Admiral Kuzan, Aokiji

Chapter 85: Admiral Aokiji

As the sky gradually darkened, the orange sun slowly sank into the sea. The crew returned to the ship carrying their bags, planning to take a long bath, get a massage, and relax before going to work tomorrow.

As they stepped onto the ship, Rodney suddenly stopped in his tracks, warning, "Who's there? Come out from hiding!"

No one answered him, and Robin asked, "What's wrong? Is there someone else here?"

Reiju said, "I can sense the heartbeat of a sixth person."

The ship only had five living people, and Moria's body was burned when they realized they couldn't exchange it for money. It couldn't be the heartbeat of a sixth person.

Rodney sniffed and said, "There's a living person on the ship, an office worker who likes to slack off at work. I can smell laziness."

What kind of nose does he have? What does laziness even smell like?

"Ahaha, little guy, you're quite funny. How could anyone smell laziness?" 

His voice had a hint of a "Dio" feeling, and Rodney was afraid he might suddenly shout "Za Warudo" or "Muda Muda."

A tall figure walked out wearing a white vest and a deep blue shirt underneath. He wore a green eyepatch on his forehead, and his fluffy curly hair gave him a sleepy appearance as if he could fall asleep any moment.

He was the highest combat power of the Marine Headquarters, a user of the Ice-Ice Fruit, Admiral Aokiji!

"Aokiji..."

Robin took a few steps back but was held by Rodney. She had been released by Aokiji after the Ohara incident.

However, after the Ohara incident, Aokiji transformed from a passionate young man into a lazy middle-aged man who liked to slack off. Although he remained one of the strongest in the world, he had doubts about the Marines' sense of justice. 

He went from "burning justice" to "lazy justice," believing that different people have different understandings of justice based on their perspectives, and it might change with their positions. He wouldn't question others' "justice," but he wouldn't let others interfere with his own.

He was a polite person, so when Rodney and the others hadn't returned, he lay on a hammock on the side without directly entering the cabin.

His gaze fell on Robin, and he said softly, "Nico Robin, have you grown up? Have you found a new backer?" 

He wanted to know if his old friend's decision to let Robin go was correct and had been secretly keeping an eye on her.

He knew about Robin's past, chose not to help her, but quietly observed her, knowing that she eventually became a subordinate of Crocodile.

After Crocodile's death, did she naturally become Rodney's subordinate?

"What are you doing here, Admiral Aokiji?" Robin asked.

"Ah? He is Admiral Aokiji?" 

Perona was scared and quickly hid behind Reiju. She had only heard the name before but had never seen him in person, but she knew what this name represented.

It represented strength!

Strength greater than Rodney and Moria's!

"Aokiji, an Admiral?" 

Leicester was also nervous; it was his first time meeting such a big figure.

On the other hand, Rodney seemed much calmer and said, "Oh, Admiral Aokiji, nice to see you in person for the first time." 

If it were a certain blonde vampire or a laughing pharaoh, he might have been a bit more excited.

As he spoke, he pulled Robin behind him, and she was moved because no one else she had met before would have done this. They would have pushed her forward to claim a high bounty, and her life had been full of betrayal in the first half.

"Hey, young man, do you know who she is? Do you want to make her your crew member?" Aokiji yawned and asked.

"I know. She's 'Devil Child' Nico Robin, worth around 70 million bellies, right? What's the problem?" 

Rodney clapped his hands, and Robin understood. A hand appeared from the room, holding a chair and sending it under Rodney.

The four crew members stood behind him, and he raised his legs, looking like a mafia boss with only a cat missing; otherwise, he'd be the Godfather.

"Could you come down? It's tiring to talk while looking up at you," Rodney said with disdain, trying to chase Aokiji away.

But Aokiji looked around and said, "I think it's fine here. I'll stay here for the night. Oh, and congratulations, Nico Robin, on finding a new backer. But I'd rather arrest you."

Robin clenched her lips, took a step back, and crossed her arms, ready to use her powers. However, Rodney grabbed her hand and said, "Robin is my crew member, and I remember that Shichibukai has privileges, right? I request the pardon of Robin's previous crimes."

"That's not possible. The World Government won't let her go. Shichibukai Rodney, since that's the case, you must be prepared to be at odds with the World Government!" Aokiji stood up, and his body was covered in ice, releasing a chilling aura.

"Oh, I see." 

Rodney touched his head and looked troubled. He then looked at Robin, making her heart sink. Would she be betrayed again?

"If that's the case, then I'll be at odds with the World Government. I don't care about the position of a Shichibukai anyway. You guys forced it on me. If I want to run, no one can catch me. Not even you! Admiral Aokiji!"

"A freedom lover? Not even caring about the World Government." 

The deck of the Black Pearl was covered in a layer of ice. Rodney suddenly said, "Stop! Let's fight on the sea!"

He leaped and landed on the sea surface.

"Wow, he can really stand on water. I didn't believe Mr. Cap would mention it." 

He glanced at Robin on the side, jumped off the Black Pearl, and as he landed on the sea surface, the waters of the harbor froze.

Looking at the ice under his feet, Rodney clicked his tongue. The Paramecia Fruit indeed gave him a lot of freedom.

"Have you made up your mind..." Before he could finish speaking, a fierce punch hit his chest, shattering him into ice.

"Interrupting someone's words is very impolite." An ice sculpture appeared behind Rodney, transforming into Aokiji, and a terrifying chill emanated from him, instantly turning Rodney into an ice sculpture.

"Ice Time!"

One-hit kill!

"He shouldn't be this weak, right? Wasn't he said to have a lot of tricks up his sleeve?"

As he finished speaking, he heard a "chirp" sound, and the ice that froze Rodney was rapidly melting.

What's going on?

"Boil Release: Melting Acid Explosion!"

The vapor melted the ice on his body, and his hands formed hand seals rapidly. He released a fireball toward Aokiji.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"

After releasing the fireball, he quickly retreated, using Moon Step to fly through the air.

"Moon Step? And that strange ability, a Devil Fruit? Ice Balls!"

Five ice pillars flew toward the target in the air, attempting to freeze him.

"Boil Release: Melting Acid Explosion!"