One Piece: The Strongest Trait System-Chapter 116: [] : The Trio’s Desperate Stand! Lightning vs. Ice!

Chapter 116 - [116] : The Trio's Desperate Stand! Lightning vs. Ice!

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Aokiji's Traits: Ice-Ice Fruit (Apex Gold), Armament Haki (Apex Gold), Observation Haki (Deep Gold), Ice Glove (Apex Gold).

Ice Glove (Apex Gold): A perfect fusion of the Ice-Ice Fruit's power, Armament Haki, and the 'Iron Fist' techniques inherited from Garp—a devastatingly powerful combination.

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The Ice-Ice Fruit—undoubtedly one of the T1 (Tier 1) Logia Devil Fruits—had long since been mastered to an exquisite degree by Aokiji.

His incredibly powerful physique allowed him to continuously and wantonly unleash terrifying freezing aura. It could even be called the ultimate crowd-control Devil Fruit.

A brilliant light of intellect shone in Rowen's eyes as his Awakened Human-Human Fruit power analyzed Aokiji's abilities.

The true power of the Ice-Ice Fruit wasn't just transforming into ice, but the terrifying freezing aura capable of flash-freezing entire oceans—

In the One Piece world, even on land, atmospheric humidity was very high. The Ice-Ice Fruit's aura used this moisture as a medium, permeating every corner of the battlefield.

Fighting against the Ice-Ice Fruit required constantly coating one's entire body in Haki, preventing even the slightest infiltration of the freezing aura through the pores.

Otherwise, the aura would use the body's own moisture as a medium, freezing everything from the inside out—muscles, organs, bones, blood—completely solid.

(In the original story, when Aokiji froze Robin, Luffy, and the others, he was holding back immensely, only freezing their surfaces, not their interiors. That was why they could be thawed out with medical treatment.)

This troublesome ability was precisely why the Ice-Ice Fruit was hailed as the ultimate crowd-control Devil Fruit.

Aokiji's Observation Haki hadn't yet reached its peak—he couldn't see the future. On these seas, those capable of seeing the future with Observation Haki were even rarer than known users of Haōshoku Coating.

And the technique that gave Rowen so much inspiration, leading to his own Thunder Gloves and Flame Gloves—Aokiji's strongest move, Ice Glove—was a fusion of three powers.

While the Ice-Ice Fruit excelled at crowd control, its raw destructive power was notably less than fruits like Magma-Magma or Rumble-Rumble.

The 'Iron Fist' techniques inherited from Garp, combined with his Ice-Ice Fruit and perfectly integrated Armament Haki, elevated Aokiji's combat ceiling, allowing him to fight for ten days and nights against Akainu—whose Magma-Magma Fruit somewhat countered his Ice-Ice and possessed the highest offensive power, before finally being defeated.

This technique was the foundation of Aokiji's confidence in facing Emperors head-on—it couldn't be underestimated.

To fight Aokiji, Haki must constantly cover the entire body.

'Since Haōshoku Coating is extremely draining, dense Armament Haki can be used for defense instead. My Observation Haki is stronger than Aokiji's, so I can accurately gauge the intensity of his freezing aura and switch between Armament Haki and Haōshoku Coating for defense as needed—'

'—The Ice Glove, combining Garp's techniques, the Ice-Ice Fruit, and Armament Haki, is indeed powerful. But in terms of raw offensive power, my Thunder Gloves, combining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and Haōshoku Coating, should be superior. And then, there's Aokiji's weakness...' Rowen's enhanced intellect scanned Aokiji's entire being.

As expected of one of the sea's top-tier powerhouses—in a static state, the few weaknesses Rowen detected were negligible.

Finding significant weaknesses in such peak fighters was incredibly difficult.

But once engaged in an all-out, life-or-death battle, major vulnerabilities would gradually reveal themselves.

Details of the impending battle against Aokiji began to form clearly in Rowen's mind.

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"Confused... Weak-willed..." Rowen's words pierced Aokiji's heart deeply.

An icy glint flashed in his eyes.

He was confused, especially after learning about Rowen and his crew's actions and the circumstances they faced. The impact of the Ohara incident once again exploded within his mind.

But—he wouldn't be lectured by a pirate!

"You... are far too young, Sky Sovereign Rowen. You've only just set out to sea! What have you seen??" Aokiji stated gravely. As a Marine Admiral, Aokiji naturally knew about the events in Mariejois.

This man had wantonly unleashed Conqueror's Haki—even lecturing the Warlord system and Marine HQ about justice.

While the system had significant flaws, it at least maintained the balance of the seas. Even Aokiji himself couldn't definitively say if the system was truly just or not.

But it certainly wasn't for a rookie pirate to arrogantly dismiss everything!

This man was negating the Marines, the Warlords, everything!

The Marines—were the true guardians of these seas!

With each word Aokiji spoke, a terrifyingly cold aura emanated from his breath. The chilling frost made everyone present shiver.

