Chapter 50: Standing Out

"[Ice Age]"

Admiral Kuzan leaped from his seat, jumped to the center of the port, and used his Devil Fruit ability to rapidly freeze the surrounding sea.

The surging waves were completely frozen, now standing like towering walls on both sides of Marineford.

"So powerful…"

Izumi gasped in shock.

Fugaku and the others were equally amazed by Kuzan's display of strength.

"Is this the power of an Admiral?"

Shisui drew a deep breath.

In his assessment, this was no longer a power that could be described by any Kekkei Genkai.

"BOOM"

Simultaneously, Dracule Mihawk launched a probing attack against Whitebeard.

He wanted to measure the gap between himself and the world's strongest man.

However, his slash was blocked by Diamond Jozu.

The Whitebeard Pirates charged along the ice toward the port.

Admiral Kizaru also took action, rushing toward Whitebeard.

The battlefield instantly erupted into fierce combat.

"Artillery units, fire."

Sengoku conveyed orders through Den-Den Mushi communication.

Shisui and the others were positioned with the artillery forces, so they began blending into the chaos.

"The power levels are truly different."

"But all the Shichibukai are just going through the motions."

Yami observed the battle's scope while attempting to track Kizaru's movements with his eyes, but found that when the Admiral transformed into his elemental form, even afterimages became difficult to catch.

However, when Kizaru revealed his true form to attack, it would seem that brief moment would provide enough time for Yami to react.

He needed to gather sufficient intelligence during this battle.

Who knew what the system's next mission would entail… but one thing was for sure, it would definitely prove more complex than this one.

With adequate data gained, he could analyze and judge future mission difficulty.

"Hah!"

Diamond Jozu yelled, then punched the ice and extracted a massive ice boulder a hundred times larger than his own body.

Veins bulged across his forehead as he used all his strength to hurl the ice mass toward the Navy forces.

He intended to use this attack to create an opening and clear a path to Ace.

"Who has the courage to stop me?"

After launching the enormous ice boulder toward the Navy, Diamond Jozu shouted his challenge.

Whitebeard displayed a satisfied expression.

Seeing his sons performing so magnificently filled him with joy.

The massive ice boulder was very big.

If it struck directly, thousands would be killed or wounded.

"Time to announce the existence of the Uchiha."

Yami prepared to take action.

To provide protection for his clan, sufficient deterrence was essential.

The current live broadcast covered all four seas and the Grand Line.

A modest display of strength could significantly enhance their reputation.

The ice boulder fell toward the execution platform.

Akainu sat with crossed legs, but he was preparing to intervene.

The marines below were paralyzed with terror, unable to escape the coverage area in time.

"[Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation]"

Yami gathered chakra, then expelled it toward the huge ice boulder in the sky.

This sudden action surprised the surrounding Shichibukai.

After all, the Shichibukai generally agreed to go through the motions and pursue their own agendas.

No one genuinely worked for the World Government.

Such people who took the initiative would inevitably be exploited.

"Tch, such a pathetic little flame is laughable."

Gecko Moria observed the flames Yami exhaled, condensed into a column only two meters in diameter.

Compared to the ice boulder, it resembled a toothpick piercing a mountain, it was utterly insignificant.

"BOOM"

However, when the fire column approached the ice mass, it exploded instantly.

The flames erupted like a meteorite, striking the ice boulder directly.

The flame's size became nearly identical to the ice mass itself.

"Sizzle"

When the flames contacted the ice boulder, they immediately produced the sound of meat frying on a hot plate.

The flames with nature transformation proved far more powerful than ordinary fire.

This simple ice couldn't resist at all, after all, it was just seawater frozen by Kuzan's ability.

The entire ice boulder was completely melted and evaporated by the fire in less than five seconds.

The remaining flames exploded skyward, momentarily illuminating the surrounding area in crimson light.

"Such an enormous ice mass actually melted."

The Whitebeard Pirates stared at this scene in stunned silence.

"The clan leader is actually this powerful!"

Izumi felt shocked once again.

Although she had ridden in the Susanoo before, she had assumed that withstanding such an attack would require the Susanoo's power.

She had never imagined that fire techniques alone could destroy such a massive ice boulder.

"There are some competent people among the Shichibukai, it seems…"

Sakazuki, seated in his chair, spoke with mild surprise.

When he had seen the fire column, he had been prepared to take action, but the unexpected development allowed him to continue sitting calmly while observing the battle.

"Impossible!"

Gecko Moria was equally shocked.

"If it weren't for the Flame-Flame Fruit user being on the execution platform, I would suspect you possess that Devil Fruit's power."

Doflamingo also expressed surprise.

"Is this power still humanly possible?"

Simultaneously, reporters watching the live broadcast in Sabaody and other locations were astounded that battles could reach such exaggerated proportions.

"Fire!"

The Navy organized its counterattack as numerous artillery shells flew toward the harbor's ice, rushing toward the pirates.

Smoke filled the battlefield temporarily.

The Navy fought desperately, but the Shichibukai remained motionless, tacitly agreeing to watch the spectacle unfold.

After some time, Little Oars Jr, descendant of the legendary Oars, appeared on the battlefield.

"This is war's cruelty."

Fugaku faced this calmly.

Except for Izumi, who had never participated in warfare and felt somewhat flustered while operating the cannon, the other Uchiha maintained a steady resolve.

Rob Lucci and Kaku were both surprised by these people's composure.

Even these two, despite their extensive combat experience, felt moved witnessing the situation below.

"The shells hit this guy, but they have no effect."

Yashiro controlled his cannon's aim, targeting Oars.

But when artillery struck the giant, he showed no reaction whatsoever, as if hit by sand.

The battlefield gradually became brutal, with casualties mounting dramatically.

Oars treated enemies as nothing, continuing his advance toward the port.

Then Bartholomew Kuma struck him directly with a paw-pad impact that had been charging for over ten seconds.

The giant nearly lost consciousness while already half-kneeling on the ground.

The explosive impact instantly covered the front battlefield, the shockwave directly blowing away surrounding marines and pirates alike.

"Is that person truly so powerful?"

Itachi said with surprise.

Oars stood and continued advancing, but sustained hits from numerous shells left his body unable to endure further punishment.

He was about to collapse.

However, before falling, he attempted to at least eliminate a Shichibukai.

Doflamingo directly severed one of Oars' legs.

Seeing his creations destruction by Oars, Gecko Moria became so irritated that he used his shadow to pierce Oars' chest.

Yami observed this scene with some emotions, but he remained steady.

‘Everyone is fighting for the people they want to protect.’

‘So am I…’