The immense power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit filled the faces of the naval soldiers with fear.
Some people collapsed to the ground due to their weak legs, while others turned to run but were frozen in place, unable to move.
Some people couldn't even muster the thought of escaping; they just looked up, staring blankly at the ever-rising wall of water.
"Tsunami... tsunami--!!!"
Someone shouted first, and then panic spread like a plague through the ranks.
The gasps of 100,000 people were completely swallowed up by the roar of the tsunami.
The waves began to recede.
Millions of tons of seawater, carrying the kinetic energy to crush everything, rushed toward the square. Before the water droplets even fell, the wind pressure had already nearly torn the flags on the Execution Platform apart.
At that very moment, a blue figure vanished from the seats of the Three Admirals.
Aokiji's body drew a straight line in mid-air, frost condensed around him, and cold air spread in all directions from his body.
The shadow of the tsunami obscured his face, making his expression impossible to discern, but the faint curve of his lips suggested he was not panicked.
Ice Age.
Two icicles shot out from his palms, striking precisely the crests of the tsunami waves on either side.
The ice spread at an incredible speed—starting from the crest of the wave and freezing downwards along its arc, as if someone had pressed pause and then splashed a layer of white paint on it.
The giant wave, hundreds of meters high, was frozen into two ice sculptures in just a few breaths. The shape of the waves, the trajectory of the water droplets, and even the folds of the surging waves were completely preserved, reflecting a dazzling white light in the sunlight.
Before the naval soldiers in the square could even catch their breath, Whitebeard's laughter echoed from the bow of the Moby Dick.
"Your abilities are still as convenient as ever, Ice Brat."
Aokiji landed back on his seat, crossed his legs, and pulled his eye mask down again.
"Your antics are still as frightening as ever, Whitebeard."
Both of them spoke casually, as if they were old acquaintances exchanging greetings on the street.
But everyone knew this was just the opening act.
Whitebeard pulled his naginata from the deck, the tip pointing towards Marineford Square.
"Sons--"
Bring Ace back!
Upon receiving their captain's command, the pirates erupted in cheers. At the same time, gangplanks were lowered from the sides of all forty-three ships, and the pirates shouted as they jumped onto the ice, surging towards the square like a tide.
The ice surface was teeming with running figures, and swords gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
The sixteen squad captains charged ahead.
Marco spread his arms, his cyan flame wings fully unfurled, and he transformed into a cyan meteor, flying towards the sky above the plaza.
Jozu's body turned half of its body into diamond, and every step he took on the ice created a crack.
Vista drew his twin swords, the blades leaving two silver-white afterimages as he ran at high speed.
The navy responded quickly as well.
Sengoku waved his hand to give the order from the Execution Platform, while Zephyr directed the formation from the command post, and dozens of Marine Vice Admiral simultaneously drew their swords to meet the attack.
When the first group of pirates reached the center of the ice, the Navy's first barrage of artillery fire came crashing down.
The cannonballs exploded on the ice, sending up ice shards sharper than blades. The pirates were blown away, their figures flying through the air along with their blood.
At this moment, while all eyes were focused on the battlefield on the ice, no one noticed that a ship was hovering high in the clouds.
Ark Maxim. Golden lightning danced silently around the ship's hull, and a semi-transparent Telekinesis: Barrier covered the bottom of the ship, completely concealing its presence.
Looking up from below, you can't see anything but clouds.
Roy stood at the bow of the ship. Black Blade Shusui hung at his waist, and the sea breeze ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead. Behind him, the core combat force of Hachinosu was all present.
Bullet stood on the right side of the bow, arms crossed, tiger stripes faintly visible beneath his skin.
Tesoro hovered at the stern, his Observation Haki spreading out from him, enveloping the entire battlefield.
Hawk Eyes leaned against the ship's railing, Black Blade Yoru resting across his knees, his golden eyes scanning the battlefield below, taking in every sword-wielding warrior.
Crocodile, a cigar dangling from his lips, his expression hidden behind the smoke.
Kuma held the Bible, remaining silent.
Kyros's hand rests on the hilt of his greatsword.
Lucci crossed his arms, revealing clearly defined muscles beneath his leopard-print skin.
Enel yawned listlessly, the power of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit condensing into a small cloud at his fingertips.
Yamato stood at the ship's railing, looking down at the back of the Whitebeard old man below, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
Kuina gripped the Ame no Habakiri, her breathing becoming more rapid than usual.
Tesoro opened his eyes.
"Three Rear Admiral have died, Whitebeard's side has lost six ships."
Apart from Jinbe and Moria, the Shichibukai are all just coasting along.
Doflamingo was watching the show, Pirate Empress hadn't moved an inch, Judge's ship was still docked outside the harbor, Chinjao was meditating in a corner, and Weevil was still gnawing on a leg of meat.
" Kizaru and Marco are playing cat Nezumi in the air, Aokiji was knocked away by Jozu but has already reformed, Akainu hasn't moved yet."
" Akainu won't make the first move."
Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke.
He was waiting for Whitebeard to make the first move.
That lava dog may look reckless, but he never fights a battle he's not confident of winning.
Bullet clenched his fist, his knuckles making a series of cracking sounds.
" Crocodile, are you done analyzing? My hands are itching to get started."
"Wait a little longer," Roy said calmly.
Bullet turned to him, his face full of impatience. "What are we waiting for? The Navy and Whitebeard are already locked in a fierce battle; now's the perfect time to enter and reap the rewards—"
"If we enter now, we'll be targeted by both sides simultaneously."
Roy pointed to the battlefield below.
"Look, Whitebeard hasn't moved yet. Akainu hasn't moved either."
The Sengoku was still on the Execution Platform.
Neither side has revealed their cards yet, are you trying to be the first to stick your neck out by rushing in now?
Bullet opened his mouth, then closed it again.
He may be reckless, but he's not brainless.
Roy is right—although Whitebeard may seem to be just posing at the bow of the ship, the pressure of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit covers the entire battlefield, and no one knows where his next punch will land.
The Three Admirals were just going through the motions.
Jumping now would put you right in the crossfire of everyone's firepower.
We have only one goal.
Roy's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.
"Naval mid-to-high-ranking officers."
Kill as many as possible, including Rear Admiral and above.
It's not about helping Whitebeard, nor is it about fighting Whitebeard.
We are the reapers.
Hawk Eyes looked up. "When do we make our move?"
"Wait until both sides are tired."
Roy's gaze pierced through the clouds and landed on Ace on the Execution Platform.
"When Whitebeard's stamina wane, when Akainu gets really angry, and when Sengoku is forced to use his reserves—that will be our time to enter the fray."
There was a few seconds of silence on the Ark Maxim.
Then Bullet plopped down on the gunwale, crossed his arms, and began to wait.
Tesoro closed his eyes again, his Observation Haki continuing to scan the battlefield.
Hawk Eyes's fingers tapped lightly on the hilt of the knife, the rhythm neither too fast nor too slow.
Roy remained standing.
His Observation Haki silently enveloped the entire battlefield, covering every explosion, every clash, and every fallen person.
Everything was as clear to him as a chessboard laid out before him.