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Port of Mary Geoise, the Holy Land.
A Marine warship bearing the iconic seagull insignia was docked quietly in the harbor.
Unlike standard Marine vessels, this ship was slightly larger and equipped with significantly more cannons along its sides.
Its hull was marked with dark red stripes, and at the bow sat the sculpture of a beast shaped like a gaping abyss, giving off an aura of menace and destruction.
This was Akainu's personally customised flagship.
By convention, Marine Headquarters covers the costs for Vice Admirals to commission their vessels, just like Garp's famous dog-headed ship.
After all, at that rank, officers were considered senior personnel and wouldn't sail standard-issue ships.
Standing on the wide deck, Atlas silently watched the Holy Land of Mary Geoise fade into the distance.
He was still dressed in his signature white suit and Justice cloak, both of which fluttered gently in the sea breeze. Having custom-ordered several of these suits, he felt no need to change attire often.
There were only two ways to enter the New World. One was via the Sabaody Archipelago—coating the ship and travelling through Fish-Man Island.
But with unpredictable giant Sea Kings, that route could quickly turn suicidal.
As Marines, however, they used the safer route—crossing the Red Line through the Holy Land. The only risk there was running into those disgusting Celestial Dragons.
Fortunately, whether due to luck or the deterrence of Akainu's stern face, Atlas hadn't encountered any of them.
"How about it? Ready to set foot on the battlefield known as the New World?" Akainu's voice came from beside him.
Atlas glanced at the Vice Admiral but gave no reply. Readiness wasn't something declared in words. He would make his intentions known to the New World with his fists.
"Since Roger's execution and Golden Lion's breakout from Impel Down, the New World has had only three dominant powers—Whitebeard's crew, Big Mom's crew, and the Beasts Pirates."
"Of the three, Whitebeard's is the strongest, followed by Big Mom. Kaido, who recently took over Wano, has the weakest hold for now."
"There's also an alliance of four pirate crews challenging them: the Yelmak Pirates, the Krauss Pirates, the Blood Scythe Pirates, and the Francis Pirates."
"But that alliance is destined to fracture. According to Marine intelligence, Kaido's been trying to recruit Francis. He hasn't agreed publicly, but the seeds of mistrust have already been sown within the alliance."
"Recruit?" Atlas raised a brow. "Why only Francis? Is he stronger than the others?"
"Heh... Kaido's got a thing for Zoan-type Devil Fruit users. Francis ate the Zoan-class: Bear-Bear Fruit, Ancient Model—Savage Bear Form. The 'Drought' seat in the Beasts Pirates is still vacant."
Akainu's eyes narrowed. "Our task as Marines is to continuously harass the top three pirate crews, making that so-called alliance believe that Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido are under pressure."
"If we can get them to fight before the alliance breaks, the Marines stand to gain the most."
"But those pirates aren't stupid," Atlas said with doubt. "They won't just fight to the death and let us swoop in."
"Don't worry," Akainu smirked subtly. "The World Government will handle that."
Atlas didn't press further. He figured it must be the CP divisions—experts in assassination, infiltration, and manipulation.
Somewhere in the New World…
The sky was filled with dark clouds, thunder crashing overhead. A massive azure dragon soared through the storm, its body twisting and coiling between flashes of lightning.
Unlike ordinary dragons, it bore four horns—two curved and two extending outward.
Flames coiled around its body, and its talons summoned clouds beneath it as it climbed higher into the sky.
Bolts of lightning struck its body, leaving only faint white scars. On its fierce, bestial face appeared a surprisingly human expression—pleasure.
Wherever the dragon flew, the stormy skies cleared, revealing a radiant blue sky so pristine it felt like the storm had been a mere illusion. Such was the bizarre weather of the Grand Line.
The dragon's eyes suddenly lit up. A floating island had appeared not far ahead. With a surge of clouds, the dragon rose toward it.
Floating islands weren't unheard of in the pirate world. The legendary Shandora was launched into the White Sea by a Knock-Up Stream.
After landing, the massive dragon rapidly shrank and transformed into a towering man.
He had wild black hair, long curved horns, and a beard like dragon whiskers. Bare-chested, his left arm was covered in tattoo-like dragon scales, and a large 'X'-shaped scar crossed his right abdomen.
He wore a purple vest adorned with golden chains, baggy green pants, and a shaggy purple fur cape. In his hand was a massive spiked kanabo club.
This was the Governor of the Beasts Pirates—Kaido!
"Hahahaha! What a perfect place… to kill myself!"
Kaido plopped down on the edge of the island and uncorked a giant gourd marked with the kanji for "Heaven," chugging deeply.
Before long, his beastly face turned flushed from alcohol.
Hic— Kaido belched loudly, then staggered to his feet and peered down over the edge of the sky island.
Hic— "Perfect height… Hahahaha…"
Elsewhere in the New World...
A massive Marine warship sailed across calm waters. On deck, Atlas was consulting Akainu about externalising Armament Haki.
He had already mastered hardening and coating; it was time to push further.
They were heading to G-5, the Marine base in the New World and a strategic bridgehead for the Marines' operations in this lawless sea.
Suddenly, both Atlas and Akainu looked up in unison. The sky was clear, but their Observation Haki was screaming with danger.
A small black dot appeared overhead, growing larger and rapidly taking human shape. Its descent trajectory was headed straight for the warship!
