One Piece: Marine to Warlord to Conqueror

”Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel!”

...

Kuzan’s expression was unreadable, his gaze sharp and cold. He hadn’t stopped simply because he’d achieved his goal, nor was he thinking about the nonsense the kid had spouted earlier. An Admiral wasn’t that petty.

No, he just wanted to see what this young man was truly capable of.

He watched Dante flip through the air, katana flashing in a spinning slash that deflected every single Ice Spear.

Even Kuzan had to admit it: this was the same genius trainee Zephyr had praised years ago, the one who graduated after only two and a half years.

The same genius Marine who vanished after his reassignment to East Blue, never seen at HQ again. He hadn’t lost his edge or fallen from grace like some claimed. No, he’d hidden himself away in the weakest of seas, fooling everyone.

And this kid’s swordsmanship... fluid, relentless, like water itself... Incredible strength, blinding speed, and astonishing explosive power beneath it all. It felt like facing an ever-changing current.

Even though the sea itself was frozen solid by him, the pressure from the kid’s slashes made Kuzan feel like he was standing in a river.

’And the Haki he’s showing... did he awaken it on his own out here in the East Blue?’ Kuzan had to admit, everyone had underestimated Dante.

As an Admiral, he’d seen plenty of sword styles that were destructive, scorching like fire, sharp enough to cut through anything. He’d even seen the best split the sea and cleave the sky with a single wave of pressure. But he’d never encountered sword pressure quite like this, so fluid, yet endlessly adaptable.

’Could this kid, the one inviting me to Romance Dawn of all places, actually be... gentle?’ Kuzan wondered silently. ’What kind of joke is that?’

Just as Kuzan was mulling this over...

”Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!”

Dante moved, his form blurring like flowing water. He moved so fast, afterimages lingered where he’d been moments before, striking towards Kuzan.

Of course, Kuzan, an Admiral, a Logia user who commanded ice, wasn’t worried. Any water, even the depths of the sea, would freeze before him. Still, facing this swordsmanship, he’d shed his earlier dismissal.

With so many eyes on them, he couldn’t risk getting careless and taking an unexpected loss. How could Admiral Aokiji show his face if that happened?

He watched the peculiar, fluid, high-speed movement, different from the Rokushiki Soru, more like water shifting its course.

A flicker of surprise, then appreciation, crossed Kuzan’s face. But then he exhaled a plume of frigid air, an ice blade forming instantly in his hand. He slashed swiftly to his left, intercepting Dante’s attack.

*Clang!*

As ice met the steel of the Sandai Kitetsu, Kuzan unleashed another wave of cold air. ”Ice Age!”

Dante, now beside him, was instantly frozen from the waist down.

”Are you still going to protect this criminal?” Kuzan asked, his voice cold, standing over the frozen Dante. ”Dante, you’re stronger than I expected, but it’s not enough. Not if you plan to stop me.” A chilling glint returned to his eyes. ”It’s not too late to walk away. Give it up, Dante. You can’t win.”

A heavy, cold pressure radiated from him, the undeniable presence of an Admiral ready to crush anything in his way.

”Let her go, and I give you my word. HQ will pardon your actions. I can even make sure none of this gets reported.”

But Dante didn’t react to the offer.’An act,’ he thought. ’He’s still putting on a show.’ Why Kuzan was dragging this out, Dante didn’t know. But he couldn’t afford to be careless. He ignored the bait.

Years spent mastering Water Breathing had taught him mental clarity, a calm focus that let him tune out distractions.

With a surge of Haki, Dante shattered the ice binding his legs. His expression remained calm, almost weary. ”Can’t we just call it a day?” he sighed.

Freezing temperatures could cripple or kill, but he’d anticipated Kuzan’s arrival. His training, especially using Water Breathing in the sea, had hardened his body against this level of cold. Besides, Kuzan clearly wasn’t going all out yet.

’But it looks like this won’t end unless I show him something,’ Dante realized. A serious look finally settled on his face. He leaned forward slightly, gripping his katana, assuming the Water Breathing stance once more.

”Honestly,” he said flatly, ”it is getting a bit cold. And dawn’s coming. I’d rather wrap this up.”

He’d been expecting Kuzan ever since Robin joined him. He knew Water Breathing alone might not be enough against an Admiral. But this was a world of the sea, ruled by its power. And as a Marine Captain, a supposed genius, Water Breathing wasn’t the only thing he knew.

--**--**

Everyone watched, necks craned, nerves frayed. The overwhelming ice radiated a chilling pressure, threatening to freeze everything solid. Yet, against it, Dante was like a stubborn stream, flowing relentlessly, refusing to be frozen by the biting cold.

Robin clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on Dante’s still form, sword held ready. She couldn’t look away.

Her mind drifted back years, to their first meeting. A reassigned Marine, staring blankly out at the sea, inviting her, the Devil Child, hunted by the World Government, to journey with him to the East Blue.

Back then, she’d been sure he had ulterior motives, believing this was another trap. But somehow, years had passed. He’d kept his word, given her a safe place, a stable life... right up until this moment.

Now, facing danger, just like that giant she met back on Ohara, he stood before her. He hadn’t broken the promise made when he invited her along, protecting her even now.

’But me...’ she thought, ’have I made the wrong choice again?’

”Robin.” Nami noticed the flicker of despair on her friend’s face and squeezed her trembling, cold hand. Nami was shaking too, worry etched on her own features, but her voice was firm. ”Don’t give up. That idiot won’t lose.”

She understood now, Arlong’s crew, who’d once seemed terrifying, were nothing compared to this man.

’That Admiral... he’s a monster,’ Nami thought. ’How can people like that exist?’ But she still believed in the man who had stood up for her when she was at her lowest.

”He hasn’t given up, so we have to believe in him! Look, worst case, we grab him and run. Become pirates, whatever it takes! I had someone get a ship ready just in case. If things go south, we bolt. Or maybe...” Her voice trembled slightly despite her bravado. ”Maybe we should head to the ship now?”

”I believe in him,” Robin replied, the fear and self-blame replaced by her usual composed smile. She nodded firmly. ”I’ve entrusted myself to him. Whatever happens, I’ll wait here for Boss.”

Nami and Kuina exchanged a look, momentarily frozen. ’Did that sound... romantic?’ Nami thought. ’Isn’t that moving kind of fast?’

But before Nami could voice her thoughts, Dante moved.

And as he moved, he spoke again. ”Are you sure you don’t want to go to Romance Dawn? Like I already said before it’s my treat!”

Kuzan’s expression hardened upon hearing that line again, and . Just as he was about to put an end to this-

A voice, calm and steady, cut through the tension.

”Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Boundless Sea!”

As the words hung in the air...

Kuzan’s expression shifted instantly.

Even with the sea frozen solid around them, Kuzan could suddenly hear it, the undeniable roar of a surging ocean.

(E/N: 11th Form is his personally created attack)

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