Under the clear sky,
the azure sea looked exceptionally charming!
"Ding-a-ling!" A sound that broke the peaceful atmosphere rang out, a sound not usually heard in the sea.
Looking out, a blue and white figure was leaning on a bicycle, a light blue ice path solidified on the sea surface, extending towards the horizon where the sea met the sky. One hand was on the handlebars, the other in his pocket, and the sea breeze lifted the hem of his coat. As the wheels rolled over the ice, tiny ice crystals scattered with his ride, and the ice path behind him quietly turned back into seawater. He moved as freely as if strolling in his own backyard... Marineford.
"Vice Admiral, he's indeed not here!" A soldier reported to a Vice Admiral.
"Where did he go?"
"The bicycle is also gone! I guess... he went out to sea!" The soldier stammered in response.
"Quickly contact the Gorosei!" The Vice Admiral said urgently... Aokiji drew a graceful arc across the sea surface when suddenly his den den mushi rang. It was the Gorosei!
"Oh, my apologies!" Aokiji's tone was extremely flat.
Meanwhile, on the other side,
one of the Gorosei, Mercury Topman-Warcury, put down his den den mushi!
"Is it him again? He's just here to watch the show anyway." Saturn Jaygarcia looked expressionless.
"I can't stand it. What position does he think he's in? This kind of recklessness is truly enough!" Mercury Warcury paced back and forth.
Mercury was furious, yet he had no way to deal with this lazy Admiral! After all, he was a top-tier combatant on the Grand Line, and it wasn't so easy to control him!
...On the going merry,
two figures crossed paths.
"Three Sword Style - Oni Giri!"
"Diable Jambe!"
A blade emanating a chilling purple aura, like a demon's, clashed with a burning, fiery leg!
Neither chose to decide the victor in one move; instead, they exchanged blows, producing the sound of metal colliding.
For a moment, the going merry felt as if it was about to be torn apart!
"Alright, if you keep going, Merry won't be able to take it!" Luffy gently stroked a quietly sobbing little girl at the ship's bow. To those who hadn't awakened Observation Haki, he was simply touching the air!
The two immediately stopped fighting!
"Looks like we need to find an uninhabited island to settle this!" Sanji provoked Zoro, who was sheathing his swords.
"Hmph, when that time comes, I'll definitely cut down that Curly Eyebrow!" Zoro looked at Sanji with disdain.
"Luffy, did Merry really give birth to a ship spirit?" Usopp asked nervously, his face flushed.
"Yeah, you'll be able to see her once you awaken Observation Haki! Keep it up, Usopp!" Feeling the previous promise wasn't grand enough, Luffy continued to paint a bigger picture.
The Haki notes had fallen into this guy's hands a few days ago, and after incorporating Sanji and Zoro's experiences, Robin had transcribed several copies. Now, everyone had one!
Who could awaken it first depended purely on talent! As for why Luffy's wasn't included, a cheat's path offered no valuable lessons.
Just like that, the Merry sailed peacefully towards the next island.
Luffy, too, felt his fighting spirit ignite! Looking back at several battles, none had been as perilous as the current one. Against Crocodile, he at least had a hope of winning; against Blackbeard, he was only slightly inferior; and against Eneru, it was an overwhelming victory!
But this time, Luffy saw no hope at all! After all, 'Admiral'—those four words carried too much weight. They were a T0 existence in the current version, and he was just a small Yonko Commander. Not getting instantly killed would be considered a lucky break!
However, there was no escaping it! Luffy also wanted to witness what it meant to be at the pinnacle of the Grand Line!
...Soon, the ship arrived at a deserted island. Although this island had no famous name, it would witness a legendary piece of history!
"We're almost out of food, we need to go to this island to gather ingredients!" Nami gave the order.
"Perfect, I'll go collect some medicinal herbs too!" Chopper followed closely behind.
Luffy wanted to say, "Do we have to go?" But... he didn't. After all, he was a big consumer of food, and besides, an Admiral wasn't someone you could just avoid.
He shook his head; the fate of being tormented was unavoidable!
Soon, everyone began searching for food and medicinal herbs, slowly heading towards the island's center.
"Chopper, have you found enough medicinal herbs?" Usopp asked, holding a sack.
"Yep, almost done!" Chopper was clearly very happy.
"Speaking of which, I just noticed. What's with this strange groove in the middle of the path?" Chopper wondered.
"Now that you mention it, what does it look like?" Usopp shook his head and said casually, "It looks like tracks from a bicycle!"
Instantly, Luffy and Robin fell silent!
...Soon, everyone emerged from the dense forest into an open area. Behind a giant rock, a tall man stood, snoring loudly!
He wore a white suit vest and a dark blue shirt, with a white Marine cape draped over his elbow. His hair was curly, and he wore a green eye mask on his forehead, with black leather shoes on his feet!
