Inside Long Ring Long Island.
The strange dog stopped abruptly beside two long, thin protruding poles sticking out of the ground.
"It stopped," Usopp noted, watching the creature curiously.
"Is it trying to show us something?" Nojiko wondered aloud.
"What's up there?" Nami asked, peering upward.
"Maybe something important," Kruz added, squinting.
Zoro rolled his shoulders. "Only one way to find out."
With one clean swing, Zoro slashed his blade, slicing through the two protruding poles.
Suddenly—
"Aaaaahhhhhh!"
Thud!
A figure crashed to the ground in front of them with a heavy thump. Everyone took a step back in surprise.
Lying on the ground was a short, elderly man with a large bump forming on his forehead. Groaning, he slowly pushed himself up, blinking at the group surrounding him.
"Hey, it's an old guy," Stev pointed out.
Kneeling down beside him, Kaya gently reached out. "Mister, let me help you."
As her hands hovered over his wound, a soft blue glow emanated from her palms. At the same time, a pair of white wings suddenly burst from her back, flaring open involuntarily.
The old man's eyes widened in awe. "A-Angel?"
"Old man, how'd you fall from up there?" Gin asked.
"I was stuck on those stilts you just cut," the man answered, rubbing his head. "But thank you! You've freed me!"
"I… didn't mean to help," Zoro muttered under his breath.
After a short while, the swelling on the man's head faded thanks to Kaya's healing.
"I'm Tonjit," the man said, dusting himself off. "I came to this island years ago. When the tide rose, I climbed up on stilts to avoid the water… but after the tide went back down, I realized I was too scared to climb back down."
"What?! You've been stuck up there for years?" Usopp blurted in disbelief.
"How did you even survive that long?" Mikita asked, incredulous.
"There's food in the trees—edible fruits, roots, and such. I managed. And besides… I wasn't alone. Sherry helped me survive."
"Sherry?" Sanji perked up with interest. "A beautiful lady, perhaps?"
"No, not a lady. She's a hoooorse," Tonjit said proudly.
"Tch. Just a horse..." Sanji sighed in disappointment.
"No, not a horse. A hoooooorse," Tonjit insisted dramatically.
Just then—
"Neeeeigh!"
A long horse face suddenly descended into view, startling the crew. The creature had a ridiculously elongated neck, stretching down from above like a giraffe-horse hybrid.
Even Zoro blinked. "...Okay, that's new."
"Looks like this whole island is full of long things," Nami said, still eyeing the odd dog in the distance.
"Long trees, long fruits, long animals…" Kaya added with a small laugh.
"Even the name is long. *Hoooorse...* So weird," Galdino commented, staring blankly at the absurdly long-necked creature.
"It's gonna be a long day," *Gin* muttered, rubbing his temples.
"Though we don't have a loooong time to wait…" Stev quipped, smirking at his own pun.
Suddenly, a breeze swept through the tall trees, carrying with it a familiar voice.
"Guys, return to the ship. Now."
Everyone froze. The voice was clear—serious, commanding.
"Zino?!" Nojiko gasped, glancing around.
He continued, his voice reaching them as if riding the wind itself. "Don't ask questions. Just head back immediately."
"What's going on?!" Nami called out, concern rising in her voice.
"…A Marine Admiral is here," Zino said grimly.
"What?!" gasped Usopp, his face draining of color.
All eyes widened as the weight of those words sank in.
"Admiral Aokiji. Ice Logia," Zino clarified. "He's already frozen the sea."
"Is he strong?" Zoro asked, already reaching for his swords. "We can just fight together."
"Hold on." Gin stepped in, his tone firm. "Admirals aren't just some random pirates. They're monsters."
"Exactly." Galdino nodded. "Aokiji's a top-tier Marine. A Logia user on that level is nearly impossible to hit."
"They're right," Zino confirmed. "If you can't use Haki, don't even think about fighting him. You'll be frozen solid before you throw a punch."
"So what now?" Sanji asked, tensed.
"Get to the ship. Robin, Chloris, and Moris are already there. You guys need to set sail immediately. I'll distract Aokiji and stall him."
"Are you sure about this?" Alvida frowned. "It's an Admiral we're talking about…"
"I'll be fine," Zino said, reassuringly. "Worst case, I turn into lightning and escape."
