"Frozen Space..."
Bahr's pupils abruptly contracted, his face overflowing with astonishment.
The statement sounded like an absurd joke, yet there wasn't a trace of humor in Aokiji's eyes. The ice silently spreading beneath their feet served as undeniable proof of his words.
After the initial shock, Bahr gradually calmed down.
Upon closer consideration, it wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Aokiji was a Navy Admiral, having developed his Ice-Ice Fruit abilities to their pinnacle. Ordinary physical freezing was mere child's play to him.
Extending the domain of ice to the spatial level might indeed represent the ultimate application of such top-tier abilities.
Much like his previous battle with Golden Lion Shiki—except where Shiki relied on brute force to tear through space, Aokiji employed meticulous control to interfere.
In this situation, unless he could reshape the surrounding space as he had against Shiki... but clearly, that wasn't an option now.
The fundamental nature of space was undoubtedly superior to ice, yet he hadn't fully mastered this power.
True mastery would require at least reaching the level of Awakening, where using his abilities would be as natural as breathing—not like now, where his spatial powers were being suppressed and slowed by the ice.
Ultimately, this wasn't about the inherent strength of their abilities, but who had honed theirs to greater perfection.
As this thought crossed his mind, a chill crept up his spine.
If Aokiji could use ice crystals to slow space... then escaping via his abilities wouldn't be so simple.
The composure drained from Bahr's face, replaced by grim determination. His fingers unconsciously tightened around his sword hilt, the cold gleam of Black Sword Autumn Water reflecting the gravity in his eyes.
"Spatial ability is just one part of my skillset," he said slowly, the dark blade glinting coldly against the icy plain. With a slight flick of his wrist, the air currents stirred by his sword were instantly frozen into fine ice mist, scattering onto the frozen ground. "Don't underestimate me."
True, while his spatial abilities were hindered, that was the extent of it.
Aokiji could slow them down, but not stop them entirely—it merely gave him an opportunity to strike mid-movement.
Moreover, his Devil Fruit powers weren't his only card. Once he broke free from this ice-crystal-laden area, Aokiji's little trick would become useless.
Then, whether to stay or leave wouldn't be up to this Navy Admiral.
As Bahr tightened his grip on Autumn Water, preparing to strike, a blinding yellow light suddenly streaked across the sky. The beam moved so fast it appeared as a continuous line, coming to an abrupt halt above them with a lazy sonic boom that scattered tiny particles of light.
Bahr looked up sharply to see a man standing within the yellow glow.
Dressed in a wrinkled yellow pinstripe suit with an open collar revealing a loose tie, the man wore round sunglasses that reflected the icy plain's cold light. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, a half-smirk playing on his lips as his double chin wobbled slightly. His gaze, peering through the lenses, carried an air of careless lechery—none other than Navy Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.
"Yo... Kuzan," Kizaru drawled, his gaze first sweeping over Bahr before lazily settling on Aokiji. His voice was slow and drowsy. "That was quite the commotion. What's keeping you busy here?"
Aokiji glanced up at him, his tone flat. "Borsalino, did you deal with the Straw Hat Boy and his crew?"
"Had a little hiccup, but nothing serious~" Kizaru picked at his ear, his eyes drifting indifferently toward Bahr, his tone devoid of concern. "But you—spending this much time on this kid?"
"Handling it," Aokiji replied succinctly, the ice beneath his feet silently expanding another half-foot, delicate crystals forming a web around Bahr's feet.
"Perfect timing," Kizaru suddenly grinned, his gaze sharpening as he scrutinized Bahr like some curious specimen.
"Dealing with those brats left me a bit frustrated. Let's wrap this up together—capture this 'Blasphemer' quickly so we can report back to the Celestial Dragons. Headquarters is waiting for our return for afternoon tea."
Aokiji's brow furrowed slightly, clearly aware they couldn't afford to waste time. He gave an almost imperceptible nod, the chill around him intensifying until the very air seemed ready to crack from the cold.
Bahr stared at the blue and yellow figures before him, his expression turning as bitter as if he'd swallowed ten pounds of bitter herbs.
The "hiccup" Kizaru mentioned likely meant the Straw Hat crew had been sent flying. Now this old fox had come here to vent his frustrations—using Bahr as a scapegoat to appease the Celestial Dragons.
He cursed his rotten luck inwardly.
Aokiji alone had been pressure enough, but now Kizaru had joined the fray. The man might seem lazy, but his speed was absurdly fast, making him the most unpredictable admiral in the Navy.
Being cornered by two Navy Admirals at once—what spectacularly bad fortune...
Bahr tightened his grip on Autumn Water until his knuckles turned white. Translucent space ripples trembled urgently around him, only to be ensnared by the ice crystals in the air. His breathing grew heavier, his eyes reflecting unprecedented gravity.
Was he really going to fall here today?
...
Rustle rustle rustle—
News Birds soared across the seas, spreading two world-shaking headlines: the Navy's public execution of Fire Fist Ace, and the capture of the "Blasphemer" Bahr.
The accompanying newspaper image showed him encased in thick ice, his expression frozen in eternal shock.
High above in the Ark Maxim, Enel sat upon the God Seat, idly twirling the newspaper between his fingers as his gaze lingered on Bahr's photograph.
"Boss!" Miss. Valentine's eyes were red as she clutched the paper, her voice trembling. "We have to save him!"
Nico Robin sat nearby, speaking calmly. "The Boss will likely be imprisoned in Impel Down—a facility directly under the World Government, alongside Navy Headquarters and Judicial Island as one of the government's three great pillars. It's built underwater, surrounded by the Calm Belt and sea kings. Its security is exceptionally tight, practically impregnable."
"What are you saying?" Miss. Valentine whirled on her, furious. "Are you suggesting we abandon the Boss? After all his favoritism toward you, how can you be so heartless!"
Facing Miss. Valentine's outburst, Robin merely averted her gaze calmly, turning instead to Enel on the God Seat. "Almost no one has ever escaped Impel Down alive. In history, only Golden Lion Shiki has ever broken out successfully once."
"Impel Down?" Enel raised his eyes, electricity flickering in his pupils as a haughty smirk curled his lips. "Merely a cage where mortals delude themselves."
Robin's gaze sharpened slightly. "Then what do you intend to do?"
With Bahr gone, authority over the Ark Maxim naturally fell to Enel.
"What do I intend?" Enel sneered, his expression brimming with divine arrogance. "Who do you think I am? We'll approach directly and let those insects witness the might of a god."
Hearing this, Robin's lips curved into a faint smile. "In that case, I have a plan..."
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