The Straw Hat crew's main fighters had all been defeated.
Seeing Luffy and Sanji frozen solid, Aokiji turned to Robin.
"See, Nico Robin? This is what happens when they try to save you. You don't belong with this crew."
"Kh…!"
"Wait! That's not true! Robin is already our crewmate!"
Nami stepped in front of Robin, drawing her weapon.
Aokiji casually pushed her weapon aside with one hand.
"Don't worry, I've got no intention of hurting a pretty lady with a nice body. Now, could you step aside?"
"You think I will? Usopp! Chopper! Get Luffy and Sanji treated, now! Zoro and I will handle this!"
"Ah—got it!"
"Come on, Chopper!"
Aokiji and Rengoku simply watched as Usopp and Chopper carried the two ice sculptures back toward their ship.
"Hmph… Hey, Lion Head, I heard what you said, but as long as she's my crewmate, I'll protect her."
Zoro had returned, sword in hand. This time, though, he had listened to Rengoku's earlier advice—wielding Sandai Kitetsu in his right hand and Yubashiri in his left.
The nickname "Lion Head" was probably because of Rengoku's hair.
"Hmm… Roronoa Zoro, you have the skill and potential."
"So what?" Zoro kept his guard up.
Rengoku sheathed his blade and tried to persuade him.
"It may be late to ask, but… how about joining the Marines? I could train you personally."
"Hmph! I refuse. I've decided to lay my bones with this pirate crew."
"That's a shame."
Rengoku didn't press the matter further.
He turned to Aokiji.
"Will you be arresting them all?"
"Hmm… well… there's no ship to transport them, and… it's a pain…"
Aokiji scratched his head, clearly having no intention to keep fighting.
Truthfully, Rengoku didn't want to capture the Straw Hats either—not for personal reasons alone. They were Peace Main pirates, had taken down other pirates in the Navy's stead, and had even defeated Crocodile.
Freeing Alabasta was already a debt owed, and if he brought in Luffy after Ace… there was a decent chance Garp might just kill him.
"I owe Garp too… Rengoku Vice Admiral, let's just let them go this time."
"What about Nico Robin?"
"Hmm…"
Without warning, Aokiji bypassed Nami and Zoro, making a sudden move toward Robin.
"Robin!"
"You damn Navy Admiral!"
Clang!
Zoro slashed at Aokiji, but Rengoku intercepted the blow—without even drawing his sword, blocking it with just one finger hardened with Armament Haki.
"I told you, your Three-Sword Style has all your blades attacking along the same line. If I find that 'point,' anyone can stop you."
"Kh…!"
Mihawk had blocked his strikes with a sword—but this Navy Vice Admiral had done it with just a finger.
For a swordsman, this was humiliation—like taking a wound on the back.
"Shigan—Tanshi!"
Haki-coated Shigan struck his blade with a bullet-like force.
Clang!
The impact knocked Zoro off balance, sending him rolling backward.
"Alright, Rengoku, that's enough. Just leave them be… Haaah…"
Aokiji yawned. But unlike his lazy expression, his body moved instantly, brushing past Zoro and Nami—freezing them both solid in an instant.
"There, that'll stop any trouble. Let's just say we didn't see anything… Arresting them is too much of a hassle."
"Even Nico Robin? You're showing mercy to her too?"
"Huh? Oh… yeah. I owe her as well…"
"Anyone listening would think you're a gambler."
Rengoku sheathed Shusui, ready to leave the island.
"Speaking of which, I brought the warship. Care to come with me?"
"Oh? No, I was just walking around and happened to come here…"
"Understood. Then I'll go on ahead."
After saying goodbye to Aokiji, Rengoku turned toward the warship.
"Geppo!"
He soared back toward the ship—only to find another problem waiting.
"Vice Admiral, you're finally here!"
"Hmm? What happened?"
"The ship—it's damaged! The keel's broken. At this rate, she could sink!"
A broken keel? With that gone, the ship would soon be lost, sending everyone aboard to the depths.
"Sea King attack? Or pirates?"
Wiping cold sweat, the marine replied nervously.
"Uh… We struck it while avoiding ice. I'm sorry!"
Ice?
'Ha… Admiral Kuzan…'
Thanks to Aokiji's "mess," the keel had been shattered.
"What's the closest island?"
"Yes, sir! Water 7!"
Water 7—the City of Water, home to the Galley-La Company.
"Good. Then change course to Water 7. With the keel damaged, navigate carefully."
"Yes, sir!"
...
Rengoku's warship limped into Water 7.
The moment they landed, Rengoku contacted Marine Headquarters.
Brrrrrring—click.
"Yes, this is Sengoku."
"Fleet Admiral, I have a report."
"Don't tell me this is 'that' report… What is it?"
"On the way back, our keel was damaged by ice Admiral Aokiji left in the sea. We've made landfall at Water 7. I request another warship."
"What?! Because of ice Aokiji made? That man said he was just going for a walk! What the hell is he doing?!"
Sengoku's voice thundered with anger.
"Haaah… Fine. Is there anything important on board?"
"Due to the nature of the mission, I brought only a small, lightly armed rapid vessel. Other than standard armaments, there are no important documents or classified materials."
"Good. Since you're at Water 7, inspect the damage. If the ship's beyond repair, dismantle it."
"Understood."
...
Rengoku ended the call and immediately addressed his men.
"Everyone, gather your belongings and disembark. We're abandoning the ship!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Boatswain, you're responsible for taking it to Galley-La. Have the shipwrights give it a full inspection, and if they deem it unrepairable, report back for dismantling orders."
"Yes, sir! We will carry out the mission without fail!"
-------------------
Want to read 20 advance chapters ahead?
Go to my patreon: patreon.com/Kinglass