An ice blade formed in Aokiji’s hand as he charged toward Alucard. To use a blade for long-range fighters and a gun for close-range combatants, this was the most basic of fundamentals in battle.

Alucard’s black pistol, Jackal, parried Aokiji’s ice blade. The sheer force of their strength sent sparks flying, only for them to be instantly snuffed out by the frigid chill radiating from Aokiji’s body.

"It’s been over a decade, yet your growth is disappointingly slow."

Alucard parried Aokiji’s pressure with a smile, looking completely at ease.

"I’m not a monster like you."

The corner of Aokiji’s mouth quirked up. Suddenly, he slammed his right foot into the ground. Countless ice spikes erupted from the earth around his foot, swarming toward Alucard.

"Hmm?"

Alucard was momentarily surprised. In the original story, Aokiji didn’t possess such a vast array of techniques, especially ones so versatile and fluid.

Though Alucard mocked his growth, it was clear that Aokiji’s combat prowess had far surpassed his original canon counterpart. Was it the shock of Akainu’s death? Or was it the pressure of a world far more dire than the one he knew that forced him to cast aside his "Lazy Justice" and begin training and fighting with true intent?

The ice spikes pierced Alucard’s legs, temporarily sealing his movements, but they failed to inflict a fatal wound. Aokiji’s true intention, however, wasn’t to kill Alucard. He knew full well he couldn’t achieve that yet.

To truly kill Alucard, one had to uncover the secret of his body.

But for now, he had his own strategy.

"Let’s settle this in one go!"

Despite the battle having only just begun, Aokiji made this declaration. He knew the gap between them was too wide; rather than an endless war of attrition, it was better to bet everything on a single strike.

"True Ice Age!"

Aokiji’s Ice Age, released with full power, blanketed the entire coast. The Franky Family, hiding behind the buildings, was instantly turned into ice sculptures along with the surrounding architecture.

Under the orders of Momonga, who had arrived with Aokiji, the other Marines had already retreated further into the city at the top of the stairs.

Just as Dalmatian had believed, those of insufficient rank would only get in the way, so everyone else had been pulled back.

It was a fundamentally flawed perspective; even an Admiral had not been informed by the Gorosei regarding the weaknesses of Alucard’s physique.

Looking at the Ice Age that had completely frozen the coast and the sea as far as the eye could see, a Marine couldn’t help but gasp. "Has Admiral Kuzan’s strength increased again?"

"It’s not that he’s stronger, but that he is facing an opponent who requires his absolute best. He’s had to cast aside his old laziness and enter the zone," Momonga muttered, frowning. "Though, since Vice Admiral Sakazuki’s passing, Kuzan really has been much more diligent than before, even if that streak of laziness still lingers in his bones."

In the center of the coastal battlefield, Kuzan pulled a hand from the frozen ground and exhaled a breath of frosty air. "My full-power Ice Age creates temperatures so low that an ordinary person would die within moments without immediate treatment. The sea will remain frozen for over a month. As for you..."

Kuzan looked toward the ice sculpture of Alucard, but his pupils suddenly contracted. The right hand of Alucard’s frozen form began to glow red with heat. Suddenly, a liquid burst through the surface of the ice and flowed out slowly.

It was magma!

Sakazuki’s ability!

Fwoosh!!

Suddenly, the frozen Alucard erupted like a bomb. Despite Kuzan’s rapid retreat, he was still grazed by the searing magma. Looking at the sleeve of his scorched officer’s coat, he saw a charred hole burned through the fabric.

It truly was Sakazuki’s ability.

Shocked didn’t begin to describe Kuzan, nor the observers on the city heights—Momonga, Bastille, and even Vice Admiral Onigumo, who had just arrived.

Sakazuki had been gone for years, but for those with over twenty years of service like Momonga and Onigumo, the memory of the former Admiral candidate was still vivid. To see his power manifested by a pirate... how could they not be shaken?

From the rolling magma, Alucard’s body gradually emerged. His right arm was wreathed in molten lava, while his left hand held his gun. He looked at Kuzan with a mocking gaze.

"Did you take Sakazuki’s power after he died? Or is this another one of your abilities?" Kuzan’s face was grim.

Seeing a former comrade’s power used by a pirate was akin to Luffy seeing Ace’s power used by someone like Sarquiss, even if Kuzan and Sakazuki hadn’t been particularly close.

Alucard didn’t answer. Instead, he gave a feral grin, raised that massive, scalding magma hand, and swung it violently.

"Great Eruption!"

"Ice Age: Pheasant Peck!"

The magma fist clashed with the ice bird. Two polar opposite forces erupted, one from the left and one from the right, mixing together in the air. Everyone still conscious was forced to experience a literal "hell of ice and fire."

Kuzan’s Admiral’s cape fluttered wildly over his shoulders from the intense shockwave. This isn’t good, he thought. His abilities are popping up one after another. Without understanding how his power works, he can never be defeated.

At that thought, Kuzan seemed to suffer a sudden "lapse" in composure. He relaxed his entire body and let himself be sent flying backward, crashing through three houses behind Momonga and the others on the high platform.

"Admiral Aokiji!"

"To think Admiral Kuzan would be sent flying by Vice Admiral Sakazuki’s power... even though they used to be evenly matched!"

The rookie Marines couldn’t see the trick behind it. Only the "old birds" like Momonga and Onigumo realized that Kuzan had deliberately stopped resisting.

Kuzan crawled out from the rubble of the houses, clutching his chest and shouting in mock agony, "Ah! I’m dying! I’m dying! Everyone retreat! Retreat! Get out of here, fast!"

Cold sweat dripped down many faces. Admiral, sir, your acting is a bit too much, don’t you think?

Alucard stared at Kuzan. The magma had faded from his shoulder, returning him to his normal appearance. He remained silent, having already guessed exactly what kind of game the Admiral was playing.