Chapter 5: Beyond Aokiji, Ice vs Venom

Ling Bai didn't need words. His actions spoke volumes, shattering Magellan's illusion of effortless dominance.

With explosive power that rivaled a starting gift for new players – a monster on par with Kaido of the Beasts – Ling Bai surged forward. The very ground trembled under his might.

"Remarkably young," Bullet mused, "but his strength remains to be seen."

The others echoed his speculation, their eyes drawn to the chilling power Ling Bai had wielded on the sixth floor.

"Aokiji's power?" someone whispered. After all, ice manipulation in this world was synonymous with the admiral. Devil Fruit abilities, after all, were unique.

Little did they know, Ling Bai wasn't a Devil Fruit user.

"Poison Dragon!" Magellan roared, unleashing four colossal dragon of venom. The air crackled with toxicity, the ground sizzling as the potent venom touched it.

Fearless, Ling Bai met the poisonous assault head-on. His clenched fist unleashed a torrent of frigid air, birthing countless ice thorns that erupted from the ground. These crystallized into enormous fists, charging towards Magellan's venomous dragons.

"More intriguing than Aokiji's, perhaps," Bullet noted. This implied Ling Bai possessed a separate, potent ice-based ability – perhaps one he'd honed to a formidable level.

With a deafening boom, the colossal ice fists shattered Magellan's venomous dragons, propelling him backwards with immense force.

Magellan's face contorted in shock. He desperately attempted to dodge, but the safety of his men chained him to the spot.

Left with no choice, Magellan braced himself against the onslaught, an attack comparable to a miniature Sea King. The outcome was disastrous; He withstood the blow for a mere three seconds before being launched flying, along with several of his subordinates. The deafening explosion left him dazed, slamming him into a wall over fifty meters away, the impact causing the structure to crumble.

Sadi and Hannibal trembled uncontrollably at the sight. The others were utterly terrified.

"Great strength demands cunning as well," Shiryu commented, his surprise evident.

Ling Bai dismissed Sadi and Hannibal with a contemptuous glance. In his eyes, they were nothing but weaklings.

Magellan, shaken but determined, rose from the debris.

"No ordinary opponent," his face grim.

Gathering his strength, he slammed his palm onto the ground. The earth corroded instantly. Crimson venom surged out, enveloping Magellan and coalescing at an astounding speed into a towering crimson skeleton – the monstrous Venom Soldier.

The colossal warrior roared, a challenge echoing through the halls.

Recognizing the combined might of Ling Bai and his allies, Magellan knew conventional tactics wouldn't suffice. This was a fight for survival.

As the Venom Soldier coalesced, Magellan seized control, launching a thunderous blow at Ling Bai. The ground itself burned crimson with venom as the colossal hand descended.

"Too slow," Ling Bai scoffed.

Four colossal ice walls erupted before him, intercepting the Venom Soldier's strike. The impact shattered the soldier's hand and arm, replaced by a monstrous icicle. It rocketed towards Magellan like a missile – its speed and force far exceeding the lumbering Venom Soldier's capabilities. Defense was no option.

The impact sent shockwaves through the halls as the Venom Soldier was hurled back a hundred meters, teetering on the brink of collapse. Ling Bai's attack was far from ordinary.

With a wave, Ling Bai signaled to Bullet and the others, who understood his intent.

"You won't leave!" a desperate Hannibal shrieked, positioning himself between the pirates and escape.

Tragically, his defiance was short-lived. A searing pain erupted in his stomach as an unseen force propelled him into a wall, where he crumpled unconscious. Fear choked the remaining guards.

"A bit rusty, but the freedom of movement without Seastone shackles feels exhilarating," Bullet chuckled.

"My blade?" Shiryu inquired of Sadi.

"Th-third floor... Warehouse," she stammered.

Ignoring the petrified guards, Ling Bai and his allies pressed on.

"Remain here!" Magellan bellowed.

In a flash, Ling Bai vanished. Six-Powers: Shave!

"Save your strength, Magellan," Ling Bai's voice echoed, "You'll need it for the Blackbeard's inevitable recruitment attempt. Consider it a parting gift."

A colossal ice sphere materialized above Magellan, plummeting towards him like a meteor.