Luffy stomped down violently, shattering the ground beneath his feet as his entire body turned into a streak of blood-red lightning, charging straight toward the massive ice bird.
"Gomu Gomu—Crimson Thunder Punch!"
RUMBLE————!!!!
Two forces representing the extremes of power on the seas collided in midair.
For a brief instant, the world seemed to fall silent.
Then, a shockwave powerful enough to overturn the entire island erupted outward in all directions.
At the center of the clash between crimson lightning and azure ice, the colossal ice bird began to crack—
Starting from its head, it shattered piece by piece under Luffy's punch, which carried all his rage and burning vitality.
Countless shards of ice rained down like meteors, each fragment weighing thousands of pounds, smashing the frozen wasteland below into ruins.
As the smoke and mist gradually dispersed, Aokiji was nowhere to be seen in the sky.
Only a devastated island remained, along with a torn fragment of a white coat drifting slowly in the freezing wind.
Aokiji… had retreated.
Ronan stood amid the ruins, his long spear planted into the ground. He looked toward the direction Aokiji had disappeared and let out a long breath.
He knew Aokiji had never intended to kill them here.
That "Pheasant Beak" had been both a defense and a step back.
For that man, witnessing Garp's grandson awaken Conqueror's Haki—and seeing Robin find such powerful, reliable companions—was enough.
But at the center of the battlefield, Luffy still roared wildly within the crimson mist, his eyes searching aimlessly for an enemy, his body trembling violently from overload.
"Luffy! That's enough!!"
Ronan appeared in front of him in an instant, his voice like a great bell infused with inner energy, exploding in Luffy's ears.
"Luffy! Wake up! Nami and the others… are still alive!!"
"Still… alive?"
The roaring, demon-like Luffy froze.
The world he had shut out cracked open again at those words.
The blood-red glow in his eyes began to fade, the violent black-red lightning around him receding like a tide.
He turned toward Ronan, his gaze filled with fragile hope that could break anyone's heart.
"Our crew… they're really… still alive?"
"Yes. They're just in a state of suspended death."
Ronan stepped forward, his voice firm.
"But if you keep burning your life like this, you'll be the one who dies!"
Hearing that confirmation, the taut string in Luffy's heart snapped.
His six-meter demonic form deflated rapidly, shrinking back to normal.
His skin turned pale as paper, his breathing so faint it was barely perceptible—completely drained from overexerting his life force.
He collapsed weakly into Ronan's arms, his voice hoarse.
"Ronan… you have to… save them…"
"Of course. They're our most important companions."
Ronan's eyes reddened slightly as he hoisted Luffy onto his shoulder.
Then he carefully lifted Nami's frozen body.
Zoro and Sanji turned to him.
"Zoro, take Robin and Chopper! Sanji, take Usopp!"
"Hurry! Back to the Merry! Use warm water to thaw them slowly—they'll wake up!"
Across the devastated ice field, three resolute figures ran toward the Going Merry, carrying their frozen comrades.
Inside the ship's bathhouse, steam filled the air.
Four large wooden tubs were lined up, filled with warm water.
Sanji and Zoro carefully placed Nami, Robin, Usopp, and Chopper—still encased in ice—into the tubs.
"Luffy… how is he?" Sanji wiped sweat and frost from his face, glancing at Luffy lying on a bench under Ronan's care.
"He's just severely depleted. The awakening of Conqueror's Haki drained his vitality."
Ronan pressed his hands against Luffy's chest, his inner energy flowing gently into his organs.
"He's out of danger. Right now, the priority is the four of them."
Ronan stood and walked toward the tubs, his expression serious.
"Warm water alone isn't enough. The cold has invaded their meridians."
"Zoro, Sanji—use your inner energy to guide it out from the outside and speed up the process!"
Ronan placed his hands on Nami and Robin's frozen shoulders.
Under his precise control, his inner energy became a gentle, warm current.
The ice began melting rapidly in the warm water.
"Cough… cough!!"
With a violent cough, the ice around Nami shattered completely.
She sat up abruptly, her pale skin flushing with a sickly red under the rising steam.
"Ronan… Luffy…"
She gasped for breath, her beautiful eyes still filled with lingering fear.
But when she saw Ronan beside her—and Luffy breathing weakly not far away—tears burst from her eyes.
"Don't speak. Breathe slowly."
Ronan handed her a thick blanket, his voice hoarse with relief.
"We won. Everyone's alive."
Soon after, Robin slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze, having passed through deathly stillness, carried a profound calm.
When she saw Zoro's stern face, drenched in sweat—and the companions who had challenged the world's strongest for her—
The heart that had wandered for twenty years finally melted in the warmth of their bond.
"Thank you… everyone."
Her voice was soft, barely audible, yet heavier than anything.
Not long after, Usopp and Chopper also woke.
"WAAAH!! I thought I was dead! That tall guy is a monster!!"
Usopp burst into tears the moment he woke up.
"Ronan… where's Luffy?"
Chopper, ignoring his still-purple nose, stumbled toward Luffy at Ronan's signal.
"Thank goodness… his vitality is drained, but there's no serious damage."
Inside the cabin, warm yellow light bathed every face.
Late that night, on the deck of the Going Merry—
Ronan stood with his spear in hand, staring out at the frozen sea.
"Admiral Aokiji… this is the 'highest combat power' of this world."
His gaze turned sharp and burning.
"Luffy awakened Conqueror's Haki. The four of us have reached mid-level Diamond Indestructibility… but it's not enough."
"Not enough for us to truly roam free on this sea."
"Water 7… that's where the companion we need is. And the key to the true evolution of the Golden Merry."
Ronan turned, looking at his companions sleeping peacefully in the cabin.
"Next time… no matter who we face, we won't let a single one of our crew… fall into despair again."
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