"So, we're really going to fight after all!" Zoro and Sanji instantly prepared for battle. Luffy's expression also turned serious.

But the first to move—

WHOOSH!

A blade made entirely of sand erupted from the ground, piercing straight through Aokiji's torso!

"Desert Spada——!" Vivi yelled, one hand pressed to the ground, glaring furiously at Aokiji.

"Desert Princess Vivi... I see. So you acquired Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit ability now? Sky Sovereign Rowen—your ability to hunt Devil Fruits... can also grant those fruits to others?" Aokiji commented, seemingly unfazed.

Though his body was pierced, he had already elementized—the attack had no effect.

But looking at Vivi, Aokiji's heart sank slightly.

The Sand-Sand Fruit, while perhaps not on par with his Ice-Ice Fruit, was still an extremely powerful ability. With it alone, Crocodile became a Warlord.

A disaster-level ability capable of conjuring sandstorms.

'Able to steal Devil Fruit powers from others, and then give them to others—This means, if Sky Sovereign Rowen wishes it, he can create an incredibly terrifying army of Devil Fruit users... A VERY DANGEROUS OMEN.'

"ROWEN IS JUSTICE! Cocoyasi Village! Alabasta! Rowen not only saved those places but did so while minimizing bloodshed and sacrifice—And what did you Marines do??? Slap false charges on us?? DENY EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN ALABASTA??" Vivi retorted, her eyes blazing with anger.

Rowen had saved her, saved Alabasta!

He had orchestrated events to end the rebellion—preventing countless deaths! In her eyes, Rowen was great and perfect!

She wouldn't allow anyone to deny Rowen—not even a Marine Admiral!

Aokiji, faced with Vivi's furious accusations, didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Facing Vivi, one of the Alabasta incident's greatest victims—how could he justify the Navy's actions?

Argue that the Navy prioritized the greater good of the majority? But Alabasta was a major nation with tens of millions of people, a World Government affiliated kingdom!

Such arguments were mere sophistry...

"Well said, Vivi! So what if he's a Marine Admiral! Watch this—" Luffy yelled, planting one hand on the ground, coiling his legs like springs.

All the fluid in his body, compressed by his rubber physique, began to boil, his entire body turning red, steaming like a locomotive!

"Gear Second——!" Luffy looked up, his eyes fixed intently on Aokiji.

He wouldn't let anyone badmouth his comrades!

Even if this person was a Marine Admiral who knew his grandfather!

WHOOSH!

Accompanied by a piercing sound of air being displaced, Luffy vanished, reappearing instantly above Aokiji.

"Shave? Did Sky Sovereign Rowen teach you that?" Aokiji's eyes narrowed slightly. He already knew from Smoker's report about Rowen's battle in Loguetown that Rowen could use Shave.

"Gomu Gomu no... JET PISTOL——!" Luffy wasted no words.

His right fist turned jet black—Armament Haki - Hardening!

Accelerated by steam, Luffy's fist shot towards Aokiji, a blur of motion!

"Armament Haki——!" Aokiji's own right fist, coated in Armament Haki, met Luffy's attack.

Though Aokiji easily blocked the blow, his eyes widened in disbelief.

'What a strong Haki!'

Sky Sovereign Rowen's Haki was incredibly powerful; he was already considered one of the most terrifying Haki prodigies in history. But Vice Admiral Garp's grandson—also possessed such strong Haki?! This level of Haki already rivaled some of their HQ Vice Admirals!

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Luffy's Current Trait Tiers: Gear Second (Pale Gold), Gear Third (Pale Gold), Armament Haki (Pale Gold), Observation Haki (Apex Purple).

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After receiving the 'Desire for Liberation' infused by Rowen, Luffy's strength had skyrocketed.

He had now reached the Pale Gold combat Trait threshold, comparable to some average Marine HQ Vice Admirals.

"DAMN IT! Gomu Gomu no... JET GATLING——!" Seeing his attack easily blocked, Luffy snarled, unleashing his strongest Gear Second technique! His fists became a blur, raining down a storm of blows towards Aokiji!

Unfortunately, against a super-powerhouse like Aokiji, even Luffy, with his Devil Fruit and Haki now at Pale Gold, couldn't inflict any real damage.

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"Hey! Marine Admiral! Rowen is the one who showed me the way! If you want his head—you'll have to kill me first!"

"Asura Aura—! Three-Sword Style Secret Technique—! Sanzen Sekai— (Three Thousand Worlds)!!!"

Zoro's eyes blazed with an eerie purple light! Empowered by his Asura Aura, which channeled a sliver of his Conqueror's Haki, his three famed swords slashed fiercely towards Aokiji!

And—

"Diable Jambe——! Premier Hachis——!!!"

Sanji spun rapidly, his right leg igniting in searing flames, further coated in Armament Haki!

Leaping high, his flaming leg shot towards Aokiji's neck!

So what if he's no match for a Marine Admiral?!

Some things—they would defend, they would fight for, even if it meant dying!