As if sensing someone's arrival, Aokiji removed his eye mask and looked at the Straw Hat.
Then, his gaze fixed on Chopper. "Raccoon?"
Chopper froze, then angrily retorted, "I'm a reindeer! Look, these are antlers!"
The moment Robin saw Aokiji, her pupils contracted, and uncontrollable fear erupted from her deep purple eyes. Her legs gave way, and she knelt on the ground!
"Robin, what's wrong? Why are you so scared?" Nami, Chopper, and Usopp all looked at Robin with surprise and concern!
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, on the other hand, watched with grave expressions. At first, Aokiji appeared to be just an ordinary person in everyone's Observation Haki.
But the moment Robin knelt and Zoro and Sanji felt hostility towards him, everything changed!
Observation Haki gave no warning, but when the three tried to use Observation Haki to find Aokiji's weakness, they couldn't select anything!
Observation Haki... had malfunctioned!
'No,' Luffy shook his head. 'It's just because his control over his power is too perfect! When he's not moving, he's no different from an ordinary person, but once he acts...!'
"Ara la la, alright, alright, no need for such bloodlust, young men," Aokiji slowly began. "I didn't come here under any orders! The weather's nice, so I came out for a stroll!"
"Orders?" Zoro's sword slid out an inch. "What kind of organization are you, anyway?"
"An Admiral!" Luffy pressed down on his straw hat, his eyes cold, faint dark red lightning streaks flickering from his black hair. His voice was heavy. "Someone we absolutely cannot defeat!"
"Ara la la, I already said, I'm just here for a stroll!" Aokiji said lazily. "However, young man, with your strength, you shouldn't be here!"
His companions were stunned upon hearing Luffy's words. Never had they heard Luffy say such a thing about any strong enemy they had encountered before!
What did he mean by 'absolutely cannot be defeated'!
...Just as everyone was in a stalemate,
a group of wanderers ran out from the bushes.
The leader knelt before Aokiji, and the others all knelt down in unison.
"Are you a Marine? If only you had said so sooner!"
"Oh? Are you passengers who drifted to this island from a shipwreck?" Aokiji said indifferently.
"Chopper, check their injuries! Usopp, Sanji, get some food!" Luffy retracted his spreading aura, becoming harmless.
"But...!" Everyone hesitated but still obeyed their Captain's command.
Soon, the Straw Hat became friendly with the refugees. From their words, they learned that their ship had been damaged by a freestyle-swimming frog, and they had drifted to this deserted island!
Aokiji tidied his clothes and said to the refugees, "You should prepare to leave quickly. There's an island with residents not far from here!"
Soon, everyone packed their belongings, which included some food and water given by Luffy!
Aokiji calmly walked to the river, while Luffy whispered to his companions, "Go quickly, now, don't waste time, wait for me on the ship!"
From Luffy's urgent tone, everyone understood the seriousness of the situation and immediately fled towards the ship on the shore!
'Damn it, are we just going to run away like this? Why, why do I try so hard, yet I can't do anything!'
Everyone realized their powerlessness, but it also ignited their potential. Perhaps next time... Aokiji squatted by the shore, showing no reaction to the Straw Hat's departure. Instead, he calmly plunged his hand into the sea—the nightmare of Devil Fruit users!
The next second, a giant Sea King broke through the water, baring its fangs, heading straight for Aokiji!
But "Ice Age!"
In an instant, the entire sea as far as the eye could see, along with the surfacing Sea King, was frozen solid!
At this moment, the Observation Haki warning was like an out-of-control alarm clock, vibrating wildly!
Zoro and Sanji stopped, their Observation Haki extending. They witnessed the world's top power! It was terrifyingly strong!
"Luffy!" For the first time, Zoro showed concern!
...On the other side, Aokiji slowly came ashore!
"This might last for a week! You walk in that direction, you'll reach it in about 4 days! It might be a bit cold, so remember to keep warm!" Aokiji pointed in a direction, giving instructions!
"Is this... a dream?"
"The sea... has become land!"
The refugees excitedly walked across the frozen land, heading into the distance!
..."I have to say! You're very much like your grandfather, both so disregardful of rules! Four hundred million Berries—the World Government still underestimates you!" Aokiji sat cross-legged on the ground, emanating bursts of cold air!
Even without awakening Haoshoku, Luffy felt a mountain-like pressure rush over him!
The dark red Haoshoku was drawn out, stirring the winds and clouds, echoing across the sky!
"Come on! We... will have a one-on-one!" Luffy extended his left hand, hooking his index finger.
"Ding, mission issued: Pirate VS Marine. Please, host, engage Aokiji in battle for one hour and survive. Reward: Advanced Marine Six Powers (Mastery)"