Seeing the Marine Admiral's serious expression, with no signs of deception, everyone's tension slowly eased. They all dropped their fighting stances.
However, Usopp and Chopper still appeared nervous. They huddled together, whispering,
"Luffy~ Let's get out of here. Something feels off. I've got a really bad feeling…"
Luffy considered their concern for a moment. Then he beamed and shouted,
"Alright! If that's how you feel, then let's head for the next island!"
Without hesitation, Luffy leapt off Foxy's frozen ship like nothing serious had happened. Usopp, Chopper, and Nami—his usual "Coward Trio"—immediately followed, jumping down after him.
Zoro and Sanji, however, lingered, glancing at Shin'ya and Robin, who hadn't moved.
Zoro tilted his head. "Oi, Shin'ya, Robin—aren't you two coming?"
Shin'ya rolled his eyes and snapped,
"Are you guys really as dense as Luffy? That guy's obviously here for Robin. You think it's a coincidence that he just happened to be relaxing right on our path?"
He shook his head in disbelief.
"He's playing you all like fools."
And right on cue, Aokiji stood up and gazed down in Luffy's direction.
"Hey~ Straw Hat… your grandpa's Garp, right? I've been thinking… I can't let you go."
He raised a hand casually.
"Back when I was a rookie, your grandpa looked out for me at Marine HQ. And because of that… I'll be the one to catch you all."
"Tch! What did Grandpa do again" Luffy muttered, frustrated. "He must've bullied this Marine or something. Now the guy's taking it out on us."
Behind him, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper all had exasperated expressions, dark lines shadowing their faces.
Nami slammed her fist into Luffy's head.
"Idiot! He's clearly using your grandpa as an excuse to pick a fight!"
"Hmph… so it's come to this," Luffy muttered, suddenly serious. "Guess we're fighting then."
Aokiji leapt from the ship and landed near Luffy. Shin'ya, Zoro, and the others regrouped beside him.
"You're too dangerous," Aokiji stated plainly. "The World Government is watching you closely. Even if your crew is small, your growth rate is… alarming. One day, you might become a real threat."
His eyes settled on Robin.
"And the biggest threat here… is you, Nico Robin. Your obsession with the Void Century makes you the most dangerous of all."
Then, shifting to a mockingly casual tone, he smiled.
"How about this: just hand over Robin. I'll ignore the others and only take her in. Let's call it… a deal."
Shin'ya's expression turned cold. Even though he could tell Aokiji was testing them, the suggestion still infuriated him.
He knew the truth—Aokiji's relationship with Robin was complicated. He hadn't pursued her after Ohara because of a dying plea from his friend Saul. Since then, he'd silently watched Robin's journey.
Now that she was with Luffy—Garp's grandson—Aokiji had come personally, likely to see if this crew was truly worthy of her trust.
It was clear: his feelings were layered—guilt, curiosity, protection, and justice all at once.
Shin'ya stepped forward.
"Hey. That's enough. Robin's mine now. I get what you're doing, but let me be very clear: no one lays a hand on her."
Zoro's expression darkened.
"Who do you think we are? We don't abandon our nakama."
Luffy's fists clenched, cracking with tension.
"I won't give up my crewmate… ever. If you're gonna fight us—then let's go."
He turned to Zoro and Sanji.
"He's a Marine Admiral. Let's hit him hard!"
Zoro grinned, licking his lips with anticipation. He drew all three swords and coated them in Haki, his bloodlust rising.
Sanji calmly lit a cigarette, Haki swirling around his legs, igniting into flames.
"Ara~ Seems like you've made your choice," Aokiji said with a sigh. "Guess I'll have to capture all of you, then."
"Ice Saber."
In an instant, Aokiji's hand swept out like drawing a blade. A sword of pure ice formed in his grasp.
A wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded from Luffy—splitting the clouds and crackling with violent, purplish lightning.
"I won't let you hurt my nakama! Gear Third… Gum-Gum Giant—"
Luffy inflated his fist massively.
"Gum-Gum Giant Pistol!"
"Diable Jambe—Mutton Shot!"
"Three Sword Style: Ushigori… Brave Claw!"
The trio launched their attacks in sync—a thunderous clash as their strikes collided.
CLANG!
Shockwaves burst outward—but Aokiji blocked all three with his Ice Saber.
Still, he was startled by their power.
"Ara~ Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki… and not weak at all," he muttered.
He turned to Shin'ya.
"Did you teach them that? If so… I'll need to take this seriously."
"Ice Block: Partisan."
Suddenly, dozens of ice spears materialized behind Aokiji—and launched straight toward the Straw Hats.
But before they could land, several voices shouted at once:
"Don't underestimate our bond! Weather Egg: Tornado Tempo!"
"I may be a coward—but I'll fight for my friends! Hissatsu: Firebird Star!"
"You're not hurting my nakama! Rumble Ball: Arm Point—Kokutei: Sakura Blizzard!"
Robin joined in, breaking from Shin'ya's side.
"Cien Fleur: Gigantesco Mano!"
Massive spectral arms blocked the spears while the crew's Haki-infused attacks rushed toward Aokiji.
After a flurry of explosions, Aokiji emerged, clearly rattled. His coat was tattered, a dozen hoofprints dented his chest, and his ice saber slightly cracked.
He hadn't expected every single Straw Hat to know Armament Haki.
"Tch… Garp lied to me. Said only three besides Shin'ya knew Haki. Now they all do."
He stepped back, eyeing each crewmember in disbelief.
"Ara~ You guys really are something."
His lazy attitude was gone. In its place—seriousness.
"Hiss… This is giving me a headache. Should've stayed in bed," he muttered.
"But now I've started something I can't back out of."
He took a deep breath.
"Ice Age."
Whoosh—!
In a blur, Aokiji vanished—and reappeared behind Zoro and Sanji. With both palms pressed to their shoulders, a chilling blast surged through them.
In seconds, both were encased in solid ice.
"Zoro! Sanji!" Luffy and the others screamed, faces pale.
Even through their Armament Haki… they'd been frozen.
The two swordsmen were conscious inside, but stuck—buying time would be difficult.
Outside, Luffy roared in fury.
"Damn you, Admiral! Now I'm really pissed!"
"Gum-Gum Giant Bazooka!"
But before he could land his blow—
Psssshhhhhhh...
A deflating sound echoed.
Gear Third ended.
Luffy shrank into a tiny, child-sized version of himself.
"Gah?!"
Before he could react, Aokiji appeared before him once more.
A wave of icy air swept across him—
—and Luffy froze solid, turned into a tiny frozen statue.
---
Unfortunately, this fanfiction will be going on a hiatus.
I'm not sure when I'll be able to pick it back up,
but when I do—I hope you'll still be around.
Thanks for sticking with me.(ಥ﹏ಥ)