Bakuhatsu Haku (Explosion Sweep)
Atlas initiated the encounter by greeting Oven with the Dragon Talisman. A thick pillar of explosive flames surged toward Oven at the ship's bow. The tremendous force of the explosion instantaneously shattered the pirate ship into debris.
Oven, on the other hand, leaped off the bow of the ship with a gloomy expression. With his speed, he couldn't be harmed so easily.
"You've managed to anger me, Marine!"
Netsu Nami (Heat Wave)
Oven promptly activated his Devil Fruit power. In his view, the Marine in front of him was provoking the Big Mom Pirates. Among pirates, the pirate flag symbolized their reputation, and Atlas's actions were undoubtedly a direct affront to their honor.
In the distance, Atlas sensed a surge of scorching heat emanating from Oven's body, yet it paled in comparison to Atlas's own physical resilience. It felt as though there were dense ants biting him.
"Trash! Are you tickling me?"
Bakuhatsu Chōsoku Soru (Explosion Superspeed Shaving)
Atlas erupted in a fierce laughter, causing a massive crater to materialize beneath him. His movements seemed to defy the constraints of space, and in the blink of an eye, he materialized behind Irving!
Danger!
Having activated the heightened perception warnings of his Ultimate ability, enhancing his Observation haki to his limit, however, his physical agility couldn't match the swiftness of his thoughts. Helplessly frozen in place, he could only brace himself for the impending impact of Atlas' fist!
Boom! Without any flashy effects or ornate displays of Haki, an immense force surged through Oven's body. He was sent hurtling into the distance, resembling a ragdoll caught in the powerful impact.
Oven felt like he had been struck by his mother, who was suffering from schizophrenia. The overwhelming force nearly caused his body to unravel.
"Tsk! Not too shabby!"
Atlas shook his arm, expressing some emotion. With each additional spell he ignited, he sensed an amplification in their power. It felt as though there was a symbiotic effect, where the absorption of the spells not only granted him potent physical abilities but also diminished his physical strength.
In terms of sheer explosive strength, his current power can stand toe-to-toe with the three Vice Admiral monsters. It can be asserted that he is rapidly boosting his strength and physique at a terrifying rate with each passing moment, resembling an upgraded version of Charlotte Linlin!
"What kind of monstrous being are you!?"
In the distance, Oven slowly rose from the ground, using his dusty arms to wipe away the blood from the corners of his mouth. His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. The recent moment nearly brought him face to face with death. Such terrifying speed and power seemed beyond the realm of human capability.
Netsu Punch (Heat Punch)
Oven felt a twinge of regret. He should have heeded Katakuri's warning earlier and turned back. However, there's no remedy for regret. Now, he can only grit his teeth and confront the monster before him. Perhaps there's still a chance for survival.
"Heat dares to challenge Explosion? Bakuhatsu Ken (Explosion Fist)!"
Atlas applied pressure beneath his feet, channeling the explosive power of the Dragon Talisman into his massive fist. The two forces collided with a violent impact!
Boom!
In reality, Charlotte Oven's Devil Fruit ability has been finely honed. His body has also inherited some of the prowess from Big Mom's Steel Balloon, bringing his Devil Fruit ability to a state that approaches awakening.
Nevertheless, his Heat-Heat Fruit leans towards manipulating temperature, whereas Atlas's Dragon Talisman is more inclined towards explosive power. The instantaneous attack potency of the latter is evidently inferior.
"How are you holding up, pirate? Can you sense the disparity?"
Atlas gazed at Owen, whose right arm contorted into an unusual position, and spoke calmly.
"Marine! Crossing paths with the Big Mom Pirates guarantees trouble! Mom won't let you off the hook!"
Oven issued a somewhat menacing threat.
"Mom? Are you a mama's boy?"
Atlas paid no heed, taking a step forward. He opened his large hand and delivered a resounding slap across Oven's face. The once distinctive hairstyle instantly disintegrated, and the entire head seemed almost concave. Beneath it, the right cheek swelled prominently, and a few teeth scattered to the ground, mingling with the blood spurting from the corner of the mouth.
"you..."
Oven struggled to rise, utterly perplexed by the actions of the man before him. He uttered incomprehensible words, and out of nowhere, he swiftly rose and delivered a forceful slap.
