"Something is wrong!"
Aokiji gave up relying on the Armament Haki to block the damage and leaned down directly: "Ice Age!"
The biting cold air spread around with Aokiji as the center, instantly freezing the battlefield beneath them and stabilizing the footing of the surrounding marines.
But the rest of the desert wasn't so lucky; the rolling sandstorm threatened to consume everything.
The marines watched in stunned silence, some even regretting their decision to stay.
The stench of fear filled the air.
Aokiji knew what had happened without thinking. He did not turn around but said lightly: "Justice does not mean reckless sacrifice."
"If you want to prove your courage, become stronger, so you don't need to throw your life away."
"There's still time to leave."
Hearing this, the marines exchanged hesitant glances. Though unwilling, they understood one thing, they weren't even qualified to watch this battle.
They turned their heads and found that a retreat path made of ice was made right behind them.
Kizaru watched as everyone retreated but did not stop them. Instead, he looked toward the distant battlefield with a somewhat strange expression.
"White Knight Gawain... is he already trying to control his Conqueror's Haki?!"
"But there is still a long way to go before he can freely control his Conqueror's Haki."
Aokiji glanced at him, and after a slight pause, he turned to look at Kizaru with a little suspicion: "If I remember correctly, the practice of Conqueror's Haki requires a series of battles, even a life-and-death battle. Only through such battles can one break past their limits."
"Borsalino, you said before that you have fought with White Knight Gawain many times. Could it be that you are sparring with him?"
Kizaru's expression froze: "Why do you think he is willing to stay here when I can't keep him here?!"
"Tsk tsk tsk~ but Mr. Sengoku or the World Government may not think so, but this matter can be big or small..."
"I don't want the wine you hid..."
"What wine?"
Aokiji pretended to be stupid: "I do have a wine cellar, but it's empty, you see..."
"I get it."
"Wouldn't that be too embarrassing?!"
Kizaru's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"Do you also have that kind of emotion? Really..."
"Hahaha..."
Aokiji chuckled twice before turning his gaze back to the distant battlefield.
With a thunderous roar, the battle momentarily paused before resuming with even greater intensity.
As Zephyr unleashed his full power, Aokiji's expression grew heavy.
"If the old man uses Armament Transformation, there will be no suspense in this battle. The only difference is how long White Knight Gawain can hold on."
Kizaru's expression also turned serious as he narrowed his eyes. "You're worried about the old man's condition?!"
Aokiji nodded.
"Armament Transformation is a secret technique the old man developed in his youth after honing his Armament Haki to the extreme."
"By compressing and tempering his Haki within his body, he can drastically enhance his offense and defense for a short time. This was once his signature ability."
"Those arms wreathed in black smoke are the reason for his title, Black Arm."
"But his body is not what it used to be. This technique places an enormous burden on him and could even shorten his lifespan. His health might deteriorate because of it."
"That was inevitable."
"Yeah."
Kizaru acknowledged softly before raising his head to observe the battlefield.
The fight had reached its climax. Every exchange of blows was at full force.
Gawain was nearly completely suppressed by Zephyr, his body covered in wounds, yet his eyes burned brighter and brighter.
He could feel something, some kind of new power. No, it was more like a will flowing through him!
"Good fighting spirit."
Kizaru praised.
Originally, he was extremely confident in Gawain's fighting ability.
Over the years, he has fought many well-known new generations, and it can be said that Gawain is the one closest to the strongest among them.
Aside from the Four Emperors, Admirals, and legendary figures of the past, Kizaru couldn't think of anyone else who could match him.
Zephyr, who is no longer at the peak, should also be included in this list.
But fate had other plans.
Gawain's act of capturing Zephyr became the last piece of the puzzle for Zephyr's rebirth.
This old man, who was already in his twilight years, has a new vitality, and his violent power has already had some shadows of his peak period…
"What a pity!"
"Huh?!"
Before Kizaru could finish, his pupils suddenly shrank because the figure that flew backward this time was not White Knight Gawain but Zephyr.
"What happened?!"
Aokiji exclaimed.
The battle had reversed too fast, beyond anyone's expectations.
Even Zephyr, still on the battlefield, seemed momentarily dazed… until a familiar pain flared in his shoulder.
Swish!
His wound reopened, spraying a mist of blood into the air.
But only for an instant. Zephyr quickly controlled his muscles to stop the bleeding.
Yet, for the first time that night, his expression showed true shock.
"This feeling… Conqueror's Haki?! A slash imbued with Conqueror's Haki?!"
"This guy..."
Whoosh!
The fierce wind howled as Gawain swung his sword and blew away all the smoke and dust that enveloped him.
His figure appeared in front of everyone again.
His pair of dragon wings were covered with torn wounds, and even several bones were obviously fractured.
His chest was full of dents left by Zephyr's fists.
But these wounds were secondary. What was more serious was the Armament Haki that Zephyr had blasted into his body, which was constantly destroying his internal organs.
Yet, his spirit… his will… was only climbing higher and higher!
Scarlet lightning crackled around his blade. Just a glance at it would be enough to shake the will of anyone weak-minded.
At this moment…
Gawain didn't realize exactly what was happening to him, but he could feel one thing, he had never been in better condition.
Everything in his body was subject to his will.
From the cells in his body to his bones and internal organs, to the wings behind him, and even to his originally unruly Conqueror Haki…
He's the king!
The moment this thought emerged, an overwhelming impulse surged within him to dye this world with his own color.
Then his sight fell on Zephyr, and he said indifferently: "Let's… Continue the third round!"
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out as Gawain appeared behind Zephyr.
Zephyr, guided by instinct and Observation Haki, raised his mechanical arm in defense, preemptively intercepting Gawain's slash.
But something felt wrong.
The mechanical arm, which he had tempered day and night until it felt like a natural extension of his body, now felt… foreign.
As if another will have invaded it!
This feeling, Zephyr knew it well.
He had felt it countless times in battle against the likes of Golden Lion, Whitebeard, Roger, and even Garp and Sengoku.
"Conqueror's Haki entanglement?!"
"He actually mastered this technique mid-battle?!"
"A monster!"
After a brief moment of admiration, Zephyr realized what was happening and instinctively tried to take action.
But it was too late.
His mechanical arms were sent flying, landing powerlessly to the side, with fresh blood dripping from the severed joint.