right. It's too much trouble to intervene now; let them fight it out themselves."
Garp stood to the side, munching on a senbei (rice cracker), but his eyes were fixed on the direction of the floating islands.
He muttered to himself, "What exactly is that kid Roy plotting?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ice field.
A black warship without a flag is rapidly approaching.
At the bow of the ship, Figarland Saint Garling stood with his hands behind his back.
Behind him, nine figures dressed in black cloaks stood silently.
The entire Holy Knights are mobilized.
As Saint Garling gazed at the approaching floating islands, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
" Pure Gold..."
He murmured.
"This kind of thing can only belong to the World Government."
He raised his hand and waved it gently.
"Set off."
Nine figures leaped off the warship in an instant, using Geppo techniques to rush towards the floating islands!
Saint Garling took the lead, drawing his long sword, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
The pirate henchmen they encountered along the way were killed with a single blow before they could even react.
Blood splattered, and the corpse lay on the ice, leaving behind shocking streaks of blood.
Wherever the Holy Knights passed, there was utter silence.
Those pirates who narrowly escaped were trembling with fear, cowering in a corner, not daring to breathe.
"Who... who are those people?!"
"Monsters... they're all monsters..."
"Run! Run!"
Saint Garling didn't even glance at them.
His gaze remained fixed on the largest floating Sky Island in front of him.
And the golden ship silhouette on the island.
Ark Maxim.
Roy.
Pure Gold.
It's getting closer.
Closer now.
At the edge of the floating islands, Saint Garling leaped up and landed on the ice.
He raised his head and looked in the direction of the Ark Maxim.
There, a figure stood at the bow of the ship, quietly watching him.
Thousands of meters apart, their eyes met in mid-air.
A cold smile curled at the corner of Saint Garling's lips.
"Found you."
With a wave of his hand, ten figures accelerated simultaneously, rushing towards the Ark Maxim!
The cadres who were still fighting along the way stopped and looked at the uninvited guests in horror.
That aura...
That's incredible!
Marco flapped his wings and took flight, narrowly avoiding a black figure. He looked back, his pupils suddenly contracting.
"That's... the Holy Knights?!"
Jozu, his body covered in diamonds, stared at the black figures with a solemn expression.
"What are those guys doing here?!"
Katakuri Observation Haki to its fullest extent, predicting the movements of those people, his brow furrowed.
"So fast... so strong..."
Smoothie gripped her longsword tightly, her palms sweating.
Cracker immediately put away the Biscuit Soldiers and quietly took a few steps back.
Are you kidding me?
The Holy Knights, the Celestial Dragons' strongest secret force, how could they be here?!
Those smaller pirates were so frightened their legs went weak.
"God... the Holy Knights?!"
"It's all over! Everything's over!"
Run!!!
Some people turned and ran, but they were caught up by a black figure after only a few steps and killed with a single slash.
Blood splattered on the ice, a shocking sight.
On the Ark Maxim, Red Count watched the charging figures, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"It's finally here."
He leaned on his cane and slowly stood up.
" Roy, I'll go and meet them."
Roy nodded. "Be careful. That leader is not simple."
Red Count smiled slightly, "Don't worry."
He flashed and vanished from the spot in an instant.
The next second, he appeared in mid-air, blocking the path of the Holy Knights.
Saint Garling stopped and looked at the man in front of him, dressed in a dark red suit and leaning on a cane, his brows furrowing slightly.
" The Red Count... Patrick Redfield."
He said coldly, "Are you going to stop me too?"
Red Count smiled slightly, "It's not easy to find a worthy opponent, how can I let this opportunity slip by?"
He drew his sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"Come on, let me see just how strong the leader of the Holy Knights really is."
A hint of killing intent flashed in Saint Garling's eyes.
"Court death."
With a swift movement of his longsword, he charged towards Red Count like a bolt of black Inazuma!
The Red Count made a move too!
The two figures collided instantly!
clang--!!!
Swords clashed, sparks flew!
A terrifying shockwave spread wildly from the two of them! Those around them who didn't have time to dodge were instantly blown away!
Red Count and Saint Garling both took several steps back to steady themselves.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.
Saint Garling a slight chill run down his spine.
That old fellow truly lives up to his reputation.
The Red Count smiled.
"Interesting." He licked his lips. "It's been a long time since I've encountered an opponent like this."
Behind him, a pair of blood-red bat wings suddenly unfurled!
Those wings were several meters long, blood red in color, and emitted an eerie light.
Red Count flapped his wings, transforming into a streak of blood-red light as he charged towards Saint Garling!
Saint Garling snorted coldly and charged forward with his longsword!
The two clashed again!