"All hands—prepare for battle! Helm, change course now! Damn it!" Akainu barked in fury, already recognising the falling figure.
It was Kaido of the Beasts.
They had all heard of his twisted hobby of attempting suicide. They just never thought they'd be the ones unlucky enough to witness it firsthand.
Atlas narrowed his eyes. So soon... he was already meeting the man who would one day be called the "Strongest Creature Alive."
He had long suspected Kaido's obsession with suicide wasn't just madness—it was part of how he trained his Mythical Zoan powers.
After all, Zoan fruits thrived on physical endurance. The more damage and healing they endured, the stronger they became.
"Great Eruption!"
Akainu moved first. His body erupted in volcanic fury, generating a barrage of magma fists that rocketed toward Kaido like volcanic shells.
"One-Sword Style—Tower Ascension: Starshatter!"
Atlas followed up instantly. His Sandai Kitetsu wrapped in Armament Haki, he swung a crimson slash that spread like a net toward Kaido.
BOOM!
CRASH!
HISS!
A barrage of molten fists and slashes slammed into Kaido mid-air, detonating in fiery explosions. The surrounding sea instantly erupted into clouds of steam.
The massive form shifted off-course, crashing beside the ship rather than on top of it.
Atlas's Observation Haki registered only light burns and shallow cuts on Kaido's body, like their combined assault had merely scratched an itch.
The pain snapped Kaido out of his drunken haze. Twisting midair, he transformed once again into his immense dragon form, supported by clouds beneath his claws.
His grotesque head swayed lazily as he tried to shake off the alcohol. Upon seeing Akainu clearly, his eyes widened—then he grinned.
"Marines? Akainu? Keh keh keh hahahahaha!"
"Heat Breath!"
Before Akainu could issue a warning, Kaido struck first. A torrent of hellish fire surged straight for the ship!
"Tch!" Akainu's brows furrowed. It wasn't that he couldn't fight Kaido—he was even willing to die here to stop him. But his powers were best suited for land battles.
Aerial and naval combat weren't his strengths. Kizaru was the airborne expert, and Aokiji ruled the seas. Akainu was made for solid ground.
"Vice Admiral Akainu! Let me handle this one!"
Atlas stepped forward without hesitation. He planted his feet, drew his blade, and focused all his strength through his core and arm.
One-Sword Style: War God Arm—Dragon Slayer!
A massive crescent-shaped slash collided head-on with Kaido's searing heat breath, splitting the blazing attack down the middle.
The fiery blast that had been charging toward the warship was forcefully parted to either side, bypassing the ship entirely.
The scorching winds swept past the crew, crashing into the sea with a hiss, causing the surrounding waters to erupt into an even denser fog.
"Atlas, take everyone on the warship and get to a safe distance! I'll handle him!" Akainu immediately assessed the situation.
The soldiers aboard the ship would only be a burden if they remained. Though he was never afraid of sacrifice, he wouldn't allow unnecessary deaths.
With that, Akainu launched into the sky using Geppo (Moonwalk), his cold, fierce gaze locking straight onto Kaido's massive dragon head.
"Yes, sir!" Atlas shouted in response. Right now, his top priority was to obey orders. As for fighting, he could join in after ensuring the safety of the crew.
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Dog!"
Foul Wind!
Kaido roared, unleashing a barrage of slicing wind blades—like the strikes of a Kamaitachi.
They shredded through Akainu's molten magma hound, causing blobs of lava to rain down from the sky.
Razor Step!
Akainu instantly combined Geppo and Soru into a high-speed aerial movement technique.
In the blink of an eye, he flashed right in front of Kaido, his arms coated in Armament Haki.
The dark Haki flowed rapidly across his fists, his entire body mimicking the power of a volcano about to erupt. His target—Kaido's right eye.
Seeing this, Kaido immediately shut his eyelid and reinforced his face with Armament Haki.
Bang!
A heavy thud rang out. Akainu's hardened fist pierced through Kaido's defence and struck directly into his eye.
Even with the monstrous durability of a Mythical Zoan, the eye was still a weak point. Pain shot through Kaido's head—his vision went black on one side, and his body reeled, nearly falling into the sea.
"Damn Marine...!" Kaido roared in fury, transforming into his hybrid dragon-man form.
While his full Azure Dragon form possessed overwhelming power and flight, it was also too large, making it an easy target for fighters of the same calibre.
"Raimei Hakke!"
Kaido whipped out his spiked kanabo club, lightning crackling violently along its surface. The massive weapon moved so fast it left no afterimages.
"Dark Hound!"
Akainu's magma-covered arms stretched forward and clashed directly with Kaido's club.
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave burst out from the point of impact, rippling across the sky.
"Akainu! Come on! Kill me already! Keh keh keh hahahaha!" Kaido bellowed with wild laughter, baring his teeth in a crazed grin.
"Hmph! Vile pirate!" Akainu growled, unfazed. He raised his fists again and launched another attack.
These two were monsters among monsters—but Kaido's Mythical Zoan, the Fish-Fish Fruit: Azure Dragon form, was practically a cheat code in the pirate world.
The fact that he didn't drown after falling into the sea was insane. Add to that his nearly indestructible body, and Akainu was clearly at a disadvantage.
Meanwhile, at a safe distance, Atlas had already manoeuvred the warship out of their combat zone. Quietly activating Geppo, he soared high into the air, stealthily circling behind Kaido...
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