"Ice... Age!"
Aokiji's expression turned cold instantly. With a low murmur, the range of the extreme frost suddenly expanded, and the surging sea surface froze into ice in an instant.
Under the ice, the entire island's appearance changed abruptly; the originally dark and gloomy style transformed in a flash into a glacier shining with blue and white light.
San Juan Wolf, who had been cut in half by thunderstorm, was also frozen into a giant ice sculpture. The frost covered his wounds, immediately sealing his severed internal organs and stopping the blood!
[Ice Age learned successfully!]
"Kuzan!"
Taro roared, his Internal Energy erupting surge-like.
"Crack, crack!"
A series of crisp cracking sounds rang out as Taro shattered the frost that had even frozen the air. His Internal Energy Domain spread out.
Countless Doughnuts formed from Internal Energy, carrying immense Vibration Energy, rose into the air.
"You're going to stop me from killing him?"
Aokiji stared gloomily at Taro and sighed softly.
"Things shouldn't have come to this, but now, he's the only one who knows what you two said!"
Taro's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, his voice suppressed with anger.
"I'm not some damn leader of the d clan, I'm just me!"
Aokiji stared at Taro without speaking, but the meaning in his eyes was clear.
If San Juan Wolf died too, then it really would be whatever Taro said!
"Crack, crack!"
A few more sounds of ice crystals shattering came, and Marco also broke free.
Just a moment later, Crocodile, the user of the '50-50 Fruit', also recovered!
From this, it was clear that there was definitely something fishy about Old Sand being defeated by Luffy; this guy's strength was obviously much higher than many pirates!
After the two of them broke free, they weren't in a hurry to save their companions because they could feel that Aokiji's Devil Fruit Ability Awakening was well-controlled and he didn't intend to wipe them all out.
He just wanted to temporarily save San Juan Wolf's life!
Taro naturally noticed this as well, but he couldn't let San Juan Wolf speak again. That seemingly dim-witted fellow wasn't as brainless as he looked.
With just one sentence, he had made the situation even more complicated!
If he added more fuel to the fire and said more nonsense, things would be completely beyond control!
Dammit, no one who has made a name for themselves in the Pirate World is a fool!
Taro had to admit that he had been too arrogant and careless before!
Taking a deep breath, Taro finally said,
"The last things Rocks and I talked about were just some past events of the d clan. Moreover, many things haven't been confirmed yet, so I can't tell you!"
"As for me being the d clan leader, that was Rocks' misjudgment!"
"That's all I'm going to say!"
After saying that, with a thought,
"Buzz!"
The blade of thunderstorm vibrated, shattering the ice. Then, it flew up and down, making several slashes that cut through all the frozen air.
Aokiji didn't speak again. His entire body was covered in ice crystals as he transformed into an ice Incarnation.
"Creak, creak!"
Within the frozen Domain, amidst the sound of frost moving, ice sculptures of Aokiji stood up one by one.
Aokiji's reaction had already made his stance clear!
Taro's expression instantly darkened as he clenched his fists.
"Mochi Chant!"
From the Internal Energy Doughnuts, massive fists solidified from Internal Energy emerged, bearing sharp spikes. Enveloped in Armament Haki, blue and red lightning crackled and spread.
Taro ground his legs and swung his arms with all his might!
"Peerless Spiked Spear!"
At the same time, Aokiji also launched an attack!
[Peerless Spiked Spear learned successfully!]
Countless Aokiji ice sculptures, just like his main body, spread their arms wide. Nine frost spiked spears stood by their sides. The spears were snowy white throughout, with only the sharp tips showing a deep blue frost surface, and Armament Haki was attached to them.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
Within the frozen space, the spiked spears seemed to encounter no resistance, piercing toward Taro at extreme speed.
"Crack! Boom! Zap!"
Fist met spear, and Haoshoku erupted with a dazzling blue and red light. Vibration power exploded within the narrow space where heaven and earth were frozen.
For a moment, it felt as if the entire island was trembling like an Earthquake!
Marco and Crocodile, watching from the side, exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Both Taro and Aokiji were very skilled in controlling their power; they actually confined extremely powerful forces within a very small range to achieve maximum lethality!
They were actually fighting for their lives!
However, it was obvious that Aokiji's Devil Fruit Ability Awakening had been developed to a very high level—at least, much higher than Taro's!
Over time, Taro would surely lose!
Taro had troubles he couldn't voice. The obsession in Aokiji's heart made his fighting will very strong. With one move, he firmly told Taro that he would never let go!
He was willing to risk his life!
Whereas Taro was being forced to risk his life by Aokiji. If he showed even a hint of carelessness, he would be pierced into a sieve the next second!
He couldn't afford to wear himself out against Aokiji. These native pirates could fight for days and nights at the drop of a hat; he couldn't outlast them!
Fortunately, Taro's goal wasn't to defeat Aokiji; he had options.
Taro glanced at Marco in the distance. As long as this guy didn't interfere!
Marco, who was paying close attention to the battle, immediately noticed Taro's gaze. He indeed had no intention of interfering—at least, not for now!
Rashly participating in a battle between two top-tier experts might result in offending both sides.
As a pirate, unless absolutely necessary, one wouldn't actively provoke the Marine. Moreover, given the current state of the Whitebeard Pirates Remnants, offending a Navy Grand Staff Officer would be unwise!
Marco had no intention of acting, which relieved Taro greatly.
As for Crocodile, Taro now held leverage over him; he would be smart!
Thinking of this, Taro swung his arms even more fiercely.
At the same time, thunderstorm flipped its blade and pointed straight at the sky!
Within a dense green glow, a white air pressure dome condensed at the tip of the blade, and then, like a thunderclap, it plunged straight down!
Taro himself would keep Aokiji occupied while using thunderstorm to attack San Juan Wolf.
Aokiji's expression turned stern. Cold air suddenly surged from beneath his feet again, kicking up a whistling blizzard.
"Swish swish!"
The temperature of the entire battlefield dropped rapidly, to the point where the Internal Energy Taro had kept for protection was now struggling to hold out.
A faint frost formed on his hair and beard, and the speed of his arm swings slowed down.
Taro had to retract some Internal Energy and reduce his attack intensity to maintain his body temperature!
The extreme frost in Aokiji's awakened state had already surpassed the realm of normal temperatures.
The true power of Ice Age was only now being fully revealed!
The rapidly falling temperature caused thunderstorm's speed to suddenly slow down as well. Layers of hard ice froze the air, compressing thunderstorm's range of movement and attempting to freeze it.
The Vibration Energy on the tip of the blade erupted, shattering the ice. However, even more hard ice condensed around it.
Seeing that the attack was about to fail, Taro gritted his teeth, gathered all his Internal Energy, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and then spread them wide.
Internal Energy turned into spirals of air currents, spreading out in a helical pattern. Standing within it, Taro let out a roar,
"Great Flame Commandment: Entei!"
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