"Nicholas!"
Kuzan narrowed his eyes. The name was familiar, a highly dangerous individual registered at Navy Headquarters.
"I didn't expect to run into you here, but now that you're here, you're not leaving!"
As he spoke, the cold aura emanating from Kuzan intensified, spreading frost around him. In moments, the sand they stood on was covered in a thick layer of ice, even freezing the flames spreading from the forest. The surroundings began to resemble a snowy world.
To Kuzan, Nicholas was a significant threat, despite his dangerous reputation at Navy Headquarters. Natural ability users had their pride, and Kuzan wanted to see who was stronger.
Nicholas remained expressionless, not saying a word. Kuzan's eyes grew more serious—Nicholas showed no concern for Kuzan creating a battlefield advantageous to himself. This could only mean Nicholas didn't see him as a threat.
"Impressive confidence, New World Emperor."
Kuzan leaned forward slightly, cold breath escaping his mouth as he activated his powers.
He could feel how difficult it would be to deal with Nicholas.
Suddenly, Kuzan's body vanished.
"Shave!"
As a vice admiral specially trained by Navy Headquarters, Kuzan had mastered the Six Powers and used them proficiently.
In an instant, he appeared above Nicholas, his right hand releasing a burst of cold air as he reached to grab him.
He was confident that as long as he touched Nicholas, he could freeze him instantly.
But to Kuzan's shock, his hand grabbed nothing.
Nicholas, who had been below him, moved with astonishing speed. Kuzan's Observation Haki barely detected his movement, capturing only an afterimage.
Realizing Nicholas's speed, Kuzan's expression changed.
"Indeed, a tricky guy. And... troublesome."
As soon as he spoke, Kuzan twisted his body in mid-air, crossing his arms to block in front of his chest. His arms were immediately covered in Armament Haki.
At the same time, a high-raised leg came down like a battle axe, the force so strong it shattered the air.
"Boom!"
In haste, Kuzan could only defend. His arms were struck by the whip-like leg.
In an instant, he felt his arms go numb, followed by a massive force traveling through his arms, slamming him into the ice below.
"So strong!"
Standing up again, Kuzan wiped the blood from his mouth.
Instinctively, he had wanted to use his element-based evasion, but his brain sounded alarms. He sensed that Nicholas's kick was imbued with Armament Haki, and his Observation Haki was locked onto him.
If he had entered elemental form, he would have fallen into Nicholas's plan.
"Really tough!"
Kuzan exhaled cold breath, thinking to himself.
After just a brief exchange, Kuzan realized how difficult Nicholas was to handle. His control over his strength was excellent, and his self-control was extreme. His combat awareness was equally terrifying.
"Not bad, huh? As expected of a Headquarters elite vice admiral with a code name, your combat instincts are sharp."
Landing softly, Nicholas praised Kuzan. If Kuzan had followed his script and used elemental form, the fight would have been nearly over.
Kuzan showed no expression in response to Nicholas's compliment.
"Whew!"
Taking a deep breath, Kuzan charged at Nicholas again. His speed was so fast that he almost became a blur. As he moved, he formed an ice saber in his right hand, quickly wrapping it in Armament Haki, making it as hard and sharp as a renowned blade. He slashed fiercely at Nicholas.
Nicholas, like a leaf in the wind, dodged the ice saber with ease.
"Your swordsmanship is not bad, but it's just that. You're still too reliant on your Devil Fruit powers."
Nicholas glanced at the ice spreading under his feet, then transformed into lightning and reappeared at a distance.
Realizing his plan had been seen through, Kuzan looked seriously at Nicholas.
In their brief exchanges, Nicholas showed no weaknesses.
"Now it's my turn."
As Nicholas finished speaking, lightning flashed around his right hand.
Crackling sounds filled the air as Kuzan watched in shock. Black iron sand quickly gathered around Nicholas's feet, and moments later, a long sword gleamed in his hand.
"That kind of technique!"
Kuzan frowned, not expecting the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to be used this way.
In the next instant, Nicholas moved.
Their attacks collided fiercely.
The ice saber and the long sword forged from iron sand clashed, producing the sound of metal striking metal.
Nicholas demonstrated the difficulty of facing a seasoned swordsman, using his long sword to force Kuzan on the defensive.
"It's hard to believe he's so powerful!"
Kuzan looked at his shattered ice saber and tattered clothes, realizing that Nicholas's Armament Haki and swordsmanship surpassed his own.
"Don't die now!"
As Nicholas's words fell, Kuzan saw the long sword in Nicholas's hand disassemble and reform into small metal beads.
A series of sharp sounds filled the air as the beads, wrapped in an invisible force, shot toward Kuzan with incredible speed.
"So fast!"
He barely had time to react before the attack was upon him. His pupils contracted.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions ripped through Kuzan's body, shattering it into pieces. The fragments quickly turned into ice and reformed on the ground, reconstructing Kuzan.
"Careless…"
As Nicholas's voice echoed, Kuzan looked sharply to the side and saw a bent finger wrapped in Armament Haki and purple lightning.
"Secret Technique: Hollow purple!"
Boom!
With a crisp sound, Kuzan was sent flying, crashing hard onto the ice-covered beach with half of his elemental body disintegrated.