Just as expected!
Everything happened exactly as Kai had guessed.
Standing on the deck, his eyes were fixed on the distant horizon — on that lone figure pedaling a bicycle across the endless sea.
Gradually,
the figure drew closer, swiftly approaching the direction of their battleship's course.
As the distance closed, Kai was finally able to make out the person's appearance.
Curly hair.
A dark purple bandanna beneath a small cap, a pair of small round sunglasses that looked almost comical, a dark-blue shirt beneath a black coat-cape.
Tall and lean, he was riding a bicycle — on the surface of the sea itself!
"The icy trail stretched endlessly, the figure drawing closer—
and then Kai's pupils contracted sharply.
That posture… that chill in the air…
There was no mistaking it."
The Marine Headquarters Vice Vice Admiral Aokiji, who else could it be?
Wherever the bicycle passed…
the sea instantly froze over in its wake.
The frost spread outward from the spinning wheels, the power of the Devil Fruit affecting the entire area around him.
The rolling tires left behind a trail of frozen sea, stretching out endlessly into the distance.
Within a few meters of where he rode, the ocean had completely solidified, forming an ice-bound path — a glittering, crystalline expanse that gleamed like jade beneath the sunlight.
Under the glint of the morning sun, the frozen sea shimmered with dazzling brilliance.
The terrifying might of a Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit user — truly awe-inspiring!
Even the great ocean itself…
had become Aokiji's personal walkway.
Watching this sight unfold before his eyes, Kai's expression was filled with awe and admiration.
"Truly worthy of being…"
"One of the most powerful monsters on this sea!"
"Even though he hasn't yet become one of the Admirals of Marine Headquarters, with his current strength, he's already no weaker than one!"
"Compared to the aging and declining Admiral Zephyr, Aokiji's power was undoubtedly several times stronger!"
Kai narrowed his eyes slightly.
At Aokiji's current level, he already possessed the qualifications to become an Admiral.
All he lacked…
was seniority.
Nothing more.
Once his years of service caught up, his promotion would be guaranteed.
When Steelbone Kong retired from the Marine s, Sengoku took command, and Zephyr stepped down from active duty—
then one of the three Admiral seats would inevitably belong to Aokiji.
That day…
was not far away!
Meanwhile, several kilometers away…
Aokiji, still pedaling leisurely across the frozen sea, spotted the massive silhouette of a battleship in the distance.
"Ah~ la…"
"What a coincidence. That's Vice Admiral Garp's ship."
Recognizing it instantly, Aokiji smiled faintly.
Just from a single glance, he could tell who was aboard.
To the Marine Hero Garp,
Aokiji had always held deep respect and admiration — a man he regarded as both idol and goal.
"Perfect timing," he murmured,
"I can hitch a ride."
With that thought, Aokiji increased his speed, swiftly gliding toward the massive warship.
Before long,
the lookout aboard the battleship also spotted him approaching across the frozen sea.
"Vice Vice Admiral Aokiji!"
"Vice Vice Admiral Aokiji is up ahead!"
"Notify Vice Admiral Garp immediately!"
The report quickly spread through the entire ship.
When Garp heard the news, he rubbed his chin with a puzzled expression.
"That brat Kuzan…"
"He probably came looking for me on purpose."
"Otherwise, how could we just happen to bump into each other in the middle of the open sea? Hmph! Only rookie sailors would believe such nonsense."
Garp stepped out of his quarters and went to the deck railing.
There, less than a kilometer away, was Aokiji.
"Pass down my order — stop the ship."
"Let that brat Kuzan come aboard."
Since they'd met, there was no reason to avoid him.
Garp suspected that Aokiji's journey from Marineford likely wasn't a casual outing.
Given his usually lazy nature, there was no way he'd leave headquarters unless he was on a mission.
And ordinary Vice Admirals certainly didn't have the luxury of free time to wander the seas like this.
Garp, of course, was a special case.
From all this, he concluded that Aokiji was likely carrying out some confidential order.
"Kai, come over here," Garp called.
"Take a good look—this is one of the real monsters of the sea!"
Kai stepped forward to Garp's side.
Pointing toward the approaching figure, Garp said with admiration,
"See that brat? He's known as Aokiji—real name, Kuzan."
"One of the most promising monsters in the Marine s!"
"And…"
"One of the strongest contenders for the future Admiral seat."
"This kid's power is immense! Even I… might not be able to take him down easily."
Garp chuckled, then added,
"If you've got time, you should learn a few things from him."
After a pause, he remembered something.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot to mention — Aokiji's a Logia-type Devil Fruit user. To someone like you right now, a Logia ability is practically unbeatable!"
Of course, Kai didn't need the introduction.
He already knew plenty about Aokiji.
Among the countless Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters, Aokiji was second only to Garp himself!
Only two others stood on the same level as him — Sakazuki and Borsalino.
Apart from the older generation of monsters,
no other Vice Admiral could compare to those three.
They were the true powerhouses of the sea!
Half an hour later, under Kai and Garp's watchful eyes,
Aokiji slung his bicycle over his shoulder and stepped up the warship's gangway.
As he did, he suppressed his Devil Fruit power, ensuring his freezing aura wouldn't affect the ship's seaworthiness.
Reaching the deck, he casually set the bicycle down, then approached Garp.
"Vice Admiral Garp, it's been a while," Aokiji greeted respectfully.
"Kuzan, you brat, you've gotten stronger again," Garp said with a hearty laugh.
"In front of you, Vice Admiral Garp, how could I dare call myself strong?" Aokiji replied humbly. "Compared to you, my strength isn't even worth mentioning."
Only in front of his idol could the usually laid-back Aokiji show such humility.
"Oh, right."
Garp gestured toward Kai beside him.
"Let me introduce you. This here's my grandson, Kai. I'm taking him to Marineford — he's joining the Marine s."
Aokiji blinked in surprise, giving Kai a curious once-over before turning to Garp.
"Vice Admiral Garp… since when did you have a grandson? How did I not know about this?"
"You've been hiding him that well?"
At that, a vein bulged on Garp's forehead.
He glared sharply at Aokiji and snorted.
"What? You think I can't have a grandson?"
"I'll have you know, my grandson Kai—"
"—is an even bigger monster than you!"
"A once-in-a-century genius!"
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