Seeing the enemy's hand approaching, Brook knew that if Yonji actually caught him, defeat would be inevitable. He had no confidence in his ability to resist and break free from that monster's tremendous strength.
At this critical moment, Brook's still-developing Observation Haki played a crucial role. His mind became highly concentrated, and his body, which had been moving forward, suddenly pivoted sideways. Simultaneously, his sword precisely contacted Yonji's grasping palm, the two forces meeting for just an instant.
The sound of metal clashing rang out as Brook used the impact to dodge away, finally escaping the enemy's attack range at the last possible moment.
"Whew... one must never be careless in battle. Now, please accept my technique!" Brook raised his sword, which instantly turned pitch black while emanating endless frigid air.
"Soul Solid: Frost Crescendo!"
Hastily retracting his extended mechanical arm, Yonji had no time to swing his right fist again. He could only step forward and raise his left hand with all his strength, delivering a heavy punch toward Brook.
However, he failed to hit his target. Instead, he suddenly felt piercing cold rising from his back, rapidly spreading throughout his entire body.
"Shling!" Brook slowly sheathed his sword with his characteristic flourish.
"That was my new technique. I'm quite confident you won't be breaking free from it."
Just as Brook declared, behind him Yonji was frozen in the exact moment he'd thrown his punch, his entire body encased in a massive block of ice, completely unable to move.
The reason Brook had achieved such decisive results wasn't simply through physical attacks. While his blade was sharp, it wasn't sufficient to completely penetrate Yonji's enhanced defenses.
The key lay in Brook's deep development of his fruit abilities. He used the power of his soul to linger on his weapons and body, creating what he called "the chill of the underworld."
This supernatural coldness gave his sword strikes the effect of freezing everything they touched, making it a devastating weapon in combat.
"He actually defeated Germa's prince..."
"Boom!" Before the spectators could properly marvel at Brook's victory, their attention was drawn to the thunderous noise from the fierce battle on the other side.
The duel between Cavendish and Niji was reaching its climax, with the sounds of their clashing weapons echoing one after another.
Just because Niji could use electrical elements in his attacks didn't mean he could truly withstand lightning better than Cavendish, who had consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Although Cavendish was taking this battle seriously, his main purpose didn't seem to be simple victory, but rather seeking a contest of electrical mastery with Niji.
After discovering that his opponent also used electricity, Cavendish had reduced his Haki output and instead increased his electrical energy projection.
This was undoubtedly a naked provocation to Niji, but the Germa prince had no effective way to counter it.
It could be said that except for his enhanced physical defenses, Niji was completely outclassed by Cavendish in every other aspect.
After all, the current Cavendish was far from his original counterpart. Not only had he endured frequent one-sided high-intensity sparring sessions with Jerry, but he'd also consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, mastered Haki, and was in the process of merging with his secondary personality. These factors had caused his strength to increase dramatically.
Because of this, after Cavendish had properly adjusted his attitude toward the enemy, Niji had been consistently at a disadvantage.
At this moment, Cavendish noticed that Brook, having finished his fight, was casually adjusting his clothes, and he felt suddenly competitive.
"I was fighting first! How did you finish so quickly?!"
Cavendish turned his head to shout, then quickly refocused on his own battle. He realized he couldn't afford to show off anymore.
"Today's battle ends here!"
"Beautiful Sword: Lightning Cleave!"
Cavendish suddenly transformed into pure lightning, rushing toward Niji at incredible speed.
Although he'd also noticed his brother Yonji's defeat, Niji felt no fear, nor did he have time for distractions. He fixed his eyes firmly on the rapidly approaching lightning bolt, and with his long sword infused with his own electrical energy, swung to meet the attack without hesitation.
"Light-Speed Slash!"
Two figures flashed past each other in an instant. As lightning crackled, a thunderous roar that shook the entire area followed.
The sudden rumbling made people in the distant town mistakenly believe it was the prelude to an approaching storm.
"Another... another defeat?"
"Yes, they really are a pirate crew famous throughout the Grand Line."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean, you traitor? Are you happy that our North Blue's Germa was defeated?"
Amid the constant discussions among the crowd, it seemed someone was planning to start a new argument.
"Haha! Turns out I'm more skilled after all!" Cavendish glanced at Niji, who lay twitching on the ground after being struck by his lightning, then performed several flashy sword flourishes with obvious pride.
Once the battle ended, he'd immediately returned to his usual narcissistic behavior.
"Wow! So this is Germa?" Little Bonney ran into the port square excitedly, circling around the frozen Yonji while examining him from every angle.
"Is this really a raid suit? The kind that can transform?" Carrot also quickly approached Yonji, asking in amazement.
"Hey now, are you treating him like a laboratory specimen?" Jerry asked with amusement, casually swinging two pairs of handcuffs that had appeared from nowhere as he strolled toward the frozen prince like he was on a leisurely walk.
Soon, Jerry gradually melted the ice around Yonji and secured both him and Niji with the special restraints.
After signaling for Deuce and the others to return to the ship first, Jerry turned with a knowing smile, casting his gaze toward the vast ocean beyond the port. "Here they come," he whispered.
"Jerry, what's wrong?" Deuce, who was heading back to their ship, heard the quiet comment and asked instinctively. Skull and the others also stopped to listen.
Their eyes then turned to follow Jerry's gaze. On the horizon, a massive black shadow was gradually emerging from the sea.
"What is that thing?" Deuce exclaimed in shock as he stared at the rapidly approaching sea fortress in the distance.
At this moment, not only Deuce but virtually all the witnesses present turned their attention in that direction.
"It's the Germa Kingdom and their military fleet!" Skull observed the distant formation and immediately recognized the true nature of the approaching leviathan.
The massive structure wasn't a single ship but rather dozens of enormous snail-ships connected together, forming a mobile maritime kingdom exactly as described in the comics Bonney had been reading. Steam rose from various sections as the biological ships propelled the floating nation toward their location with surprising speed.
"Well," Jerry said cheerfully, hefting the two unconscious Germa princes over his shoulders, "looks like we're about to have some very interesting guests. I wonder if they'll be willing to negotiate for their family members' return?"
Carina crossed her arms with a calculating expression. "This could be profitable. Germa 66 must have considerable resources."
"Or," Cavendish added while posing dramatically with his sword, "they might attack us for capturing their royalty, giving me another chance to display my incredible combat skills!"
As the Germa Kingdom continued its approach, the Black Star Pirates prepared for what promised to be a very eventful encounter with one of North Blue's most notorious military powers.