Aokiji's expression was blank as he lightly stomped his foot.
BOOM!
A massive ice wall, over a hundred meters thick and nearly as tall as the bridge, rose like a mountain range, blocking the lightning's path.
The blinding lightning and the frigid ice wall collided violently, creating a deafening explosion. Countless ice shards and electric arcs flew in all directions, illuminating the entire battlefield.
"You're strong."
Luffy said with genuine admiration. He released his giant form, returning to normal size. His chest rose and fell; his breathing was getting heavier.
The continuous high-intensity battle, especially maintaining Gear Fifth's Nika form, was taking a huge toll on his stamina.
"I hate to admit it, but at your age, I was just an ordinary Marine under your grandfather. Your talent surpasses mine."
But this was over.
Aokiji appeared above Luffy again, seemingly teleporting. He pressed down with one hand, his tone indifferent:
"Ice Meteor."
Almost without warning, a super giant ice ball, hundreds of meters in diameter, materialized in the air. With the momentum of annihilation, it crashed down like a real meteorite toward the exhausted Luffy below.
Its scope was so large it cut off all escape.
"Damn."
Luffy's pupils contracted. A direct hit—even a glacing blow—would send him seriously injured into the sea. Once he fell into the waters Aokiji had frozen, there would be no escape. He'd be at their mercy.
He gritted his teeth, summoning his last strength. His body swelled like a balloon again—not for attack, but for defense.
Gomu Gomu no: White Balloon!
BOOM!
The huge ice meteor was slammed into Luffy's elastic body with a thunderous impact.
Luffy pushed with everything he had, converting the impact into rebound, and launched it away.
CRASH!
The deflected ice meteor veered off course, crashing into Enies Lobby's main island with an earth-shattering roar. Like a glacier collapsing, the enormous shockwave, carrying countless ice shards, flattened everything in that area.
The moment Luffy deflected the ice meteor—his strength exhausted, new strength not yet formed—Aokiji appeared before him like a phantom. His arm transformed into pale ice and pressed against Luffy's arm.
"It's over."
Ice Time Capsule.
Biting cold spread instantly. Luffy's arm—half his body—was rapidly covered in ice.
Gomu Gomu no: Gatling!
Luffy threw a flurry of punches, a blur of fists, desperately resisting. But against Aokiji's absolute strength and precise timing, his counterattack seemed futile.
He was knocked down.
He plummeted toward the ground, crashing into the shattered ice with a boom.
"You weren't going all out either?"
Luffy leaped out of the broken ice, blood at the corner of his mouth. He coughed violently. His arm was marked with traces of freezing.
Not just Devil Fruit abilities—in martial arts, Haki, speed—he was completely dominated.
An Admiral was truly something else.
He still had a long way to go.
But it wasn't completely hopeless!
A flicker of desperation crossed Luffy's eyes. Summoning his final strength, he silently called out:
"Nika!"
On the Going Merry, the little white tanuki tangled with the surrounding elite Marines suddenly pouted.
"Fine, fine. Take it all."
With a reluctant whoosh, she transformed into a white light, crossing space instantly to merge into Luffy.
The next moment, Luffy's aura shifted dramatically.
Full Liberation Form!
He shouted low. His already white hair and clothing grew even more radiant. His hair rose like burning white flames. Streams of vapor wrapped around his neck and armpits.
His eyebrows curved into patterns resembling the Devil Fruit's markings. His pupils transformed.
He took a deep breath, using his last strength, his voice carrying across the battlefield:
"Everyone! Get ready to retreat!"
On the Going Merry, Vivi—who had been sensing the battle through the wind—and the ship spirit little Merry both received Luffy's message.
"Understood!"
Vivi's eyes sharpened. She thrust both hands upward.
"Rise!"
Little Merry gripped the helm tightly. The ship spirit's power resonated with the vessel itself.
WHOOSH!
A powerful updraft materialized, enveloping the Going Merry. At the same time, the ship itself seemed to come alive, radiating a faint glow.
Propelled by Vivi's Fūfū no Mi and controlled by little Merry's ship spirit abilities, the Going Merry lifted off the frozen sea, rising slowly as if carried by invisible hands.
It turned, heading toward the dark undercurrent below the circular waterfall at Enies Lobby's edge.
"Everyone, jump!"
Vivi's voice, carried by the wind, urgently reached each nakama. "This is our only chance!"
Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Robin—they looked at the rising Going Merry, then at Luffy still fighting Aokiji and the surrounding Marine fleet. They didn't hesitate.
"Trust Luffy!" Nami shouted.
"Go!" Zoro sheathed his sword and leaped without hesitation toward the Going Merry.
"Can't waste the captain's efforts!" Sanji followed.
Usopp and Chopper, though scared, gritted their teeth and jumped.
Robin cast one last look at Luffy on Pillar No. 1. "Come back, Luffy."
The Marines watched in disbelief as the pirates escaped right under their noses.
But who could have predicted the Straw Hats' ship could fly?!
This reminded some veteran Marines of a certain great pirate from years ago.
Anyone would think the arrogant Golden Lion had returned.
Meanwhile, as his nakama began their retreat, Luffy's eyes showed a flicker of satisfaction.
Then he poured out every last bit of his power.
Gomu Gomu no: Giant Hakoku!!
This wasn't Hakoku in Gear Third. This was his ultimate strike—Gear Fifth's Full Liberation Form combined with giantification!
His right arm instantly expanded to the size of a small island. Condensed, tangible black-red Haoshoku Haki lightning coiled around it. With the momentum of annihilation, like a divine fist, it crashed down toward Aokiji at the edge of Pillar No. 1.
This strike's power far exceeded anything before.
Aokiji watched the huge fist blot out the sky. For the first time, his usually indifferent face showed an extremely solemn expression.
He exhaled softly. Cold light flashed in his eyes. Both hands rose, pressing forward against the void.
***
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