No one knew exactly how much stamina Aokiji had expended, but to be able to erect towering ice walls while relocating himself, all to delay the pursuit of Maude and Law, was no small feat.
But that wasn't all.
In such a short amount of time, he had transformed the entirety of Grove 13 into a colossal ice labyrinth.
This ability to reshape the environment with a mere gesture was perhaps the most terrifying aspect of a Logia Awakening.
To ensure the safe retreat of his comrades, he had truly gone all out.
While clearing the ice walls, Maude activated his Observation Haki to confirm the situation of Lafitte and the others. Once he was sure they were safe, he let out a breath of relief.
"They got away…"
Through his Observation Haki, he sensed Aokiji opening pathways within the ice walls to guide the remaining Marines, gathering them as quickly as possible before retreating.
Maude wasn't particularly surprised by Aokiji's decision.
Rather than concerning himself with the embarrassment of a Marine Admiral "fleeing," Aokiji clearly valued the lives of his comrades more.
If it had been Akainu, such concerns wouldn't have even crossed his mind.
Despite both being Admirals, their personalities dictated stark differences in their approaches.
Maude had no intention of pursuing further and halted his destruction of the ice walls.
His previous actions had been nothing more than a means to frustrate Aokiji.
After all, once both sides had gathered within the same battlefield, Maude could target Onigumo and his subordinates, just as Aokiji could go after Brook and Jim.
If he wanted to be ruthless, Aokiji could have even struck down the gravely injured and unconscious Perona and Urouge. And Philo, who was desperately treating them, would have been utterly defenseless before him.
Maude had no interest in gambling with his crew's safety, let alone their lives.
A thousand, even ten thousand enemies, were never as important as his comrades beside him.
Fortunately, Aokiji had already decided to withdraw, not using this situation to his advantage.
That outcome was within Maude's acceptable range.
Law retrieved the Den Den Mushi Aokiji had thrown into the air and quickly approached Maude.
"Maude…"
"Don't be hasty."
Maude had already guessed Law's urgency in confirming his crew's whereabouts, so he spoke first.
"This Marine operation was likely aimed at you… No, at your Ope Ope no Mi. So, avoid acting alone. I'll have Gaya and Lafitte accompany you to check on Bepo and the others."
"…"
Law fell silent for a moment before giving a quiet nod.
The disorderly ice walls formed a labyrinth-like maze.
But using his Observation Haki, Maude swiftly regrouped with everyone.
Once they were together, Maude instructed Gaya and Lafitte to assist Law in finding Bepo and the others.
Watching the three leave, Shakky took a drag from her cigarette and sighed. "You arrived just in time."
"Yeah. If we had been a moment later, the consequences would've been unimaginable."
Maude nodded slightly, stepping over to Philo without interrupting her treatment of Perona and Urouge. Instead, he silently observed their injuries.
They were in bad shape…
His eyes darkened, a chill flashing across his gaze before it faded just as quickly.
Aokiji and his forces had temporarily retreated, but they would be back soon.
After all, the Sabaody Archipelago was close to Marine Headquarters. For the Marines, regrouping and redeploying would be an effortless task.
So, once Law confirmed the situation, they needed to leave this place immediately.
After checking on Perona and Urouge, Maude turned his gaze to the silent, brooding Hawkins.
"Magician Hawkins, did you 'foresee' this crisis?"
"!"
The unexpected question caught Hawkins off guard. His usually composed expression wavered slightly, unable to maintain his poker face.
The ever-calm Hawkins found himself at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond to Maude's eerie insight.
It felt as if standing before this man stripped away all secrets…
After a brief silence, Hawkins struggled to open his mouth, but before he could answer, Maude continued.
"Do you know why I saved you?"
"…"
Hawkins shook his head.
"Because back then, you blocked an attack meant for Perona and Urouge. That reason alone is enough."
"…"
A flicker of surprise crossed Hawkins' eyes as he silently observed the man whose name shook the seas.
From the moment Maude had spoken, Hawkins realized he was losing control of the conversation.
Seeing Hawkins' silent demeanor, Maude pondered for a moment before asking, "What do you want?"
Meeting Maude's calm gaze, Hawkins answered without hesitation, "I want to serve under your flag."
"Alright, I accept."
"…Huh?"
Maude's swift response left Hawkins momentarily stunned.
In the pirate world, infiltrating an enemy crew as an undercover agent was a common tactic.
Betrayal had become a norm among pirates precisely because of such strategies.
But Maude paid no mind to Hawkins' reaction. Slipping into the role of captain seamlessly, he issued his first order in a commanding tone.
"Now, I need you to bring the members of the 'Fallen Monk Pirates' here as quickly as possible, along with your own crew."
"Understood."
Without hesitation, Hawkins nodded and promptly set off to carry out the command.
Once he was gone, Maude took a cigarette from Shakky.
Amid the swirling smoke, he suddenly asked, "Aunt Shakky, do you want to come with us?"
"Hmm?"
Shakky was briefly taken aback before quickly realizing Maude's well-intended thoughtfulness. Smiling, she teased, "Are you inviting me aboard your ship?"
"Yes. Are you interested?"
Maude knew she was joking, so he played along, though he didn't take it seriously.
Shakky chuckled before shaking her head. "No thanks. What's an old lady like me going to do in all that excitement?"
"Ah, what a shame."
Maude feigned a pained expression as if he had just suffered a massive loss.
Shakky's smile faded slightly, her gaze shifting as the smoke curled around her.
"Maude… seeing you and your crew… If I were twenty years younger, maybe I really would have been tempted."
"Eh? Aunt Shakky, you're only in your thirties, right?"
"…Brat."
Shakky's laughter returned.
Twenty minutes later.
Hawkins returned with his subordinates and the members of the Fallen Monk Pirates.
Upon seeing the severely injured and unconscious Urouge, his crewmates couldn't hide their worry.
Ten minutes later.
Philo completed the treatment for Perona and Urouge.
Urouge remained unconscious due to the severity of his injuries, but Perona had already woken up.
The moment she saw Maude, her eyes welled up with tears, her expression full of grievance and pitiful distress.
"Perona, stop pretending."
Bailey, munching on a drumstick, shot her a look of disdain.
Seconds later…
"I want to be a chicken drumstick in my next life."
Bailey slumped over his food, utterly dejected.
Moments later, Law, Lafitte, and Gaya returned.
"Aokiji didn't lie."
Holding the Den Den Mushi Aokiji had left behind, Law's face darkened.
Maude rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The Marines must have taken Bepo and the others to force an exchange. And I think I know… what they want from you."
"What is it?"
Law gritted his teeth.
Maude replied calmly, "A hundred beating hearts."
It was the very same condition that had earned Law his seat as a Warlord in the original timeline—an offering of one hundred living hearts.
"Just for that…?!"
Law found it hard to believe the Marines would send an Admiral for something so trivial.
"Or maybe… they want your Ope Ope no Mi."
"…"
Hearing that, Law's expression tightened. That motive made much more sense.
Maude slowly lifted his gaze toward the peak of the Red Line.
"No matter what they want… I won't let them have their way. So… let's go kidnap a Celestial Dragon."
"!!!"
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