Byrnndi World's gaze locked onto Aokiji.
"That chill just now… You're a Marine Vice Admiral, Aokiji!"
Then his eyes shifted toward Ezra.
"So, you are Admiral Zanka!"
Ezra raised a brow. "Oh? Looks like you did your homework."
A cold, vicious grin appeared on Byrnndi World's face.
"Perfect timing! Today, the sea will claim you!"
With that, he grabbed a cannonball and hurled it straight at Ezra.
"Hundredfold Acceleration!"
Whoosh!
The projectile moved faster than the speed of sound.
Aokiji did not hesitate. His hands formed a shield of ice in an instant.
Boom! Boom!
Two massive explosions rang out. Fortunately, the shield held.
Aokiji's face showed a mix of alertness and anger.
"To defeat Admiral Zanka, you must first get through me!"
With that, he leapt toward the ocean surface.
"Ice Age!"
Instantly, the water between the two ships froze. Thick sheets of ice crawled up Byrnndi World's ship.
Byrnndi World's pupils contracted. He snorted and jumped off his ship.
"Aokiji, not bad!"
"But that is all you get. Now, die!"
"Hundredfold Acceleration!"
He slapped his own chest, vanishing in a blur. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Aokiji.
His right hand, wrapped in Haki, rose high.
"Hundredfold Acceleration!"
Wham!
A black fist slammed into Aokiji. His pupils widened. "What strength!"
Thoughts racing, he was sent flying.
Crash!
Aokiji slammed into the ice-covered ocean. When the smoke cleared, a thin layer of ice protected him.
"That was close."
Byrnndi World's face showed surprise. "He made a shield at such extreme speed?"
His expression hardened, but he did not flinch. He pulled several small steel balls from his pocket and hurled them at Aokiji.
"Hundredfold Enlargement!"
Ha!
The steel balls expanded into gigantic spheres.
"Ice-Time Capsule!"
Aokiji shouted, releasing a burst of intense cold from his hands. Instantly, the steel balls froze solid.
Byrnndi World had already reached behind Aokiji.
"Perfect timing! Hundredfold Acceleration!"
"Hundredfold Enlargement!"
He hurled more steel balls. "Hmph. Extreme speed and extreme size. Let's see how you dodge this!"
Aokiji's eyes sparkled. He extended his right hand.
"Ice-Time!"
The steel balls froze instantly again.
But Aokiji was not done. His body merged with the ice, vanishing from Byrnndi World's sight.
"Where?!"
Byrnndi World scanned around, wary. Suddenly, a hand shot up from the ground, grabbing his right foot.
"What?!"
A cold voice rang out. "Ice-Time!"
Cracks spread through the ice as a freezing chill raced up Byrnndi World's body.
"No!!!"
He screamed as his body was encased in solid ice.
Aokiji slowly rose from the frozen ground.
"Hmph… the World Destroyer is nothing special," he said, raising a brow.
On the warship, Garp chuckled. "Not bad for your subordinate. He might have a spot as the next Vice Admiral."
Ezra smiled faintly. "Who knows? But I think Aokiji might be underestimating his opponent…"
Garp's expression shifted. "Oh? How so?"
"That Byrnndi World can accelerate or enlarge anything he touches. And now he's covered in ice," Ezra said.
As if to prove his point, a sound caught Aokiji's attention. He turned his head, eyes widening.
"What is that?!"
In front of him, a giant ice sculpture over ten meters tall suddenly appeared. Byrnndi World stood atop its head.
"Hahaha! Aokiji! You think you can trap me? Far from it!"
He kicked the ice sculpture with his right foot. The massive ice giant toppled toward Aokiji.
"Damn it! I miscalculated!"
Aokiji's mouth twisted as icy energy surged into the ground.
"Ice-Time!"
The giant froze instantly and shattered into pieces. The effort drained Aokiji's energy.
Byrnndi World did not miss this opportunity. His hands, wrapped in Haki, appeared in front of Aokiji.
"Haki Encasing! Hundredfold Acceleration!"
A massive punch struck.
Aokiji hurriedly formed a shield, but there was no way to block Byrnndi World's full-strength blow.
Crash!
Aokiji was sent flying, slamming hard into a distant iceberg.
Garp muttered. "That really is a strong punch… Don't you want to help Kuzan?"
Ezra shook his head. "He's old. He can't handle a few setbacks? I am not going to protect them forever. Kuzan's strength is far beyond this. Watch carefully, Uncle Garp. You are witnessing the future of the Marine Admirals."
Garp fell silent. "Fine, fine… why lecture me?"
Ezra ignored him.
From the shattered iceberg, Aokiji slowly pulled himself up, blood streaking his face.
"That was too close," he muttered, massaging his sore neck.
His gaze fixed on Byrnndi World.
"You really should have stayed frozen. Now I have to put you down myself."