Chapter 57: Admiral vs. One of the Four Emperors

The weaker members of the Whitebeard Pirates were not spared from the devastating effects of Aokiji's Ice Fruit. As the cold swept through, many of them were frozen into ice blocks. Fortunately, their companions reacted quickly, rescuing them immediately. Without such quick responses, they would have lost many allies right at the beginning.

On the other side, after releasing Ice Age, Aokiji landed in front of Marineford's bay. The Ice Fruit's power surged once more, freezing the entire bay in front of him. The ice immobilized the four Moby Dick ships and the surrounding 43 subsidiary ships of the Whitebeard Pirates. The tsunami created by the Earthquake Fruit was neutralized by Aokiji's swift actions.

"Saved... we're saved..." "Look, it's Admiral Aokiji!" "The Admiral took action, the Admiral took action!"

Surviving the catastrophe, the navy soldiers, still immersed in fear, couldn't help but wipe the sweat from their foreheads. Just moments ago, they thought they were doomed, believing they were done for before the battle even began. They had only heard tales of the New World's top powerhouses sinking islands and destroying worlds. They thought it was just talk.

Now, having truly encountered it, they realized the terrifying power of Whitebeard. With just a wave of his hand, Whitebeard nearly destroyed Marineford and the 100,000 elite navy soldiers stationed there. The navy soldiers swallowed hard, their Adam's apples bobbing deeply as they contemplated the vast gap between them and the top powerhouses of the New World. This was just the aging Whitebeard—how much more devastating must he have been in his prime, alongside others like Roger and Golden Lion? How did Marshal Sengoku and Marine Hero Garp withstand this?

Facing the now-iced tsunami and the immobilized Moby Dick, Whitebeard's calm gaze fell on Aokiji, a cold smile playing on his lips beneath his curved mustache. "Isn't this that little navy brat from back then?"

Little brat? The soldiers were stunned. That's their Admiral! The pinnacle of navy power, the goal countless navy soldiers strive for all their lives. But to Whitebeard, Aokiji was just a little brat. The soldiers couldn't believe their ears. However, on second thought, Whitebeard indeed had the right to mock the navy Admirals in this manner.

Aokiji, unfazed by Whitebeard's taunt, remained expressionless. Cold air surged around him as he imbued his palm with the power of the Ice Fruit. Ice spears formed beside him, and with a calm gaze, Aokiji pointed a finger at Whitebeard. Instantly, hundreds of ice spears shot towards Whitebeard, their enormous piercing force rippling through the air.

Facing Aokiji's fierce attack, Whitebeard remained unhurried. A white membrane appeared on his arm as he threw another punch. "Airquake!!" The shockwave from the Earthquake Fruit shattered the hundreds of ice spears on the spot and continued towards Aokiji. Aokiji quickly dodged, speeding up and forming an ice blade in his hand. He slashed at Whitebeard, who deflected the ice blade with a swing of his naginata before grabbing Aokiji's neck directly. Veins bulged on Whitebeard's wrist as he surged the power of the Earthquake Fruit into his hand, shattering Aokiji.

The navy was stunned. One of their three Admirals, shattered by Whitebeard? Many members of the Whitebeard Pirates were also shocked for a second. Was it that their father was too strong, or Aokiji not strong enough? However, Whitebeard's face didn't show much joy. He looked aside, where the shattered ice reassembled, forming a humanoid ice figure. Aokiji stepped out of the ice block, unharmed.

"Gurararara. The little brat from back then has grown up and now dares to challenge me!" Whitebeard's lips curled into a proud smile as he looked at Aokiji. Aokiji patted his shoulder, remaining silent. He had wanted to stop the tsunami and test Whitebeard's strength. Indeed, with the title of the world's strongest man, Whitebeard's power was undiminished despite his age.

For the top fighters like Mihawk, Akainu, and Kizaru, their goal was to challenge Whitebeard. But for the ordinary navy soldiers, what they saw was Aokiji and Whitebeard's evenly matched battle.

"These pirates are strong, but we have the three Admirals, we have the Marshal, we have Hero Garp!" The navy encouraged themselves, their morale rising again. Eliminating more members of the Whitebeard Pirates was key to winning this war.

On the Whitebeard Pirates' side, many looked towards the sea. Thanks to Aokiji's Ice Age, the bay had become a solid battlefield. Some members jumped onto the ice, testing its bearing capacity. It was solid enough. But now wasn't the time to be picky.

As Aokiji and Whitebeard's clash ended, the navy had long refilled their ammunition and simultaneously lit the fuses. Countless cannonballs came crashing towards the Whitebeard Pirates. The battle had begun!