At this moment, dozens of meteors and a rain of molten lava were about to crash onto the ground.
Knowing that they might be affected if they didn't act, Crocodile and Doflamingo prepared to intercept the meteors. Just as they were about to take action, Kizaru's Observation Haki had already locked onto them, indicating that he would intervene the moment they moved.
While both sides were ready to act, a bolt of lightning suddenly appeared in the sky, and in an instant, it branched out into countless arcs.
The air seemed to freeze as the dozens of meteors heading towards Lodestar Island came to an abrupt halt in midair.
At the same time, the meteors seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand and shattered into countless fragments.
The same fate befell the rain of lava. Each lightning bolt that touched the lava fists caused them to explode in midair.
In just a moment, the sky was cleared of the lava rain, leaving only drops of molten rock mixed with fragments of the shattered meteors falling toward the ground.
The sudden change caused the battlefield's atmosphere to pause.
Fujitora, Aokiji, Ace, and even Kizaru looked up at the sky above Lodestar Island.
This familiar method of attack… there's only one person in the world capable of this.
Countless eyes searched the skies above the island, and Observation Haki spread out. Soon, everyone spotted that familiar figure.
Under the weight of countless wary and cautious gazes, Nicholas slowly walked toward the Marine Grand Fleet.
"Long time no see, Issho," Nicholas greeted Fujitora with a smile.
Behind Nicholas, the burning Lodestar Island and the falling fragments of lava and meteors filled the sky.
Issho remained silent for a moment after hearing Nicholas's words. After all, he was now a candidate for an admiral. Nicholas's casual greeting could easily be misunderstood.
"Long time no see, Mr. Nicholas. I didn't expect that you'd become this powerful since we last met," Issho said, opening his white, pupil-less eyes and looking towards Nicholas.
"Nicholas, your actions have seriously endangered the peace of the seas. On behalf of the World Government, I'm launching a campaign against you!" barked Aramaki from the World Government's side, sensing the tension in the air.
"Oh? Has the World Government run out of people? They sent someone like you to deal with me?"
Nicholas's words echoed over the Marine Grand Fleet, causing a ripple of unease in the hearts of the marines. Could it be that the World Government really has no one left, as Nicholas suggested?
This thought, once it took root, could not be shaken off.
Even many marine officers' expressions began to flicker.
"Troublesome indeed~~~" Kizaru murmured, rubbing his chin, clearly aware of how tricky Nicholas was to handle. This man wasn't someone easy to deal with.
Kuzan remained silent, simply observing Nicholas—the man who dared to wage war against the World Government alone.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki said nothing. He simply tore off the "Justice" coat from his back, revealing his maroon suit as his arms began to transform into flowing magma, making his stance clear.
Nicholas looked expressionlessly at Sakazuki. Clearly, this marine, who upholds his own form of justice, would be the hardest to negotiate with.
"You really don't understand your situation, do you? There are three admirals here, along with a large number of elite marines. You're alone. How do you expect to fight us?" Aramaki sneered, gaining confidence as he saw Sakazuki preparing for battle.
"This is the strength you rely on to challenge the World Government? Nicholas?"
Shanks, observing the falling lava and meteor fragments, turned to Nicholas and asked.
"Yes, this is one of my trump cards," Nicholas admitted without hesitation.
…
Above the battlefield, with Aramaki's words still hanging in the air, the tension continued to escalate.
Nicholas's gaze swept over Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, Fujitora, and finally landed on Tsuru, who seemed inconspicuous among them.
As the meteor fragments began to hit the ground, the previously still opponents moved simultaneously.
Akainu leapt high, his magma-coated arm swinging toward Nicholas as it morphed into the form of a hellhound during the attack.
As Akainu moved, Kizaru, Aokiji, and the other marines sprang into action as well.
Kizaru transformed into a flash of light, appearing behind Nicholas.
Yasakani no Magatama!
A sword made of light appeared in Kizaru's hand as he slashed toward Nicholas's head without hesitation.
He didn't expect to finish Nicholas in one blow; his goal was to hold Nicholas in place. As a speed-type fighter, Kizaru knew that with the speed of the Goro Goro no Mi, his teammates' attacks would be unlikely to hit Nicholas.
This was why he attacked with the speed of light, aiming to stall Nicholas's movements while the others attacked.
The searing light sword sliced through the air, aiming straight for Nicholas's head.
Nicholas's eyes glowed red, and as Kizaru swung his sword, Nicholas suddenly ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike.
Immediately after, a lightning-arm extended from Nicholas's back, grasping a blade made of lightning, which slashed at Kizaru.
With a faint sound, Kizaru's body was split in two by Nicholas's lightning blade.
Underestimating him, especially with abilities like these…
Kizaru's eyes narrowed slightly as his body shattered into countless light particles, retreating into the distance.
Meanwhile, the lightning-arm and blade withdrew back into Nicholas's body.
Nicholas's arm then transformed into a thunderous qilin that struck toward Akainu's incoming magma fist without hesitation.
At the moment of impact between the lightning qilin and the magma hound, a terrifying pressure suddenly enveloped Nicholas.
While Kizaru's attack had failed, Fujitora had already drawn his sword. At that moment, the purple-waved blade was being slowly sheathed.
Inferno Voyage!
As the sword slid back into its scabbard, the gravity field surrounding Nicholas suddenly intensified.
Frozen Time Capsule!
Demon Flash Cannon!
Rokushiki Ultimate, Rokuogan!
Peach Blossom Slash!
The seriousness in Nicholas's face vanished momentarily when he heard a certain attack name. As a result, he was instantly frozen by Aokiji's ice and then bombarded by a barrage of attacks.
As the onslaught struck, the surrounding marines maintained stern expressions.
Although they were confident in their commanders' strength, anyone requiring this much force to subdue must be extremely dangerous.
After the initial success, Kizaru fired hundreds of light bullets into the explosion's center, clearly not underestimating Nicholas.
But as the bullets closed in on the smoke, a massive lightning dragon suddenly emerged, smashing through the light bullets.
In the next moment, the lightning dragon shattered all the light bullets it encountered.
Seeing this, Kizaru's pupils shrank in shock. Although he had permission to go all out, he hadn't expected Nicholas to be this formidable.
Then, to the astonishment of the gathered marines, eight identical Nicholas emerged from the smoke.
Could this be his trump card? Are these Nicholas all equally powerful?
Realizing this terrifying possibility, Kizaru's heart skipped a beat.
Everyone else's expressions darkened as well, as it seemed this war might not be as easy for the marines as they had hoped.