Problems

Zephyr easily blocked both attacks, grabbed Elric's sword with his hand, and kicked his chest, sending him flying back against the ship. He then shattered the sword into pieces.

Laffitte, in his metallic giant form, continued to attack with punches and kicks, but they barely made contact with Zephyr. Being one of the individuals with the strongest Armament Haki in the world, this was no challenge for him.

Zephyr buried his fist into the giant's chest and pulled Laffitte out, then proceeded to knee him and kick him in the spine, throwing him into the water.

"At least I'm not defenseless." Elric, now recovered, generated a new sword made of ice and covered it entirely with Armament Haki to strengthen it, then attacked again.

When Laffitte went to look for the Hie Hie No Mi fruit with his submarine, it took him several days to locate its location, as it was almost at the bottom of the sea. Upon his return to the island, Johan gave the fruit to Elric, deeming him most worthy to wield it.

Zephyr: "You... so my assumptions were correct; you must die here!" He struck Elric with a punch covered in Ryou. Elric quickly created a powerful ice shield and countered with his sword.

*Crack*

During the clash, all the ice shattered into thousands of pieces, and Zephyr once again threw Elric back onto the ship. Charging another attack, he was about to collide again, but a metal arm grabbed him from below and crushed him between its fists.

Laffitte had strategically left another iron giant under the water in advance. The Admiral, spitting out some blood, jumped onto the giant's arm and ran along its arm towards its head. But he was intercepted by Elric.

"Don't interfere, kid." Zephyr dodged some attacks and struck Elric's face with his fist. Elric leaned back and attempted to kick him in the chin, but Zephyr detected this movement and reached out to grab the swordsman's leg, smashing him against the giant.

Large ice spikes emerged from the giant's arm, some cutting Zephyr slightly, but he broke the giant's arm with a powerful attack.

Now on the head, Zephyr struck, piercing the metal skull. However, the giant crushed its own head with both arms and attempted to dive with the Marine between its hands.

Elric understood this tactic, and when both fell into the water, "Ice Time!" The seawater began to freeze, forming a thick layer of ice.

Elric: "Will the Admiral die so easily? I doubt it."

Answering his question, a dark figure was approaching the surface. A second later, the iron giant broke through the ice and rose nearly 100 meters into the air.

Then Zephyr emerged from the water with his uniform completely torn and numerous cuts covering his body.

Zephyr: "You... you probably have the fruits that have suddenly disappeared or collected by killing their users... I wouldn't be surprised if you have Moria's Devil Fruit."

Elric: "..."

*Cough*

*Cough*

Laffitte emerged from the giant, his body heavily injured and on the brink of death. This was the cost of facing an Admiral head-on.

Elric: "Damn... no matter how injured Zephyr may be, we can't escape or defeat him. One of us will die today."

The battle resumed, with Zephyr exchanging blows directly with Elric, while Laffitte could only intervene from a distance or seize opportunities.

-Island A1

On the beach, Rose was waiting to ambush Dragon, but he was taking too long. Next to her was Bullet's body, which had been possessed by a shadow. The one responsible was Rose, to whom the fruit had been given, and she was using it.

Several minutes later, the silhouette of a person appeared in the water. Baldur was on his way, but he was running on the water's surface.

*Whistle*

Baldur landed and ran past Rose, crashing into the forest. Apparently, his speed was so high that the minimal friction with the water kept him afloat.

Rising to his feet, he approached Rose, covered in cuts and lacerations, bleeding profusely.

Baldur: "He's coming; we had an encounter in which he destroyed my ship. We need to be careful; he's very powerful. He seems to have a Logia-type Devil Fruit, likely related to wind or something of the sort."

Rose understood and set up traps, while the three retreated into the forest. After some time, an explosion on the beach could be heard.

*Boom*

A plume of smoke rose into the sky. On the beach, the figure of a man, with an imposing presence and a face tattoo, appeared.

Dragon: "Hmp, it was obvious they'd set traps; now... where on the island will they be."

Dragon began to search the island.

*Boom*

Another explosion echoed in the area. This time, Dragon couldn't avoid it and received the shock wave, sending him flying several meters.

Dragon: "Annoying."

*Crack*

A branch snapped and Dragon quickly crossed his arms to block a powerful punch that sent him flying hundreds of meters. Bullet continued.

"Now!" Rose screamed, and several explosions and attacks rained down on Dragon.

*Boom*

*Boom*

When the attack ceased for a moment, Baldur rushed to inspect the massive crater, but only charred clothing remained.

Baldur: "Hmm...that's strange; his body should-"

His words were cut off when a powerful shockwave made of air crushed him to the ground.

*Heavy breathing*

*Heavy breathing*

Dragon's figure appeared behind Rose, panting heavily. He tried to hit her the same way, but Bullet stopped him by grabbing her arm and hitting him again, but this time her arm went through the air.

Rose: "What? Did he become invisible or something?"

A strong gust of wind struck Rose, but she shielded herself with a shadow shield.

Dragon reappeared behind Rose and swung his arm to strike, but she saw the attack coming and stepped aside, swapping places with her shadow. However, she didn't expect another air current to hit her and sent her crashing into some trees.

Bullet stood in front of his opponent. Dragon knew that the only way to stop the shadow was to kill the user of the ability, but this guy was proving to be a nuisance.

"I'll have to take the risk..." Dragon disappeared once again. In the sky, the eye of a hurricane began to form.

The winds were incredibly powerful, uprooting hundreds of trees. When the storm touched the ground, everything in its path was swallowed and destroyed.

Baldur, now recovered, gained enough momentum and leaped into the eye of the storm. He managed to land a powerful blow directly on Dragon with Haki. Still, his body was engulfed by the storm and instantly torn apart.

Seeing this, Rose's face contorted with anger, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

Rose: "Idiot... why do you always do the same..."