The battle raged on, with the Marines taking the initiative and shooting down many Revolutionary Army soldiers. However, the Revolutionaries didn't sit idle; they fought back fiercely.
Akainu was the first to charge into the fray, with molten lava spewing from him in all directions. Only Dragon could withstand such a relentless assault. He formed claws with his fingers, summoning powerful winds and rain to counter Akainu's magma fists.
Behind Akainu, Guysha, Huo Shaoshan, and Ghost Spider joined the attack. These three, without Devil Fruit powers, relied on their swords and skills to face their enemies. Ghost Spider, using the technique of "Life Return," manipulated his hair to form six additional limbs, each wielding a sword, as he unleashed his eight-sword style.
Crow took on Ghost Spider, while Ivankov faced off against Guysha. Meanwhile, Huo Shaoshan approached Arias with a cigarette in his mouth. "It looks like you're my opponent," he said.
Arias didn't reply. Instead, he whispered, "Room!" A transparent dome enveloped him and Huo Shaoshan. Within this space, Arias teleported behind Huo Shaoshan, his fingers forming a claw, reminiscent of Dragon's own technique, and aimed at Huo Shaoshan's chest.
Huo Shaoshan tried to defend, coating his fingers in Haki and thrusting them toward Arias in a "Six Styles - Finger Pistol" attack. But Arias's fingers crackled with green energy—gamma rays—transforming his attack into a deadly Gamma Knife.
As their attacks collided, Huo Shaoshan's left hand was destroyed by the Gamma Knife, leaving him in excruciating pain. He quickly drew his sword with his other hand, slashing at Arias with all his might. However, his damaged hand weakened his strike.
Arias drew his own blade, a cursed sword known as Third Generation Kitetsu, and clashed with Huo Shaoshan's sword. Despite Huo Shaoshan's best efforts, the gamma rays continued to eat away at his muscles, and he was forced to cut off his own mangled hand to prevent further damage.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Huo Shaoshan knew he was in trouble. His combat ability had been severely diminished. Akainu, noticing his comrade's plight, shouted in frustration, "Vice Admiral Garp! Are you going to just stand there and protect the enemy?"
Garp hesitated, unwilling to attack Dragon, his son. His eyes scanned the battlefield, landing on Crow, Ivankov, and finally Arias. The man in the mask seemed particularly suspicious, especially given his Op-Op Fruit powers.
With a sense of urgency, Garp decided to intervene, throwing a powerful punch aimed at Arias. Arias barely dodged, thanks to his passive speed boost and teleportation abilities, but the ground where he had stood was obliterated.
"Marine hero? You're nothing special," Arias taunted, changing his voice to disguise himself. He teleported again, this time aiming to finish off Huo Shaoshan.
Despite Garp's attempts to intervene, Arias's relentless assault proved too much. Huo Shaoshan's defenses crumbled as Arias's gamma-infused blade found its mark, severing the Vice Admiral's head with a swift strike. Not content with that, Arias drove the Gamma Knife into the headless body, ensuring no trace of life remained.
Arias evaded Garp's furious attack and, with a chilling voice, declared, "Now it's just you and me, Marine hero."
Garp's heart burned with rage. Even with his intervention, a Vice Admiral had been slain right before his eyes. How could he explain this to the Fleet Admiral? And what sinister techniques had Arias employed to cause Huo Shaoshan's sudden death?
Both Marines and Revolutionary soldiers looked on in horror as Arias, in mere moments, had dispatched a high-ranking Marine officer. Ghost Spider and Guysha, both seasoned warriors, were shocked at the sight.
"How could Huo Shaoshan fall so quickly?" Ghost Spider muttered in disbelief.
Guysha, her eyes wide with fear, added, "He died even under Mr. Garp's protection... Just how powerful is this man?"
Akainu, his fury palpable, shouted, "Tell me your name!"
With a smug expression, Arias replied, "Remember this, little red dog. I am Oda Eiichiro, a Revolutionary Army cadre!"