The blazing sun hung high in the sky, relentless in its assault on the deck of the Marine ship. The Grand Line was notorious for its unpredictable weather, and today was no exception. The heat seemed to weigh down the air, making it feel thick and stifling. Sweat dripped from your brow as you worked, every breath coming out in slow, labored exhales. You could barely focus on the task at hand; everything around you shimmered, the heat distorting your vision.

The sunburnt sky had not a single cloud in sight, and the deck felt like it was cooking under your feet. You wiped your forehead for the hundredth time, trying to shake off the dizziness creeping up on you, but the unbearable heat was unrelenting.

From the corner of your vision, a shadow shifted, and you turned your head to see Kuzan leaning lazily against the ship’s railing, his tall frame seemingly immune to the oppressive warmth. Even in the sweltering heat, he looked completely at ease, his half-lidded eyes hidden behind his usual pair of sunglasses, the faintest hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. His ice-themed powers had likely left him unbothered by the heatwave, while the rest of the crew wilted under the sun’s scorching rays.

Kuzan had been watching you for some time, you realized, and his relaxed posture shifted slightly as he pushed off the railing and approached you.

“It’s hot,” he remarked casually, his voice carrying the usual lazy drawl, but this time there was a hint of concern underneath it. As he got closer, his gaze flickered over you, noticing how flushed your face had become. “You look like you’re about to collapse.”

Before you could protest, his long arm reached out, offering a steady hand. “Come here.”

His tone was calm, but there was an unspoken authority in it, one that left little room for argument. Reluctantly, you stepped closer, and in an instant, a cool rush of air enveloped you. You blinked in surprise as a thin mist of frost began to form around him, the temperature dropping dramatically