The crew hesitated for only a moment—then nodded. Without delay, the Orcas turned and sprinted back through the forest, their previous sense of curiosity replaced with urgency.
Behind them, Tonjit waved confusedly. "Hey! Where are you all going? Did I say something wrong?" He looked around blankly. "And who were they talking to just now…?"
The crew didn't stop to explain.
After several minutes of running, they reached the shore where the Silent Orca was anchored. Robin, still pale, stood with Chloris and Moris on deck.
"We have to leave," Moris said. "Captain's orders."
Everyone rushed aboard.
But then—
"…The sea," Usopp muttered, staring out in disbelief.
The entire surface of the ocean was frozen—stretching as far as the eye could see. The ship was locked in place.
"What now?!" Stev shouted. "We're trapped!"
"We break through," Nami declared, stepping to the edge of the ship.
Without hesitation, she leapt down onto the frozen sea. Before she landed, she struck her fist downward, causing some space crack as her quake ability worked the wonders.
A crack instantly appeared on the frozen ice. Then, a web of fractures spread from the impact point.
She hit it again—CRACK!
And again—BOOM!
Large chunks of ice began breaking apart, water surging through the gaps.
"Good thing we've got her!" Binko grinned. "No need to be afraid of a frozen sea with that kind of quaking impact."
As the ice broke open, the ship rocked slightly, regaining the ability to shift.
"Prepare to set sail!" Gin shouted, taking the helm.
Zoro and Sanji rushed to the sails, unfurling them with swift coordination.
Robin stood near the edge, her eyes still focused toward the forest.
Before long, a narrow path had been carved through the thick layer of ice covering the sea. Cracks spidered across the surface, and chunks floated aside, allowing the water to peek through once again.
With wings flapping, Nami flew back aboard the Silent Orca, her fists still glowing faintly with residual power. "The path's clear! Let's sail—now!"
"But what about Zino?" Zoro asked, glancing back toward the island's center. "Are we just leaving him?"
A sudden breeze swept across the deck. A whisper carried on the wind reached their ears—Zino's voice.
"Don't wait for me. Sail as fast as you can. If you must wait, head to Water Seven. I'll meet you there."
"Water Seven?" Mikita blinked.
"That's the next island." Zino confirmed.
"Alright," Nami confirmed, eyes narrowing. "We'll go there and wait for you."
With a tense nod, the crew kicked into motion. The sails were hoisted, the rudder turned, and the Silent Orca glided forward through the cracked passage Nami had made.
...
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, far from the shore, Zino walked steadily ahead. The air was cold, sharp with frozen mist as Aokiji followed, his every step icing the ground beneath him.
After a while, Zino stopped in a wide, open clearing. The canopy had thinned above, letting sunlight gleam faintly through the cold fog.
"This place should do," Zino said calmly, turning around. "Let's fight here."
Aokiji stopped as well, his gaze surveying the surroundings. "So you led me away on purpose. Are you thinking of letting you crew escape?"
"Yes and no," Zino replied. "This place just makes more sense. If we fight near the ship, I might end up sinking it. And I've grown fond of it."
Aokiji raised an eyebrow. "You speak like you're sure you'll win the fight."
"I'm not sure I'll win," Zino said, smiling. "But I am sure of one thing."
"That is?" the Admiral asked.
"You will not win in this fight." Zino stated, his tone turning serious—his eyes sharp like storm clouds.
A moment passed between them, silent and heavy.
Then Aokiji sighed. "I see. So that's your stance."
With a subtle shift, he raised both hands, letting his long coat fall slightly open. "Alright then. Let's see if you can live up to your claims."
Without further warning, he struck.
"Ice Block: Pheasant Beak!"
A sharp, icy screech cut the air as a massive pheasant-shaped projectile formed in an instant and launched toward Zino at blinding speed, its body made entirely of razor-sharp, condensed ice.
Zino didn't flinch.
Instead, his lips curled into a smirk. He inhaled sharply—
And swallowed the ice bird whole.
The frozen projectile vanished into his throat as if devoured by a vacuum, its chill rushing down into his core.
"Hmm?" Aokiji's eyes narrowed. "Another Devil Fruit user?"
Zino licked his lips, a faint mist curling from his mouth as he exhaled. The chill didn't bother him at all. In fact, he welcomed it.
