Chapter 123

Aokiji materialized right between Tsuru and me, just as my blade descended. Despite his efforts, Kitetsu tore through his defenses, and my attack shattered him into hundreds of icy fragments. Tsuru quickly retreated to a safe distance, her face pale with shock. Aokiji had taken the strike meant for her, and he rematerialized beside her, kneeling and coughing up blood. A crimson slash marred his pristine Marine coat, a testament to the severity of the blow.

"Cough! Cough!" He spat out more blood, but his gaze remained sharp, and his guard never faltered. I watched Tsuru, who was now drenched in sweat, trembling from the near-fatal encounter. If not for Aokiji's intervention, she would have at least lost a limb, if not her life.

The tension in the air was palpable. Aokiji's sacrifice had bought her precious seconds, but the cost was evident. His usual composed demeanor was replaced with one of grim determination, and every breath he took was labored. The sight of one of the Navy's strongest in such a vulnerable state was both shocking and exhilarating.

I tightened my grip on Kitetsu, feeling the familiar pulse of its power coursing through me. "You should've stayed out of this, Aokiji," I growled, my eyes locked onto Tsuru. Her safety net was unraveling, and she knew it. The battlefield was mine to claim, and I wasn't going to let them escape so easily.

Aokiji's eyes flicked to Tsuru, his voice strained but resolute. " Vice Admiral Tsuru, stay back. This isn't over." He slowly rose to his feet, the blood dripping from his wound a stark contrast to the ice forming around his body.

Tsuru nodded, retreating further to provide cover for Aokiji rather than engaging me directly, her eyes never leaving mine. The battlefield was silent, save for the crackling of lightning and the distant roar of the sea.

"Ross, you didn't even hesitate. You were truly intent on cutting down Vice Admiral Tsuru earlier, weren't you?" Kuzan questioned me, his tone devoid of the earlier familiarity. He understood now that my attack had been meant to kill.

"Kuzan-san, it seems you've been slacking since I left. Holding back while fighting an enemy shouldn't even cross your mind, or have you already forgotten?" I retorted, watching as Aokiji used ice to seal the massive scar that ran across his chest. Frost spread, and the temperature dropped dramatically, ice forming and freezing the ground as Kuzan finally began to take the fight seriously.

"Ice Age!" he bellowed, and the entire shoreline started to freeze over. But I wasn't going to let him dictate the terms of this battle.

"Ragnarok!" I roared back, summoning a lightning domain with me at its center. The two domains, ice and lightning, clashed with a ferocity that shook the very earth. The surroundings trembled under the immense pressure, and a massive crater formed where the ice and lightning collided.

The ferocious battle raged on, with ice crackling and lightning sizzling as they fought for dominance. The air was thick with the raw energy of our clash, the ground beneath us splitting and groaning under the strain. Aokiji's ice was formidable, but the power of my lightning logia began to overpower it, the sheer might of my elemental domain pushing back the cold.

Lightning surged forward, tendrils of electricity piercing through the ice. The ground split open, fissures of crackling energy racing toward Kuzan. His eyes widened as he realized the tide was turning against him. The strength of the lightning logia, often hailed as the strongest, was proving its superiority.

Aokiji tried to fortify his defenses, but the relentless assault of my lightning was too much. The ice shattered, unable to withstand the onslaught. Kuzan was forced to retreat, the once powerful Ice Age crumbling under the might of Ragnarok. The battlefield was left scarred and smoking, a testament to the devastating clash of two elemental forces.

"Kuzan san, you should know better than to underestimate me; I am not the same Rosinante that you once knew," I said, my voice echoing across the desolate landscape. The battle was far from over, but this round had been mine. The remnants of our power lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the ferocity of the two logia powers.

"Ross, are you sure you want to serve under someone like your brother? You know what kind of monster he is," Tsuru remarked, her gaze sharp and unwavering. She had already recovered from the earlier attacks; her composure had been restored.

"Do you think you can stand against the entirety of the Marines? Even if you can match us now, how long do you think you can hold out?" She continued, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and challenge.

"What if we bring an admiral along next time? Do you think you can still best us?"

