章 269: 269. Countdown To Execution

Goal not fulfilled, well even I thought it was too much,

Well if we reach 50 powerstones by tomorrow, I will upload a chapter, 30 to go

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Puff!

Smoker, concealed in the corner, ignited a small flame in his hand to light the hefty cigar nestled in his mouth. A trail of green smoke curled upwards. Inhaling deeply, he let the smoke fill his lungs.

Slipping the lighter back into his pocket, he gripped the middle of the cigar between his index and middle fingers before casually exhaling. The dense smoke, imbued with a pleasant scent, surged forward, resembling a stampede of countless horses.

Clearly, this is a top-notch cigar, a luxury beyond Smoker's reach.

Out of the blue, as Smoker savored the moment with squinted eyes, a towering figure emerged, casting a colossal shadow.

"What's up? Enjoying my exclusive cigar?"

"Ah?! Brother Atlas, is the meeting over already?"

Startled, Smoker swiftly opened his eyes to find Atlas's towering presence right before him.

"Ah~ No big deal; it's all in the details anyway."

Atlas gave Smoker's shoulder a friendly pat and grinned, saying, "No need for that expression. Even though these cigars are rare, being at my rank, the World Government still allocates some special items to me every month."

Being a Marine Vice Admiral is more than just a title.

In certain locations, there are perks that regular Marines don't get to enjoy.

For instance, these special cigars are gifted by one of the countries allied with the World Government every year, and the supply is restricted.

However, due to his infrequent smoking habits, Atlas never bothered to collect his share from the warehouse.

Coincidentally, Smoker has a keen interest in items like cigarettes, possibly influenced by the abilities of his devil fruit.

Atlas, noticing this, simply handed over his portion to Smoker.

"Haha~ No worries, it's just the first time I've scored something in such great shape, so it's taking some getting used to."

Embarrassed, Smoker scratched his head upon hearing this.

Whether it's due to Atlas or not, Smoker doesn't resemble his original timeline self at all, sporting a less stern expression and not having that perpetually grim visage.

On the contrary, there's a touch of youthful innocence about him.

As for opposing superiors?

That was more common when he first emerged from the recruitment camp. At least, it hasn't occurred under Atlas's command.

"Alright, let's head back, make the arrangements, and soar Ryu-Sen above the skies of Marineford."

Atlas gazed at the spirited young man before him, offering a smile and a wave.

This version of Smoker seems quite impressive as well.

"Yes! Vice Admiral Atlas!"

There are still 20 hours remaining before the execution.

...

Impel Down.

In this intimidating place that strikes fear into countless pirates, a warship with a dog-shaped figurehead is peacefully anchored at the prison's gate.

Marine Hero Garp leisurely stepped off the warship.

Sporting a dog-headed hat atop his head, he strolled, letting out a casual yawn.

Boom!

The gangway lowered, and two lines of stern-faced, fully armed Marine soldiers followed suit.

Bang-dang!

The gate opened, revealing a figure cloaked in chains, slowly emerging from the darkness. Behind them, a massive man with two horns followed.

Wow!

The hefty chains trailed weakly on the ground, producing a distinct clatter.

"Hiss—!"

It appeared that the dazzling sunlight was unfamiliar to the figure covered in chains. They took a deep breath and instinctively shielded their eyes.

"Hahaha! It's so bright!"

The radiant sunlight illuminated the portly figure, showcasing his wide, gap-toothed grin as he chuckled self-consciously.

"Vice Admiral Garp! Why have you come personally?"

Magellan, standing behind him, wore a serious expression.

Despite being from different branches, Magellan held genuine admiration for Garp.

"Zehahahaha! Who would have thought? Escorted by the renowned Marine hero himself. What a stroke of bad luck."

As Teach clearly saw the dog-headed Marine in front of him, his pupils contracted, a mix of frustration and flattery on his face.

"Hahaha! Coincidentally, I had nothing better to do, so I thought I'd take a leisurely stroll here."

In Teach's peripheral view, Garp turned, laughing, and ignored Blackbeard's intentions.

"But why is this guy loaded with so many locks?"

Garp inquired, pointing at Teach.

"Well, that was Atlas's request. He mentioned that this guy has too many schemes, so they added dozens more locks to ensure safety."

Magellan shook his head and smiled wryly, "Initially, I considered severing this guy's limbs, but later I leaned towards a global execution. I was concerned about the potential repercussions, so I had to abandon that idea."

"Bwahahaha! That sounds exactly like that kid's style!"

...

That troublemaker

Hearing the mention of Atlas by the two men, Teach's already somber face grew even darker. His once open mouth slowly curved downwards, darkening at a rate visible to the naked eye.

He actually shattered his dream!

He was fully aware that even with the full might of the Whitebeard Pirates, the odds of rescuing him from Marineford were slim.

"Enough talk, get this guy to Naval Headquarters now, or Sengoku will start lecturing me again!"

.....

On the opposite side of the Impel Down lies the penitentiary wall submerged in the deep sea.

Pressure from all directions relentlessly pounded the sturdy prison walls, encircled by colossal Sea Beasts, yet it did not surpass their limits.

This is the sea area within the Calm Belt. The prison wall is infused with a significant amount of seastone powder, creating the illusion for the Sea Beasts that it is just like regular seawater. This makes it a natural barrier for the underwater prison!

In the dark depths of the sea, three figures of varying sizes quietly emerged outside Impel Down.

"So many Sea Beasts?" Beckman remarked, observing the Sea Beasts awaiting an opportunity before him, feeling as though he were in an icy cellar.

No wonder, since the construction of Impel Down, only Shiki has managed to escape successfully. The security, both inside and outside, is incredibly tight at this level.

I'm afraid most folks end up as fish food, don't they?

"Don't fret. While us fishmen can't give orders to Sea Beasts like we do with regular fish, we still have ways to steer clear of their notice," Sunbell, the fishman, reassured with a chuckle.

Fishmen are considered the darlings of the sea, allowing them to easily evade Sea Beasts' attacks.

"Haha~ I'll be useful when it's time to break out," the burly Donquino declared, flexing his robust biceps and speaking in a deep voice.

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