HST: Chapter 71: Aokiji Vs Caelan

The uninhabited island had become a world of ice.

Amid the extreme cold, ice nearly enveloped Caelan's body.

Caelan didn’t care. Now that all of his attributes had broken through to A-rank, his physique was as resilient as Kaido’s.

With a slight movement, the ice around him shattered into powder.

“Nice freezing technique. But it breaks with a touch.”

Caelan looked at Aokiji and shook his head slightly.

“Now you’re starting to get on my nerves.”
Aokiji frowned at Caelan, who was displaying such overwhelming presence.

The cold air he had just released was several times more powerful than what he used to freeze Saul twenty years ago.

That kind of cold could easily freeze Warlords of the Sea like Doflamingo, rendering them immobile.

And yet Caelan dismissed it like it was nothing.

Still, remembering how Caelan had shattered his reinforced ice like brittle glass, Aokiji’s expression turned serious again.

His ice was supposed to be far tougher than steel. But in front of Caelan’s power, it was like dry wood.

That level of strength was terrifying.

Caelan didn’t waste time. He charged toward Aokiji with his massive sword in hand.

The black uniform stretched over his bulging muscles, giving him the look of a living statue from Greek mythology. Every inch of muscle radiated the explosive power of a Tyrannosaurus.

Extreme strength often came with extreme speed. Caelan’s figure shot forward like lightning, breaking the sound barrier with a deafening roar.

“Whoa!”

Aokiji only saw a black blur followed by a piercing gust. A moment later, the massive sword came crashing down like a mountain.

At that speed, even the naked eye was useless. Only Observation Haki could follow the attack.

“Ice Spear: Pheasant Beak!”

With a sharp shout, Aokiji summoned a surge of freezing energy, forming a massive ice bird that rushed to intercept Caelan’s strike.

Crack!

In an instant, the ice bird shattered into countless shards of ice.

Still, it had done its job, narrowly deflecting Caelan’s blow and giving Aokiji time to evade.

Boom!

Caelan’s giant sword slammed into the frozen ground, carving a massive trench that ran clear across the island.

The frozen world now had a gaping chasm right down the middle.

“Tch. What monstrous power...”
Aokiji looked at the massive rift and couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

That kind of strength was on par with the likes of Kaido. It was incomprehensible.

He now realized it was a miracle Crocodile even survived his fight with Caelan.

He had once thought that Caelan defeating Crocodile was a remarkable feat.

Now, it seemed Crocodile should feel proud just for escaping alive.

This strike alone had earned Caelan Aokiji’s full recognition.

Just as he began to consider ending the battle, Caelan spoke up again.

“What’s the matter? Shocked? Is this what passes for a so-called Admiral?”
Caelan casually flicked the ice dust off his sword.

“You really are arrogant, kid. Fine. Let’s do this.”

Aokiji’s mouth twitched. He abandoned any thoughts of stopping.

This brat was really starting to get under his skin.

So Caelan was a monster. What of it?

He, too, was a monster. And this wasn’t the end.

He was in his prime. He’d teach this kid a lesson he wouldn’t forget.

“That’s the spirit. Come on!”

Caelan grinned wildly, gripping his sword now coated in black Armament Haki, and charged again.

“Ice Blade!”

Aokiji reached into the air and conjured a massive sword of ice, dyed black with Haki, and met Caelan head-on.

Boom!

The two blurry shadows collided at high speed, producing a thunderous boom.

The naked eye couldn’t keep up. Only those with refined Observation Haki and combat experience could follow their movements.

They no longer looked like two humans but two enormous beasts tearing through the landscape.

Every clash flattened the ice-covered terrain and sent chunks of frozen earth flying.

“This is getting troublesome.”

After another exchange, Aokiji retreated nearly a hundred meters. His right arm trembled from the strain.

He was completely outmatched in strength.

Every clash felt like he was fighting Garp.

The force behind Caelan’s blade mirrored the raw, bone-breaking power of that legendary vice admiral.

Still, Aokiji wasn’t ready to admit defeat. He still had cards to play.

“Time Freeze!”

“Ice Block: Double Spike Spear!”

Aokiji raised his left arm and released a flood of cold air.

In an instant, countless razor-sharp ice spears formed in every direction, cutting off Caelan’s paths.

Despite the overwhelming freeze, Caelan didn’t panic.

His body, backed by top-tier stats and innate skills, had unmatched resistance.

This freezing air that could paralyze a Warlord of the Sea merely slowed him down a little.

As for the spears? Caelan swung his massive blade and shattered them all.

“You left yourself wide open, kid!”

While Caelan was occupied with the spears, Aokiji lunged forward, wielding his ice blade once again.

Even with Observation Haki, Caelan couldn’t fully guard against it under such conditions.

“Doesn’t matter!”

Rather than retreat, Caelan swung his sword directly at Aokiji, aiming to exchange blows.

He wasn’t going to dodge. He was going to match blow for blow.

Aokiji barely dodged the incoming sword using his element-based intangibility.

But his own ice blade struck Caelan squarely in the chest.

Clang!

A sharp sound rang out, like steel crashing into steel.

The blade hit Caelan’s chest and left only a faint red mark.

“What...!?”

Aokiji leapt back nearly a hundred meters, staring in disbelief.

He hadn’t used full power, only around 70 percent.

But even that should’ve dealt serious damage.

To leave just a scratch? Was this guy really human?

If Caelan weren’t standing right there, Aokiji would’ve thought he was fighting Kaido.

“Hahaha! That’s more like it!”
Caelan touched the red mark on his chest, felt a sting of pain, and laughed heartily.

Neither Crocodile nor Enel had ever made him feel this alive.

This thrill of a true battle of going all out against someone worthy was unmatched.

“Again!”

Caelan gripped his sword and charged once more.

“Damn kid!”

Aokiji cursed under his breath.

Was it just his imagination, or was Caelan becoming more and more like Kaido?

But he wouldn’t back down.

Retreating of his own will? Sure.

But surrendering because Caelan overpowered him? Absolutely not.

That was a matter of pride.

He faced Caelan directly, unleashing his swordsmanship, Haki, and Devil Fruit power without reservation.

“This fight isn’t over yet!”

Aokiji told himself, confidence still burning.

With his awakened Devil Fruit turning the island into his domain, not only were his powers enhanced, but his stamina was also partially restored.

This was his territory.

Here, he could win a prolonged fight.

And so, the battle resumed.

Black-coated Caelan and ice-blue Aokiji clashed again and again.

Each collision triggered a new shockwave.

The overwhelming energy shook the entire island.

(To be continued.)