In the distance, many people couldn't help but look towards where Nicholas and Blackbeard were. After all, the battle ended quite quickly—so quickly that they didn't even know what abilities Blackbeard had mastered.
Only Fujitora and Tsuru, who had been watching all along, had witnessed the entire process.
Even Tsuru showed a look of surprise when she glanced at Nicholas.
After all, being old-timers from the previous era, they knew each other somewhat. Tsuru never imagined that someone with Nicholas's strength would play so dirty without any demeanor of a strongman. She raised Nicholas's danger level to the maximum because a person who was immensely powerful and fought dirty without any regard for honor was truly terrifying to even think about.
"It really is a fruit that counters abilities. It's no wonder the Dark-Dark Fruit is considered the most dangerous ability in history," Fujitora muttered to himself as he thought about the powers of the Dark-Dark Fruit. This fruit, which targets Devil Fruit users, is simply a nightmare for them. The more they rely on their fruit abilities, the more powerless they feel against Blackbeard.
"Nicholas, that guy, sure fought dirty," Diamond Jozu muttered softly as he watched Blackbeard's miserable state under Nicholas's foot.
"Jozu!"
However, as soon as he spoke, he received a warning glance from Marco, who made him shut up immediately. Jozu knew the saying "disaster comes from the mouth," especially after Nicholas's recent trick. If Nicholas remembered his comment, even Whitebeard's protection might not save him.
After warning Jozu with a look, Marco turned to Whitebeard with a serious expression and cautiously asked, "Old man, what about Teach..."
"Forget it, Marco. Since Teach ended up in Nicholas's hands, there's no way he's getting out alive."
Whitebeard understood what Marco was thinking. After all, Teach had killed Thatch, and Marco was worried that Whitebeard might cause a conflict with Nicholas and the others in a bid for personal revenge.
Normally, it would be fine, but now the situation clearly wasn't in the Whitebeard Pirates' favor. If they started a fight, they'd be in big trouble. Whitebeard clearly understood this too and immediately expressed his stance.
"You've lost, Teach," Nicholas said, looking down at Blackbeard.
Blackbeard's eyes, filled with resentment, gradually softened.
"Ze... Ha ha ha! Victory and defeat are unchanging truths. Losing is losing; there's nothing more to say. Though I don't know what you're planning, Nicholas, I hope you keep winning. After all, don't let me down by showing up here too soon—it would be embarrassing!"
Realizing his life was nearing its end, Blackbeard seemed to become a bit carefree.
Nicholas remained unmoved and looked at Blackbeard, saying, "Actually, I'm quite interested in your 'body's secret.' After all, you're the only one in the world who can eat three Devil Fruits without dying. I believe a friend of mine would be very interested in you."
Before he finished speaking, Nicholas suddenly stomped down on Blackbeard's head with a powerful kick.
Bang!
With that kick, Blackbeard's consciousness was instantly swallowed by darkness, and he fainted.
"What a joke..."
Meanwhile, Shiryu, who was struggling against Akainu's attacks, looked at Blackbeard in disbelief.
This man, whom Shiryu saw as most likely to reach the pinnacle, had fallen so quickly?
He knew Blackbeard possessed the Dark-Dark Fruit, which was said to be the most dangerous ability in history, and the Azure Dragon form of the Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit he had recently taken from Kaido.
Shiryu could not accept this outcome.
Whoosh!
He kicked off the ground and attempted to dash away with lightning speed.
He understood that staying any longer would only mean death. After all, for the sake of their reputation, the Marines would never gang up on him. He'd only face one opponent at a time, but each one would be a monster with Admiral-level strength!
If this dragged on, he'd definitely be burned to ashes by Akainu.
Just as Shiryu made his move, a wall of ice shot up before him, blocking his escape completely.
"Those who harm their comrades cannot be forgiven," Kuzan said coldly, ice mist drifting from his mouth.
...
Aside from Blackbeard, there was hardly any suspense in the battle.
After all, Shiryu, Jesus Burgess, and Corrupt King faced opponents they couldn't contend with.
Soon, the results came in—Jesus Burgess, Vasco Shot was decapitated by Shanks in a single stroke, and Corrupt King Avalo Pizarro was so battered that he was unrecognizable. As for Shiryu, he had merged with the magma beneath his feet, and only his sword, Thunderstorm, sticking out from the magma, marked his final stand.
Outside the battle circle, Kuzan glanced at Tsuru, who nodded back at him.
With a helpless sigh, Kuzan scratched the back of his head and wore a troubled expression.
He didn't want to face off against the Whitebeard Pirates, especially with the terrifying Whitebeard, now in peak form. But this was Tsuru's mission, and he had to carry it out.
"Ah, well..."
Kuzan appeared not far from the Whitebeard Pirates, standing on a rock with a commanding view of Whitebeard, Marco, Jozu, and the others. He spoke seriously, "Everyone, you can't leave just yet. As for the reason, well, I'll explain once those guys arrive."
Saying this, Kuzan put his hands in his pockets.
Hearing this, Marco's expression darkened, and the blue flames of the Phoenix danced on his shoulders as he said in a low voice, "Kuzan, are you really going to oppose the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Following Marco's words, Jiru, Jozu, and others stepped forward, their faces full of tension as they glared at Kuzan.
Even the most carefree among them could sense something was off about the battle with Blackbeard's crew. The Revolutionary Army, Pirates, and Marines were usually sworn enemies, yet here they were, not attacking each other and instead attacking Blackbeard's crew in unison.
If there wasn't something fishy going on, they wouldn't believe it for a second.
"Is this your answer... then I have no choice. My mission is to keep you here for now."
Kuzan's eyes were calm, and cold air seeped from all over his body.
Even though his opponents were the Whitebeard Pirates, the monsters behind him were even scarier!
"Ice Age!"
The cold air from Kuzan's body quickly condensed into giant icicles that spread toward the Whitebeard Pirates. In the blink of an eye, a massive glacier formed, with the Whitebeard Pirates trapped in the middle.
"Gurarara! Kuzan, are you really starting a war?" Whitebeard laughed as he swung his fist.
Crack—
A sound like shattering glass echoed through the space, and visible cracks spread from the void to the glacier.
In an instant, the massive glacier collapsed into pieces of ice.
"You've got to be kidding..." Kuzan muttered in shock at the scene before him. He knew Whitebeard in peak form would be strong, but he hadn't expected this level of power.
"Hmm?"
Marco's heart sank as he looked past Kuzan.
Several figures slowly emerged in the distance.
Seeing these figures, Marco turned to Ace and said with a grim expression, "Ace, if things go south, find a way to escape. We'll cover you."
Ace remained silent, his gaze fixed on the approaching figures.
"Nicholas, what are you planning?" Marco shouted at the sight of Nicholas.
Just as Nicholas was about to answer, his expression suddenly changed. He then said to those around him, "Sorry, I'll be right back."
With that, he froze in place, not moving an inch.