One Piece: I am Imu

"Alalala~~"

"This situation is a bit serious, I'm not going to die here, am I?"

Facing the strong siege of the Divine Dragon and Black Marlin, Kuzan muttered as if he was mocking himself.

Kuzan was no longer thinking about how to defeat these two colossal enemies. His priority was to stay alive. In the meantime, he was trying to buy time and look for an opportunity to escape from this corner of the Eastern Sea, hoping that Borsalino would come to his aid.

"Otherworldly Ice Celestial Spirit, please give up resistance immediately. I promise not to harm your life!"

From the stormy sky, the Divine Dragon slowly descended amidst lightning and thunder. His deep, tired voice resounded like an echo of authority.

"Damn it, what are you talking about, old dragon head, this bastard just hurt me!"

"He must die!"

The Black Marlin was extremely dissatisfied after hearing the dragon's words.

"Shut up, idiot!" The Divine Dragon tilted its enormous head, casting a furious glare that made the Black Marlin tremble. "This matter is decided by me, you just need to cooperate!"

"You..." The Black Marlin, enraged but unable to resist the dragon's imposing aura, gritted his teeth and increased the intensity of his attacks against Kuzan as if to vent his frustration.

"With Borsalino's speed, he should get here in half a day." Ignoring the dragon's words, Kuzan focused on resisting.

He had no intention of giving up.

Kuzan, as an admiral of the Navy, would never allow himself to be captured alive.

For him, there were lines he could not cross:

He could lose, flee, even die in battle. But being captured was unacceptable.

The same principle applies to all generals!

"If you refuse to listen to reason, don't blame me for being ruthless. Roaaar!"

With a thunderous roar, the Dragon unleashed a surge of power that covered the sky and earth like a storm.

"Haoshoku Haki?"

"No, it's just very similar."

Kuzan felt an indescribable pressure in his mind. At the same time, crystalline threads began to fall from the thick cloud cover, shining with a faint white glow.

There were too many of them, like an endless rain of filaments that enveloped all the space around them.

"Threads?"

Not knowing what they were or their effects, Kuzan decided not to take any chances.

Without hesitation, he unleashed his most powerful technique: the awakening ability of his Devil Fruit, creating a continent of ice.

Because he felt the danger of those white threads.

A massive surge of icy energy spread out from his body, instantly freezing the raging sea. Within seconds, massive ice mountains rose into the sky, their peaks piercing the stormy clouds.

Icy wind and snow enveloped the region, transforming the battlefield into an arctic mountain range.

"This can't be possible!"

The Black Marlin watched in disbelief as its dark mists were neutralized by the freezing temperatures emanating from the mountains. Ice and black water now divided the vast Eastern Sea into two opposing worlds.

"Those icebergs are constantly absorbing energy from nature. Is this his secret control, or is it the spontaneous effect of the icebergs?"

The dragon in the dark clouds squinted his eyes and looked at the magnificent icebergs.

Just as Kuzan's ice continent took shape, the white threads, coming from the dragon's fur, approached its position and surrounded it.

The next moment the entire mountain range trembled violently, and large amounts of icy wind began to flow, enveloping the atmosphere in extreme cold. The icy currents advanced towards the dense rain of threads and the lightning bolts falling between them.

On the other hand, the Black Marlin also raised huge waves of black mist and tsunamis, which fiercely advanced towards the icy mountains.

Furthermore, taking advantage of his advantage as a gigantic swordfish, he began to accelerate through the waves, reaching an impressive speed.

Finally, with a fierce leap, he emerged from the chaotic water.

His body turned into a black spear, surrounded by deafening sonic booms.

The sharp tip of his jaw pointed directly at Kuzan above.

...

At some point, the duel between Mihawk and Tsukahara had stopped.

The only evidence of the fierce fighting was the countless cracks in the shattered ground and the polished cut marks that decorated the small island.

"Don't worry. The great Divine Dragon has already assured me that he won't kill Admiral Kuzan."

"I hope so." Mihawk said, re-sheathing his sword in a leisurely motion. He glared coldly at the old man and added in an icy tone: "Otherwise, your nation will face a calamity. You better pray that dragon keeps his word."

