The world's eyes were fixed on the Navy. Even the shadowy forces of the underworld had paused their activities, waiting for the outcome of this pivotal battle. The result would undoubtedly shift the balance of power in the New World, with many factions poised to act based on who would become the new Fleet Admiral.
Unbeknownst to most, Sakazuki and Kuzan had already chosen a secluded location for their duel. Facing each other with cold expressions, they prepared for a clash that would decide the future of the Navy.
"Kuzan, if you surrender now, I can spare you out of respect for our past," Sakazuki said, his arms crossed, emanating a formidable presence like a volcano ready to erupt.
"It's far too late for that," Kuzan responded, his expression cold and unreadable. He had come to realize that Sakazuki had become even more extreme, perhaps driven by hidden resentments or merely revealing his true nature. Kuzan knew he could not let Sakazuki ascend to the position of Fleet Admiral, just as Sakazuki felt about him.
Their past camaraderie was long gone, leaving only this decisive confrontation. Reconciliation was not an option; only battle could settle their differences.
"So be it," Sakazuki muttered, lowering his head. His wide-brimmed hat cast a shadow over his face, masking his expression. Kuzan tensed, sensing the lethal intent radiating from Sakazuki.
"Then I'll end this here and now!" Sakazuki declared, dropping any pretense of respect. His face twisted with a fierce determination, driven by his unyielding sense of justice, even if it meant clashing with a former comrade.
"Great Eruption!" Sakazuki launched a massive lava fist towards Kuzan. Despite expecting this, Kuzan felt a pang of sorrow seeing how easily Sakazuki resorted to violence. He had hoped for restraint, but that hope was in vain.
With resolve, Kuzan crossed his arms, harnessing the power of his Ice-Ice Fruit, and conjured an intense cold before him.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!" An ice bird shot forward, meeting Sakazuki's lava fist in a spectacular explosion that transformed the landscape into a battleground of fire and ice.
"You too would oppose me?!" Sakazuki roared, seeing Kuzan, half-covered in ice, standing firm. Furious, he raised his arm, his face a mask of madness, and unleashed his full power.
"Meteor Volcano!" The sky turned crimson as a torrent of molten rock rained down, threatening to consume everything. The scene was apocalyptic, a true disaster. Yet, Kuzan noted the diminished scale of the attack with a sigh.
The most significant loss for the Navy in the War of the Best was Sakazuki losing an arm to a Whitebeard Pirate commander. This injury had weakened him significantly, possibly fueling his extremism.
But there was no time for reflection. As the fiery meteors fell, Kuzan prepared himself for the final confrontation.
"This is the end, Sakazuki... Ice Age." Kuzan's voice was cold and resolute as he unleashed a wave of intense cold, freezing the sea, the island, and the air itself.
"What...?" Sakazuki's face briefly registered shock. With both arms, he might have matched Kuzan's attack, but now...
"Argh!" Sakazuki screamed, pushing his lava powers to the limit to counter the freezing wave. However, his diminished strength left him unable to compete with Kuzan, one of the Navy's strongest Admirals.
As the seconds ticked by, Sakazuki's resistance faltered until he was completely encased in ice, a silent statue marking the end of the battle.
Kuzan stood victorious, but no joy touched his face, only a profound sadness. He approached the frozen Sakazuki, an ice blade forming in his hand, poised at Sakazuki's neck. One move, and Sakazuki's life would end.
But he hesitated. The man before him was once his comrade, a fellow Admiral. After a long, silent pause, Kuzan sighed and retracted the blade.
"Sakazuki, it's over..."