The sky was clear.
Yet an unusually dense fog blanketed the sea, making navigation extremely dangerous.
An endless sheet of ice stretched across the ocean, releasing an overwhelming chill into the surrounding waters.
The sea breeze carried the freezing air, becoming damp enough to numb the skin.
From high above, the frozen ocean resembled a boundless white continent.
Only two tiny figures could be seen standing upon it, slowly advancing toward the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Since it's ice, my icebreaker will lead the charge!"
"Don't any of you dare steal this fight from me!"
Whitey Bay declared confidently.
One of the few female captains affiliated with the Whitebeard Pirates, she possessed long blue hair, full lips, and a fearless smile.
She wore her signature blue-purple skull cap, a striped blouse fastened with floral buttons, a lace scarf wrapped around her neck, and a long cape fluttering behind her.
Confidence radiated from every movement.
If the Whitebeard Pirates didn't even dare challenge a Marine Admiral, then what pride did they have left as Newgate's sons and daughters?
After witnessing the enormous frozen sea, nearly every pirate immediately reached the same conclusion.
Only Admiral Aokiji could create such an overwhelming ice field.
Instead of fear, excitement spread throughout the fleet.
Many of them had never personally fought one of the Marine Headquarters Admirals.
Whitebeard alone remained silent.
His Observation Haki told him something was wrong.
The aura ahead didn't belong to Kuzan.
He couldn't identify the person either.
He only knew that one of the two approaching figures possessed long silver-white hair.
…
Whitey Bay's massive icebreaker surged forward.
Its reinforced steel bow crushed through the frozen sea with unstoppable momentum.
"Rear Admiral."
"That's an icebreaker."
Bruce calmly reminded Saint Roselith Seraphina.
"I know."
"Then we'll begin with that ship."
Seraphina slowly unsheathed Winter Solstice.
The silver blade reflected the pale light filtering through the fog.
With a graceful turn of her wrist, she adjusted her stance before delivering a single elegant swing.
A brilliant silver-white flying slash erupted from the blade.
The slash split the frozen sea apart.
Even the surrounding air seemed to crystallize beneath its overwhelming cold.
Like a crescent moon descending from the heavens, the attack shot directly toward the approaching icebreaker.
…
"Boss!"
"Shouldn't we wait until Admiral Aokiji gets here?"
One pirate nervously shouted.
"You idiot!"
Whitey Bay laughed loudly.
"There are only two of them."
"If we wait any longer, there won't even be a chance for us to fight!"
"My icebreaker finally has an opportunity to prove itself."
"I've always wanted to challenge a Marine Admiral."
Years ago, whenever the Whitebeard Pirates clashed with the Marines, the true monsters of the crew had always stepped forward first.
Whitebeard.
Marco.
Jozu.
Even Kozuki Oden during his years aboard the ship.
Back then, Whitey Bay could only watch those legends fight.
Now things were different.
She had become the renowned Ice Witch, Whitey Bay.
How could she pass up the opportunity to cross blades with an Admiral?
"Boss…"
"I still think we should be careful."
"That's one of the Marine Headquarters Admirals."
The crew continued trying to persuade her.
"Of course I know."
Whitey Bay nodded confidently.
"That's exactly why I won't underestimate my opponent."
"I'll stay alert."
Although she spoke casually, she had never lowered her guard.
Regardless of her confidence, an Admiral was still an Admiral.
Respect for the truly powerful was something every veteran pirate understood.
Her eyes never left the distant silver-haired Marine.
Then…
Her instincts screamed.
Too late.
A silver-white flying slash crossed the battlefield with terrifying speed.
It arrived so quickly that Whitey Bay barely registered it before
BOOM!!
The reinforced steel bow of the icebreaker was cleanly severed.
The gigantic chunk of steel crashed onto the frozen sea.
"Boss!!"
"The bow!"
"Our icebreaker's bow is gone!"
The pirates stared in disbelief.
The reinforced prow, specifically designed to smash through glaciers and icebergs, had been sliced off with a single attack.
A perfectly smooth cut.
No jagged edges.
No shattered steel.
Only a flawless swordsman's strike.
Whitey Bay's pupils contracted.
"A great swordsman…"
Her expression immediately turned serious.
She instinctively tightened her grip around her rapier.
She might look youthful, but she was a veteran pirate who had survived decades on the Grand Line.
