On the side of the Navy's Grand Fleet, another battle capable of drawing the attention of the entire world was unfolding.
The various Nicolases in the air had all found their respective opponents, and even when facing Navy Admirals, Nicholas appeared to be at ease.
At the beginning of the battle, the Navy thought these additional Nicolases were just clones. However, when they realized that no matter how they attacked, the Nicolases they fought against could always counter with equal strength, they became aware that these Nicolases were no ordinary opponents.
"Gravity Blade: Fierce Tiger!"
With a roar like that of a ferocious tiger, Fujitora swung his sword horizontally at Nicholas. As he slashed, he unleashed a massive wave of gravity, pressing forward with the intent to crush everything in its path. A substantial gravity field also settled heavily on Nicholas, attempting to restrict his movements.
"It's useless, Issho. You should know that such attacks are ineffective against me."
Nicholas glanced at Issho and then suddenly disintegrated into scattered lightning bolts under the immense horizontal gravity, scattering in all directions.
"Truly a terrifying ability."
Watching Nicholas re-form his body, Fujitora slowly sheathed his weapon. Clearly, he had realized that Nicholas was beyond his capability.
"Nicholas-san, has this moment finally arrived?"
Fujitora, with his eyes that were pure white, looked toward Nicholas, a hint of anticipation in his gaze despite the lack of pupils.
"Yes, come, Issho. Let's witness the dawn of a new era together."
Nicholas looked at Fujitora, extended his hand, and smiled.
"Aiya, did I hear something I shouldn't have?"
At this moment, Kizaru's voice suddenly chimed in from the side.
However, there was no surprise in his tone; it seemed he was already aware of the situation between Fujitora and Nicholas.
Almost as soon as Kizaru spoke, a purple gravitational thread suddenly descended from the sky, pressing toward Kizaru's location.
Faced with the sudden attack, Kizaru's body turned into light particles, instantly appearing dozens of meters away, evading Fujitora's gravity strike.
"Oh my, Issho, you really are merciless."
Kizaru sighed and spoke to Issho with a regretful expression.
"Revolutionary Army Deputy Commander Borsalino, are you planning to expose your identity?"
The sudden remark caused the smile on Borsalino's face to disappear, replaced by a serious look.
"Well, since we've decided to go all-out against the World Government, there's no need to keep up the act. Also, Fleet Admiral Sengoku must have reached some agreement with you and Dragon that even I wasn't aware of."
Kizaru looked at Nicholas and said seriously.
"Ask Dragon; he should be able to tell you everything."
Nicholas didn't directly answer Kizaru's question, and this statement was as good as an admission to Kizaru.
"Alright, let's keep up the act. Let's take this chance to filter out the World Government's sympathizers within the Navy."
As Nicholas finished speaking, there was a sudden whooshing sound behind Kizaru. Another Nicholas launched an attack on him.
Facing Nicholas's sudden attack, Kizaru instantly transformed into a beam of light, quickly dodging.
Then, a yellow beam of light and a silver-white lightning bolt tangled with each other in mid-air.
"To think that Borsalino is with the Revolutionary Army is quite shocking news."
After Kizaru and the other Nicholas left, Issho thought to himself, then decisively drew his cane-sword, closing the distance to engage Nicholas in a 'fierce' close-quarters combat.
"Nicholas, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Kuzan asked as he looked at Nicholas in front of him. Clearly, he had noticed Fujitora's sudden attack on Kizaru from a distance and their subsequent calm demeanor, as if nothing had happened.
"Oh, that? I can't tell you, Kuzan, because you haven't made your choice yet."
Nicholas replied with a smile, then immediately launched a lightning dragon at Kuzan.
…
"You should understand by now, Sakazuki, you can't save the World Government. As long as the Celestial Dragons and the World Government exist, pirates will continue to plague the seas.
The so-called Great Pirate Era wasn't started by Roger; it was started by the World Government!"
Nicholas dodged Akainu's magma fist effortlessly while speaking to a now extremely cold and stern Sakazuki.
"Ridiculous. Pirates go out to sea driven by their own desires, and then try to cover it up with lofty excuses? It is these pirates who have plunged the seas into chaos, keeping ordinary people awake at night!"
Bang!
The two fists, wrapped in Armament Haki, collided fiercely.
As expected, under the terrifying explosion of the Magma Fruit, Nicholas was blasted backward.
"How naive. You've been a Navy Admiral for so long, yet haven't realized who the true culprit behind this chaos is!"
As Nicholas's figure flew back, he flashed and appeared right in front of Akainu, landing a punch square on his face.
Hearing Nicholas's words, Sakazuki fell silent.
As a Navy Admiral, how could he not know the filth behind the World Government and the darkness of the Celestial Dragons?
Boom!
As Akainu was lost in thought, dozens of lightning dragons surged up from all directions and slammed into Akainu at the center.
The terrifying impact directly created a huge pit in the ground.
The shockwave from the explosion kicked up a massive dust cloud.
"Admiral Akainu..."
The sight stunned the Navy soldiers who witnessed it.
…
"What a terrifying opponent you are. However, opposing the World Government is the most unwise choice you've made..."
Before he could finish his sentence, thick tree roots burst from the ground like pythons, rushing toward Nicholas.
Facing the oncoming branches, Nicholas merely glanced at them, and a massive bolt of lightning instantly descended from the sky, shattering the thick roots.
"Tch, as expected of the World Government's number one enemy."
Aramaki clapped his hands, showing no signs of fear.
Looking at Nicholas's expressionless face, Aramaki continued to smile, "As formidable as you are, you're no match for that great person!"
Remembering the immense pressure he felt when assisting that great person in building the Pangea castle, Aramaki shouted at Nicholas with a mix of desperation and anger at his own powerlessness.
With Aramaki's shout, the ground around them began to tremble violently, cracking and bulging.
Rumble!
In an instant, countless thick trunks burst out from the ground, growing wildly.
"Forest Emergence!"
Aramaki's expression suddenly turned emotionless. He stretched out his hand toward Nicholas and clenched his fist.
With Aramaki's action, the rapidly formed forest seemed to receive an order, closing in on Nicholas to crush him.
"Your ability reminds me of someone I know, but compared to him, you're wasting this fruit's power."
[AN - A certain god of shinobi]
"Hmm?"
Hearing Nicholas's words, Aramaki's eyes narrowed, not understanding what Nicholas meant.
Then he saw Nicholas almost instantly appear in front of him, grabbing his shoulders, and the next moment, a pair of lightning-filled eyes overwhelmed his consciousness.
"Kotoamatsukami!"