"Refreshing," he muttered, a satisfied grin forming. "That was some fine ice."
Unlike the raw, scattered ice he'd consumed before, Aokiji's attack carried density, structure, and deep elemental refinement. As Zino absorbed it, he could feel within him that the ice element was progressing constantly.
A translucent screen only he could see flickered into view.
[Ice Element Level Up: 55 → 56]
Zino's smile deepened.
"Thanks for the treat. Got anything else on the menu?"
Aokiji narrowed his gaze. He wasn't one to get rattled, but this was new—even for him.
Without a word, he raised both arms again.
"Ice Block: Pheasants Covey!"
Seven sharp, majestic ice pheasants formed in a blink. Their crystalline wings gleamed in the cold light as they shot toward Zino from multiple angles, each one a projectile packed with lethal force.
Zino's stance shifted slightly. His body began to spin subtly as a cyclone of wind whipped around him, swirling like a miniature storm. The birds were caught in the wind's grasp and clustered together mid-air.
FWOOOSH—
Zino inhaled.
The cyclone compressed, and all seven ice pheasants were sucked straight into his mouth like a vacuum.
[Ice Element Level Up: 56 → 57 → 58 → 59 → 60]
Zino gave a thumbs-up toward Aokiji. "Thanks for the meal. Honestly? Your ice doesn't affect me at all."
Aokiji's brow creased. He had witnessed a lot of Devil Fruit abilities in his time—but this?
"…You're a strange one," he said. "But if my ice isn't enough from a distance—"
In a flash of speed that belied his usual lazy demeanor, Aokiji vanished.
FWIP.
He appeared right in front of Zino and reached out, grabbing his shoulder with a firm grip. "Then I'll freeze you up close."
His hand pulsed with intense cold. Instantly, frost spread across Zino's body, crystallizing his limbs, chest, and face in a rapid wave of ice. Within seconds, Zino was encased in a frozen shell.
Aokiji narrowed his eyes.
Zino was smiling.
Even as the last of the ice sealed his expression, that same confident grin remained on his face. Aokiji's instincts flared. Something wasn't right.
He raised his arm again. "Better not take chances."
"Ice Ball."
A thick layer of reinforced ice surged from the ground, encasing the frozen Zino within a giant, perfectly spherical prison. The ball gleamed under the sun, a monument of absolute cold.
"That's should do it," Aokiji muttered, brushing ice dust from his gloves. A wisp of condensation escaped his lips as he stepped back and surveyed his work.
The battlefield fell silent. No sound but the wind and the crackling of residual frost.
Aokiji looked at the sphere again. "Now then… how do I transport this guy back to HQ?"
But as he took a step forward—
Crack.
A thin fracture ran across the surface of the ice ball.
Aokiji stopped mid-step. "…Tch."
The ice prison began to glow faintly from within—blue at first, then shifting into a bright white light. It pulsed like a heartbeat.
Crack. Crack. CRACK.
Then, in an instant, the sphere shattered.
Next, they got pulled in, as if being devoured by a black hole. From the midst of the mist, a voice rang out, calm and confident.
"I told you," Zino said, standing calmly, his eyes lit with power. "Your ice doesn't work on me."
Aokiji's eyes narrowed. "This is troublesome… Looks like I'll have to do this the hard way."
He slowly shifted into a combat stance, his expression turning serious. A long ice sword began to form in his hand, glistening with sharp edges and dense cold.
Zino raised an eyebrow at the sight. "So, we're moving on to round two now?"
Without hesitation, he mirrored the stance. From his palm, an elegant ice lance grew, its shape refined and deadly.
"Come," Zino said, a grin tugging at his lips. "Let's fight to our heart's content."
For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed Aokiji's usually calm face. "You can manipulate ice...?"
Zino didn't answer. He simply walked forward, calm and silent, his lance at the ready.
Aokiji responded in kind, advancing step by step.
Then—
In a flash, the distance vanished. Both fighters lunged.
CLANG!
The ice sword and lance collided mid-air. But instead of shattering like brittle frost, the weapons held firm.
In that instant, both blades darkened—coated in Armament Haki. Sparks of black energy crackled from the clash as force rippled outward.
Their gazes locked.
This was no longer a test.
It was war.