She immediately understood what that slash represented.
Only a true Great Swordsman could produce such a clean, overwhelming flying slash.
"Looks like this won't be an easy fight."
She turned toward one of her crew members.
"Report back to Pops."
"One of them is an extraordinary Great Swordsman."
"What about you, Boss?"
Whitey Bay smiled.
"I'll greet our guests."
"After all…"
"It's only two people."
…
"The pirates are leaving their ships."
Seraphina calmly observed the movement across the ice.
"Bruce."
"Stay behind me."
"And don't do anything reckless."
"I have no intention of dying here."
"I need you ready to support me if the situation changes."
Bruce nodded.
"I understand."
He wasn't foolish enough to overestimate his own strength.
Against the Whitebeard Pirates' officers, rushing forward would only become a burden to Seraphina.
Remaining behind as support was the wiser decision.
"Good."
The instant she finished speaking
Soru.
Her figure disappeared.
The frozen ground shattered beneath her feet.
A long afterimage stretched across the ice as she shot forward like a white phantom.
One woman.
One sword.
Charging directly toward the Whitebeard Pirates.
"So fast!"
Whitey Bay's eyes widened.
Clang!!
Steel collided against steel.
Brilliant sparks burst across the frozen battlefield.
"Marine!"
"State your name!"
"I am Whitey Bay of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The silver-haired Marine answered calmly.
"Saint Roselith Seraphina."
No further explanation.
No unnecessary conversation.
Only another sword strike.
A brilliant flying slash swept toward Whitey Bay.
Clang!
Whitey Bay barely blocked it.
She had hoped to exchange a few more words and gather information about her opponent.
Instead, Seraphina answered only with her blade.
Every strike appeared casual.
Every attack looked like little more than a simple test.
Yet each one forced Whitey Bay into a desperate defense.
The gap between them was unmistakable.
…
Seraphina carefully observed every movement.
Whitey Bay's youthful appearance meant nothing.
She knew perfectly well this woman had survived countless battles across the Grand Line.
Several exchanges later, Seraphina had already evaluated nearly every aspect of her opponent.
Her swordsmanship.
Her timing.
Her footwork.
Her Armament Haki.
Her physical strength.
Everything.
Whitey Bay possessed respectable swordsmanship.
She was undoubtedly an accomplished swordswoman by New World standards.
However…
She had not yet reached the realm of a Great Swordsman.
Against Seraphina, the difference was overwhelming.
After only a dozen minutes of fighting, Seraphina suddenly shifted her stance.
A single opening appeared.
She struck instantly.
Slash!
Whitey Bay's leg was cut, forcing her balance to collapse.
Her hurried defense from the previous exchange had already numbed both arms.
Now she could barely raise her rapier.
At that moment, Whitey Bay fully understood.
Her opponent was unquestionably a Great Swordsman.
Perhaps one whose mastery rivaled Vista himself.
"It's over."
Whitey Bay's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"Winter Solstice "
"First Form: Light Snow."
Thousands of delicate sword slashes erupted like drifting snowflakes.
Each individual strike wasn't overwhelmingly powerful.
But together they became an endless storm.
The relentless barrage completely overwhelmed Whitey Bay's defenses.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Her rapier trembled violently.
Fresh wounds rapidly spread across her body.
Blood stained the pristine ice beneath her feet.
Her strength drained away with every passing second until she could no longer mount any meaningful resistance.
Just before the finishing strike landed
A giant phoenix wrapped in brilliant blue flames descended from the sky.
Its blazing talons seized Whitey Bay and immediately soared upward.
The battlefield vanished beneath them.
"Marco!"
Whitey Bay cried out.
Shame filled her heart.
She had been completely defeated.
In barely a dozen exchanges after Seraphina became serious, she had lost beyond any hope of recovery.
Marco glanced calmly toward the silver-haired Marine standing below.
"Vista was right."
"She isn't an ordinary swordswoman."
"She's a Great Swordsman whose skill rivals his own."
"Losing to her isn't something you should be ashamed of."
Marco spread his enormous phoenix wings.
"Leave the rest of this battle…"
"To Vista."
Far below, Seraphina slowly lowered Winter Solstice.
She watched the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates disappear into the fog with Whitey Bay in his grasp.
Her silver eyes remained perfectly calm.
The true battle…
Had only just begun.
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