Chapter 25: The Frozen Threat

Kid scoffed at the sight of Law and his crew joining Ling Bai. As the highest-bountied member of the Worst Generation, Kid prided himself on his undefeated record since setting sail. The New World was his for the taking, he was the next Pirate King!

However, his ambition far outweighed his understanding. Kid remained blissfully unaware of the monstrous power gap between him and the New World's elite.

Meanwhile, two hours later, Ling Bai's newly formed pirate crew set sail from Sabaody Archipelago aboard their coated ship, their destination: the New World.

Ling Bai was acutely aware of his limitations; the Summit War loomed, and his current strength wouldn't suffice.

...

Back at Marine Headquarters, Akainu had returned, leaving Kizaru in charge of escorting Luffy to Impel Down. The news of Luffy's capture hit Garp like a lightning bolt.

"Sengoku! I..."

Garp slammed his fist on Sengoku's desk. The Fleet Admiral remained stoic, while Akainu, also present, mirrored his expression. Tsuru and Akainu could only offer silent sympathy. Garp's emotional turmoil, with both his grandsons imprisoned in Impel Down, was beyond their comprehension.

Garp choked back his words. From his perspective, he was powerless. After all, his own grandsons were pirates, and not just any pirates.

One, the son of the infamous Gol D. Roger. The other, a rising star of the Worst Generation, stealing the spotlight in the Grand Line's first half and openly defying the World Government.

"Garp, remember who you are! Don't forget your place!"

Sengoku felt lost. He and Garp had been best friends for over 50 years, fighting countless battles together. Their bond was as strong as gold.

"Old man, go to Impel Down!"

Garp turned and walked away.

"Garp! You!"

"If you do something reckless, I won't hesitate to take you down!"

Sengoku was practically choking, more worried about Garp doing something crazy than the Whitebeard pirates.

"Sakazuki, this is a mess..."

Sengoku felt helpless. Now he had to arrest Garp's grandson too?

"It's not my fault he showed up on his own. I just hope Vice Admiral Garp keeps himself in check."

Akainu coldly snorted. "Let's get this meeting over with. I need to treat my wounds."

Despite the pain, Akainu sat there – a testament to his dedication.

"I'm sure Garp won't cause trouble," said Tsuru.

"That man!"

Garp's son was a notorious criminal, and his grandson became a pirate in just a few months.

Sengoku sat up straight, his face grim. "Just now, Rear Admiral Drake told me that Ling Bai knew about Drake's position in the Marines!"

Everyone gasped in shock.

This was classified information, only a handful knew Drake's true identity. Did Ling Bai really know?

Aokiji asked, "Could Ling Bai have people in the Marines?"

"It's possible," Sengoku said with a worried frown. "We need to check for suspicious individuals."

Tsuru chimed in, "His power is terrifying! He can freeze time and space? What kind of Devil Fruit is that?"

Akainu elaborated, "He froze a whole area! I admit, I was scared. I could only think, my body wouldn't move. Even the air seemed stuck!"

"Is this ability in the Devil Fruit book?" Akainu pressed.

Sengoku shook his head. "I checked with the Five Elders. Besides the Freeze-Freeze Fruit, only the Snow-Snow Fruit can freeze. This must be a powerful, unrecorded Devil Fruit, probably stronger than the Freeze-Freeze Fruit, which is already Logia-class, one of the strongest types."

Aokiji said, "So if I'm caught in his field, I can't fight back?"

"In theory, that's right," Sengoku said.

Akainu added, "His freezing power is even weirder than Kuzan's. But he can't turn into his element, so it's likely a Paramecia-type. Also, he's incredibly strong physically. His final blow, a punch, felt like the Six Styles' Finger Gun technique! He's a complete monster!"

"We should offer a bounty!"

"This is a big problem. The New World is already chaotic."

Sengoku hadn't slept in two days.

His phone buzzed.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I forgot to mention something." It was Drake.

"Get to the point," Sengoku said, bracing for bad news.

"Law, Urouge, and Hawkins from the Supernova rookies just joined Ling Bai's crew! They're even stronger now!"

Everyone in the room gasped.

News of the events at Sabaody Archipelago exploded, sending shockwaves through the world.