Fletcher's face instantly darkened, his bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Fischer, who had been frozen into an ice sculpture. His clenched fists emitted a teeth-gritting cracking sound.
This pirate captain, usually imposing and authoritative, now had flames of rage burning in his eyes. Slowly, he drew a massive double-edged battle axe from his waist. The sharp blade gleamed with a piercing cold light under the sun, and traces of someone's blood still remained on the axe's surface.
"It seems I'll have to deal with you myself," Fletcher snarled, baring his stark white teeth. The scar on his face twisted and contorted with his expression, like an ugly centipede writhing. "Kid, let me show you the true power of the 'Raging Demon Bear'!"
Kuzan adjusted his sunglasses, a lazy smile still playing on his lips as if the man standing before him wasn't a Great Pirate with a 76 million berry bounty, but just an ordinary street thug. "Oh? Then let me see what makes a pirate with a 76 million berry bounty special."
Fletcher suddenly let out an ear-splitting roar, the sound so terrifying it resembled that of a true wild beast. His entire body's muscles visibly swelled, tearing his clothes apart. Thick brown fur rapidly grew across his skin, his nails transformed into sharp claws, and in an instant, he morphed into a giant, upright-walking brown bear. Brandishing his battle axe, he charged toward Kuzan at an astonishing speed, the ground beneath his feet cracking into deep pits with shattered stones flying everywhere.
"Berserk Charge!"
Facing the ferocious attack, Kuzan calmly raised his right hand, icy cold energy gathering at his fingertips: "Frozen Time Capsule!"
In an instant, the entire dock area was covered in a thick layer of ice, centered around Kuzan. Countless tiny ice crystals condensed in the air, shimmering with rainbow colors under the sunlight like a sudden blizzard.
Fletcher's charge came to an abrupt halt, his massive body firmly frozen inside a crystal-clear block of ice, preserved in his charging posture like a bizarre ice sculpture artwork.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Faint cracking sounds suddenly emerged from within the ice sculpture, followed by fissures rapidly spreading like a spiderweb. With a loud explosion, Fletcher forcefully shattered the ice trapping him, sending glittering ice fragments flying through the air like countless tiny diamonds scattering across the ground.
"Die, damn you!" The enraged Fletcher swung his battle axe in a full arc, bringing it down toward Kuzan's head with a howling wind. The axe blade sliced through the air with a sharp shriek.
Boom!
The axe blade struck the ground heavily, and Kuzan's figure instantly shattered into countless ice fragments, scattering across the ground.
Fletcher panted heavily, his brown fur covered in ice particles that sparkled brightly in the sunlight.
"Ara ara, quite impressive strength. As expected of a Zoan-type ability user," Kuzan's voice suddenly came from behind Fletcher, carrying a tone of appreciation as if he were evaluating a splendid performance.
Fletcher spun around abruptly, his battle axe cutting a cold arc through the air that seemed to slice through the surrounding atmosphere: "Stop playing tricks!"
"But it's time to end this." Kuzan's voice suddenly turned serious, his gaze sharpening behind his sunglasses. "Frozen Moment!"
His right hand pressed lightly against Fletcher's back, and a bone-chilling cold instantly erupted. This time, the ice sculpture formed was several times larger than before, completely encasing Fletcher within it. The ice layer continuously thickened, eventually forming a massive iceberg that refracted dazzling light under the sun, resembling a small crystal palace.
"Quick, run!" Seeing their captain frozen, the remaining pirates could no longer contain their fear. They dropped their weapons and scrambled toward their pirate ship. Their faces were contorted, eyes filled with terror as if they had seen the world's most terrifying monster.
"Can't let you escape. You should stay here!" Facing the fleeing pirates, Kuzan showed no mercy and immediately froze the remaining pirates. "Frozen Time Capsule!"
As his words fell, the fleeing pirates turned into ice sculptures one by one, preserved in their running postures.
The entire dock instantly fell silent, leaving only the dripping sound of melting ice under the sunlight.
Sunlight shone upon these ice sculptures, refracting brilliant rays that transformed the entire dock into a world of ice crystals. In the distance over the sea, several seagulls circled, emitting clear cries as if drawing a conclusion to this battle.
In the distance, the sheriff who had been watching Kuzan easily handle the pirates quickly approached with his subordinates. They wore neat uniforms, carried batons at their waists, and wore expressions of awe on their faces.
"Mr. Kuzan, thank you for your trouble," the sheriff said warmly to Kuzan while wiping sweat from his forehead. His subordinates behind him had already begun expertly inspecting the frozen pirates.
"Hmm, take these pirates into custody and deal with that pirate ship too," Kuzan instructed the sheriff.
"Of course, you can count on us. We have experience with this," the sheriff quickly assured Kuzan, simultaneously directing his subordinates to begin work. "Move them all to the prison, and be careful not to break the ice."
"Sir, another pirate ship!" someone suddenly shouted, pointing at a pirate ship approaching in the distance.
Kuzan raised his head, his gaze shifting to the distant sea. He adjusted his sunglasses slightly and murmured to himself, "Hmm? What kind of day is this, with so many pirates?" The sea breeze brushed through his fluffy curly hair, carrying a hint of salty moisture.
"Mr. Kuzan, we'll have to trouble you again," the sheriff said, wiping sweat from his forehead, his tone carrying some apology.
"Leave it to me." Kuzan stretched his shoulders, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "Perfect timing to test a newly developed ability." He walked leisurely toward the seaside, casually raising his right hand toward the distant pirate ship.
"Ice Block Pheasant Beak!"
As his low voice fell, the surrounding temperature plummeted. Countless cold air currents condensed around his right arm, instantly transforming into a gigantic ice bird with a wingspan exceeding two thousand meters. The ice bird soared into the sky, carrying a piercing chill as it charged directly toward the pirate ship.
Meanwhile, on the deck of the pirate ship.
Kaidou stood with his arms crossed, watching the approaching ice bird without moving a muscle. He turned his head slightly and said to Enel beside him, "Enel, show me how well you've mastered your abilities."
"Yes, Big Brother Kaidou!" Enel excitedly leaped onto the ship's bow, golden pupils flashing with electricity. He raised his right hand high, fingertips bursting with dazzling lightning: "30 Million Volts: Thunderbird!"
A giant electric eagle condensed from 30 million volts of high-voltage current spread its wings and soared forth, its sharp cry mingling with crackling electric sounds. The two giant birds collided mid-air with an earth-shattering roar.
The violent explosion sent towering waves crashing, while the mist generated by the blast rapidly spread across the sea surface, enveloping the entire pirate ship. The sea wind swept up fine water droplets, refracting rainbow colors in the sunlight.