Denying Rowen, even if it was a Marine Admiral—they would fight with all their might, tear off a piece of him!

"Black Leg... Pirate Hunter... THIS HAKI!" Facing the three-pronged assault, Aokiji blocked all their attacks—but the shock in his eyes deepened.

Not just Straw Hat, even Black Leg and Pirate Hunter could use Haki!

And remarkably strong Haki at that.

Especially Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro...

His Haki—contained another, incredibly violent and tyrannical energy signature!

'Haōshoku Coating?!' Aokiji stared incredulously.

But then he thought, 'No, the power of true Haōshoku Coating is far beyond this. This must be just a trace of its aura.'

Still, a slash attack carrying even a hint of that aura could threaten some HQ Vice Admirals!

Even Black Leg—average HQ Rear Admirals wouldn't be his match!

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS PIRATE CREW??

At their age, Aokiji himself hadn't even learned Haki, still enduring Garp's foundational 'Iron Fist' training!

Are geniuses a dime a dozen now?!

Something was very wrong... normal pirate crews, even Supernovas, at this stage in the Grand Line, typically wouldn't have access to Haki, let alone Haki of this intensity—Aokiji instinctively glanced towards Rowen nearby.

'Could this also be Sky Sovereign Rowen's doing?' Aokiji felt a surge of disbelief.

Rowen, watching Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji's actions, didn't intervene, a touched expression on his face.

'These three... truly are reliable comrades.' Though they hadn't harmed Aokiji, they had clearly demonstrated their resolve and loyalty to him.

Rowen's Observation Haki spread out, tightly locking onto Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Aokiji—ready to intervene instantly if needed.

"Luffy! Zoro! Sanji! Hold him off!" Nami, who had been observing the climate, suddenly yelled.

"Got it!" The trio immediately changed tactics, focusing on disrupting Aokiji's movements.

"Hm?" Aokiji sensed something was amiss. He had been holding back, wanting to gauge the trio's full strength—the stamina consumed so far was negligible to him.

But now—

BOOM!

A massive, raging thundercloud suddenly formed directly above Aokiji!

"This is—?!" Aokiji's expression changed. This power...!

"THUNDER TEMPO——!!!" Nami yelled, slamming her Clima-Tact downwards!

CRACKLE! BOOOOOOM!!!

A terrifying bolt of lightning, far larger and more intense than any natural bolt, struck down directly at Aokiji.

Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji scrambled out of the way.

Right now—the strongest offensive power on the crew below Rowen himself—belonged not to Zoro, who could channel a portion of Conqueror's Haki through his Asura Aura, nor to Luffy, whose strength had skyrocketed after receiving the 'Desire for Liberation'.

It belonged to NAMI—who had integrated the power of Awakened Rumble-Rumble Fruit lightning into her Clima-Tact!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Accompanied by a deafening thunderclap, Aokiji was completely engulfed by the lightning storm!

"We did it!" Nami exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Ararara... What a terrifying attack, beautiful lady," Aokiji's voice drawled.

FWOOSH!

With a surge of freezing aura that blasted away the dust and smoke from the lightning strike, Aokiji reappeared.

Half his body was now encased in thick ice, and his breath plumed out as extreme cold.

Aokiji now looked at Nami with a distinctly different expression.

An attack like that—even an average Marine HQ Vice Admiral might not have been able to withstand it.

"You people... are far too dangerous. Reaching this point in your voyage, all of you already possess such formidable power. If that's the case—then you shall all be buried here," Aokiji declared, a terrifyingly cold glint in his eyes.

The next moment!

WHOOSH! FWOOSH!

An overwhelming, terrifying wave of freezing aura erupted from Aokiji's body! It spread outwards at incredible speed, flash-freezing the ground, then surged towards Luffy and the others!

WHOOSH!

A figure instantly appeared before the advancing wall of ice.

"Here you come then? Sky Sovereign Rowen," Aokiji stated, his Observation Haki spreading out, tracking Rowen's movements.

'The Flare-Flare Fruit, is it? A rather troublesome ability against my Ice-Ice Fruit...'

Aokiji recalled Rowen's intel:

Sky Sovereign Rowen, through some unknown means, could also use Fire Fist Ace's Flare-Flare Fruit ability.

A Flame Human's fire would significantly hinder his freezing aura.

But even so, Aokiji remained absolutely confident.

The Flare-Flare Fruit, at best, was on the same tier as his Ice-Ice Fruit. As for the Smoke-Smoke Fruit and others? Useless in a battle of this caliber.

But the next moment—

CRACKLE! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Accompanied by an ear-splitting, terrifying roar of thunder!

The countless advancing shards of ice—were instantly and violently annihilated by innumerable bolts of roaring lightning! Vaporized into mist in the atmosphere!

Rowen—had transformed into pure LIGHTNING!

Even Aokiji's spreading Observation Haki—was utterly shredded by the deafening roar of thunder!

Aokiji's eyes widened in absolute horror.

"NANIIII?? (What)! THIS ABILITY IS—!"

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