The figure standing in the air...
The unfamiliar face and the instant act of sending two Yonko flying away immediately caused a commotion that rapidly spread across the world.
Everyone watching the live broadcast was utterly stunned.
"Who is that guy?"
"He single-handedly separated the Yonko in the battle and even sent Kaido and Big Mom flying. Where did this guy come from?"
At the same time, countless people around the world were left in shock, staring at the image of Nicholas standing high in the sky.
If we go back 20 years, Nicholas' name was widely known, but after being dormant for so long, even though he reappeared, the Navy and the World Government didn't spread much information about him.
As a result, many people in the world don't recognize Nicholas anymore.
Perhaps only some older pirates who survived the past would recognize Nicholas' true identity.
In a dojo in East Blue, a group of people gathered in front of a screen, watching the scene.
"Kuina, what's wrong?"
Seeing the short-haired girl beside him lost in thought, Zoro couldn't help but ask curiously.
"That guy is Nicholas."
The girl named Kuina pointed at the screen with certainty. For someone who aspires to be the world's greatest swordsman, she could name every great swordsman that ever existed.
The reason she remembers Nicholas so well is that his subordinate, Katie, is the most powerful female swordsman on the seas and her idol. Also, Nicholas is the only great swordsman she knows whose sword has no name.
"Yes, Nicholas. That guy is no simple character, Zoro. In the past, his name was mentioned alongside Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard."
Shimotsuki Koushirou smiled as he spoke to Zoro, fully satisfied with his future son-in-law, considering he planned to pass down the dojo to him.
Nicholas' name once echoed across the seas.
Now, the weight behind that name has far surpassed the title of a Yonko.
As Nicholas' past was gradually revealed to the world, countless eyes, filled with awe and fear, focused on him through the live broadcast.
Strictly speaking, this guy is from the same era as Whitebeard.
But why does he still look so young and handsome?
Compared to Nicholas' sudden appearance, many are more concerned about one thing—
Has Nicholas attained immortality?
After all, someone who should be an old man by now still looks so youthful—it's just not logical.
Some people's eyes even flashed with greed. The concept of immortality is simply too tempting, causing them to forget the vast power gap between them and Nicholas.
…
On the island of Lodestar.
The previously blasted away Charlotte Linlin and Kaido safely landed, leaving a dragon-shaped crater and a human-shaped crater in the ground, respectively.
Nicholas, in his black coat, clenched his fist slightly.
"The long-distance transmission effect... is better than expected, though the control over the power still needs improvement."
"Nicholas, what are you trying to do?"
Standing on "Phoenix" Marco's back, Whitebeard looked at Nicholas and bluntly asked.
Although he owed Nicholas a lot for his current strength, it didn't mean Nicholas could interfere in his battles as he pleased.
"Old man..."
Marco hurriedly interjected, knowing that Whitebeard's return to his peak state heavily relied on Jewelry Bonney, who was under Nicholas' command. If things went south between them and Nicholas, Bonney might reverse the ability, causing major trouble.
"I'm not here to meddle in your little Yonko games. My goal is simple—eliminate all those who might interfere with the final battle. Once they're cleared, I can fight the one I truly need to without holding back."
Nicholas looked at Whitebeard and said directly. In his eyes, Whitebeard wasn't in the group of people he needed to eliminate; after all, an old man just wanting a warm family didn't pose any threat.
His targets were Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, Bullet, and all the notorious pirates gathered on Lodestar Island.
Without waiting for Whitebeard's response, a red glow flickered in Nicholas' eyes as he shot towards Lodestar Island.
"Old man?"
Marco turned to Whitebeard, visibly shaken by Nicholas' intentions.
Nicholas planned to wipe out over 90% of the pirates on Lodestar Island, including two Yonko crews and a massive number of powerful enemies.
What shocked Marco even more was that Nicholas didn't mind erasing both Shanks' and Whitebeard's crews if they got in his way.
Is he really that crazy, willing to take on all four Yonko crews at once?
"Marco, take me over there, then rejoin Jozu and the others."
Whitebeard squinted at Nicholas' figure before instructing Marco.
"But old man..."
"Marco, you have to understand—I'm currently at my peak, and that state relies on the girl onboard. The upcoming battle might be beyond my control, and I won't have the energy to look out for you."
Before Marco could continue, Whitebeard interrupted him directly.
Understanding the potential chaos ahead, Marco nodded in acknowledgment.
Hovering above Lodestar Island, Nicholas ignored the deeply buried Charlotte Linlin and Kaido, instead using his Haki to instantly sweep across the entire island, locking onto everyone's presence.
"Nicholas!"
Charlotte Linlin, emerging from the ground like a vengeful demon, glared at Nicholas with murderous eyes, her rage palpable.
If looks could kill, Nicholas would have been torn to pieces in her gaze.
On the other side, Kaido, now in his half-dragon form, leaped from the ground, staring at Nicholas.
Unlike Charlotte Linlin's bloodthirsty glare, Kaido's eyes brimmed with battle intent, eager to face Nicholas again.
Kaido grinned as an overwhelming aura burst from him.
Faced with the stares of two Yonko, Nicholas could no longer remain indifferent.
He turned and calmly looked at Charlotte Linlin and Bullet's direction.
Although neither side had moved or spoken, the tension alone caused cold sweat to drip down the remaining pirates' faces.
They knew that once these monsters clashed, they could die from stray attacks alone.
Even the members of the Charlotte family, who had been watching from the sidelines, were visibly shaken as they observed the looming confrontation between six Yonko-level figures.
For them, the scenes of Nicholas previously battling Charlotte Linlin and Kaido seemed like they happened just yesterday.
But now, the scale of the war that was about to unfold was on a completely different level. They couldn't imagine the kind of devastation that six Yonko fighting together would bring.
"Brûlée, use the mirror to get everyone out. None of you are qualified to even watch what happens next."
Katakuri spoke mercilessly, and no one refuted his words. They quickly stepped into Brûlée's mirror, leaving the island through the Mirror World.
And soon, Katakuri's judgment was proven right.
Both Kaido and Charlotte Linlin simultaneously released a savage and powerful aura that surged toward Nicholas.
As the aura spread, visible cracks appeared on the ground, and rocks and trees were swept away.
This was top-tier Conqueror's Haki capable of causing physical destruction.
Almost simultaneously, three other equally potent Conqueror's Haki auras collided, pressing into this small area from all sides.
[AN- All those Conqueror haki users rn have the same face as when bullet had a haki clash with luffy]