In truth, Oven is facing a stroke of bad luck this time. He is inherently inclined towards Devil Fruit abilities, despite possessing greater physical prowess than other offspring of Big Mom. Nonetheless, he still favors employing fruits in physical confrontations.
Nevertheless, even though Atlas' Dragon Talisman primarily entails explosive abilities, it fundamentally involves fire. Consequently, Oven's Devil Fruit ability was nearly half annihilated, and his physique and strength were also overpowered by Atlas, pressed forcefully against the ground and ground into submission.
"Tell me, what is your primary motive for coming to Dressrosa this time?"
Observing that Owen had been 'instructed' sufficiently, he inquired casually. After all, isn't it customary to extract information through interrogation from prisoners?
"Marine, if you can, just kill me!"
Oven asserted firmly that, given his unwavering loyalty to the family, it was impossible for him to disclose any information about Big Mom.
"Oh, okay!"
Upon hearing this, Atlas promptly drew the Sandai Kiketsu from his waist. A gleaming blade materialized and swiftly traced across Oven's neck with precision. A spray of blood erupted suddenly!
Subconsciously, Oven employed his intact left arm to shield the wound on his neck. His eyes widened, expressing profound reluctance, and myriad thoughts raced through his mind.
'Damn it, I just blurted out a few harsh words subconsciously. You Marine scoundrel, why did you take it seriously? Moreover, Marines usually send Devil Fruit users to Impel Down. Why isn't this guy following the usual procedure?'
Unfortunately, Oven would never get the opportunity to voice these thoughts. Atlas couldn't detain him in Impel Down, understanding that the Big Mom Pirates would undoubtedly secure Oven's release through dealings with the World Government.
Just like the group of politicians who secretly make deals with Kaido, who occupies Wanokuni, the Five Elders only prioritize their self-serving interests.
As for the revival of Devil Fruits, Atlas remains indifferent. The corruption of the world is never solely caused by Devil Fruits, and there are countless Devil Fruits in the sea, with this Heat-Heat fruit being no exception.
"No one alive?"
At this moment, Gion, who had come all the way from King's Heights, appeared next to Atlas, gazing at Oven's tragic form, and asked.
"Ah~ There's no one left alive. Such remnants should go to hell and repent!"
Atlas waved his hand and said calmly.
"It's truly like Sakazuki's style, Canos!" Gion said in a half-joking manner.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki and me are different! Rear Admiral Gion, you should handle the follow-up matters, while I'll continue to enjoy Dressrosa's festivities."
Gion was momentarily stunned, as if he had been fooled once again. He hadn't had a good rest since arriving at Dressrosa.
damn it!
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Bonus chapter for reaching 400k views.
So readers, my holidays are over and my university is starting, so the update-timing will vary every day. Though I will try to update one chapter of my fantasy novel frequently, I can't guarantee it. My exams are also coming up, so I will try my best. Wish me luck, I really need it.
Read 20 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari
Like it ? Add to library!
New World, Dressrosa.
The once-thriving dock now appeared somewhat desolate, and the smoke-filled battlefield was strewn with corpses, the majority of which seemed to belong to the pirates based on their appearance. This was also thanks to Atlas's timely arrival, preventing the Marines from incurring excessive casualties.
The Marines coming and going were managing the post-war situation with precision. Gion calmly issued orders one after another, and the Marines operated like a well-oiled machine, executing procedures in an orderly and efficient manner.
Atlas, on the other hand, had to remain where he was due to Gion's firm resistance. He looked on with boredom as the Marines and Kingdom Guards went about their tasks, occasionally lending a hand to assist.
Suddenly, not far away, a curly-haired man donning a Kingdom Guard uniform and a red cloak rushed towards him. His expression displayed a sense of urgency, and his increasingly intensified breathing revealed the urgency of his situation.
"Captain Kyros!"
A guard recognized the man in front of him, promptly set down what he was holding, and greeted him respectfully.
"What's happening? Where are the Big Mom Pirates?"
Kyros was a bit bewildered. Having received a call from King Riku, he was accompanying his wife in the hut in the flower field. He quickly grabbed his weapon and rushed to the port, expecting a chaotic scene with battle cries and the thunderous roar of artillery. To his surprise, the war seemed to have concluded, judging by the calm situation in front of him.
