Chapter 24: Robin and Nami Vanish
Five years ago Secret training waters, Marine Academy Headquarters
"Admiral Kuzan, mind chilling this for me? The beer's getting warm."
A 14-year-old Rok casually strolled up to Admiral Aokiji, holding a massive two-liter mug like it was nothing.
"Ara ara… So this is Zephyr-sensei's proudest student? Just a brat."
Aokiji glanced lazily at the kid, not seeing anything special.
Still, he flicked a finger— a burst of frost instantly cooled the beer.
Glug glug glug—
And in one breath, the teenager chugged the entire two liters.
"Ara ara… slow down!"
Aokiji actually flinched.
A kid drinking like a hardened sailor? This was how Zephyr raised his favorites?!
"Hahaha! You still haven't noticed, Kuzan?" Zephyr, now retired from the front lines and focused on training the next generation, laughed heartily. "Standing in front of an Admiral and acting this relaxed? You don't see that every day in the Marines."
"Mark my words—that boy will surpass all of you one day. And I believe he's the one who can lead the Navy toward true justice."
Zephyr's eyes shone with pride as he looked at Rok.
Present day Inside the ice prison
Aokiji remembered that little moment from years ago and felt a pang of regret.
Zephyr-sensei had always seen something special in Rok.
That's why, after Rok officially joined Headquarters, Aokiji had looked out for him whenever he could.
And the kid delivered— racking up achievements at a terrifying pace. If nothing had gone wrong, he would've become the youngest Vice Admiral in Marine history this year.
Sengoku and Tsuru had already been preparing the promotion.
But because of one spoiled Celestial Dragon's whim… everything collapsed into this.
Honestly? Aokiji understood why Rok did it.
But killing a Celestial Dragon crossed the final line.
As an Admiral, he had no choice but to take a stand.
"Sorry, Zephyr-sensei. Today I'll clean up your mess for you."
Aokiji's lazy expression hardened.
He raised his hand—
Ice Time Capsule!
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK—
The ground beneath Rok flash-froze, deadly ice blades racing toward him like a tidal wave.
Even a Vice Admiral would be sealed instantly.
This was the terror of the Navy's highest combat power.
Rok didn't dare underestimate it.
His goal wasn't to beat Aokiji— just to buy time until the real Kuma scattered the Straw Hats.
Whoosh—
He dodged the freezing wave with everything he had, then countered with a full-power slash straight at Aokiji's face.
"Your swordsmanship's improved again, Rok."
Aokiji's eyes widened slightly.
He crossed his arms, coating them in Armament Haki— and blocked the slash, but the sheer force still pushed him half a step back.
Wasn't this kid supposed to be crippled or dead from Weapon X?!
Not only was there no trace of poison— he was stronger than before!
Had both the World Government and Marine intel failed at the same time?!
No time to think.
Rok was definitely stronger, but still not Admiral-level.
Aokiji glanced outward.
Kizaru should have caught up to the Straw Hats by now.
He hoped that guy was slacking off as usual.
Capturing the Straw Hats right now would only create more problems for the Marines.
With that in mind, Aokiji pressed the attack— three Ice Pheasants launched simultaneously!
Rok knew he couldn't keep trading blows forever.
Stamina would run out fast, and then even escape would be impossible.
He still wasn't ready to fight the top monsters head-on.
Looked like he needed to hit Amazon Lily sooner than planned.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—
Just as the fight grew desperate and Rok prepared to shatter the ice dome—
KRA-KA-BOOM!!
Several bolts of lightning suddenly crashed down from above.
They didn't fully break the ceiling, but the impacts shook the entire prison.
At the same moment— several pale, delicate arms sprouted across Aokiji's body, poised to strike— then vanished just as quickly.
"Nami?! Robin?!"
Rok's expression changed.
Lightning from the sky → Nami's weather attacks. Arms appearing out of nowhere → only Robin's Hana Hana no Mi.
But why only a single burst?
If they had come back to help because they were worried, that would be one thing— Aokiji probably wouldn't kill them outright.
But the attacks stopped after one second.
That meant— something had interrupted them.
Or worse— someone had captured them.
Realizing this, Rok stopped holding back.
He gripped Undead with both hands, wrapped it in a wisp of Conqueror's Haki— and swung.
One-Sword Style — Starfall Lament!
HUMMMMM—!!!
A comet-like crimson slash exploded in all directions.
BOOM!!
The entire ice prison shattered into a million fragments.
Even Aokiji was forced back several steps, his eyes now filled with genuine gravity.
Give this kid a few more years… and he might become the strongest Admiral in Marine history.
Too bad there were no "ifs" in this world.
Today, Aokiji would not let him walk away.
"Nami?! Robin?!!"
Rok ignored him completely.
He spread his Observation Haki to its absolute limit— but couldn't sense either woman anywhere.
Did they leave after the attack?
Impossible.
Shave!
In a burst of speed, Rok vanished from the grove.
Only after he was gone did two tall, thin figures wearing white cloaks and strange masks appear beside Aokiji.
"CP0?"
"Why are you here?! And why did you take Nico Robin and Nami from the Straw Hat crew?!"
"Does the World Government have new orders?"
==============================================================Support me and be 100 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/inkshield