One Piece: I wield thunder and lightning

Inside the Holy Land.

Seeing the sudden appearance of the gate behind Nicholas and the powerful presences emerging from within, the Five Elders and the high-ranking officials of the Holy Land Mariejois all wore grim expressions.

They clearly hadn't expected Nicholas's high-ranking forces to enter the battlefield in this manner.

"The ability of the Door-Door Fruit really is troublesome..."

One of the Five Elders, wearing a small round hat and leaning on a cane, said with a displeased expression.

Obviously, the arrival of Nicholas's reinforcements had foiled their plan to encircle and kill him.

The bald Elder, with a cold gaze, stared at the black cross-shaped sword that blocked his attack. His face was as frosty as ever.

"Dracule Mihawk, do you intend to become an enemy of the World Government?"

The bald Elder coldly addressed Mihawk, who stood beside Nicholas, holding his famous sword, Yoru.

"Enemy? I have no interest in your war. I'm here only to face you in battle. That's all."

Mihawk pointed his black sword directly at the bald Elder, clearly stating his purpose.

"Yohohoho! So, this is Mariejois? Didn't expect the reconstruction to happen so quickly."

An unmistakable laugh echoed from within the Gate.

Brook, holding his Soul Solid sword, stepped out from the gate.

Following him were the officers of the Nicholas Pirates, including Vista, Simon, Katie, Jinbe, and others. After emerging from the Gate, the main forces of the Nicholas Pirates quickly lined up beside Nicholas.

The ability of the Door-Door Fruit allowed them to deploy forces instantly. A gate leading directly to Mariejois enabled Nicholas to summon his elite fighters right by his side, demonstrating the terrifying support capabilities of the fruit.

The World Government forces, watching the Nicholas Pirates' main forces appear in this way, were instantly on high alert.

The Five Elders' expressions grew darker as they coldly stared at the still-open Gate.

They could sense even more powerful presences approaching from within the gate.

"So, they plan to bypass our outer defenses and finish the battle here?"

Although the World Government hadn't faced such a crisis in over 800 years, the Five Elders, as the highest authority, were extraordinarily experienced. They quickly deduced Nicholas's strategy.

Merely by seeing the Gate behind Nicholas and the strong individuals emerging, they understood that Nicholas intended to settle the battle of high-level forces right here and now.

As long as the victor was decided in this clash of elites, the fate of millions of soldiers and billions of civilians would also be sealed.

As both sides faced off, more figures began to step out from the Gate.

Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Former Marine Hero Garp.

Former Admiral Akainu Sakazuki.

Former Admiral Kizaru Borsalino.

Former Admiral Aokiji Kuzan.

Former Admiral Zephyr "Black Arm."

Former Vice Admiral Issho Fujitora.

And a large number of Marine elite vice admirals.

Revolutionary Army Leader Monkey D. Dragon.

Revolutionary Army Northern Army Commander Karasu.

Revolutionary Army G Army Commander Emporio Ivankov, alongside former Warlord Crocodile.

Revolutionary Army officer and former Warlord Bartholomew Kuma.

The entire Red-Haired Pirates crew.

The King of Giants, Yuum.

And the special unit under Vegapunk's command: the Seraphim Four Emperors, and the Warlord unit.

[AN – Seraphim version of all emperors and warlords]

"You thought I would come here alone?"

Nicholas calmly addressed the Five Elders standing in front of the Pangaea Castle, as well as the grim-faced CP0 agents and Celestial Dragons. "If this battle will decide the future of the world, then of course we need to unite every force we can!"

At that moment, seeing the formidable forces behind Nicholas, the eyes of the Five Elders finally changed.

Everything had gone beyond their plans. Before, with Imu backing them, they believed they could surround and kill Nicholas. But now, with the appearance of Nicholas's powerful reinforcements, the outcome of the war had become uncertain.

"Garp, Sengoku, do you know what you're doing!?"

The tall, thin Elder with a long beard glared coldly at Garp and Sengoku.

"Of course we know. The World Government has decayed. Its existence has seriously disrupted the world's balance and stability."

Sengoku met the Elder's gaze without flinching.

"So, the Marines have abandoned the World Government to follow a pirate? Do you even remember the justice you carry!?"

"We've never claimed to be under Nicholas's command, and does the World Government really have the right to talk about justice? Flevance, Ohara, and the Rum Kingdom—those places suffered because they couldn't pay the government's excessive taxes and were left to be ravaged by war. Can you deny the World Government's involvement in those tragedies?"

Sengoku's tone was icy. The Marines were well aware of the plight of non-government-affiliated nations.

Many of these nations could have thrived on their own, but the World Government provoked wars to extract profits and to show the difference between affiliated and non-affiliated countries. They secretly sold weapons to both sides, profiting from the chaos.

Long-term war left these non-affiliated nations devastated. Over 70% of the pirates on the seas came from such places.

For those people, becoming pirates was a better option than staying in a war-torn hell.

"So, you don't care about the lives of those people? And you, Dragon?"

The Elder with the scarred head wasn't moved by Sengoku's words. He coldly asked, as a projection suddenly appeared in the square of Pangaea Castle.

In the projection, the people of Windmill Village and Sengoku's hometown were tied up on a massive execution platform.

At the front of the platform, restrained in shackles and badly injured, was Luffy. Though he had the Nika Fruit, the Sea-Prism Stone cuffs rendered him as vulnerable as any other boy.

"You people only know how to play dirty tricks."

Ivankov angrily said as he watched the projection.

"The World Government really has fallen."

Crocodile scoffed at the scene, disdain evident in his gaze.

At that moment, the projection suddenly shifted.

One by one, the executioners beside the captives were sent flying as if an unseen force had attacked them.

The World Government side was visibly shocked, while Nicholas's side seemed to have anticipated it.

As the executioners were taken out, a ripple in the air revealed the figures of Sabo, Ace, and Corazon.

The earlier attack had come from them.

"Ace, you hesitated just now. This is war. You can't afford to show mercy. After all, Luffy's life is in our hands."

Sabo turned and addressed Ace, who was standing back to back with him.

"Ace! Sabo!"

Luffy's voice was filled with joy at the sight of his brothers.

"Hehe, Luffy, long time no see."

Sabo laughed.

"Now's not the time for a reunion. We may have snuck in thanks to Sabo's stealth abilities, but those government dogs will be here soon."

Boom!

Before Corazon could finish his sentence, a loud crash sounded. Several white-robed, masked figures from CP0 burst through the doors and appeared before them, the elite tasked with guarding the hostages.