"Ah~ the battle is over!"
Atlas, who was already bored, perked up upon seeing Kyros. It was rare for him to encounter someone who piqued his interest, so he swiftly approached to engage in a conversation.
"Um?"
Kyros heard the voice and glanced at Atlas with confusion. What drew his attention was a Marine Commodore who appeared quite young. The immaculate pure white suit draped over his frame, and his face with distinct features carried an expression that seemed out of place. Despite his age, he exuded a calm demeanor, and though not exceptionally handsome, he could be considered resilient in the pirate world where everyone had their quirks.
"Who are you?"
"This is Marine Commodore Canos Atlas. The battle just now ended so quickly thanks to this Marine. The Big Mom Pirates were also defeated by Commodore Atlas!"
The guards on the side promptly introduced Atlas, their eyes showing reverence. They had witnessed the recent battle and could discern Marine Commodore Atlas's unequivocal stance against the purported Big Mom pirate cadre.
"Thank you so much for helping Dressrosa!"
Kyros was visibly excited upon hearing this. His body tensed, and he bowed to Atlas at a 90-degree angle. For Kyros, Dressrosa was a place for which he would risk his life to protect. It housed his wife, an imminent child, and a king worthy of his allegiance.
Therefore, Kyros felt immense gratitude towards the Marine who had defused the situation in Dressrosa.
"Kyros?"
Atlas looked at the man in front of him with interest. Whether judging from the statues he had seen in the arena before or the memories of his previous life, Kyros still possessed remarkable skills.
You must know that when Doflamingo attempted to seize Dressrosa a few years later, Kyros single-handedly defeated the cadres of the Donquixote Family with his swordsmanship.
"I've heard about you. Would you consider joining the Marines?"
Atlas stated his purpose directly. In his opinion, Kyros could be considered a subordinate with great potential, and his character and loyalty were acknowledged by Atlas.
"this..."
Kyros was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect that the Marine in front of him actually wanted to recruit him, the captain of the Kingdom Guard.
However, Kyros was still somewhat moved in his heart. Dressrosa was too vulnerable, and his swordsmanship had reached a bottleneck. This crisis made him deeply realize the importance of strength.
He has a wife and children he wants to protect, as well as a country he loves. He doesn't want to rely on the enemy's mercy and Marine's assistance when facing another crisis in the future.
This time, the Marines arrived in time, but what if they didn't next time? What if the Marines abandoned them? Kyros didn't know what the future held for them, but it would be a dire situation.
But there was a slight hesitation in his heart. His pregnant wife had not yet given birth, and he was truly reluctant to part with this land of sincerity.
Kyros pondered extensively, his eyes reflecting hesitation.
"Alright, take three days to think it over. I'll be waiting for you here then."
Atlas noticed Cyrus's hesitation and understood his concerns, but gaining strength often requires sacrifices. Gentle Country has always been the resting place of the strong.
…Three days later…
Atlas and Gion enjoyed a wonderful three-day vacation under the warm hospitality of King Riku, and now it was time to return.
On the deck of the warship at this time, Kyros, the former army commander of Dressrosa, stood next to Atlas. In the past few days, King Riku had learned that Atlas was attempting to recruit his army commander, and he had nagged at Atlas. It took a long time, but King Riku also understood what Kyros was thinking, so he didn't stop him.
Kyros, standing next to Atlas, gazed at Dressrosa, which was growing more distant with infinite nostalgia. However, in his mind, he recalled the conversation with Scarlett three days ago.
"Kyros, you are a hero, and I don't want you to halt your journey because of our connections," Scarlett had said.
"Believe me, our children will be proud of you!"
...
Three days ago, after Scarlett noticed Kyros with a somber expression upon returning home, she learned about Kyros's dilemma through persistent questioning.
The love between Scarlett and Kyros originated as a romantic encounter between a beauty and a hero. Initially, Scarlett looked down upon Kyros, born in a fighting and killing arena, but Kyros fell in love with her when he rescued Scarlett from a group of pirates.
Therefore, Scarlett is very supportive of Kyros joining the Marines. In her perspective, a hero should be free from being confined to the world of Dressrosa for the sake of love for their children.
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Bonus chapter for reaching 50 power stones.
Read 20 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari
Like it ? Add to library!
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