One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 35: The Frozen Chase

Elizabeth made her way from the deck of the Dragon's Sin, her silver hair catching the first rays of dawn. The sunlight seemed to embrace her pale skin, its glow reflecting brilliantly in her crystalline blue eyes. Her light blue dress fluttered softly in the salty sea breeze, its hem brushing the wooden steps as she ascended the stairs toward the helm. Her every movement carried a sense of urgency, her steps both graceful and resolute.

When she reached the wheel, she placed both hands firmly on it, her fingers gripping its worn wood. Scattered around her on the deck were weathered maps, their corners lifting slightly as the wind teased them. The ship's course was a dangerous one—directly toward the golden sands of Alabasta's coastline. Narrowing her eyes in determination, Elizabeth yanked the wheel sharply to the left.

The entire ship groaned in protest, tilting as it veered off course. The creak of wood and the snapping of ropes filled the air. The Dragon's Sin cut a sharp path, its hull slicing through the cresting waves as it skimmed dangerously close to the island's jagged cliffs. The sea churned in its wake, foamy sprays rising high before falling back into the endless blue.

From the main deck, Meliodas stood watching her. His sharp green eyes, glowing with intensity, traced her every move before shifting to the horizon behind them. There, looming in the distance, was the unmistakable bulk of the Marine fleet. The sight was daunting: dozens of colossal ships, their sails emblazoned with the insignia of justice. At the heart of the fleet was the flagship, dwarfing even its impressive companions. Standing on its deck, unbothered by the tension in the air, was Admiral Aokiji himself, his tall frame relaxed, his black hair tousled by the gentle breeze.

Aokiji stood at the edge of the Marine ship, one foot propped casually on the railing. His deep black eyes surveyed the scene, taking in the nimble movements of the Dragon's Sin and its apparent effort to escape. He exhaled lazily, a puff of cold air escaping his lips.

"At this rate," he muttered, his tone calm yet edged with finality, "this game of tag will never end. Let's put an end to this farce."

Without another word, Aokiji stepped forward. His descent was almost serene—a simple, effortless motion as he left the ship's deck. The wind caught his Admiral's coat, causing it to billow as he plummeted toward the ocean below. Gasps erupted from the Marine soldiers watching him, many whispering in awe and alarm.

When his feet touched the surface of the sea, the impossible happened. The water beneath him froze instantly, spreading out in a perfect circle. A crystalline sheen of ice formed beneath his boots, crackling as it solidified. Aokiji straightened, his imposing presence magnified as the ice began to stretch outward, the once restless waves trapped under his dominion.

On the Marine flagship, Captain Coby and his blond-haired companion Helmeppo stared in awe. The younger officers around them, however, were already grinning, some even cheering.

"As expected from Admiral Aokiji!" one of them exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. "A man who doesn't fear the sea—what a legend!"

Another chimed in, "He's the very symbol of our strength. Even the ocean bends to his will!"

Coby swallowed hard, his wide eyes filled with both fear and reverence, while Helmeppo muttered something under his breath, his usual bravado nowhere to be found. In stark contrast, Vice Admiral Garp remained silent, standing like a stoic sentinel on the deck, his sharp gaze fixed on the unfolding events.

The ice spread faster now, reaching further into the open sea. Aokiji's gaze locked onto Meliodas, their eyes meeting across the expanse of water. With a slow, deliberate breath, the Admiral whispered two chilling words:

"Ice Age."

The sea erupted into a frozen wasteland. Frost raced across the water at an incredible speed, encasing everything in its path. The Dragon's Sin shuddered as the temperature around it plummeted.

Elizabeth, still at the helm, felt a jolt of panic. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the wheel. "What...what is this?" she whispered, watching the encroaching frost with wide eyes.

Below, Meliodas moved swiftly. His boots thudded against the wooden deck as he sprinted toward the ship's mast. His golden hair bounced with each step, catching the light, while his white shirt and green trousers billowed around him. In his left hand, he gripped the Lostvayne blade tightly. His right hand reached for a thick rope dangling from the mast. With a sharp swipe, he cut it loose and quickly looped it around his wrist, tying a firm knot.

"Elizabeth!" he called out, his voice cutting through the rising tension. "Once I'm under, pull with everything you've got!"

Elizabeth's hands faltered on the wheel. "Under? What are you talking about?!" she shouted, panic rising in her voice.

But Meliodas didn't answer. He dashed toward the edge of the deck, the rope trailing behind him like a lifeline. The realization hit Elizabeth like a ton of bricks. Her hand shot out instinctively, even though she was far too late to stop him.

"Meliodas-san! Wait! Don't tell me—"

Before she could finish, he was airborne. His body arced gracefully over the ship's railing. The wind whipped through his golden hair as his piercing green eyes remained fixed on the ice below. His white shirt rippled like a flag, and the rope around his wrist stretched taut. In his left hand, Lostvayne gleamed, its sharp edge catching the sunlight.

From his frozen perch, Aokiji's calm demeanor cracked ever so slightly. His dark eyes narrowed, and his lips parted in surprise. "What's this?" he murmured. "Isn't he a Devil Fruit user?"

The ice crept closer to the Dragon's Sin, the crackling of frost against the hull a deafening sound. Meliodas plunged downward, his body cutting through the air like a spear. Just as the ice was about to reach the ship, his lower half disappeared beneath the surface of the freezing water.

"Full Counter!" Meliodas roared, his voice echoing across the sea.

The effect was instantaneous. The freezing wave of ice that had spread from Aokiji reversed its course. The water that had solidified began to crack and splinter, the frost retreating rapidly. The sound was deafening, a cacophony of breaking ice and rushing water. The full force of Aokiji's attack surged back toward the Marine fleet, magnified tenfold.

Aokiji barely had time to react. His eyes widened in shock as the icy wave enveloped him, freezing his body in place. "Oi, oi..." he muttered, his voice barely audible as frost crawled up his legs and chest. "You've got to be kidding me."

The returning wave of ice didn't stop at him. It continued, freezing the water beneath every Marine ship. The fleet ground to a halt as the ocean turned into an arctic graveyard, trapping the massive vessels in place. The once-mighty ships now stood motionless, their hulls encased in glistening frost.

The Marine soldiers stared in disbelief. The younger ones, who moments ago were praising Aokiji, now stood in stunned silence. Coby's jaw dropped, and Helmeppo took an involuntary step back, his face pale. Even Garp, the indomitable hero of the Marines, raised an eyebrow, his usually calm demeanor momentarily shaken.

Back on the Dragon's Sin, Elizabeth watched the scene unfold, her heart racing. She could hardly believe her eyes. The entire Marine fleet had been brought to a standstill in a matter of moments. "Meliodas..." she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of awe and fear.

But her awe quickly turned to dread. Her eyes darted toward the water, where Meliodas had disappeared. The rope tied to the mast jerked violently, pulling taut. Elizabeth rushed to the edge of the ship, her hands gripping the rope. Her knuckles turned white as she pulled with all her might.

"Come on...come on!" she cried, her voice breaking. She braced her feet against the railing, using her entire body to haul the rope upward. Her muscles burned, and sweat beaded on her forehead, but she refused to let go.

Finally, Meliodas broke the surface. His body was limp, his golden hair plastered to his face. Water streamed from his clothes as Elizabeth dragged him onto the deck, collapsing beside him.

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[ A/N ]

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❗Next three chapters❗

- Chapter 36: The Frosted Path

- Chapter 37; You Should Fight!

- Chapter 38: Elizabeth Cristial!