"A powerful enemy is approaching at incredible speed… soon, they'll be here." Enel, resting with his eyes closed, suddenly went pale.
The speed was almost beyond his Observation Haki, and in an instant, a piercing cold swept across the area.
Everywhere he looked—the ground, the trees, even the sea—had turned into a frozen wasteland.
A tall, slender man wearing a Marine admiral's cloak walked slowly across the frozen sea. "Alalalala, finally found you."
"What's happening? Were we attacked?" Ulky, Roe, and the others were shocked. Even with Rosen's Observation Haki, they only realized the assault after it happened; the freezing had occurred almost instantly.
"So cold…"
"Ice? The sea's frozen!" The lookout finally registered the phenonon. Even in the unpredictable climate of the Grand Line, changes happen gradually—but the entire sea froze in a blink.
All three ships were immobilized, and everyone drew their weapons. Hearing Aokiji speak, they all turned toward the source.
"Admiral… Aokiji!" Robin exclaid.
Rosen's expression darkened. This had nothing to do with them going after the Straw Hats—but trouble had arrived nonetheless.
If it had been just a Rear Admiral, even a top-tier one with a large force, Rosen could handle it. But an admiral, with strength comparable to his own, could inflict severe losses. Battles were not always king versus king.
If the fight diverted toward others, Rosen could not guarantee he could block every attack.
Still, it was only a problem. If Enel and Hathaway coordinated, they could restrain Aokiji. But fighting an admiral here would reveal their location to the entire Marine force.
It could turn into a brutal fight.
"Not yet." Rosen raised a hand, signaling the crew to lower their weapons. Acting recklessly could get them wiped out as fodder.
"Sakazuki, Borsalino, you've caused trouble before. Crocodile… I'd like to execute you on the spot, but Marine Headquarters hasn't issued orders, and I'm not certain I can take you down. But as a Marine, once I find you, I can't do nothing," Aokiji said calmly, exuding cold air.
His tone was not aggressive, but his stance showed he was ready to fight.
"You ca alone—you could die. Perhaps it's better to return the way you ca," Rosen thought, staying alert. If Aokiji intended combat, Rosen knew he wouldn't be the first to suffer—but prolonged conflict was unpredictable.
"Is that so? Twin Ice Spears!" Aokiji's expression remained calm as two ice spears materialized at his sides, shooting rapidly toward Rosen.
Though Kizaru rated Crocodile's strength highly, he still wanted confirmation. If Crocodile was not as strong as rumored, today's mission could take his head as well.
"Sand Collapse!" Rosen's arm instantly turned to sand and expanded. He punched the ice spears, vaporizing them with his awakened destruction power.
"Not so easy, huh? But I'm not here for you. Nico Robin, are you around, or did you run again?" Aokiji stopped after one strike.
Rosen did not act recklessly. Aokiji likely wasn't here to fight—otherwise, there was no need for words.
But Aokiji's presence and speech indicated an ulterior motive.
"Aokiji." Robin stepped forward from behind Rosen and Hathaway. This man had appeared like a nightmare throughout her life.
She felt resentnt, but also gratitude, and above all, fear—fear of his power, of why he let her go, yet appeared repeatedly.
Every encounter had brought danger. Many pirate crews had been caught in her wake, though deservedly. She had been fleeing for too long.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight, just to settle past matters. Nico Robin, you've been on the run for a long ti, surviving through constant betrayals. Perhaps I was wrong before… co with , go to the place you should be," Aokiji said, implying he intended to send Robin to a Marine prison or turn her over to the World Governnt.
Robin pressed her lips tightly, saying nothing, instinctively glancing at Rosen.
"I thought you might say sothing. You were treating us like we were invisible?" Rosen's expression darkened.
"Not really. You're strong, but if it ca to battle, you'd suffer. You, active in the underworld, should understand Nico Robin's character better than I do. If you hand her over, we can avoid pointless conflict," Aokiji said casually, shrugging.
"Even if a fight broke out, your ship couldn't move, and Marine reinforcents would arrive soon. You could escape, but what about the others? The sacrifice wouldn't be limited to a single Devil Child," Aokiji added confidently.
He wanted to save ti and resolve matters quickly. The mont Kyoma departed, the situation would beco more complex, increasing casualties on both sides.
Thus, he abandoned the idea of fighting Crocodile outright.
Another concern: if he engaged Crocodile, Robin might escape in the chaos. He no longer wanted to repeat past mistakes.
"Choose. This outco should be acceptable to both of us," Aokiji said, confident Crocodile could judge the situation rationally.
Robin's gaze wavered. Though she felt familiar with him, how could she asure herself against an admiral's threat?
"Don't worry." Hathaway patted her shoulder, whispering reassurance. Robin's hesitation was unfounded—Aokiji's personality would never accept such a condition.
Rosen glanced at Robin. Ever since she handed over the ancient weapon designs, he knew she would never betray them. Yet Aokiji's psychological impact on her was imnse.
Rosen was irritated, even angry.
"Nico Robin is a crew mber I value. I won't accept your proposal. And since you scared her, I don't mind giving you so trouble… Enel, found anything yet?" Rosen's expression hardened.
"What are you planning?" Aokiji's Observation Haki expanded. Crocodile's aura turned wild and dangerous—could there really be a trust between them? Unlikely.
Especially at this mont, Crocodile's presence beca ferocious and threatening.
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