The sudden appearance of the Pacifistas stunned the Whitebeard Pirates and the citizens watching the broadcast. Their resemblance to the Warlord Bartholomew Kuma was uncanny, and since few had ever seen them before, many mistook them for the real Kuma.
The sight of countless "Kumas" appearing all at once was far more terrifying than a simple multiplication. To nearly every enemy on the battlefield, the sight radiated a crushing pressure that felt impossible to overcome.
"Beep! Beep! Beep! Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!"
After only a moment's silence, the Pacifistas that had just stepped onto the battlefield unleashed a storm of attacks under Sentomaru's command. Beams of yellow light streaked out one after another, sparking massive explosions outside the bay and causing devastating destruction.
"They don't even care about sacrificing their own?" Whitebeard's brows furrowed sharply. Hoisting his bisento, Murakumogiri, he roared, "Don't falter, my sons! Push straight into the plaza!"
"All hands, get off the ice immediately! Don't let the pirates set foot on the plaza!"
As Whitebeard issued the command to an all-out charge, Sengoku also picked up a Den Den Mushi to issue the Navy's next move. Both leaders, standing on their respective sides, continued to scheme for control of the battle.
"Fall back!"
Following their orders, the Navy soldiers rapidly retreated. What had been a deadlock across the frozen bay suddenly turned into a one-sided withdrawal.
"Shoo! Shoo!"
But as the battle reached this critical stage, two live broadcast feeds on the Sabaody Archipelago suddenly went dark. What had once been a full panoramic broadcast was now reduced to a single feed—focused only on Whitebeard.
"As soon as all visual feeds are cut, activate the encirclement wall immediately. Then proceed with Ace's execution, and wipe the enemy out to the last man!"
Sengoku's voice rang out, revealing his true intent. Executing Ace was never the sole objective. With Whitebeard himself present on the battlefield, eliminating him and the entire Whitebeard Pirates had become a primary goal of the war.
"Yes, sir!"
With the Navy soldiers receiving their orders, the wheels of war rolled irreversibly toward the abyss.
"I'm heading up, then!"
Standing at the plaza's perimeter, Jiang Lin muttered helplessly as he watched the Navy soldiers pulling back en masse. Entire groups retreated around him, but not a single one dared to stand in his way.
It wasn't really their fault—Jiang Lin's abilities had simply become too terrifying.
A Marine facing any other opponent might die in the name of justice. But facing Jiang Lin? Death wasn't the concern… getting turned into a woman was inevitable.
And so, every soldier avoided him like the plague.
"Phew…"
Just as Jiang Lin set one foot against the wall, preparing to leap up into the plaza, Aokiji, sitting out most of the fight, finally stepped forward from the other side, fixing his gaze squarely on Jiang Lin.
"Aokiji! Perfect timing. I still need quite a bit more progress for my awakening mission. Care to help me close the gap?"
Jiang Lin smiled as he turned toward him. He knew that with his current strength, rushing in recklessly would only end with Garp swatting him aside once more. He waited for Luffy to break through and hold Garp at bay—so they could join forces to rescue Ace."
Now that Aokiji was here to block him, Jiang Lin couldn't have been happier. After all, unlocking the awakening of Devil Fruits would become one of his greatest trump cards. With a single awakening, his strength could rise to an entirely new level.
"Speaking of which, Aokiji—ever considered becoming a pirate? My crew's still pretty empty. If you joined, I'd welcome you gladly!"
Jiang Lin grinned as he advanced toward him. His name was beginning to spread, but his so-called crew had only one member so far—the Pirate Empress. He was in desperate need of new blood.
"Heh! You're inviting me to join a pirate crew?"
Aokiji sneered, then lunged forward in an instant.
Clang!
Two spears of ice collided, unleashing a shockwave of frigid wind.
"Ice-Ice Fruit (enhanced by the Glint-Glint Fruit) loaded. Duration: ten minutes. Cooldown: thirty seconds."
Swapping out the Pika Pika no Mi, Jiang Lin equipped the Hie Hie no Mi. A blade of ice, sparkling with a diamond-like sheen, cleaved straight through Aokiji's weapon.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
With his ice blade shattered, Aokiji immediately raised an ice wall in defense. The shriek of cutting filled the air as Jiang Lin's diamond-edged ice slashed against the barrier.
"Your ability isn't just copying, is it? That ice blade… its hardness and sharpness far surpass mine."
Aokiji's brow furrowed. When they clashed in Impel Down, he hadn't noticed such a distinction. But today, the difference was obvious—Jiang Lin's ice was stronger, sharper, and more refined.
"Something like that," Jiang Lin replied with a shrug, before slicing through the wall. With a grin, he declared, "Now come—let's have a real fight!"
His eyes burned with battle lust. He knew his raw power might not yet equal that of an Admiral, but that wouldn't stop him. Only by clashing with the strongest could he grow stronger himself.
"Fine by me."
Aokiji smiled faintly, striking without hesitation. He, too, was eager to test Jiang Lin once again.
The two locked eyes, blazing with mutual fighting spirit, then charged.
Boom!
An explosion thundered from the plaza's edge, showering the battlefield with ice shards and mist, engulfing the plaza and the surrounding area.
"What's happening?"
Sengoku frowned, glaring toward the blast zone. His strategy had reached its most critical point—there was no room for unforeseen complications.
"Heh… That ability must be Jiang Lin's," Whitebeard chuckled warmly. "Go forth, boy—and begin the brilliant life that awaits you."
His smile brimmed with pride and expectation as he gazed into the fog.
"Hahahaha! Aokiji! Let's fight to our heart's content!"
Jiang Lin's roar cut through the icy mist. Bursting forth from the haze, his eyes burned with determination as he locked onto the figure waiting within the fog.