Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

Before he could finish speaking, Luffy immediately threw a punch that collided with Aokiji's. "Is this the excuse you came up with?"

Luffy can accept this as a compliment from Aokiji.

Not everyone is qualified to receive such praise from the strongest in the ocean.

Aokiji suddenly exerted his strength, his arm muscles bulging, and a tremendous force surged forth in an attempt to throw Luffy away!

"You're dangerous enough as it is!" Aokiji hissed.

Luffy nimbly flipped in the air, activating his Gum-Gum Fruit powers, twisting his body as if it had no bones, thus dissipating the force.

At the same time, his skin instantly turned bright red, and a large amount of steam gushed out.

Second gear - Open!

"Jet pistol!"

Luffy's figure flashed like a red lightning bolt, instantly appearing in front of Aokiji. With a sharp whooshing sound, he kicked Aokiji hard in the face!

Aokiji reacted extremely quickly, once again conjuring an ice saber to parry!

boom!

Click!

The ice-cold saber snapped in two!

Aokiji was struck squarely in the chest by this incredibly swift kick, and his entire body flew backward like a cannonball, crashing through several slender trees before finally coming to a stop, carving a deep furrow in the grass.

In their first official encounter, the two were evenly matched!

But Aokiji quickly stood up as if nothing had happened, patted the ice and dust off his clothes, and continued, "As expected, especially you. From the initial bounty of 50 million in the East Blue to the current bounty of 200 million, and after disappearing for a while after defeating Crocodile, you've actually reached this level."

This rate of growth is simply astonishing.

He had dealt with countless lawless and exceptionally talented individuals, but this was the first time he had encountered someone like Luffy.

It has to be said, he truly lives up to his reputation as Garp's grandson.

That terrifying talent and potential.

Having only been at sea for a short time, he was already able to go toe-to-toe with this naval admiral.

In a few years, who will be able to stop him on this vast ocean?

Aokiji's expression turned completely grim: "So I think your future is very scary."

"Ice Block, Pheasant Beak"

Without another word, his right arm was instantly enveloped in terrifying cold air, and he swung it forward violently!

The condensed cold air transformed into an enormous, lifelike giant bird, radiating destructive chill, letting out a silent shriek, and with a terrifying power that could freeze everything, it pounced on Luffy!

Wherever the icebirds flew, the air condensed into ice crystals, and the grass was instantly covered with a thick layer of white frost!

"Is that an icebird?"

Luffy's eyes sharpened, and he unleashed his full speed in Gear Second, his figure flashing rapidly as he narrowly avoided the Ice Bird's head-on attack.

The ice bird crashed into a grove of trees some distance behind him, instantly turning that area into a forest of ice sculptures. He glanced at it sideways and thought, "It would be bad if I got hit by that."

Along the coast, where a chilling aura permeated the air, a dense fog obscured visibility. Aokiji's attacks were relentless; he leaped into the air, his long sword slashing down fiercely.

Luffy, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, managed to block Aokiji's almost sneak attack even though he was in the pitch-black icy fog.

"You also have Observation Haki, you're quite terrifying."

Is that considered a compliment?

"I guess so." The icy mist currently surrounding Luffy is due to Aokiji's ability, which has covered the surrounding area.

Not only does it obstruct the view, but it also brings extreme cold.

An ordinary person would get frostbite from just a touch.

But Luffy is no ordinary person; his physical abilities are now comparable to Aokiji's.

He could stay in this level of ice fog for a whole day and night without any problems.

"I originally thought Robin was the most dangerous woman, but now it seems you're no exception."

"Is it dangerous? Then give me a bigger bounty."

Luffy used his Gum-Gum Jet Gun to force Aokiji to retreat.

Aokiji exhaled a cold breath and looked at Luffy, saying, "The amount of the bounty not only represents the strength of the criminal, but also the degree of threat that person poses to the World Government."

"At least in my opinion, your current bounty of two hundred million is too low!"

Chapter 179 I will bear the consequences of everything that happened to Robin!

Luffy and Aokiji faced off on the frost-covered grass, the atmosphere tense as a taut bowstring.

