God's Knights

"Extension of abilities, huh?" The man in the number nine mask said, regaining his composure as he looked at Nicholas.

To him, Nicholas's Thunder Metallurgy was clearly an extension of his Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit) abilities.

"You're a troublesome one. It seems we can't let you leave," he added, his masked face displaying a cold, menacing smile as he glanced at the large chunk of iron in the plaza's center.

As a race that had ruled the world for over eight hundred years, their research on Devil Fruits far surpassed most others. They had extensive knowledge of Devil Fruit characteristics.

In their view, the least threatening Devil Fruits were the Zoan types. No matter how much a Zoan user developed their abilities, it only increased their personal strength, which had its limits—like Kaido. Even if your body and fruit were perfectly matched, once you reached the peak of physical development and Haki, there was no further improvement possible.

The Logia types were similar. While they had a high baseline, their upper limits were also capped.

However, the Paramecia types were seen as the most dangerous. Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi (Quake-Quake Fruit), for example, was considered world-ending because if Whitebeard had the mind of a genius like Vegapunk, he could easily destroy the Red Line. Not to mention the myriad other strange and powerful Paramecia abilities.

Turning iron sand into a ball was evidently an extension of Nicholas's Rumble-Rumble Fruit abilities. This indicated Nicholas was encroaching on realms he shouldn't be.

The man in the number nine mask also glanced at another figure fighting a giant humanoid griffin in the air, his expression darkening. Both Nicholas and his comrade were clear threats to the Celestial Dragons' rule. But fortunately, they were being held up.

As long as they were kept in Mary Geoise, their superior numbers and strength would eventually wear down Nicholas and Dragon, the two invaders. Escape? That was not an option.

The man's sinister smile deepened as he imagined their inevitable defeat.

"Click—"

The air door opened again. Members of CP0, dressed in white robes and wearing abstract masks, stepped out one by one. Leading them was a teenage girl wearing a number five mask, the current holder of the Doa Doa no Mi (Door-Door Fruit). Beside her stood a swordsman with a number eight mask and a black blade, evidently her protector.

"Idiot! Are you dumb? Don't you realize that these people in the plaza are representatives from World Government member countries? If you kill them all, even if they don't dare act, they'll certainly resent the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Don't you get it, you moron!?"

The number five mask girl scolded the number nine mask man harshly, her sweet voice at odds with her crude language.

"Uh…" The number nine mask man fell silent. If not for her special abilities and status among the nineteen royal families, he would have taught her a lesson. But there were no "ifs."

"I was just buying time for number six to activate his ability," he replied, a bit disgruntled.

"Enough, they can't escape now," said the number six mask man, who had been silent until now. As he spoke, the surrounding space began to distort and warp. The original plaza and Pangaea Castle vanished, replaced by towering walls.

"Welcome to my world! Infinite Labyrinth!" The number six mask man announced, his expression towards Nicholas shifting to one of a jailer towards a prisoner, convinced that Nicholas was trapped.

"You idiot! Do you even know your own strength? Get back into the door now! If you get killed and your ability is broken, how will we take him down, you brainless moron!?" yelled the girl in the number five mask, her tirade filled with expletives.

Reluctantly, the number six mask man stepped back through the air door.

"To think these are the God's knights" Nicholas commented, observing the family drama with a bemused expression.

However, as the space had changed, Nicholas had already fully activated his Kenbunshoku Haki. With the aid of his Goro Goro no Mi, he assessed the situation.

The number six mask man was not the Doa Doa no Mi user; he had the Maze Maze Fruit. His ability had pulled Nicholas, Dragon, and everyone in the plaza into a labyrinthine dimension. This maze had two exits, but the routes and exits constantly shifted.

Dragon appeared beside Nicholas, eyeing the distant enemies. The current situation was dire for them.

"Hey, where are you going?" A female voice called out as a swordsman, who had been standing beside the Door-Door Fruit user, began walking towards Nicholas.

"Oh? You're here too. What a surprise," Nicholas remarked, recognizing the man's battle intent. They had crossed paths briefly during the fight for the Wine island's wine. He hadn't expected to meet here again.

"So, you're still a Celestial Dragon? Why did you say you weren't before? Teenage rebellion?" Nicholas taunted.

"Nicholas, remember my name, Saint Figarland Garling! It's the name that will take your life!" Saint Figarland Garling, clearly irked by the mention of his past, drew his black blade and pointed it at Nicholas. His swordsmanship had clearly improved significantly since their last encounter.

"Are you all idiots? Why not gang up and kill him? What's with this duel nonsense!" The number five mask girl interjected again.

This time, Garling didn't respond but used his eyes to warn everyone off, making it clear anyone interrupting his fight would die.

Nicholas felt a twinge of excitement. As a well-rounded warrior, he relished the chance to face a strong swordsman.

Garling gripped his black blade, eyeing Nicholas seriously.

Nicholas lunged at Garling with a burst of speed.

The two clashed, their weapons meeting with explosive force.

"Boom!"

A powerful shockwave spread from their point of contact, rustling the clothes of everyone nearby. Some of the weaker CP0 members even struggled to keep their eyes open against the blast.

"Crack!"

Huge gashes appeared in the walls around them, spreading outwards, though they quickly healed under the control of the number six mask man.

The sounds of metal clashing rang out as Garling, holding his sword with both hands, met Nicholas head-on.

"You've grown much stronger since last time. It seems you've crossed that threshold. Truly terrifying talent," Nicholas remarked.

Garling remained silent, his sword strikes becoming even more fierce.

After dozens of exchanges...

"Boom"

Both fighters pushed off each other with a powerful strike, creating some distance.

"It seems you held back, Nicholas," Garling commented, looking at the slash wound on his chest.

"I didn't hold back," Nicholas replied, sheathing his sword. He had indeed not gone all out but had conserved his strength, mindful of the numerous enemies around.

Garling said nothing more, sheathing his sword as well. He knew Nicholas hadn't shown his full power.

 "To think this red haired guy who is younger than him would become the the strongest swordsman in the world, even surpassing mihawk unofficially" Nicholas thought to himself