Chapter 313: Freezing the Sea
The night passed without incident.
None of the shady individuals lurking in the shadows dared to act on Kardan Island.
Perhaps due to the island's mafia families, no pirate risked provoking them.
This allowed Charlotte and his group to enjoy a peaceful and restful night.
—
The next morning.
"Captain! All the supplies are loaded. With Sergei's help, not a single item was missed!"
Barrett, having tallied everything early, came to report.
Charlotte nodded.
"Good. Since we're all set, it's time to leave."
They had spent two days on Kardan Island and secured plenty of useful goods. Now it was time to move on.
Barrett immediately ordered the supplies to be loaded. Charlotte brought his wives and children aboard.
They departed the island.
"Captain, Sergei warned us that many are watching us. They didn't dare act on the island, but it's likely they'll strike once we're at sea. And apparently, they've gathered quite a few forces."
Barrett walked up and informed him.
"Just a bunch of clowns. You'll lead the kids in this battle—I won't step in."
Charlotte leaned back in his chair, gazing at the endless blue sea.
"Yes, sir!"
Barrett turned and left.
Esdeath, Caesar, and several others followed him.
Even the younger ones—Logan, Philip, and the kids who'd just eaten Devil Fruits—tagged along.
Barrett, seeing Charlotte remained silent, brought them too.
He also summoned over a hundred swordsmen and a sword master to stand by for the coming battle.
Charlotte sat atop the high deck, watching his gathered forces.
He hadn't lifted a finger.
From having nothing to commanding nearly ten thousand men, twelve years of sailing had brought him this power. The foundation of the Rockefeller Family was blooming in his hands.
Charlotte's eyes flickered with a cold gleam.
"Then let your blood nourish the fearsome reputation of the Rockefeller name."
He raised his wine glass and looked out at the sea, its crimson hue reflecting like blood.
Woooo~!
The ship's sirens blared.
All hands grabbed their weapons and rushed to the deck.
"Report! Large numbers of pirates and unknown armed ships detected ahead!"
The lookout's voice crackled through the communicator.
Crowds surged to the railings and looked toward the black dots on the horizon that were slowly becoming clearer.
"It's the Wolf King Pirates, the Grizzly Pirates, the Greatsword Pirates, the Explosion Pirates, the Skull-Crusher Pirates…!"
As the intelligence officer listed one pirate crew after another, even Esdeath broke into a light sweat.
"There's... too many of them!"
Caesar couldn't help but curse.
"Quiet! Father is watching from above. This is our trial!"
Esdeath, the eldest sister, stood tall, her eyes filled with murderous intent.
Robert and the others quickly nodded, pushing down their fear.
"I'll lead the charge and create a battlefield for you all. Stay close behind me—no rushing ahead. Caesar, protect the younger ones."
Esdeath barked orders while the enemy was still distant.
"Yes, big sis!"
Everyone's faces grew determined.
Charlotte could sense every move they made—and he was very pleased with how calmly they responded under pressure.
But this was only the beginning.
—
In the distance…
"Gyahahaha! What a massive ship. Probably some noble's cruiser. Ours now!"
Wolf King Ellison stood at the bow of his ship, grinning wide.
"Heh. Don't get cocky, Ellison. I've got my eyes on that ship too. May the fastest crew win,"
said the captain of the Grizzly Pirates, giving him no face.
"That ship is mine as well!"
called the Greatsword Pirates' captain.
"Hehehe, I don't care about the ship—but the girls aboard? Those are mine!"
leered the captain of the Explosion Pirates.
"I feel like I've seen that ship before… Where was it?"
muttered a man from a non-pirate force nearby, suddenly uneasy.
Everyone had their own plans, but their target was the same—the massive black warship ahead.
"Hah! All men, charge! And don't fire the cannons—we're keeping that ship intact!"
Ellison raised his rapier and gave the order.
His fleet surged forward, howling.
—
Back on Charlotte's ship—
Esdeath leapt into the air, her white silhouette flashing as she landed on the sea.
Ice bloomed underfoot.
Drawing her rapier, she walked calmly across the water. With each step, a thick layer of ice formed beneath her.
The pirate leaders charging toward her all paused, stunned.
A little girl… walking alone on the sea?
Esdeath's aura chilled as she stared down the enemy fleets.
"Kneel before the glory of the Rockefeller Family…
Ice Seal—"
She shouted.
A pale blue energy surged from her body.
Wherever it passed, the sea froze instantly.
Thousands of meters of ocean locked in ice—like time had stopped.
The pirate ships slammed to a halt, blocked by the thick ice sheet.
"What the hell?!"
Some pirates almost fell over from the sudden stop.
"The sea… it's frozen!"
They stared in horror.
Their ships were stuck in the ice. There was no way to escape now.
Esdeath's face went pale.
This was her first time using her Devil Fruit's full power.
Half her energy was drained instantly.
She nearly collapsed, catching herself on her sword.
The pirates were only 20-30 meters from her, frozen in place—and now staring at the lone girl who stood before them.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Behind her, the others jumped down to join her on the ice.
Caesar stomped the ice under his feet.
"Gotta admit—pretty solid,"
he joked, but no one laughed.
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