Chapter 14- Clash of Fire and Ice: The Battle for the Future of the Marines

The two sides started a fierce battle, and the collision of magma and ice resounded throughout the sky.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In the blink of an eye, dozens of rounds of elemental attacks erupted from both sides. The shockwaves filled the sky, and the space itself seemed to tremble.

The mountains began to collapse, rivers evaporated, and the earth turned into chaos. On one side, it was freezing cold; on the other, flames raged furiously.

The sky turned into a surreal scene, half blue with frost and half red with fire. The intersection was a sharp dividing line, creating an extraordinary, almost artistic landscape.

"It's started! Everyone, stay back to avoid getting caught in the crossfire!"

A group of Marine generals watched the scene from their ships while staying alert not to get caught in the large-scale attacks.

The sailors observing this terrifying clash of titans, where the very climate of the island was being altered, were left speechless.

However, the Marines weren't the only ones paying attention to the duel.

In a hidden sea area nearby, a small warship was docked in a bay not far from Punk Hazard. Standing on the deck was none other than former Marine Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr (Z)."

He stood with his students, Ain, Binz, and Hibari, observing the distant island. Though Zephyr had retired and become a Marine Instructor due to his disappointment with the Shichibukai system, he still deeply cared about the future of the Fleet Admiral position.

Next to him was Hibari, a tall woman in a Major's uniform. She stood at the deck's edge, staring intently at the battlefield. Her clenched fists betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

"What a combination of ice and fire! I haven't seen them fight in years, but the power of those two boys hasn't diminished one bit!" Zephyr commented with a sigh, proud of his former disciples.

"Uncle Sakazuki will definitely win!" Hibari thought to herself. She had known Sakazuki for nearly twenty years and was familiar with his dedication to absolute justice and his ambitions for the Fleet Admiral position.

Although she was deeply worried that Sakazuki might suffer severe injuries, she kept her emotions hidden, as he had taught her.

"Binz, let the recruits rest here for a few days," Zephyr instructed calmly, knowing that the fight wouldn't end anytime soon.

On Punk Hazard Island, Sakazuki's magma-clad fists clashed relentlessly with Aokiji's frost-covered strikes. Each blow carried devastating power, as if the energy had no limits.

Though lazy in demeanor, Aokiji was going all out, countering Sakazuki with no hesitation.

Sakazuki wiped blood from his nose, smirking as he observed the unusually focused Aokiji.

Aokiji, in turn, wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. He had always been skeptical of rumors that Sakazuki was the strongest of the three Admirals, even after the latter's victory over Whitebeard.

But now, facing Sakazuki in an all-out fight, Aokiji was forced to acknowledge his rival's monstrous strength and stamina.

The battle stretched from day to night, the clash of magma and ice unrelenting. The island's terrain was drastically transformed, with mountains flattened and a massive depression forming where they fought.

"Boom!"

Sakazuki unleashed a massive Magma Dragon, meeting Aokiji's Ice Dragon head-on. The resulting explosion tore the landscape apart, causing seawater to rush in and create a massive lake.

Undeterred, Sakazuki formed a colossal Magma Ball between his hands, raising it high like a second sun.

"Meteor Volcano!"

The blazing magma sphere expanded and descended upon Aokiji like a falling star. Aokiji, unable to dodge, formed a thick Ice Wall in defense.

But the molten attack shattered the ice in seconds, striking Aokiji in the chest with brutal force. Aokiji coughed up blood, barely managing to stay upright with an ice spear for support.

The magma began to overtake the ice, the red hue dominating the sky.

On the distant sea, Marine officers closely observed the fading intensity of the battle.

"It's been seven days and seven nights! It looks like the winner will soon be decided!"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice carried across the deck.

"Has it come to this already? Truly terrifying!" remarked Doberman, his sharp eyes fixed on the battlefield.

"In this battle for the Marines' future, only absolute justice can triumph!" added Onigumo with a hint of admiration, watching the magma gradually overwhelm the ice.

"Do you think Sakazuki will be okay?" Stainless asked with concern.

"Are you joking? Sakazuki is destined to become Fleet Admiral. There's no way he'll fall here!" Doberman and Onigumo retorted sharply, shutting down Stainless's doubts.

"Is Sakazuki slightly ahead?" Momonga, another seasoned Vice Admiral and Z's disciple, asked solemnly.

As a man who had once resisted Boa Hancock's charm through sheer willpower, Momonga was a soldier deeply committed to the chain of command. Whichever of his former seniors became Fleet Admiral, he would follow without hesitation.

"Prepare to bid farewell to the weak Marines of the old era! A new Marine era is about to rise!"

The hawkish officers watched with eager anticipation, ready to embrace the future under Sakazuki's leadership.