Diamond Jozu was annoyed by Kizaru's words. Did those few Giant Vice Admiral think they could stop them? What a dream! He turned his hands into diamonds and plunged them into the ice. With a roar, he lifted an Iceburg large enough to crush all the Giant Vice Admiral and smashed it down on the giants and the Execution Platform. Even Vic and the others were engulfed by the Iceburg.
"Lord Vic! Iceburg is hurtling towards us, shall I smash it?"
"Don't worry, someone will step in."
Indeed, someone made a move— Akainu, who had been sitting steadily below the Execution Platform. He was also within Jozu's attack range, but being Logia Devil Fruit user, he was naturally immune to physical attacks.
If they don't intervene, the Execution Platform will be smashed flat, which would be extremely embarrassing for the Navy, especially since it's being broadcast live to the whole world.
So Akainu stood up and unleashed a Great Eruption attack. The giant fist formed from lava slammed solidly into the Iceburg. The intense heat combined with the physical impact instantly punched a hole through Iceburg Iceburg, causing it to explode and melt away.
However, Akainu's Great Eruption that melted the Iceburg wasn't the end of it. His lava fist, which had passed through the Iceburg, transformed into bursts of flame-encased lava projectiles that flew towards the pirates on the ice, scaring them into scattering in all directions as if they had encountered a volcanic eruption.
Akainu's ultimate target for this Great Eruption was actually Whitebeard; the Iceburg was merely a minor obstacle. A huge ball of lava, enveloped in flames, was already flying towards Whitebeard, like a meteorite falling from the sky.
However, Whitebeard was no pushover. He thrust his naginata forward, and the naginata, imbued with his Devil Fruit power, pierced the burning lava ball. The Devil Fruit power directly neutralized the meteor-like impact.
Whitebeard seemed to feel uncomfortable from being roasted by the fireball, so he blew a breath at the large fireball, directly extinguishing the flames on the surface of the lava ball. Whitebeard's breath wasn't that strong; it also contained the release of Haki Armament Haki, which suppressed the flames on the fireball.
Whitebeard's effortless demeanor drew a cold snort from Akainu, but he refrained from attacking again. He wouldn't easily abandon his post, as he was now the only remaining Marine Admiral.
During this period of intense combat between the strongest fighters, the battle on the ice had reached a fever pitch, with casualties on both sides already substantial.
Meanwhile, Koby was on the battlefield, found that he could not move his body. It was fear from the depths of his soul that dominated his body. This recruit, who had never officially fought against pirates, was facing the crew of Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors Whitebeard, right from the start. You can imagine the pressure he was under!
At this moment, Koby is just like when he first met Luffy. He doesn't have the courage to face pirates at all. Koby is a coward at heart. Even though Garp has put a lot of effort into trying to change him, he still can't stand up when facing truly vicious pirates!
In terms of courage and willpower, he was far inferior to Luffy. The only thing he had to offer was his belief in justice. Vic only glanced at him from a distance and then paid him no further attention.
Garp also saw Koby trembling all over, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed. However, Koby hadn't been in the Navy for long, Garp believed that Koby still had value for improvement, at least in terms of their shared ideals.
Without Vic's intervention, the war so far hasn't deviated much from the original story. Little Oars Jr. has also made an appearance, sweeping away the cannon emplacements that have been firing continuously.
However, Little Oars Jr. was too big a target and not fast enough to move, making him a sitting duck. Although ordinary guns and cannons were useless against him, the soldiers of the Navy who had reached the rank of colonel were far more powerful than guns and cannons, not to mention those who had eaten Devil Fruit.
However, Oars's appearance opened a gap in the plaza, allowing for a quick attack, and he even took down several Giant Vice Admiral blocking his way.
Hancock originally wanted to make a move and establish her presence, but Vic stopped her. Hancock is somewhat indiscriminate in her attacks, whether it's the Marines or pirates, they're all within her attack range. Even if she's beautiful, it won't work. Would the Five Elders be fooled by her beauty? Obviously not, so it's best not to make a move for now.
"Even among the pirates under Whitebeard's command, there aren't many good people. Go ahead and take down those you've heard of who have done evil. But don't harm the Marines; it will bring disaster to your country."
"I understand, I will act immediately!"
Vic knew that since they had been invited here, it was impossible for them not to take action; the only question was who they would target. Hancock's target would definitely be the Whitebeard Pirates, while Vic's target would ultimately be the Marines. However, Hancock couldn't get involved in his affairs, so Vic sent Hancock away.
Oars played a significant role in rescuing Ace. Now, without Kuma's involvement in the Paramount War, Little Oars Jr. Jr. wouldn't have been seriously injured by Kuma's Ursus Shock.
With Vic secretly intervening, Doflamingo's attempt to sever Oars ' leg failed. Vic's Armament Haki Emission could now be projected into a defensive armor from a distance, easily blocking Doflamingo's cutting lines.
Doflamingo persisted, attempting his infallible cutting lines on Little Oars Jr. several times, but each time Vic defended them effectively. This led Doflamingo to believe that Little Oars Jr. ' own Observation Haki and Armament Haki were working, and he somewhat frustratedly gave up on Little Oars Jr. as his target.
Doflamingo gave up, but Moria didn't. The Straw Hat Pirates damaged the Oars corpse he had painstakingly dug up on Thriller Bark, so he wanted to get his revenge on Little Oars Jr..
Moria went straight for Little Oars Jr.'s body, wanting only the corpse, but Vic stopped him. Then Moria slapped Oars away, and Vic sat there seemingly doing nothing, but he had already affected Little Oars Jr.'s fate!
Although Little Oars Jr. was enormous and had thick skin, that only applied to most people. Against the most powerful beings on the high seas, Little Oars Jr. was still no match.
Seeing that Little Oars Jr.. still wanted to approach the Execution Platform to save Ace, Vic directly cast an illusion to put Oars ' consciousness into the illusion. Little Oars Jr.. is very suitable for clearing out the Marines in the square, but if he insists on approaching the Execution Platform to save Ace, there will definitely be strong Marines who will jump out and kill him.
Therefore, Vic cannot allow Little Oars Jr.. to advance any further; he should simply stay on the ice in the bay and clear the navy from the plaza in front.
Little Oars Jr.'s mind was rather simple, and Vic easily pulled his consciousness into an illusion. At this point, it could no longer be called an illusion; given Little Oars Jr.'s mind, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was directly controlled.
Moreover, it wasn't the kind of external control that Doflamingo had. Doflamingo couldn't handle people with greater strength. Little Oars Jr..'s actions were entirely controlled by Vic. The Marines in the front square were quickly swept away by Little Oars Jr. Jr.'s warship-sized palm.
With an opening in the plaza, Whitebeard seized the opportunity to order his men to rush up into the small plaza through the gap created by Little Oars Jr.. Whitebeard knew he was being watched, and if he made any rash moves, Sengoku, Garp, and Akainu would all stop him.
Even Vic, who hadn't made a move yet, might attack him, so Whitebeard had no choice but to send his men to charge. Once they occupied the front plaza, they would be just one step away from the Execution Platform.
Seeing that Whitebeard's side had created an opening, Sengoku immediately informed Tsuru, instructing her to initiate the operational plan. The specifics of the plan were known only to him, the Fleet Admiral, and his staff.
Then Akainu also left the battlefield and came to the rear of headquarters, seemingly to carry out some operation. Along the way, he killed a cowardly deserter, which nearly scared Koby and Helmeppo, who also wanted to escape the battlefield. Fortunately, Akainu had urgent business to attend to and did not notice them.