"Boom…"
The blade Ace cut cleanly through the magma hound's head, yet the molten mass reford instantly, surging forward again to bite.
Facing magma that could lt flesh, Aether stood firm. His entire body was coated in pitch-black Armant Haki, a dense application that consud an imnse amount of energy. Only soone at the peak of Armant Haki could maintain such a state for long.
The dark red blade carved through the attack once more. Aether pushed forward, passing through the scattered magma as it engulfed him. Even through his Haki, the searing heat pressed against his body.
Breaking through the molten screen, he appeared directly before Sakazuki.
In that brief mont of hesitation, the tip of Ace pierced forward. However, magma flowed from the wound, revealing that Akainu had shifted his body in ti.
The strike failed.
Aether smiled instead.
In an instant, he seized both of Akainu's arms.
"Akainu, I've got you."
With Haki fully enforced, he forced the Admiral's arms back into a solid state, interrupting his elental form.
Seeing the opening, Aether called out sharply.
"Ivankov, now!"
The shout sent a wave of unease through Akainu, but before he could react, a voice rang out behind him.
"Hee-haw, Female Hormones!"
A sharp sting spread across his skin.
Akainu's expression twisted. He knew exactly what this ability was. Among all of Emporio Ivankov's techniques, this was the one he could not easily defend against.
With a violent surge, magma erupted from his body like a volcanic explosion, forcing both Aether and Ivankov backward.
Ivankov retreated over ten ters, shaking his aching fingers, yet his face lit up with excitent.
"Hee-haw, Aether… no, Roger…"
Aether cut him off with a faint smile.
"Just call Aether. That is my na."
"Alright, Aether boy, I already injected the Female Hormones into him. Just make sure you take the bla. I am not getting chased across the seas for this."
Aether spread his hands casually.
"No problem."
Whether Akainu believed it or not was irrelevant.
Aether looked forward again.
"Akainu, you heard that. My idea. If you want revenge, co to . Leave Ivankov out of it."
"Ivankov, I will tear you apart. No matter where you run, I will kill you."
Akainu's voice was filled with fury. He had not listened at all.
His body suddenly faltered.
"Damn it…"
His roar was cut short as sothing changed.
The sharp, rigid lines of his face softened. His short hair lengthened, slipping past his cap. His towering fra shrank, his body restructuring until his height dropped significantly.
His suit hung loosely, no longer fitting his transford figure.
Monts later, a completely different form stood in his place.
Long black hair frad a mature face, her figure tall and well-proportioned. Her expression remained fierce, her eyes sharp and filled with killing intent.
The presence was still unmistakably Akainu.
Aether coughed lightly.
Even though he had expected it, seeing it in reality was still jarring. He glanced at Ivankov with clear caution.
If that ability ever targeted him, there would be consequences.
At the sa ti, he imdiately discarded any thoughts of visiting Ivankov's kingdom. That place was not worth the risk.
Ivankov noticed the look and snapped back.
"Aether boy, what is that expression? This was your idea."
"I know. I just need a mont to process it."
While they spoke, Akainu stood frozen, his mind in disarray. Slowly, he reached toward his chest, the unfamiliar sensation confirming the reality.
Sothing inside him snapped.
With a furious roar, he lunged straight at Ivankov. His now slender arms transford into magma and struck forward.
Aether stepped in front of Ivankov instantly.
The blade Ace rose and blocked the incoming fist. The impact was heavy, but his arm did not move even slightly.
Still, he noticed the difference.
The force behind the attack had weakened.
By his estimate, Akainu's strength had dropped significantly, likely no longer at full Admiral level.
At the sa ti, the magma burned hotter, and its flow had beco faster.
A trade-off.
Akainu's face twisted with rage, his voice now altered yet still filled with killing intent.
"Roger, move. I will kill Ivankov."
Aether smiled faintly.
"That is not happening."
The dismissive tone only fueled Akainu's fury further.
Faced with an opponent full of openings, Aether did not hesitate. He knocked aside the magma fist and stepped forward in one smooth motion.
Dark red lightning surged along the blade.
With a single swing, he sent Akainu flying once more.
The slash hurled her across the battlefield, crashing into the main war zone behind them. Her body slamd into the ground, forming a molten crater not far from Sengoku.
Sengoku, now back in human form after his Buddha transformation, watched the scene unfold. His expression hardened.
Even Akainu had been forced back.
That alone said everything.
Capturing Roger was no longer realistic.
The only option left was to focus entirely on eliminating the Blackbeard Pirates.
===
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