"This… is the power of a Marine Admiral? Even though I've fused multiple Devil Fruits, I'm still far from being his match!"
After exchanging a single move with Aokiji, Mizuchi immediately realized the vast gap in their strength.
Aokiji's mastery over his Devil Fruit had reached a level that was nothing short of astonishing. Mizuchi, in contrast, had only been in contact with Devil Fruits for a few short days. In terms of sheer control and understanding of his abilities, he was clearly nowhere near Aokiji's level.
However, Aokiji's mastery didn't mean Mizuchi had no chance at all. His goal wasn't to defeat Aokiji—it was simply to survive one minute under the Admiral's assault.
"You've already attacked Kuzan, the Ice-Ice Fruit user. The system is now copying the opponent's Devil Fruit. Host, please hold out for one minute."
Staring at the rapidly decreasing timer on the system interface, Mizuchi's expression hardened. He decided to strike first.
"Laser Beam!"
Several yellow beams shot from Mizuchi's hands in midair, heading straight for Aokiji below.
"Blizzard Bird Beak!"
In response, Aokiji released a massive ice bird, hurtling toward Mizuchi above.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ice bird's wings tore through the Level 4 connected walkways and corridors, sending huge chunks of rubble crashing into the blood-red sea below with every flap.
The sheer ferocity of the attack made Mizuchi's face tighten. Aokiji had no intention of giving him even a second to delay—he was unleashing his ultimate move right from the start, trying to force Mizuchi down from the sky.
If Mizuchi fell, he would almost certainly be frozen on the spot.
Bracing against the ice bird, Mizuchi crossed his hands and unleashed the Yata Jewel, raining concentrated light bullets onto its body. Chunks of ice shattered and plummeted into the ground and the blood sea below with thunderous crashes.
"Got you!"
Aokiji shouted coldly. The giant ice bird opened its enormous beak and swallowed Mizuchi whole.
Once inside the bird, Mizuchi refused to surrender. He simultaneously fired Laser Beam at the bird's body while striking with Ame-no-Murakumo Sword at the same points.
Just as the ice bird was about to crash into the ground, Mizuchi's attacks finally worked. A tunnel large enough for a person tore through its massive body.
Seizing the opening, Mizuchi used Yata Mirror to escape the bird and reappear midair.
"Troublesome!"
Aokiji's eyes narrowed. He leapt high, stretching both hands outward, sending thick ice pillars connecting the walls on either side of Level 4.
As the pillars locked into place, Aokiji began releasing a continuous wave of cold. The previously scorching Level 4 quickly froze under the spreading chill.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Do you really need to take it this seriously? Even pulling out the Ice Age?"
Mizuchi's face fell as the cold advanced relentlessly.
The "Ice Age" was considered one of the most powerful crowd-control techniques. Even if Mizuchi had developed his Glint-Glint Fruit to Kizaru-level proficiency, he would be foolish to ignore Aokiji's move.
Twenty seconds left… fight or flee?
Time was running out. White ice spread from the blood sea upward, freezing walls and corridors, all converging toward Mizuchi in midair.
"One of the Navy's strongest—Aokiji. I'll test your power!"
Determined, Mizuchi decided to go all out. Akainu was even stronger than Aokiji. If he chose to run from Aokiji, how could he ever face Akainu with courage?
"Gum-Gum! Gum-Gum! Pistol!"
At the same moment Mizuchi prepared to risk everything, Luffy appeared behind him, accompanied by Buggy, Gal Dino, and Bon Clay.
Without hesitation, Luffy stretched his arms, grabbed the ice pillars, leapt into the air, and attacked Aokiji at the center of the ice formation.
"Admiral… Aokiji!"
Buggy's face turned pale seeing Aokiji take on two opponents. He didn't even signal Luffy—he immediately turned and ran.
"Wait… me!"
Gal Dino followed Buggy, fleeing as well.
"Luffy! I'll help you! Yo!"
Bon Clay, however, did not run. Spinning his body, he moved at high speed toward Luffy's position.
"Straw Hat!"
Aokiji's expression visibly changed upon seeing Luffy.
"Your friend! I'm here to save you!"
Luffy looked up at Mizuchi with resolve. Since Mizuchi had joined his crew, he was now Luffy's comrade and brother. If Mizuchi was in danger, Luffy couldn't stand by.
"Thanks, brother! Be careful!"
Knowing Aokiji's strength, Mizuchi dared not claim any chance of victory.
"See you again!"
After nodding at Mizuchi solemnly, Luffy turned to face Aokiji.
"You shouldn't have come here," Aokiji said in a low voice, his chill still spreading, ice creeping close to Mizuchi.
"I had to come!"
Luffy's tone was firm, his expression radiating unshakable determination.
"Then I'll stop you!"
Aokiji's words were followed by a surge of freezing cold traveling from Luffy's feet upward.
"Luffy! Watch out!"
Mizuchi immediately used Yata Mirror to teleport beside Luffy, kicking apart the ice spreading upward.
"Gear Second!"
White smoke enveloped Luffy as his body turned faintly red in an instant.
"Got you! Ice Ball!"
Seizing the moment Mizuchi came down from above, Aokiji launched an attack on him. Five ice pillars shot toward Mizuchi's body, the biting cold making him frown.
"Could it… still be impossible?!"
Mizuchi sighed, but when the system timer showed less than five seconds remaining, hope flared once again.
"Petrify!"
He spread his hands, and five dazzling beams shot from his fingers, colliding with Aokiji's ice pillars.
Mizuchi countered ice with light and freezing with petrification. On the ice-bridges, they locked eyes, engaging in the final showdown.
"One minute has passed. The Ice-Ice Fruit has been fully copied."
As the system announced completion, a tremendous explosion erupted from the center of their battlefield, sending a thick white mist that instantly blocked everyone's view.