Her words hung in the air, a potent mixture of warning and provocation. The weight of her questions pressed down, but I stood firm, unfazed by her attempts to shake my resolve.

"Tsuru, I know exactly what kind of monster my brother is," I replied, my voice steady and cold.

"But I also know that at least my brother is not a hypocrite like you, and compared to the world government that you serve, he may as well be considered a lesser evil, a necessary one."

I took a step forward, my eyes locked onto hers. "As for the admirals, bring them. I've always wanted to face the best the Marines have to offer. I hope you haven't forgotten the ambush you carried out at Marineford. Even then, here I am, still standing. The worst that can happen is that we might be overwhelmed and driven out of Dressrosa. But the real question is, Are you ready to face the consequences of underestimating me?"

I paused, letting my words sink in. "For that matter, do you even have the authority to make a decision regarding this matter?"

The tension between us was palpable, and the air was thick with unspoken challenge. Tsuru's eyes narrowed, a flicker of intense anger igniting within them. She knew I was not one to be easily swayed or intimidated.

"Very well, Ross," she said, her voice softening slightly but still laced with steel. "Just remember, the path you've chosen is fraught with danger. The Marines won't rest until justice is served."

"Justice! Hahaha, Vice Admiral Tsuru, you really act naive for someone who is so smart. Aren't you ashamed to claim that the Marines represent justice?" I taunted, my voice dripping with disdain. "And don't think I don't know why you're really chasing my brother."

Her expression hardened; the flicker of anger was now a full blaze. "Your brother's actions are a threat to the balance of the world. He must be stopped, and so must you if you stand in our way."

I chuckled darkly, shaking my head.

"You can dress it up however you like, but we both know the truth. The Marines' 'justice' is a convenient mask for their own agenda. My brother saw through it, and so do I. You pursue him not out of some noble cause but because of your personal vendetta."

Tsuru's lips pressed into a thin line, her composure slipping just slightly. "Believe what you will, Rosinante. But know this: we will not stop. We will hunt you down to the ends of the earth if we must."

"Then bring it on, Tsuru," I replied, my voice a low growl. "I'm ready for whatever you throw at me. The Marines may come with their admirals and their so-called justice, but I will stand my ground. Dressrosa is just the beginning."

Just as the clash was about to begin anew, Doffy arrived next to me, tossing a battered and bruised Riku at my feet. "As much as we'd like to continue this fight and see who wins, Dressrosa is mine, and I don't want it destroyed. You came here for him, didn't you?" he chuckled, glancing at the Marine soldiers clashing with the pirates.

Tsuru's expression hardened. With Doffy here and the other two Logia users having completely defeated Riku's troops, the Donquixote Pirates were free to rampage and slaughter the Marines. Her mind raced for countermeasures, but the situation was dire. Ross held both her and Aokiji at bay, their disadvantage compounded by the overwhelming power of the lightning fruit.

Meanwhile, Kizaru was completely pinned down by the blind swordsman. Tsuru was shocked to see that the Donquixote brothers had managed to recruit such a formidable warrior. The alarming part was that the Marines had zero information about this blind swordsman. There wasn't even a bounty on his head. If he hadn't been a pirate, Tsuru would have very much wanted to draft him into the Marines.

"Doflamingo," she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. "You think you can just waltz in and claim victory because you have the upper hand now?"

Doffy laughed, his trademark grin never wavering. "Oh, Tsuru, you're always so serious. This isn't just about having the upper hand. It's about knowing when to fight and when to negotiate." He nudged Riku's unconscious form with his foot. "You came for him, right? Take him and leave."

Tsuru's gaze flickered to Riku, then back to Doffy. "And if we refuse?"

"Then Dressrosa will become a graveyard," I interjected, my voice cold and unyielding. "You've seen what we can do. Are you really willing to sacrifice all your men for a futile cause?"

The air was thick with tension. Tsuru knew she was outmatched. Even if she and Aokiji could hold their own against me, the rest of the battlefield would be lost. The blind swordsman alone was a game-changer because he singlehandedly kept Kizaru in check, and the Marines were already at a disadvantage.

