"You are quite good. Perhaps in another ten years, you might become a real challenge, but right now, you are still too inexperienced," Nicholas said calmly, watching Kuzan fly backwards.
Though Kuzan's current strength is formidable, capable of freezing an entire sea in an instant, his experience in fighting top-tier opponents is still lacking. The future Admirals of the Navy have yet to fully convert their potential and talent into combat power.
Kuzan, lying in the crater he created, did not respond to Nicholas's words but stared intently at him. He initially thought that even if Nicholas was strong, he couldn't be that much stronger than him. At least, it wouldn't be a one-sided battle. After all, Logia Devil Fruits, representing natural phenomena, have immense power. Kuzan's Ice-Ice Fruit is a top-tier Logia fruit, and he believed his development of its abilities was quite good. However, against Nicholas, it felt utterly powerless.
His proud freezing abilities couldn't even touch Nicholas.
Just as Nicholas was about to taunt this future Admiral, he was suddenly struck by an invisible, heavy force that pressed down on his body.
Crack, crack—
The force, continually pressing down, caused cracks to appear on the solid ice beneath Nicholas's feet, sinking deeper and deeper.
"Shriek!"
A sharp, chilling cry echoed through the air. Kuzan seized the moment, launching an attack with his Violent Pheasant Beak. A majestic divine bird formed on his arm, swooping down towards Nicholas with extreme cold.
First, the sudden gravitational pressure, then Kuzan's well-timed Violent Pheasant Beak—this almost suffocating combined assault was executed with perfect coordination.
Even top figures like Charlotte Linlin and Kaido in the New World would struggle to come out unscathed from such an attack. They might even suffer significant damage.
But Nicholas, despite facing this tight coordinated attack, could. After all, he possessed a Logia fruit, and Logia users represent natural disasters with immense destructive power and are difficult to kill.
Elementalization, a skill almost instinctive to Logia users after consuming their fruit, accompanied by crackling electric sounds, Nicholas's body suddenly turned into lightning and vanished into thin air.
With Nicholas no longer the target, the gravitational pressure created a deep circular pit, several meters wide, in the beach. Kuzan's attack naturally missed, forming a giant ice sculpture at the top of the pit.
Simultaneously, Nicholas's figure reappeared, slowly taking shape amid a burst of lightning.
"Fujitora?"
Recalling the recent gravitational pressure, Nicholas's gaze shifted to the sea. There, a figure in light purple attire, dark purple sash, Marine coat, and wooden clogs, sitting cross-legged on a floating wooden board, was rapidly approaching.
Kuzan, also noticing Fujitora, sighed in relief. The pressure of facing Nicholas alone was overwhelming; having Fujitora would undoubtedly ease the burden.
A smile appeared on Kuzan's face at the thought.
Nicholas, noticing Kuzan's smile, asked, "Hm? Are you happy?"
In an instant, lightning crackled around Nicholas, and he vanished from his spot. When he reappeared, he was right beside Kuzan.
Not intending to kill this potential future ally, Nicholas didn't draw his sword but instead delivered a powerful punch to Kuzan's back.
"Hm?"
When Nicholas's voice rang in his ears, Kuzan realized something was wrong. He instinctively released a surge of cold air around him, but it was too late. Nicholas's Armament Haki-infused punch shattered the ice spikes extending from Kuzan's back and landed heavily on his spine.
Bang!
With a loud crash, Kuzan was sent flying like a meteor in the direction of Fujitora. Just as he was about to plunge into the sea, Kuzan's arm stretched out towards the water. An ice pillar shot from his hand, and as it touched the sea, a terrifying chill spread, instantly freezing the surrounding waters of Ohara.
"Phew, that was dangerous," Kuzan said, standing on the ice and looking back at Nicholas on the shore. He clearly had no intention of facing Nicholas alone anymore. He wasn't foolish enough to fight a losing battle, especially when a strong ally was nearby.
"What's happening? Why did the sea suddenly freeze?"
"The rudder is frozen! We can't move!"
"Was that huge commotion on Ohara's coast Kuzan fighting the enemy? Is Fujitora going to support him?"
Nicholas began to float slowly, rising to meet Fujitora, who had arrived before him.
"Mr. Nicholas, long time no see," Fujitora greeted, his voice echoing over the sea as he sat cross-legged on a floating wooden board. Hearing Fujitora, Kuzan's expression changed. He never expected Fujitora to know Nicholas.
Kuzan quickly realized the implications. If the two were acquainted and decided to eliminate him...
The thought left Kuzan shocked and incredulous as he looked up at Nicholas and Fujitora in the sky.
As for escaping, he dismissed the idea immediately. Competing in speed with someone who could move as fast as lightning? Plus, with Fujitora's gravitational pressure, these two could easily kill him if they wanted to.
Watching the two in the sky conversing like old friends, Kuzan couldn't hear them but grew increasingly worried.
"How is this possible?" Kuzan questioned himself, then dismissed the thought. After all, Fujitora was also a titled officer and a strong candidate for Admiral, just like him. How could he ally with a pirate like Nicholas?
In this world, Marine Admirals stood among the strongest, and though Kuzan found Fujitora's sense of justice somewhat indecisive, he believed Fujitora was undoubtedly on the side of justice.
Unaware of Kuzan's turbulent thoughts below, Nicholas and Fujitora continued their conversation.
"Issho, how do you find being in the Marines?" Nicholas asked, curious to see if Fujitora had chosen his path after all his experiences in the Marines.
Fujitora's face showed a complex expression at Nicholas's question. "In the Marines, I have seen much good, but I have also seen darkness. I once thought that even with some darkness, the overwhelming justice in the Marines would prevail. But seeing even Admiral Sengoku unable to defy the World Government's Buster Call on Ohara, and the Navy's compromises with the Government, made me realize that as long as the World Government and Celestial Dragons exist, the Marines can never uphold true justice!
"Fortunately, there is still hope with people like you and Mr. Dragon. So, Mr. Nicholas, I will now test you, to see if you truly have the ability and the right to change this world!"
As Fujitora finished speaking, his hand moved to the hilt of his cane-sword, slowly drawing it out. His aura burst forth.
"That guy..."
Seeing Fujitora's full power, Kuzan discarded his doubts. Fujitora was clearly ready to fight with everything he had.
Nicholas, however, was left dumbfounded. A test? A test for him?