Aokiji suddenly changed the subject, his gaze falling on Robin behind Luffy:

"Straw Hat Boy, do you know that the woman behind you, Nico Robin, became a wanted criminal with a bounty of 79 million Berries when she was only eight years old?"

Luffy stared at Aokiji in silence, his eyes cold.

Aokiji continued, "Although he was just a child, he survived betrayal and escape by virtue of his extraordinary wisdom and ruthlessness."

"She fawns over people, uses people, and has been barely surviving in the cracks of the dark world until now. Do you think a woman like that won't choose to betray again? It's just that this time, the place she has chosen to hide is you people."

Aokiji suddenly stopped and looked at Luffy. "Let's make a deal. Hand over Nico Robin to me. I'll spare the rest of you out of respect for Vice Admiral Garp who took care of me back then."

His answer was his fist.

Without hesitation.

This punch did not directly contact Aokiji, but was an attack from a distance.

The Haki flowing from Luffy's fist unleashed a shockwave that exploded with a deafening roar.

boom!

Caught off guard, Aokiji turned his head to avoid the head-on impact, but the sharp, domineering aura still grazed his cheek, leaving a thin bloodstain.

A flowing, domineering aura?

His mastery of domineering aura has reached this level.

That's incredible.

What you said really annoyed me!

Luffy's expression was contorted with rage, and he growled, "Shouldn't it be your World Government that's reflecting on its actions? Why should an eight-year-old child have to suffer like this?!"

Or rather, making an eight-year-old child bear these burdens is something the world government should take the blame for.

Aokiji knew perfectly well what had happened in Ohara.

So he fell silent for a moment when faced with Luffy's questioning.

Luffy stepped forward, brimming with confidence, and declared in a resolute voice:

"Whatever grudges you have against Robin, from today onwards—no! from the moment Robin joined my crew and became my partner—I will take responsibility for them all!"

This is his awareness, the awareness of a captain!

Aokiji's facial muscles twitched slightly.

Luffy's first words did indeed touch upon some complex emotions he felt deep within regarding Ohara, but on the surface he remained calm, simply saying:

"That was a rather unfortunate conversation. Robin escaped from me once before, but that was a long time ago."

But you'll soon find out how troublesome it is to have this woman around. You'll regret it.

The best proof is that, to date, every organization or partner associated with Nico Robin has perished. She's the only survivor. Do you think that's an extremely low-probability event?

This is Robin's destiny.

As a cursed lone star, her identity as an Ohara person destined her to be an enemy of the World Government. Who in this world has the power to tolerate such a woman?

Even someone as strong as Aokiji had his doubts.

Robin, who was not far away, trembled slightly upon hearing this.

She didn't know if it was the cold air around her that made her body feel cold or if Aokiji's words chilled her heart.

Robin did not refute him because what Aokiji said was correct.

However, Luffy did not respond to Aokiji's words; instead, he gave the most powerful answer through his actions!

"Rubber... Jet machine gun!"

Luffy's attacks were like a storm, relentless!

The rubbery afterimages almost enveloped Aokiji, and each punch contained powerful Armament Haki and the impact of Gear Second.

He strikes and retreats, but the next second, he will reappear at an even more tricky angle and faster speed!

While calmly parrying and dodging Luffy's attacks, Aokiji continued to question, "Why is she the only one who survived? Do you really think you're the exception?"

Robin, standing next to him, bit her lower lip so hard that her nails almost dug into her palm.

Because what Aokiji said was true to some extent.

Those organizations that had been associated with her were indeed destroyed.

"That's all in the past!"

Robin couldn't help but shout, his voice trembling slightly, "I'm now..."

"The past is the past! The present is the present!"

Luffy's voice interrupted her, firm and powerful, filled with unquestionable trust: "You are now our important partner! That's enough!"

Robin was stunned, looking at Luffy's upright figure, who stood tall even in the midst of fierce battle, shielding her from all doubts and dangers. An indescribable warmth instantly melted away the last ice in her heart.

Aokiji laughed, but there was a hint of coldness in his smile: "You're really arrogant enough."

Even now, Aokiji has never truly underestimated Luffy.