Bullet's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Nicholas had stood before being engulfed by the shockwave. At the same time, he fully activated his Observation Haki, knowing that an attack like Big Mom's wouldn't be enough to take Nicholas down.
Suddenly, a figure appeared within Bullet's Observation Haki.
But the target of that figure wasn't Bullet; it was Big Mom.
In an instant, Nicholas moved beside Big Mom while she was still focused on the spot he'd previously stood. Before she could react, Nicholas' lightning-infused blade slashed across her neck.
Bang!
The slash contorted Big Mom's neck into a grotesque angle, sending her massive body flying backward.
Before Nicholas could withdraw his blade, a ghostly blue Bullet appeared beside him, unleashing a barrage of punches. The pressure from his strikes formed wind blades that constantly bombarded Nicholas.
Nicholas, abandoning the pursuit of Big Mom, decisively met Bullet's attack head-on. As the sounds of metal clashing echoed, the two warriors blurred in and out of view across the shattered landscape.
Drip... drip...
When they reappeared, blood dripped from the blade in Nicholas' hand. Nearby, Bullet's arm, coated in Armament Haki and ghostly energy, bled profusely.
Looking at the wounds on his arm, Bullet was more curious than concerned. He wondered how Nicholas had managed it.
At their level, differences in Armament Haki strength are minimal. Even someone like Garp, famed for his Iron Fist, couldn't easily break through their Haki. Yet, Nicholas was cutting through Bullet's Haki with each strike, consistently wounding him.
"How are you doing this…?"
Bullet stared intensely at Nicholas.
"Oh, you mean this…"
Nicholas casually flicked the blood off his darkened blade and replied, "I'm a master swordsman, after all."
Without further ado, Nicholas unleashed a powerful slash toward the distant Big Mom.
Almost at the same time, Bullet turned and charged into the distance.
This scene, captured by the broadcast, shocked viewers.
"Bullet's running away? The so-called 'Demon Heir'?"
"Is he afraid of Nicholas?"
"What's Bullet up to now!?"
Festa, enraged by Bullet's apparent retreat, knocked everything off the table. He wanted this to be an unforgettable spectacle, and Bullet's actions marred what could've been a perfect event.
"Oh, he's recognized the situation and plans to go all out," Nicholas remarked, watching Bullet's retreating back. He didn't believe that someone like Bullet would flee out of fear.
"But first, let's deal with you, Big Mom."
Nicholas turned his attention to Big Mom, who was charging at him in fury.
…
Clang!
Nicholas' blade clashed with Big Mom's fist once again. Sparks flew as their overwhelming power created a shockwave, sending dust and debris flying outward in a ring.
As they stood locked in combat, Prometheus and Zeus, perched on Big Mom's shoulders, opened their mouths wide. Flames and lightning surged toward Nicholas.
Nicholas raised his head and focused on the incoming attacks. A powerful repulsive force emanated from him, meeting the flames and lightning head-on. In an instant, the two forces collided mid-air, and the resulting shockwave reversed back toward Big Mom, engulfing her upper body.
"Ahh, so hot!"
But Nicholas paid no attention to her complaints, instead channeling all his strength and Haki into his blade.
In that moment—
Big Mom felt an overwhelming force from Nicholas' blade, causing a creaking sound where the blade and her fist met.
"Mama-mama, you're trying to compete with me in strength? Don't you know I've been stronger than giants since I was a child?!"
Big Mom summoned all her strength to push back against the overwhelming power Nicholas was exerting.
The ground beneath them cracked, and the surrounding space seemed to buckle under the pressure. The residual shockwaves from their clash swept across the battlefield like a raging storm.
Watching from afar, Shanks and Dragon both turned their attention to the heart of the battle.
As the confrontation dragged on, Big Mom grew increasingly shocked and puzzled. She was struggling to hold off Nicholas' strength.
She couldn't understand why Nicholas was suddenly so powerful.
But there was no one to answer her questions.
Nicholas increased his power once more.
The overwhelming force blasted through Big Mom's defenses, causing her body to jolt as blood poured from her mouth and nose.
"Nicho—"
Before she could finish, a figure flashed and entered her mouth in an instant.
Everyone watching was stunned. No one expected Nicholas to enter Big Mom's body.
"She's done for, Amen!!" Dragon said with a blank expression, watching Big Mom kneel in agony.
"One Trillion volts: Absolute Annihilation."
A cold voice echoed from inside Big Mom. She sensed the impending danger, but before she could react, indescribable pain tore through her body.
"Ahhhhh!"
Big Mom screamed in agony, her voice creating ripples in the air.
But no amount of screaming could lessen her suffering.
Her massive body began to swell like an inflating balloon.
Finally, she reached her limit.
Sssshhh—!
A hissing sound filled the air as cracks spread across Big Mom's body, glowing with bright white light. From a distance, it looked as though countless spears of light pierced her.
Moments later, beams of lightning shot from her eyes, nose, and mouth, abruptly silencing her cries.
A gust of wind blew past.
Big Mom's enormous body disintegrated like ash, carried away by the breeze.
As the dust settled, Nicholas emerged from where Big Mom had stood.
Viewers around the world watching the broadcast fell into stunned silence.
A Yonko had fallen!