Boom...
The sky roared with relentless artillery fire as the navy unleashed their assault.
Indiscriminate bombardment rained down—a demon-slaying order executed without mercy.
How many innocent lives were lost in the chaos? No one knew.
Olivia's face twisted with despair—not from fear of death, but because she had dragged her savior, Uncle Kavi, and the island's people into this nightmare.
Kavi, for his part, seemed resigned. The light in his eyes had faded, acceptance settling deep within.
Olivia questioned silently: 'Was the path she had chosen wrong from the start?'
Kavi offered no comfort.
This incident was tied to her recklessness, and she would have to learn the bitter lesson of consequences.
As for the innocent caught in the crossfire—they were simply unlucky.
Luck was a cruel factor. Olivia might be doomed, but she had Kavi watching her back—that was her fortune. Others weren't so lucky.
Saul's expression hardened as the gunfire intensified. He turned to Olivia and Kavi, voice firm.
"You two, time is running out. I'll hold them off. Whether you escape or not depends on your luck."
His resolve was clear—he was ready to die here, buying precious moments for his friends.
Before Olivia could respond, a lazy yet unmistakable voice cut through the tension:
"Alala, found you."
A tall figure appeared, stepping forward with an icy calm. Frost clung lightly to his composed face, a dark hat shading his eyes. His hair stuck out from beneath, framing small round glasses that barely covered his eyes. A cold aura radiated from him, chilling the very air.
Even from a distance, his breath felt like winter's bite—a testament to his overwhelming power.
"Kuzan!"
Saul's eyes widened. The newcomer was his comrade—and one of the Navy's three future admirals—Vice Admiral Kuzan, codenamed Aokiji.
"Saul, come back with me and accept your punishment. Don't make the same mistake twice," Kuzan said quietly, his tone edged with quiet command.
It was clear: as long as Sauro returned and submitted, he could remain a vice admiral—and their friendship would endure.
But Sauro's reply was resolute.
"Kuzan, I can't go back. The Navy has lost its way this time."
Stepping forward, Saul took a stance to protect Kavi and Olivia.
He knew he couldn't match Kuzan's strength—but he refused to back down.
Kavi watched him with approval. This young man, fighting for his ideals, was admirable—better suited to the Revolutionary Army than the corrupt navy.
Olivia, now resigned to her fate, forced a weak smile.
"Uncle Kavi, I never thought we'd die together. I always believed you'd go before me. It's a pity I won't get to see you off."
Kavi glanced at her, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"I'll outlive you. Don't worry."
"Hey, hey, you two still chatting?" Kuzan's cold voice interrupted.
"You're the reason Saul refuses to come back, right?" he said with a hint of disdain.
"If I kill you, maybe Saul will return to accept his punishment. So… can I kill you? Seems like the order doesn't forbid it."
Kuzan's gaze hardened. The Buster Call order allowed killing without hesitation, but it clashed with his own sense of justice.
He hesitated, wishing Sakazuki were here—though he knew if Sakazuki came, Saul might be killed outright.
Determined to take matters into his own hands, Kuzan focused on Kavi.
"Boy, aren't you a little too arrogant?" Kavi snapped, unimpressed by Kuzan's cold demeanor.
Olivia tugged at Kavi's sleeve nervously. "Uncle, are you really going to die before me? He is a vice admiral!"
Kuzan's irritation peaked at the interruption. He decided it was time to teach this old man a lesson.
A biting chill emanated from Kuzan's body, a cold wave of air surging toward Kavi.
Everything the cold touched froze instantly.
Saul rushed in front of Kavi, crossing his arms in defense.
"Thanks, Saul, but let me handle this," Kavi said calmly as he stepped forward, standing motionless against the freezing assault.
"Uncle, come back soon!" Olivia called, reaching out, but unable to stop him.
The cold engulfed Kavi, turning him into a flawless ice sculpture in an instant.
Kuzan exhaled in satisfaction, expecting his opponent to be finished.
"Uncle Kavi!" Olivia cried, tears welling up. "He's dead! Frozen like a work of art!"
'An old man showing off,' she thought. 'Now he really looks like a masterpiece.'
But then—
Click, click...
The ice cracked and shattered.
Kavi stretched his muscles, black lines crossing his face as he shot Olivia a wicked grin.
"You've become a work of art. Believe me, I'll let you experience this firsthand."
He turned to Kuzan with a playful smirk.
"Not bad, kid. Pretty cool."
Kavi's casual dismissal stunned Kuzan. In his eyes, Kuzan was still green—naive, needing to learn the harshness of the world.
If Kuzan went out flaunting his strength with a smug expression, he would be crushed by someone truly strong. The three admirals were still young, still growing.
'I'll teach them all a lesson someday,' Kavi thought, 'but first, let's deal with this confused boy.'
Kuzan hadn't expected Kavi to break free so easily.
"Then try this!" Kuzan declared.
"Ice Cube—Pheasant Mouth!"
Suddenly, sharp ice blocks materialized from thin air, shooting toward Kavi at impossible speeds.
Yet the attack was nothing.
Kavi stood firm expression indifferent as the ice slammed into him.
Pah pah pah...
The sound of impacts echoed as Kavi lazily picked his nose.
"Is that all you've got? Boy, you look a little weak. Do you even use your hands much?"
Kuzan was dumbfounded. He knew the power of his move—but it hadn't even fazed Kavi.
Suddenly, laughter broke out behind Kavi.
It was Olivia, giggling.
"Uncle Kavi, turns out you really..." she began, words trailing off.
Kavi glanced back, confused.
'Damn, she actually understands me!'
Clearing his throat, he turned back to Kuzan.
"Ahem, kid, use whatever tricks you have. Otherwise... it's my turn."
With that, Kavi's playful challenge hung heavy in the frozen air.