In the center of the Deserted Island, sparkling frost refracted a blinding cold light under the sun.
Borsalino’s body was completely frozen, like a golden ice sculpture, suspended in mid-air.
In just an instant, a gasp of surprise erupted from the silently observing Marine warships, soldiers widened their eyes, unable to believe the scene before them.
"Colonel Borsalino was... was frozen?!"
"How is that possible! Isn't Lieutenant Gern's ability vibration?!"
"How could he use Colonel Kuzan's freezing?!"
On the deck of the medical team's warship, Kuzan, wrapped in bandages, had his hands in his pockets, his usually lazy expression completely solidified.
At the same time, a hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes, and he murmured in a low voice, "Absolute Zero... Gern, how in the world did you do it?!"
On the other side, on the main ship, Kong's pupils suddenly contracted, and his fists involuntarily clenched.
His gaze was fixed on the Deserted Island, his voice low and full of shock: "His Devil Fruit... can also freeze?!"
Sengoku's spectacles reflected the cold light of the ice crystals, his expression more solemn than ever: "No..."
He took a deep breath, "Gern's ability is the Nature Type vibration.
But everything now, I can't determine, but what is certain is that he did freeze Borsalino!"
"Gern, you brat!!!" Garp grinned, shouting encouragement, but a rare seriousness flashed in his eyes.
"You can even use Kuzan's ability, you're amazing!
Now's your chance, blast Borsalino to bits!"
"It should be Devil Fruit development!" Tsuru smiled faintly, "That kid was already planning this step from the moment he flashed into the air."
"You have to use your brain in battle, that's what I taught you!" Zephyr's sunglasses slid down slightly, revealing his eyes.
Although he himself was bewildered by the situation, the corners of his mouth slowly curved into a smile of gratification.
"But I also didn't expect... this kid, to develop the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to such a meticulous degree."
"However, he probably can't control Borsalino for long," Tsuru said calmly.
........
On the Deserted Island, Gern's breathing was slightly rapid, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.
He knew that although this move was shocking, the physical exertion was also terrifying.
What's more, his opponent was Kizaru, this level of stagnation could only last at most...
"One second." Zephyr's voice rang out on the main ship, his gaze like a torch, as if seeing through everything.
"But for a true expert, a one-second flaw is a fatal mistake!"
As if to confirm Zephyr's words, Gern's figure had already moved.
He turned, unleashing a full-power strike, his right fist clenched, dark red Ryou Haki coiling around it like magma.
Vibration particles violently collapsed at the peak of his fist, condensing into a needle-point.
"Light speed is insurmountable..." Gern's voice was low and cold, "But what if it's fast?"
His fist swung out fiercely, space shattering inch by inch before his fist.
"As long as there's that one moment of stopping..." The punch tore through the air, the vibration accompanied by the wind emitting a piercing high-pitched shriek.
"Even if it's light..." In a matter of milliseconds, Kizaru, who had not yet fully regained his mobility,
could only watch helplessly as he saw a red glow flash from Gern, and a fist wrapped in dark purple Haoshoku rapidly enlarged in his vision, striking his chest.
"I'll shatter you too!!!"
"Black Tremor: Godfall Nail!!!!!"
The moment the fist touched the ice sculpture, the stagnant space exploded!
Kizaru's body was directly pierced by the violent shockwave.
"Boom!!!!" With the punch, both ice and man shattered!
In an instant, space seemed to be torn apart, and a visible shockwave ripple spread out.
Kizaru's body fell like a cannonball, drawing a golden trajectory through the air.
In less than a blink of an eye, he plunged from several hundred meters high, crashing heavily.
He penetrated the entire Deserted Island, causing the entire island to sink, stirring up giant waves a hundred meters high!
—
As the giant waves receded, the entire scene fell silent.
All the Marines on the warships gaped, unable to utter a sound.
Gion also stood up straight, her pupils trembling slightly, her hands covering her slightly parted cherry lips.
"This kid..." Kong swallowed, "He actually shattered light, no! He shattered Borsalino..."
Sengoku's glasses slid down his nose, but he forgot to push them up: "Shattered..."
Garp's fists cracked, his eyes flashing with unprecedented fighting spirit: "Hahaha! Good kid!"
"Hahaha!" Zephyr slowly took off his sunglasses, revealing a gratified smile, and rubbed his temples, sighing.
"Only at this moment do I realize....
Gern, in my eyes, you are no longer the Second Class Marine from the West Blue Branch back then.
Now... you can truly stand on your own!"
At the same time, Kong's voice echoed throughout the entire scene via broadcast:
"Second match, winner—Gern Reginald Sigma!"
In an instant, all the Marine warships erupted in deafening cheers!
.......
In the giant pit in the center of the Deserted Island, seawater gurgled out from the cracked earth.
Borsalino lay half-submerged in the puddle, his expensive custom suit already reduced to rags.
His curly hair was covered in mud and sand, and his sunglasses were shattered, with only one frame hanging crookedly on his nose.
"Cough cough..." He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, raised a hand to wipe the corner of his mouth, and suddenly noticed that the gold embroidery on his cuff had come undone.
"Ara! This was handmade by a master tailor..."
Gern walked over with tired steps, black blade eight desolations plowing a thin line on the ground.
He then stopped at the edge of the pit, looking down at the disheveled Kizaru, and grinned, revealing the smile of a victor.
"Senior, your three-month vacation is gone."
Borsalino looked up, the sunlight reflecting comical light spots on his broken glasses frame.
A red glow (Haoshoku) that flashed in Gern's pupils when he punched flickered in his mind.
Then he slowly raised his right hand and made a gesture of surrender: "These young people nowadays... are really terrifying~"
After speaking, he suddenly seemed to remember something and added: "Oh, by the way, this exhibition match... should count as a work injury, right?
Even if it's free, the medical insurance should be able to be cashed out, right?
"And my clothes, my glasses." Kizaru clutched the fragments of his suit with a pained heart.
"Custom-made items take three months... Do you think Headquarters will reimburse them?"
Gern's mouth twitched, then he took a deep breath and suddenly bent down, extending a hand: "Do you need me to help you up, Senior?"
"What a thoughtful junior~ But, you're still too young."
"Young? Senior Borsalino, shouldn't you be..."
"Should be what?! I should be lying quietly right now; this time, my sick leave will be at least two months!"
Gern: "......."
"Hehe..." Kizaru forced a playful smile, but fine beads of cold sweat seeped from his temples.
Only he himself knew that the power of Gern's attack far exceeded imagination.
This two-month sick leave was probably genuinely needed.
And when Gern saw Kizaru could still laugh, he couldn't help but frown.
Thinking this old fox really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to slack off and take a vacation, he got up and was about to leave.
Just as Gern took a step, Kizaru suddenly turned his face: "Kid, using Ryou Haki should be enough against a senior, right?
Haoshoku or whatever... I'm not that monster Golden Lion."
"Huh? What Haoshoku?" Gern suddenly turned around, his face full of confusion.
"What are you talking about, Senior Borsalino?"
Looking at the bewildered guy who could act even better than himself, the future 'Shadow Emperor'.
Kizaru, unable to confirm whether he was telling the truth or not, slowly raised his hand to cover his eyes, a hint of helplessness escaping through his fingers.
.....
P.S.: Protagonist and Kizaru!
Gern and Kizaru