"Calamity? You mean the World Government will retaliate?" Tsukahara asked, looking thoughtfully at the majestic ice mountain in the distance, shrouded in lightning, black mist, and violent waves.

"We are at war. It is normal that there are casualties on both sides, right? Besides, the Dragon God only rests on the clouds of our nation; he is not technically a citizen of our kingdom. Even if he kills Admiral Kuzan, what would that have to do with us?"

Mihawk shook his head, crossing his arms as he replied in a calm voice.

"If Admiral Kuzan falls, the World Government will not care to argue the case. They will only look for someone to pay for the loss of such an important power."

Tsukahara frowned. The rawness of those words left him silent for a moment before he sighed in resignation. "I guess that makes sense. A regime that constantly invades other worlds and maintains an aggressive nature couldn't act any other way. That's their way of imposing control."

On the other hand, Tsukahara couldn't help but feel fascinated. He had just lost a sword duel against Mihawk.

That duel had not only aroused in him admiration for the World Government and the Sword Hall, but also a deep yearning to explore this world of superior forces and legendary swordsmen.

That was why the old man had made a decision: he would request Mihawk to allow him, along with his granddaughter and the most talented swordsmen in the Kingdom of the Gods Islands, to join the Sword Hall.

Regarding his advanced age, Mihawk had assured him that the World Government could offer a solution... as long as he proved himself worthy.

Tsukahara pondered over it. His worth could be measured in three aspects: His unparalleled prowess with the sword. His reputation as the Sword Saint of the Gods Islands. And his ability to communicate with the Divine Dragon.

He had made up his mind: upon returning, he would persuade Emperor Zuou to formally surrender to the World Government. In his opinion, Zuou had no way of competing with that colossus, not even by allying with the Empire or the Alchemy Kingdom.

"Tell me, Mihawk... Are you the strongest swordsman within the World Government?" Tsukahara asked seriously.

"No."

The cold and direct answer stunned Tsukahara. Mihawk adjusted the black hat over his eyes as he continued: "Swordsmen like you and I, although rare in Starfish World, are not unique. There are others. And beyond us, there exists someone who has transcended the level of great swordsmen. His mastery of the sword is in the realm of the gods. That is the true Sword Saint."

Tsukahara was speechless, and with a trembling voice, he asked: "Do you think I could have the honor of meeting that Sword Saint?"

"No."

Mihawk shook his head again and told the truth without hesitation.

"You are not qualified, but don't be disappointed, because most people in the World Government are not qualified."

"That's it..."

Tsukahara lowered his head, deep in thought, but was even more surprised by Mihawk's identity.

After a silence, his curiosity led him to ask: "So, Mihawk, you don't plan to help Admiral Kuzan in his battle?"

"No." Mihawk calmly looked out at the chaotic battle. "Because right now I don't have the level to intervene."

...

World of the Titans, Noah's Ark.

"This old dragon is interesting."

Imu sat alone on the sofa, watching the fierce three-way battle unfolding on the virtual screen in front of him.

Despite being busy with multiple matters,

Imu made time to closely follow the progress of the war in the Teigu World.

Upon learning that Kuzan was being attacked by two Super Class Danger Beasts, he ordered the battle to be broadcast to him in real time. Watching the events unfold, he couldn't help but recognize the gravity of the situation.

Although Kuzan used his awakened ability to create the best possible environment, he was unable to break through the combined blockade of the old dragon and the black swordfish.

The battle had escalated into a clash of natural elements: glaciers, tsunamis, storm clouds, blizzards, a giant dragon, black mist, and a sea creature.

This made Imu, for a moment, consider personally intervening to save him.

If he used the Star Map's teleportation function, Imu could appear on the battlefield in a short period of time.

However, although he considered it, he made no move.

Imu was pondering whether saving Kuzan at this moment would be the right thing to do. Although he seemed to be in a bind, with his strength he should be able to hold out until Borsalino arrived as reinforcements.

This battle, though tough, also represented an opportunity for Kuzan.

At his current level, only by facing extreme challenges could he continue to strengthen his Haki.

Passing this test could lead to significant advancement, perhaps even reaching Sakazuki's level.

Furthermore, if every time a World Government general was in trouble, Imu stepped in to save them, he would end up overprotecting them, which could limit their growth.

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