At this point, Kuzan's hair was partially singed, the occasional burnt smell still lingering around his head. His face was streaked with soot, but even that could not hide the exhaustion in his eyes. His white suit had been reduced to little more than a tattered pair of pants.
Kuzan leaned on his knees, gasping for air, yet his gaze never strayed from Sakazuki for even a moment.
Sakazuki was in no better shape. His hat had long since gone, short, jagged hair dusted with flecks of ice. His red suit was shredded, and the Justice cloak on his back was reduced to the single kanji for "Justice." He did not have to lean on his knees to breathe heavily, but every inhalation was noticeably labored.
"Kuzan, I admit… I underestimated you," Sakazuki said, catching his breath.
Kuzan could only respond with exhaustion, too drained to speak. He raised his right hand and made a gesture reminiscent of "Five Eight Zero," a subtle provocation.
"Ak…ainu, come on!!"
With that, both men gritted their teeth, dragging their heavy bodies upright, raising fists toward each other.
Bang!
Their bodies simultaneously began to topple backward.
"I can't fall here!"
The same thought surged in both their minds.
They forced their bodies upright, resisting the pull of fatigue.
"Haaah!!!"
"Ughh!!"
Their eyes shone with an unyielding determination. Again, fists rose and crashed toward each other. They twisted and grappled, landing punch after punch as if they were ordinary men, ignoring the powers of their Devil Fruits.
On the ship, Rosinante and the others clenched their fists tightly, shouting encouragement though it was unclear whether it was for Kuzan or Sakazuki.
Crash!
The two fighters broke apart again.
Spit flew from Kuzan's mouth he was clearly at his absolute limit.
Sakazuki's eyes glimmered with sharp calculation. He would not miss this opportunity. Drawing on the last reserves of his strength, magma flared across his right arm.
"Hellhound!!!"
"It's over! I've won, Kuzan!!"
Kuzan, half-kneeling on the ground, remained eerily calm.
"No… you've been deceived, Sakazuki!"
At his words, an ice wall suddenly erupted before him.
"What?!"
Sakazuki's eyes widened in surprise. But exhausted and still half-kneeling, he could do nothing as the wall blocked his path.
Kuzan trudged forward with heavy steps.
"This victory is mine!"
With a final scream, Kuzan unleashed a punch brimming with all the strength he had left, slamming it into Sakazuki's cheek.
"Pff!!"
Sakazuki spat blood and collapsed heavily to the ground. He glared at Kuzan, unwilling to accept defeat, before losing consciousness.
Kuzan, utterly spent, collapsed beside him, gasping for air.
"I… I won," he whispered.
The battle had completely drained him. He could only say that one sentence before he, too, passed out.
Onboard the ship, goosebumps rose across the crew.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji has won!!"
"Ohhhh!!"
"Aokiji is incredible!!"
"No wonder he's a Vice Admiral!!"
"Should we start calling him Admiral now?! Right?!?"
Ezra D. Vale allowed a small smile to creep across his face.
"Rosinante, send a team to the island to retrieve them."
Rosinante, still buzzing with excitement, nodded eagerly.
"Yes! Medical team, follow me to the island!"
"Understood, Vice Admiral Rosinante!"
Without hesitation, Rosinante led the soldiers ashore. They checked the condition of both fighters meticulously. Soon, the medical team reported:
"Vice Admiral Rosinante, overall they're fine. Just some external wounds and minor internal injuries that need treatment."
Rosinante nodded.
"Alright, let's return to the ship immediately."
With both fighters confirmed safe, Rosinante breathed a sigh of relief as he directed everyone back to the ship.
"Admiral Zanka, they're unharmed," he reported.
Ezra nodded slightly. Although he had not observed every moment of the fight, he had sensed their condition through spiritual perception, ensuring neither suffered catastrophic injuries like broken limbs.
Kuzan had truly impressed him, managing to win. That outcome had not been expected.
Once everything was arranged, Ezra gave the order to set sail for Marineford.
The ten-day, ten-night battle had ended perfectly with Kuzan as the victor.
If news of this spread, it would surely stir a storm, though it would definitely bolster the Navy's prestige. Fortunately, Morgan was loyal and had revealed nothing.
Two days passed.
Both Kuzan and Sakazuki gradually woke from their respective beds, moving stiff bodies as they assessed each other.
"You've won this time. I will honor my promise," Sakazuki began.
Before Kuzan could speak, Sakazuki interrupted. Kuzan paused, confused, and Kuzan smiled.
"No need, Sakazuki."
Sakazuki blinked in surprise and listened as Kuzan continued:
"This battle has shown me the extent of your unwavering justice. But I could not fully enact my own. I may have won, but that does not mean your justice was wrong. I believe the Navy must allow each person their own justice to govern the seas properly."
Sakazuki fell silent, contemplating Kuzan's words. Then he let out a grunt.
"Regardless, congratulations on your victory."
A small smile appeared on Kuzan's face.
He realized Sakazuki was just a stubborn tsundere at heart.
At that moment, the hospital doors opened. Ezra entered with Rosinante.
"Well, you two have recovered nicely," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Admiral Zanka," Kuzan and Sakazuki chorused.
Ezra waved off their greetings.
"All right, you're still weak, so don't speak. The result of the duel should be clear by now, and I won't concern myself with the bet. Rest well."
Both nodded in understanding.
Ezra left the room.
As he stepped onto the deck, his Den Den Mushi vibrated.
"Uncle Sengoku, what's up? Have Kuzan and Sakazuki finished?"
"Yes, we're heading back now. Should take another half-day."
Sengoku sighed slightly.
"Good. We'll discuss it further once you return. Anything else happen?"
Sengoku paused, then said:
"It's about Redfield. His power… seems to have recovered."