Magma and the World-Cutting Slash, a Clash on the Brink!

Ivan looked at him without any change in expression and explained, "There's no reason why. This technique isn't something that can be replicated. It can only be performed by people with special bloodlines and cannot be passed on to outsiders."

Even if I wanted to give it to you, you wouldn't be able to use it.

Upon hearing this, Long showed a hint of disappointment and did not press the matter further.

He looked at Ivan and knew the other wasn't lying.

If this ability to defy common sense could be easily replicated, the Shadow Garden would have been invincible long ago.

He sighed softly and said in a deep voice, "I understand. I will arrange for the Devil Fruit matter to be sent to the location you specify along with the intelligence."

Ivan nodded slightly, said nothing more, left an address, and then vanished instantly.

The dragon stood still, its deep eyes gazing in the direction Ivan had left, its expression complex.

His ideals clashed with those of the Fox, yet they briefly reached a tacit understanding on the path of resisting the World Government.

He didn't want this ally to die if he could.

But this is almost impossible. How long could the Shadow Garden hold out against the behemoth that is the World Government?

The two Fox parted ways, and not long after, naval reinforcements finally arrived in Loguetown.

Akainu, Kizaru, and Ivan arrived in Loguetown together. When they saw the traces of battle remaining in the plaza and port, their eyes narrowed.

Akainu, in particular, couldn't find his trusted subordinate Onigumo after scanning the area, which gave him a bad feeling.

He then fixed his gaze on a naval lieutenant who was on standby and demanded, "You, come here. Where's Onigumo?"

The navy officer froze, then quickly stepped forward and cautiously said, "Reporting to Admiral Akainu, Vice Admiral Onigumo is being chased by Fox, fleeing towards the Calm Belt. We—we don't know his current situation."

"Being chased by Fox?" Akainu's voice suddenly rose. "Useless! A bunch of useless trash! As Marine Vice Admiral, you were chased so badly by a pirate that you couldn't even find a trace of him!"

While Akainu was venting his anger, Ivan found Smoker sitting in a corner, lost in thought, and went to his side.

"Are you alright?" Ivan asked with concern.

Although he didn't attack Smoker's injuries were still quite serious.

The enraged kicks of the Onigumo were not something he could easily withstand.

Smoker slowly raised his head, glanced at Ivan, nodded slowly, and said hoarsely, "I'm fine."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stared blankly into the distance, as if talking to himself, or perhaps asking Ivan: "Ivan, do you think the justice we've always upheld is really useful?"

He paused, his fingertips trembling slightly, and recounted everything he had witnessed, word by word. "I saw it. Vice Admiral Onigumo opened fire on civilians without hesitation in order to capture the Straw Hat Pirates."

But the Straw Hat Pirates, along with the Fox, were protecting the civilians.

Tell me, who is truly righteous, and who is truly evil?

"Shut up!" Before Smoker could finish speaking, Akainu's roar resounded.

Hearing Smoker's question, he turned sharply, his eyes flashing with rage as he glared at Smoker: "All of Onigumo's actions are for the sake of Absolute Justice!"

Accidentally injuring civilians was a last resort, done to completely eliminate the threat of pirates!

You actually let pirates mislead you and doubt the Navy's justice! Someone like you doesn't deserve to be a Marine; you should just die!

Before he could finish speaking, Akainu suddenly raised his hand, his arm transforming into a blazing torch. "Great Eruption!"

The scalding lava, carrying an aura of annihilation, spewed straight toward Smoker.

Smoker's pupils contracted sharply as he tried to dodge, but the gap between him and Akainu was too great. Even in his prime, he was no match for Akainu, let alone now that he was injured.

At that critical moment, a figure instantly stood in front of Smoker.

Ivan drew his Yubashiri from his waist, gripped the hilt firmly, and slashed down fiercely at the Heat lava.

Boom!

The Yubashiri collided with the lava, creating a deafening roar.

Having withstood an Admiral's attack, Ivan remained unmoved, his gaze icy as he looked at Akainu and demanded, "Admiral Akainu, are you going to personally kill a Marine captain?"

When he saw Ivan block Akainu's attack unscathed, Kizaru raised an eyebrow in surprise and said with a touch of exaggeration, "Tsk tsk tsk, incredible, incredible."

Akainu's Great Eruption was easily stopped by Vice Admiral Ivan.

"Vice Admiral Ivan, you've really kept this a secret! It's quite a surprise."

Seeing Ivan block his Great Eruption unscathed, Akainu's eyes, burning with magma-like fury, froze for the first time.

He was genuinely shocked.

He didn't know when it started, but Vice Admiral Ivan, whom he had only seen as having a promising future, had quietly reached this level of strength.

His current strength has surpassed that of Vice Admiral, and he may even have one foot in the Admiral's realm.

Sure enough, that old man Garp's eye for talent is still sharp. Ivan is definitely going to become Marine Admiral someday!

But the shock lasted only a moment.

The next second, an even more ferocious rage engulfed Akainu's entire body.

Magma churned around him, his aura extremely violent. He stared intently at Ivan, who stood in Smoker's way, and demanded sharply, "I am Marine Admiral. It is only natural for me to punish a Marine Branch captain. Ivan, how dare you stop me?"

Ivan remained calm, meeting Akainu's the Heat gaze without flinching. "Precisely because you are Marine Admiral, you should not lay a hand on your own people. Smoker is at fault, and military law will deal with him accordingly. It is not an Admiral's place to use private punishment."

Enraged by Ivan, Akainu roared, "You ungrateful wretch! Since you're protecting this traitor to justice, then I'll take you down with me!"

He no longer held back, clenching his fists tightly, and magma surged from them like a tsunami, ready to rush towards Ivan and melt him and Smoker together.

Ivan's eyes darkened, and he turned his head, hissing, "Smoker, step back!"

Smoker's expression changed, and he immediately gritted his teeth and retreated hastily.

Ivan held the knife in both hands, and the blade of the Yubashiri sword was instantly covered with a deep purplish-black color.

That is it, a power powerful enough to Dankū itself!

He slightly lowered his wrist, preparing to World-Cutting Slash powerful enough to tear the heavens and earth apart.

If Akainu is determined to make a move, then he is happy to reveal some more of his strength and let Akainu taste the power of the Conqueror's Coating and World-Cutting Slash!

Just as the battle was about to erupt, a blinding golden light suddenly appeared between the two, stopping them in their tracks.

Kizaru gently raised both hands, his tone becoming serious. "Oh dear, you two, please wait a moment. If we start fighting like this, Loguetown will be gone, and I don't want to be held accountable by the World Government!"