"Is this Whitebeard's power?!"
"As expected of the man known as the 'World's Strongest Man.'"
Watching Whitebeard casually swat two of the Five Elders flying below, a flicker of amazement crossed Red's face.
But in the next instant, his gaze shifted swiftly to the only remaining Elder—Saint Warcury, who had transformed into the legendary mythical beast Fengxi.
Fengxi resembled a gigantic wild boar, possessing terrifying strength and skin harder than steel. Its tusks curved skyward, razor-sharp, as though capable of piercing anything in the world.
"Looks like this leaves only one enemy for you, Luffy,"Red said with a grin, pointing toward Saint Warcury below.
"Tch—did they beat me to it?!"Luffy grinned back, smashing his fists together.
In an instant, pure white flames erupted from his body, forming ribbon-like trails of fire behind him.
Nika Form—engaged!
"So my opponent's a giant boar, huh?!"
Entering Gear Fifth, Luffy stepped forward with one foot and abruptly leapt out of the airflow platform Nami had created, plunging straight downward.
Midair, his human form warped again—transforming into a living, humanoid missile.
"HEY! You oversized pig—your opponent is ME!!!"
Luffy's shout echoed through the sky.
Saint Warcury, already prepared, instantly shifted his perspective, locking onto the incoming rocket of flame.
"Straw Hat Luffy?!"
Seeing Luffy charging straight at him, Warcury showed no trace of panic.
Compared to Kaido and Whitebeard, the Straw Hat crew was nothing more than a side note in this war.
As long as the Beasts Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates were dealt with, there would be plenty of time later to erase the Straw Hats.
The crimes Straw Hat had committed at Mary Geoise were not forgotten.
But this was not the moment to pursue them.
At least, that was what Warcury thought—just like the other Five Elders.
And yet, at that very moment, a faint drumbeat suddenly echoed within his mind.
Thump… thump thump thump…
From barely perceptible, the rhythm grew clearer—brighter—more vivid.
"Wait… this form of his… could it be…?"
Warcury's massive boar-like pupils suddenly dilated.
A terrible premonition surged through his thoughts.
Before he could fully react, Luffy—now a missile—slammed into him head-on.
BOOM!!!
Smoke and blazing fire exploded across the thick ice sheet, blasting yet another massive crater into what little ice remained.
Both Luffy and Saint Warcury plunged straight into the sea.
"Huh?!"
Pirates and Marines alike froze in shock.
What was he doing?!
Mutual destruction?!
Never before had they seen a Devil Fruit user willingly dive into the ocean.
But beneath the ice—out of sight—
Luffy's body was now clad in a full diving suit, completely isolating him from the seawater, allowing him to move freely.
After long-term training under Red, the sea's suppressive effects on Luffy had already been reduced to a minimum.
And now, with the power of Nika, he could use sheer imagination—"I think, therefore it is"—to completely negate the sea's negative effects.
As long as he wanted, he could even create elastic footholds within the ocean itself, fighting freely in the depths.
Across from him, Saint Warcury's enormous boar form showed no sign of weakness. Black flames still roared across his body as he charged straight at Luffy.
SPLASH—!
A massive wave surged upward, carving a straight line across the ice.
THUD…
With a heavy impact, Warcury slammed into Luffy, driving him deeper into the sea.
But now, fear filled Warcury's eyes—the arrogance and composure from before completely gone.
Too similar.
It was far too similar.
For some reason, none of them had realized it earlier—
But upon witnessing Luffy's abilities, Warcury finally understood.
Wasn't this the very Devil Fruit the World Government had pursued for eight hundred years—without success?!
They had even changed its name in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia…
So why—why had it reappeared anyway—and in this form?!
Alarm bells rang wildly in Warcury's mind.
Through a mysterious connection, the other Elders sensed his shock as well.
In an instant, even the four Elders still fighting Kaido and Whitebeard turned their gazes toward the ice.
Nika!
It's Nika!!!
The Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan—Sun God Nika Form has appeared once more!!!
"Kill him!!!"
"Kill—Joy Boy!!!"
A voice colder than absolute zero suddenly echoed within the minds of all Five Elders.
And it did not belong to any of them.
"!!!"
The Elders' expressions twisted in shock.
Lord Imu!!!
As the true source of their power—and one who could peer into their thoughts—Imu had recognized Nika's presence the moment it awakened within Luffy.
Compared to the Elders' fear of the fruit itself, Imu was even more terrified—
So much so that he directly branded Luffy with the name Joy Boy.
This was Imu's recognition of the threat Nika posed.
The four Elders battling Kaido and Whitebeard hesitated upon receiving the order.
But in the end, they exchanged glances—and nodded.
At that moment, they reached a shared decision—
Fulfill Lord Imu's command!
"KYEEE!!!"
A piercing bird cry tore through the sky.
In the next instant, endless explosions erupted around Kaido's body—spectacular and horrifying.
For a moment, even Kaido was pinned in place, unable to advance.
Seizing the opening, Saint Saturn and Saint Mars activated black magic circles beneath their feet.
In a flash, both reappeared atop the ice.
Along with them were the two Elders who had just been locked in battle with Whitebeard.
All four Elders now stood together, silently staring at the massive ice crater Luffy had created.
Suddenly—
A tremor rippled through the entire ice sheet.
The next moment—
BOOM!!!
The ocean surface exploded upward as a colossal wild boar was forced into the air—its tusks locked tightly by a steel pitchfork.
Wearing his straw hat and straw sandals, Luffy looked like an old farmer, gripping the fork with both hands—
Hoisting Saint Warcury high into the sky.
Like a masterpiece frozen in time.
(End of Chapter)