Capítulo 36: Chapter 36: The Frosted Path
Chapter 36: The Frosted Path
The golden sun had barely begun its climb, its warm rays piercing the cold horizon. Yet here, near the frozen waters bordering Alabasta, the sun's warmth seemed an illusion. An expanse of icy ocean stretched far and wide, spanning over half a kilometer square. The once-fluid waves were now arrested mid-motion, turned to jagged ice that glittered like shards of glass. The air was thick with frost, each breath visible in soft white clouds, and the cold bit at every exposed inch of skin.
Trapped in this icy purgatory was an imposing fleet of marine warships—ten colossal vessels, their hulls imprisoned by the unyielding grip of ice. The frost reached high, creeping along the curved keels and wooden beams, locking them in place as if the sea itself sought vengeance. The ships, once symbols of the Marines' might, now stood helpless, scattered chaotically across the frozen field like abandoned toys.
On the upper deck of one ship, two low-ranking Marines stood watch, their breaths puffing out like smoke in the chill morning air. One of them, a wiry young man with short brown hair, sneezed violently. He rubbed his arms in a futile attempt to ward off the cold, his sleeveless uniform doing little to shield him. "It's freezing out here," he complained, his teeth chattering.
Beside him, a bulkier Marine clad in a thick jacket chuckled, his voice a warm contrast to the icy atmosphere. "You've got to be ready for this kind of weather, especially at dawn. The sea can be cruel when it wakes."
The sleeveless Marine sneezed again, glaring at his friend. "What's dawn got to do with anything? And more importantly, how did Admiral Aokiji's attack backfire on us like this?"
A third Marine, this one older and more composed, stood nearby, cradling a steaming mug of coffee. His uniform was pristine, his expression serious as his gaze fixed on the ice below. "The Admiral doesn't make mistakes," he said, his tone cutting through the idle chatter. "What we're dealing with isn't some miscalculation. This... this is the work of the Dragon's Sin. Meliodas."
At the bow of the same ship, Vice Admiral Garp stood in silence, the wind tugging at his cape. His eyes followed the faint silhouette of a ship on the horizon—the Dragon's Wrath, cutting through the frozen waters and disappearing toward Alabasta's shores. His expression was unreadable, a rare stillness settling over him as he watched the enemy escape.
Without a word, Garp planted a foot on the ship's edge and leapt into the frozen expanse below. The ice cracked beneath his landing, spiderweb fractures spreading out like veins. Yet he stood firm, the force of his presence alone keeping the icy surface intact. He began walking across the frost, his steps confident and deliberate, until he reached the figure of Admiral Aokiji—frozen in place, his body encased in his own ice.
"Planning to laze around all day?" Garp's deep voice rumbled as he approached. "We've got a mission to finish, and they're slipping away."
The ice around Aokiji began to stir, faint cracks forming as the frozen Admiral slowly absorbed the ice surrounding him. His limbs emerged, his posture languid yet poised as if the cold itself obeyed his will. He adjusted the collar of his suit, brushing off the remaining frost with an air of casual indifference.
"I was just... a little surprised," Aokiji admitted, his tone calm as his icy breath lingered in the air. "Didn't think he'd reverse my attack with that much force. Guess I underestimated him."
Behind them, on the ship's upper deck, a young Marine with bright pink hair—Koby—watched in awe. His gloved hands gripped the railing tightly as he took in the frozen chaos around them. Beside him, a blonde companion leaned on the edge, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"This is... insane," Koby murmured, his voice trembling. "The ships can't move an inch in this state."
Their musings were interrupted by a commanding voice. A higher-ranking officer approached, his tone sharp. "What are you two doing, standing around like fools? You think we're here to spectate? Get to the armory and grab axes or hammers! We need to break the ice and free the fleet!"
Koby and his companion stiffened, snapping salutes in perfect unison. "Yes, sir!" they chorused before hurrying below deck.
Out on the frozen sea, Garp moved past Aokiji without waiting for a response, his steps slow and deliberate. A faint red aura began to shimmer around his clenched fist, subtle sparks of Haoshoku Haki dancing in the air.
"I can still catch up to them," Garp said, his voice steady. "I'll bring them down myself if I have to."
Aokiji followed, his own pace unhurried. His frosty demeanor matched the cold spreading beneath his feet with every step, creating a new path of ice over the open water. "No need to rush, Garp-san," he said, his breath curling in the air like smoke. "They won't escape Alabasta. Sooner or later, they'll have no choice but to surrender. We've already won."
Raising one hand lazily, Aokiji unleashed a wave of cold that crept forward, steadily reinforcing the icy path. "Let's take our time," he added.
Garp turned to glance at him, then back at the fleet. He let out a deep sigh before kneeling slightly, his Haki-infused fist striking the icy ground with a resounding crack. The force reverberated across the frozen field, splitting the ice into a thousand fissures.
The entire frozen expanse shattered. Huge chunks of ice broke away, bobbing in the frigid waters as the ships, freed from their icy prisons, jolted slightly. Marines on deck stumbled, some falling to their knees, while others cheered wildly, their tools raised in celebration.
"That's the Garp we know!" one Marine yelled, his voice brimming with admiration.
Garp stood, brushing his hand off as if the act had been trivial. His voice was calm as he muttered, "That should make it easier for them to catch up. Let's move." He followed Aokiji, the icy path reforming under their feet as they pursued the Dragon's Wrath.
On the other side of the frozen battlefield, aboard the enemy ship, Elizabeth clung desperately to the edge of the deck. Her silver hair clung to her face in damp strands, her pale hands gripping a thick rope tied around Meliodas's wrist. She strained with every ounce of strength she had, pulling him up inch by inch.
"Just... a little more," she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a final heave, she managed to haul Meliodas onto the deck. The momentum sent her sprawling backward, landing hard on the wooden planks with the golden-haired captain sprawled atop her. She winced, the weight pressing down on her slight frame as she struggled to catch her breath.
Meliodas stirred, his soaked golden locks clinging to his forehead. His green eyes fluttered open, a lazy smile spreading across his face as he gazed at the rising sun. "Looks like... I was right after all," he murmured, his voice soft but tinged with amusement. "You pulled through, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth, still lying beneath him, let out a breathless laugh. "You're crazy..." she said, her cheeks flushed from exertion.
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[ A/N ]
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❗Next three chapters❗
- Chapter 37; You Should Fight!
- Chapter 38: Elizabeth Cristial!
- Chapter 39: Thief!
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