Ark Maxim carrying Ron and his crew finally approached the large warship where Aokiji and Kizaru stood. From the deck of the Ark, Tashigi and Robin could now clearly see the two Admirals.
"Ron, it's the Admirals… both of them!" Tashigi whispered urgently.
"Yes, it's Aokiji and Kizaru, known as the Blue Pheasant and Yellow Ape," Robin said gravely. "Aokiji has the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit, which can freeze entire oceans, and Kizaru possesses the Glint-Glint Fruit, making him incredibly fast. They say he's the fastest man in the world, and his attacks are just as swift. Ron, this situation is truly dangerous."
Hearing this, Nami and the others grew even more anxious. It was shocking enough that two Admirals had shown up, but these were among the strongest in the Navy.
"Don't worry! Stay calm!" Ron said with a confident wave of his hand. "You all stay here and take the Ark a bit further back. I'll handle the Admirals. Just keep an eye on the sailors and don't let anyone board the ship."
With that, Ron flashed the girls a reassuring smile before leaping into action. In a single bound, he crossed the gap between the Ark and the warship, landing on the deck where the Admirals stood.
"Oh?" Kizaru raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "I was planning to pay you a visit on your ship, but it looks like you came to us instead."
"How could I trouble two Admirals to come to me?" Ron replied calmly, glancing around. "You weren't the ones who ordered the shelling, right? Admirals aren't that reckless."
"It was the fleet commander's idea," Aokiji said, shaking his head. "We warned him, but he didn't want to listen."
"I figured as much," Ron said with a chuckle. "If ordinary soldiers could deal with me, there'd be no need for you two to be here."
The reality was, even with two Admirals, the Navy's chances weren't great. But they had to try. After all, Ron had not only publicly torn up the offer to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but had also killed a Vice Admiral. The Navy was furious.
"Ron, if you reconsider now, the two of us can put in a good word for you with the Fleet Admiral," Kizaru said, tilting his head. "You could still take up the position of Warlord. It's not too late."
"Even now, you're still trying to recruit me?" Ron laughed. "After the casualties the Navy suffered because of me, you think I could still become a Warlord?"
"Those losses are minor matters," Kizaru said with a shrug. "If you were to join, they'd be overlooked."
"Well, I'm flattered," Ron replied, shaking his head. "But I'm not interested in becoming a dog for the World Government. As for the Warlords… no thanks. Let's settle this with our swords, shall we?"
"What a pity," Kizaru sighed. "Don't underestimate us, kid. No matter how strong you think you are, there's always someone stronger."
"Stronger than me?" Ron smirked. "I doubt it."
"Such arrogance," Aokiji remarked, shaking his head. "Being young and confident is fine, but there's a limit."
"Is there?" Ron didn't seem fazed. "I don't think so."
"Enough talk," Kizaru said, stepping forward. "Let's see what you're made of."
"Go ahead," Ron replied. "Don't say I didn't give you a fair chance."
"Hold on," Aokiji interjected, pulling Kizaru back. "Let me go first. You can back me up."
"Always taking the lead," Kizaru said with a mock pout.
Ron couldn't help but chuckle. "You might as well come at me together."
Aokiji shook his head. "We have an audience. If both of us attacked at once, it would look like we're ganging up on you."
"Exactly," Kizaru agreed with a grin.
Ron raised an eyebrow. Where do these two get their confidence from? He thought about how he had planned to go all-out and make a big statement by taking down the Admirals. But seeing their playful banter, and remembering that in the original story they weren't entirely bad people, he decided to hold back just a bit.
My biggest flaw is that I'm too kind, Ron sighed to himself. "Alright, let's not waste time. We're all busy, so let's get this over with."
"Since you're in such a rush to taste defeat, I'll oblige," Aokiji said, extending his right arm. Frost spread across his limb, encasing it in ice, which then formed into a large ice blade.
He lunged forward, aiming the ice blade at Ron.
Bang!
Ron deftly blocked the attack with his bare hand.
"Using your hand to block? No sword? Are you underestimating me?" Aokiji sneered. "Do you think your body can withstand my freezing powers?"
As he spoke, the cold spread from the ice blade, encasing Ron's arm in a layer of frost.
Kizaru, who was watching the battle from the sidelines, smirked. Ron was being too reckless, trying to take on the Ice-Ice Fruit with his bare hands. The freezing power should incapacitate him in an instant. He's finished, Kizaru thought.
"The freezing power is indeed impressive," Ron admitted, feeling the chill seep into his arm. The cold was intense enough to freeze even seawater in an instant, and he could sense it attempting to penetrate his defenses.
But it was only a slight chill—nothing more.
Ron had confidence in his abilities. His current stats were off the charts, with all attributes reaching over two hundred. For Aokiji to think he could freeze Ron with such an attack was pure fantasy.
"You want to force me to draw my sword?" Ron smirked. "You'll have to do better than that."
The purple-red hue of Armament Haki coated his arm, and with a powerful burst, Ron shattered the ice blade, sending Aokiji skidding back across the deck.
"What strength!" Aokiji looked at his shattered ice blade, a grave expression on his face. That strike from Ron had broken through his defenses with ease. He hadn't even come close to using his full power.
"I didn't expect you to be this strong," Aokiji admitted, crossing his arms. "It seems I can't hold back any longer. I'll be using my full power from now on."
"Bring it," Ron replied calmly, his stance unchanging.