Kizaru materialized next to Tsuru with a sword made of light in hand, his marine coat disheveled and stained. Although his demeanor seemed lazy as usual, Tsuru could tell that Kizaru was being pushed to his limits to keep the blind swordsman in check.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I suggest we retreat while we still hold a stalemate. The Donquixote family has been hiding too many trump cards," Kizaru, who normally never discussed strategy, advised retreat.

"Tsuru-san, Borsalino is right," Kuzan added, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "We are in the New World, and there's a high chance other pirates might move to intercept us. If the other Logia users join the fight, we risk losing all the Marines who have followed us. They are willing to let Riku go with us, and that's all we need for now. As for the matter of the Heavenly Tribute, let Riku worry about that once he reaches the Holy Land."

Despite his outward composure, Kuzan felt the strain. He knew that Ross was still holding back, and if they truly engaged with the intent to kill, the outcome would be uncertain.

Tsuru's mind raced. She evaluated the battlefield once more: the defeated Marines, the looming threat of the other Logia users, and the blind swordsman's formidable presence. The risk was too great. A tactical retreat was the only viable option to preserve their forces.

"Very well," she said through gritted teeth. "We'll withdraw. But this isn't over, Doflamingo. We will return, and justice will be served."

Doffy chuckled, his grin ever-present. "Oh, Tsuru, I wouldn't have it any other way. Until next time."

"Justice," I scoffed, shaking my head. "You keep using that word. But your justice is nothing more than a façade."

Doffy waved his hand dismissively. "Run along, Tsuru. Take your precious 'justice' with you. Dressrosa is under my protection now."

Kuzan and Kizaru quickly organized the remaining Marines, ensuring Riku was safely in their custody. The Marines began their retreat, moving swiftly but cautiously, their eyes warily watching the pirates.

With a final glare, Tsuru signaled the retreat. The Marines began to pull back, carrying their wounded and regrouping. As they retreated, the battlefield grew quiet, the silence heavy with the promise of future conflict.

Doffy turned to me, his grin widening. "Well, that was fun. But we need to be ready. They'll be back, and next time, they won't be as easy to drive off."

I nodded, watching the Marines disappear into the distance. "Let them come. We'll be ready."

I watched as the remaining Marine ships faded into the distance. Out of the more than half dozen ships that had come, two were too damaged and had to be sunk before they left. I whistled, signaling Mansherry. Though they were mere cannon fodder, saving a few would bolster their loyalty to the Donquixote family.

As the Marines gradually retreated, their ships dwindling on the horizon, I turned to Doffy. "So, did you pass on the message to Riku that needs to be delivered at the Reverie?"

Doffy chuckled, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Yep, he'll sing like a canary and convey our message directly to the Elders."

Gladius, standing by his side, looked curious and couldn't contain his question any longer. "Young Master, why did we let Riku go? Wouldn't he have made a decent hostage? And how are you sure he'll do what you want?"

Doffy turned to Gladius; his expression was a mix of amusement and seriousness. "Gladius, remember this: attachments are a person's greatest weakness. Never put yourself in a position where others can threaten you with it. Make sure you root out anyone who might become a threat to the family."

He paused, letting the words sink in. "Riku has his family here, so no matter what, he will do our bidding. He was weak, and now he's paying for it. By letting him go, we ensure that our message reaches the Elders without risking an all-out war right now."

I nodded in agreement. "Remember, Gladius! In this world, the weak have no rights or choices. Their only fate is to be relentlessly crushed by the strong!!!"

Mansherry arrived, her powers ready to heal the injured. Though the soldiers were mere pawns, their loyalty was crucial. As she began her work, the atmosphere shifted from one of battle to one of rebuilding and regrouping.

Doffy's grin widened as he surveyed the scene. "Let the Marines think they've won a small victory by retreating with Riku. It will only make our ultimate triumph that much sweeter."

As night fell, the remnants of our forces gathered, the day's events a stark reminder of the power struggles that defined the New World. The retreating Marines would undoubtedly regroup and plan their next move, but so would we. Dressrosa was ours to protect, and we would be ready for whatever came next.

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