Ohara.
Benedict truly hadn't expected the Navy to actually launch a Buster Call.
Even Zephyr was immensely surprised.
To kill Benedict, would these people not hesitate to kill even him, their mentor?
Before the cannon shells bombed the warship, a look of helplessness appeared in Zephyr's eyes.
With his limbs weakened, he couldn't resist such cannon fire.
"Admiral Zephyr, these are truly your good students."
"How pathetic!"
"However, their good luck has run out."
Lifting Zephyr from the sea and standing him up, Benedict's gaze towards the fleet also turned murderous.
Earlier, he had wanted to avoid a larger-scale conflict.
That's why he had used Zephyr as a hostage, forcing the warships to retreat ten nautical miles.
Now, there was no need for that at all.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu."
In an instant, hundreds of Benedicts appeared on the sea, charging towards the warships.
"Zephyr, you are free."
"But not now."
One shadow clone grabbed Zephyr and rushed towards the shore of Ohara.
Hearing the shadow clone's words, Zephyr's gaze showed little reaction.
Free, so what?
Would the cannon fire mercilessly destroy Ohara, leaving him to fend for himself?
"Crack!"
The shadow clone reattached all of Zephyr's limbs.
Zephyr couldn't quite understand Benedict's intentions.
With his limbs reattached, he regained his strength.
The Benedict shadow clone before him was confident of easily resolving the situation.
However, Zephyr did not act immediately.
He looked towards the sea, towards the fleet.
At this moment, the Benedict shadow clones, evading bullets at high speed, landed on the warships and attacked the Marines aboard.
Even ordinary Marines were elite Marines, students personally taught by Zephyr.
Yet, at this moment, he could only watch as these students fell one by one at Benedict's hands.
"You can go help."
"Either brave the relatively fierce cannon fire, or wait until it stops before you go."
The shadow clone Benedict said to Zephyr with a smirk.
Hearing this, Zephyr took a step forward, intending to use the Six Powers of Rokushiki, braving the cannon fire, crossing the sea to support Kuzan and the others.
But just as he stepped out, several sword energies descended, blocking his path.
Sakata Gintoki had arrived, suddenly appearing behind Zephyr, his Toki Toki held to Zephyr's back. His eyes glinted with killing intent as he said sternly, "Take one more step, and you die."
Zephyr stopped, retracting his aura, but he was enduring.
Watching his students die one by one at Benedict's hands was agonizing for him.
The shadow clone Benedict frowned slightly upon seeing Sakata Gintoki, saying, "Have they all evacuated?"
"They are evacuating. The Buster Call affected some people, but with a little more time, they'll be able to set sail," Sakata Gintoki replied, glancing at Zephyr.
"Don't mind him. I'm not afraid even if they come," the shadow clone Benedict said calmly. "Your mission is to escort them safely back to the East Blue."
Sakata Gintoki looked at the distant battle, still a little worried, saying, "But..."
"Even the combined might of the three Admirals can't keep me here," Benedict stated again.
Sakata Gintoki knew Benedict's mind was made up, so he warned Zephyr, "If anything happens to our Fleet Admiral, believe me, we will gather all the power of the Genbu Navy to completely overthrow your Navy's rule."
"The current Navy is rotten to the core."
With that, Sakata Gintoki quickly turned and left.
The World Government's determination to annihilate Ohara would absolutely not allow these people to leave so easily.
It was still unknown how much force would intercept them along the way, so he also had to return to the fleet.
Relying on the combat power of the Genbu Navy warriors, coupled with Saul's strength and his own influence, they had sufficient fighting power.
But even the strongest individual combat power could be helpless against cannon fire, and it couldn't withstand relentless bombardment day and night.
After Sakata Gintoki left, Zephyr stood resolutely on the beach.
On the other side.
Benedict, along with his shadow clones, launched his attack with even greater speed. In just a moment, countless individuals had fainted before the Conqueror's Haki.
As for those remaining who could still resist—Captains, Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals—they also appeared disheveled under the encirclement of the shadow clones.
And at this moment, before Benedict stood the future Three Admirals: Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan.
However, the expressions of all three were extremely grim.
Barely having engaged, Sakazuki was punched in the face by Benedict, nearly losing a tooth, and was himself sent flying onto another ship.
Kuzan immediately entered his elemental form and launched an attack on Benedict.
But Benedict, unfazed by the illusion, dealt with each one with a punch, forcing Kuzan to unleash his ultimate move.
"Ice Age!"
In an instant, the sea for miles around was frozen solid.
The thick ice layer also provided them with a convenient arena for their fierce battle.
Akainu found a foothold and charged forward once more.
Borsalino, the one slacking off, relied on his Devil Fruit ability and fought with exceptional cunning, launching sporadic sneak attacks that were highly penetrating.
However, Benedict still easily dodged them.
"Gotcha," Benedict extended his hand, his Busoshoku Haki-covered arm gripping Borsalino's long legs, a cold smile on his face.
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
With Borsalino caught by Benedict, he was swung like a sledgehammer, hitting the ice surface once, twice, thrice.
The thick ice layer, under Benedict's manipulation, developed cracks from the impacts.
As the fourth swing was about to fall, Sakazuki and Kuzan attacked, giving Borsalino the opportunity to elementalize and escape Benedict's grasp.
"Sakazuki, are you playing with snakeskin?"
"Your punches are weak and powerless."
After dodging the attacks consecutively, Benedict taunted Sakazuki, engaging in a back-and-forth battle with both. He couldn't help but mock Sakazuki.
This hot-tempered fellow had just suffered a great humiliation.
"Bakuuchi."
While Benedict was taunting Sakazuki, Kuzan, not one to be outdone, seized the moment of distraction and suddenly appeared behind Benedict, launching an attack.
An ice bird, carrying an incredibly chilling aura, flew from Kuzan's hand and instantly struck Benedict.
"Crack!"
In an instant, frost spread all over Benedict's body, completely encasing him in ice.
Benedict, frozen in place, then began to rapidly descend towards the ground.
Sakazuki's eyes flashed with sharp intent, and he attacked furiously, roaring, "Meigo!"
"Yasakani no Magatama!" At the same time, Borsalino, who had been beaten mercilessly by Benedict, didn't want to miss this opportunity. Countless light bullets rained down.
They all knew clearly that an existence as powerful as Benedict could not be killed by being frozen like this.
A fatal blow was necessary.