"Clang~"
Another sharp sound rang out as diamond and kanabo collided, sparks bursting outward in all directions.
Two figures were thrown backward from the center of the shockwave, their bodies heaving from the violent clash.
Yamato gasped for breath, strands of hair on her forehead already soaked with sweat. Her bright eyes locked firmly onto the opponent before her.
"Big guy, not bad at all~"
After speaking, she exhaled a heavy breath of cold air. The ice surface that had begun to crack instantly froze over again.
In the blink of an eye, her aura surged once more. Turbulent currents of air swirled around her, causing the fluffy white tail behind her to whip wildly.
The corner of Yamato's mouth curled upward. Her blade-like fangs were fully exposed, and the smile on her face was bold and unrestrained.
"The warm-up's about done. Next comes the finale~"
"..."
Across from her, Jozu was also breathing heavily, streams of white vapor pouring from his mouth.
His massive body rose and fell with each breath, and the way he looked at Yamato was filled with grave seriousness.
The girl's ability was extremely troublesome. Even with his entire body covered in diamond, he still couldn't completely avoid damage.
He could withstand attacks coated in Armament Haki, but he couldn't stop the freezing cold from seeping in.
Hearing her provocation, he slammed his fists together and bared his teeth in a fierce grin.
"Come on, little girl~"
"...Here I come!"
Yamato leaned forward slightly, her legs bending as the momentum in her body suddenly exploded outward. Black-red arcs of lightning wrapped themselves around the kanabo in her hand.
A tremendous pressure instantly descended upon Jozu, who was preparing to charge, causing his expression to change drastically.
At that moment, Yamato's sharp shout rang out.
"Divine Step—White Serpent Drive!"
Boom!
The air exploded as the ice beneath Yamato shattered violently. Her figure flickered and vanished from the spot.
She transformed into a streak of white light that tore through the air, carving a path across the frozen surface as it shot straight toward Jozu.
Facing the incoming white flash, Jozu clenched his teeth under the overwhelming pressure, his diamond arms swelling another full circle in size.
He kicked off the ice and launched himself forward.
"Brilliance—Maximum Wheel—Titan Impact!"
"Thunder... Bagua!"
With Yamato's furious roar, the white streak wrapped in black-red lightning collided violently with the dazzling diamond body.
BOOM—RUMBLE!
A deafening explosion unlike anything before erupted.
The ice beneath their feet shattered into countless fragments in an instant before being violently lifted and thrown into the air.
A visible spherical shockwave swelled outward before bursting violently in every direction.
The powerful blast swept through the area like a hurricane.
Broken ice scattered everywhere. The ocean churned wildly, and even the ships far away rocked violently.
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates watching from the sidelines struggled to maintain their footing while staring at the battlefield with shock-filled eyes.
Everyone understood that after this attack, the winner would be decided.
Would the Whitebeard Pirates continue to uphold their glory—
Or would it all shatter here?
In the center of the battlefield, Jozu crossed his diamond arms together, attempting to block the overwhelming force crashing toward him like a collapsing mountain.
Crack! Crack!
As two clear sounds of breaking echoed out, Jozu suddenly felt his arms go numb, and his face instantly changed color.
"What?!"
Black-red lightning flickered violently.
Cracks had appeared across his diamond arms, and massive fractures were spreading rapidly.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
This was diamond—the hardest substance in the world.
And yet it had been shattered by a blunt weapon?
Before he could react further, his body lifted off the ground and shot backward like a cannonball.
"Captain!!"
"Captain Jozu!!!"
The Whitebeard Pirates watching the battle all cried out in shock as they saw Jozu's body flying through the air.
Among the Third Division crew, several members had already scrambled into small boats and rushed toward the direction he had been sent flying.
Their captain was a Devil Fruit user.
If he fell into the sea, it would be extremely dangerous.
Meanwhile, standing by the railing of the ship, Whitebeard watched as his son was blasted away.
His massive eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing within them.
The hand gripping his Naginata tightened abruptly, veins bulging fiercely across the back of his hand.
Only after Jozu was pulled back onto a ship did his tense body finally relax.
Whitebeard turned his head and glanced at the smug Leno beside him, speaking with clear admiration.
"What an incredible little girl. She's stronger than her father. To have mastered that power at such a young age!"
"Hahaha... not bad, not bad~"
Hearing Whitebeard's praise, Leno waved his hand modestly before speaking in a righteous tone.
"Of course, the reason she reached her current level is inseparable from my careful guidance!"
"..."
Seeing Leno shamelessly claim all the credit, Whitebeard's eyelids twitched violently, and he turned his head away, refusing to look at him any longer.
Marco, Jinbe, and the others who had still been in shock also became speechless after hearing his words.
They exchanged glances with each other and silently shook their heads.
Only Ace seemed a bit strange.
His eyes burned as he stared at Yamato as if he wanted to devour her.
Seeing Yamato unleash such a terrifying attack and send Jozu flying in a single strike made his mentality explode a little.
Back when they fought evenly on Fish-Man Island, he had already felt that Yamato was incredibly strong.
Now he realized something shocking.
Back then—
She had been holding back!
Just thinking that during a fair sparring match a woman had deliberately restrained herself for his sake made his heart burn with irritation.
If Yamato hadn't just finished such an intense battle, he would have challenged her to another fight immediately.
After a while, Jozu, who had been rescued, walked up to Whitebeard and lowered his head in shame.
"My deepest apologies, Pops. I lost and disgraced you."
The massive man over five meters tall even had slightly reddened eyes.
Behind him, the crew members of the Third Division also lowered their heads in silence.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
Whitebeard looked down at Jozu's blood-soaked arms. A trace of concern flashed in his eyes before he asked softly,
"How are your arms? Are the injuries serious?"
Only then did the other division commanders notice the blood flowing from Jozu's arms.
Their pupils shrank sharply in disbelief.
Captain Jozu's so-called strongest diamond defense—
Had actually been broken.
That defense which had given them countless headaches and had never been shattered before—
Had now been destroyed by a woman.
Was Yamato's attack really that powerful?
It seemed they had still underestimated her.
Jozu raised his arms slightly, indicating it wasn't a big problem, before replying in a muffled voice,
"Don't worry, Pops. Just superficial wounds."
"Good. That's fine."
Whitebeard nodded slightly, paused for a moment, and continued.
"It was just a sparring match. Don't take it too seriously. You can win it back next time."
"Yes, Pops."
Jozu responded respectfully and turned to treat his wounds.
But at that moment, Leno's slow voice echoed out, instantly drawing furious glares from everyone present.
"Winning it back next time will probably be difficult."
"After all, Yamato is still young. She will only keep getting stronger."
"And you..."
"?!!!"
...
...