"King Neptune, what happened? And what is this?" Fisher Tiger asked, looking at Neptune's serious expression.
"This is the Vivre Card Nicholas left on Fish-Man Island, but for some reason, it suddenly started showing this strange change," Neptune said, equally puzzled.
"According to the characteristics of a Vivre Card, if the card has problems, it means something has happened to Nicholas," Jinbei said with a serious expression.
As a special item made through unique craftsmanship, the Vivre Card can indicate the location of its owner and show their condition through its state.
"It's possible that something happened to Nicholas, but we can't determine exactly what. Considering Nicholas's strength, it's hard to imagine anyone in this world who could pose a threat to him," Neptune said. He wasn't certain whether Nicholas was in trouble or if this was just a peculiar phenomenon of the Vivre Card, since it was, after all, a man-made object.
"Has King Neptune tried contacting Nicholas or any other members of his pirate crew?" Tiger asked calmly.
"I've already tried contacting Nicholas, but there's been no response. As for the rest of Nicholas's crew, they have also been contacted, and they replied that they don't know the specifics either. They're currently following the guidance of the Vivre Card to find Nicholas," Neptune explained.
Hearing Neptune's words, Jinbei and Tiger exchanged a glance, understanding that this might indeed be a serious issue.
"King Neptune, strengthen the defenses of Ryugu Palace. Jinbei, lead the Poseidon Army to reinforce the outer defenses of Fish-Man Island. From now on, any pirate entering Fish-Man Island with a bounty over 100 million must not stay for more than a day! There must never be more than one pirate with such a bounty on the island at the same time," Tiger instructed decisively.
Neptune and Jinbei had no objections to Tiger's suggestions. They knew that Fish-Man Island's current foundation was still too weak. While the dangers outside the island, such as Sea Kings and tamed sea beasts, could easily handle most threats, internal issues caused by powerful pirates could be much more challenging to manage.
...
"Is that the captain?!" Simon asked in disbelief, standing on the deck of the Sea Sovereign and looking at the massive thunder god raging in the center of the storm over the Antarctic continent.
"According to the Vivre Card, that indeed is Nicholas," June said, taking a deep breath as she looked at the Vivre Card in her hand, which was struggling to fly away.
"What happened? Why is the captain here, and why has he turned into that? Can he return to normal?" Katie asked, her hand on the hilt of her sword, looking worriedly at the enormous thunder god.
"Vista, stop moving forward. It's too dangerous," June ordered.
Hearing June's command, Vista stopped, exhaled deeply, and looked at the enormous thunder god.
Nicholas was now engulfed in chaos, where time and space had become blurred.
In this state, he could clearly feel his human emotions gradually fading, but he remained calm. Being alone in the chaos allowed him to connect more deeply with his true self.
The surrounding assimilation gave him a drowsy feeling, and as he slowly closed his eyes, all perception began to dissipate quickly, eventually merging him into the world's embrace.
Assimilation—this was the awakening of the Logia-type Devil Fruit! Very few could reach this stage, and none had ever passed it.
Although engulfed in chaos, Nicholas could still vaguely sense the outside world.
It was like closing your eyes but being able to feel the presence of others around you.
A faint connection, through the medium of the mind, continuously transmitted from the outside, allowing Nicholas to maintain a sliver of clarity.
"Is that feeling you, June?" Nicholas murmured.
He didn't know how much time had passed as his consciousness gradually became blurred. A sinister blade appeared in his hand. In the chaos, it was just him, the blade, and endless confusion.
At Sabaody Archipelago, Bedeck was pacing back and forth in his office.
"What is going on? Why did Lady June suddenly ask me to submit to Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo?"
Bedeck was clearly puzzled by June's command to align himself with Doflamingo.
Before he could think further, the office door was pushed open. A man wearing a pink feathered cloak, tight pants, loafers, and sunglasses, wrapped in bandages, swaggered in.
Seeing the newcomer, Bedeck's pupils contracted. It was the notorious Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo.
"Bedeck, long time no see, huh?" Doflamingo said, sitting on the office desk, his tone dripping with malice.
"Doflamingo, are you here to take over?" Bedeck asked, a hint of displeasure in his expression. Despite everything, he was a big boss with a powerful backing.
"Heh heh heh heh, indeed. From now on, we're partners, working together to grow stronger," Doflamingo laughed. Merging Bedeck's operations with his own was a significant step forward for his ambitions.
Time flowed steadily, and Nicholas's sudden disappearance seemed not to affect the world's developments.
The Shichibukai were replenished with new members: Gecko Moria, Edward Weevil, and Gild Tesoro were selected to join the ranks of the Seven Warlords.
Simultaneously, the Pirate King Roger vanished from sight, along with his entire crew.
No one could stop the march of history. It continued relentlessly forward.
In the New World, the division of power became increasingly clear, with the names of three top emperors resounding throughout the seas. Their bounties struck fear into everyone.
Whitebeard, the world's strongest man, had a bounty of 5 billion berries.
Kaido had a bounty of 4.6 billion berries, and Big Mom had a bounty of 4.3 billion berries.
Their bounties were far above those of other pirates, placing them above all others, holding massive territories in the New World.
Their fame echoed across the world, unmatched by any other pirate. Even the Navy and World Government had given up on the New World.
"Nicholas, how could you just disappear like that? How can I live without you?" a pirate lamented.
"Gurararara, Roger, did you and Nicholas vanish because of something?" Whitebeard wondered aloud.
"Brother Katakuri, Mom's food cravings are acting up again. We need to find a way to calm her down!"
[AN- I know and im a bit sad as well about the timeskip, but stay tuned... The story will become even more Chaotic....In a good way]