Off the coast of a beach on Chuju Island, with waves crashing against the shore, a massive ship docked on the coast.
As the gangplank descended, Kallet, Nicholas, and others stepped down from the deck and onto the island.
"So, this is Chuju Island," Nicholas remarked, gazing at the distant jungle.
"Yes, Mr. Nicholas, the only creatures on this island are beetles. Different types of beetles form the unique ecosystem of this island," explained Kallet's lieutenant by his side.
"Quite an interesting island."
"That's right. Mr. Nicholas, this island serves as the only habitat for beetles. The different species of beetles here create a unique ecological chain."
Kallet's lieutenant elaborated.
"All right, let's go rest and make preparations," Kallet said, heading towards the headquarters of the Syndicate in this makeshift town.
Chuju Island, serving as a supply island, had formed a simple settlement. Due to various factions, the buildings in the headquarters varied; some were grand, like luxurious palaces, while others bore the distinct style of their affiliations. Kallet's headquarters looked like a run-down western tavern from the outside.
After arranging accommodations, Nicholas wandered through the temporary town.
Encountering Nicholas, regardless of the faction, everyone avoided him silently. Even representatives from the World Nobles, the Marines, and other powerful kingdoms chose to momentarily set aside conflicts with Nicholas, primarily due to their uncertainty.
Nicholas had grown accustomed to it; strength was everything on the high seas.
Just like the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, aside from the World Nobles, the existence of everyone else served only to serve the World Nobles.
Faced with someone as dangerous as him, even the World Nobles sometimes chose to retreat.
"You're Nicholas, right?" A rugged voice sounded behind Nicholas.
A massive shadow loomed over Nicholas.
"Huh? Who are you?" Nicholas looked at the burly, bald man behind him, trying to recall.
The burly man didn't answer; instead, he clenched his fist loudly, grinning menacingly. "Six months ago, you raided a fleet from the Kingdom of Flowers, didn't you?"
Hearing this, Nicholas seemed to remember something; indeed, he had raided a fleet.
"It seems like there was such an incident." Nicholas said.
"You scoundrel! How could you treat those you killed like that!?" The burly man roared angrily, raising his fist covered in armor haki towards Nicholas's head.
Boom!
With a loud noise, the place where Nicholas had stood was suddenly enveloped in a cloud of dust.
Not far away, on a rooftop, flashes of lightning appeared. Nicholas's figure reappeared, almost pristine, even with his clothes untouched.
"You brute! Do you only know how to run away?"
A voice of disdain escaped Nicholas as he stood on the rooftop.
The disdain and disregard completely enraged the burly man, and he grabbed a nearby carriage, hurling it towards Nicholas.
Bent knees, a lowered head, and a powerful push from his feet—the carriage flew over Nicholas's head, crashing into a nearby building.
Then the burly man swiftly appeared in front of Nicholas. His arms, from fists to elbows, were covered in a shiny black color, the manifestation of Armament Haki. Although not completely covering his shoulders, his mastery of Armament Haki was already impressive.
"Kuma Drop!"
With a loud roar, the burly man leaped into the air, his hands clasped together, forming a hammer-like shape aimed at Nicholas.
Nicholas swiftly sidestepped the hammer's strike, avoiding it entirely. Then, with a single kick, covered in Armament Haki, he struck the burly man's waist.
Bang!
Just as the burly man had stood up moments ago, he was sent crashing down to the ground again, but this time, he didn't rise immediately.
"No, impossible! Why do your attacks have such incredible piercing power?" The burly man muttered, blood trickling from his lips, his body swaying, barely conscious.
"I remember now," Nicholas said, looking at the burly man. "There were two guys who looked a lot like you back then. Are you related?"
At Nicholas's words, the burly man seemed even more infuriated.
Soon, he charged towards Nicholas again, but this time, Nicholas was faster. Almost as the burly man leaped, Nicholas appeared by his side, delivering a punch covered in armor Haki directly to his waist.
Boom!
Just as the burly man had stood up moments ago, he was sent crashing down to the ground again, but this time, he didn't rise immediately.
"Go practice some more; I acknowledge you as a real man!" Nicholas said this with disdain and turned to walk towards the syndicate's headquarters.
He felt that his martial arts mastery could be further perfected after the recent encounter.
Plop! Plop! Plop! Plop...
The man standing there suddenly burst into dozens of blood holes, yet he still remained standing.