บท 62: 62. Akainu

"Shiryu! Are you killing prisoners at your whim again?" Magellan frowned as he gazed at the man before him, leisurely wiping his blade. It was evident that Shiryu had tortured and killed prisoners more than once or twice, and Magellan was highly displeased with his behavior.

"Oh? I just killed a few bastards. No need to get so worked up, Magellan!" Shiryu said nonchalantly. He was never bothered by the act of killing a few undesirables; such trivial matters held no psychological burden for him.

"You..." Magellan was a little irritated, but since Marine colleagues were present, he had to hold back for the time being. With a helpless expression, he introduced to Atlas and the others, "Shiryu of the Rain! Chief Guard of Impel Down!"

Then, he turned to Shiryu and introduced, "These two are Rear Admiral and Marine Supernova, Atlas..."

"Swordsman?" Before Magellan could finish the introduction, Shiryu of the Rain glanced at the Sandai Kitetsu on Atlas's waist. His cold eyes betrayed a subtle fluctuation, and he raised a cold brow.

"Let's spar."

"Um?"

Atlas observed Shiryu, who displayed a hint of murderous intent, and was slightly surprised. Was this guy struggling to control his murderous intentions? It appeared that under the influence of Impel Down, Shiryu's psyche had become slightly distorted.

"Shiryu, what are you doing!!"

Magellan on the side couldn't bear it anymore and shouted angrily at Shiryu.

"I am just kidding, Why are you so nervous!" Shiryu also knew that he was in the wrong and curled his lips.

Shiryu, who was about to leave, suddenly glanced at Hannyabal in the crowd and mocked with disdain. "Trash!"

"Hey! I'm your boss!"

Hannyabal let out a scream upon hearing it, but Shiryu, who vanished back into the darkness, paid him no mind.

"I am sorry for the embarrassment." Observing Hannyabal and Shiryu's chaotic antics, Magellan couldn't help but blush, expressing some embarrassment.

"Hahahaha, I understand. Living in Impel Down, one has to deal with all sorts of criminals, which inevitably gives rise to various personalities!" At this moment, Tokikake, our brother on the side, tactfully echoed, aligning almost perfectly with Magellan's sentiments.

"This is our unique giant elevator in Impel Down. With this, we can easily travel between floors. Our destination this time is the Eternal Hell on the sixth floor."

After a while, the group took the giant elevator to the sixth floor.

Unlike the previous prisoners, the inmates here didn't cry out and beg for mercy. Instead, they lowered their eyes and calmly directed their gazes toward Atlas and his group. Ordinary individuals would likely tremble under the weight of this imposing atmosphere.

Yet, Atlas possessed the determination to become the strongest man in the world. Even without the awakening of Conqueror's Haki, his courage and will alone stood as a match for anyone in this place.

As for the others, Magellan would become the future Chief Warden of Impel Down, Tokikake would also rise to the rank of Vice Admiral, and as for Hannyabal, needless to say, the poor guy's legs were likely already trembling.

"I... I am the Chief Warden of Impel Down!"

Hannyabal spoke a bit harshly and then offered a defense, "Ah! It seems I accidentally revealed my ambition again..."

Atlas and the others ignored him, having essentially become immune to his eccentric behavior.

After imprisoning Crocodile, Tokikake quickly left Impel Down with Atlas, declining Magellan's invitation to have dinner with them, and headed towards Marineford.

...

Marineford, Impel Down, and Enies Lobby are in close proximity to each other, and the distance between them is not very far. Therefore, the warship successfully arrived at Naval Headquarters not long after.

Knock knock knock.....

"Please come in!"

Tokikake and Atlas opened the door and were stunned. Behind the desk was still the same Sengoku wearing frog glasses and a braided beard. However, on the reception chair in front of the desk, there was an additional figure—a tall man with a cigar, donning a Marine hat.

"Admiral Sengoku!"×2

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki"×2

"Crocodile has been successfully imprisoned in Impel Down?" Seeing Atlas and Tokikake, Sengoku interrupted the conversation with Sakazuki in time and took the initiative to inquire about the mission's outcome.

"Report to Admiral Sengoku! Prisoner Crocodile has been successfully imprisoned in Impel Down!"

"Very good! But do you know how much trouble you have caused me, Atlas brat?" After giving Tokikake an appreciative look, Sengoku turned around and lectured Atlas with a stern expression.

You know, as soon as the World Government established the Shichibukai system, Marine arrested Crocodile without any conclusive evidence. This was a slap in the face of the World Government. Who knows how much pressure he has endured from the Five Elders.

"However, you did a good job, Atlas!" Sengoku, who had looked gloomy just moments ago, instantly turned from anger to joy, praising Atlas greatly. This change of demeanor surprised Atlas, leaving him stunned for a moment.

"You're too kind; this is what I should do," Atlas responded humbly.

"Yes, it is Marine's duty to fight against pirates!" Akainu, who was sitting on the chair, agreed. However, he frowned, and a gust of iron-blooded wind suddenly emanated from him. "Your biggest mistake this time is that you didn't take the opportunity to kill Crocodile!"

Atlas simply smiled and didn't argue. If he had genuinely intended to kill Crocodile, it wouldn't have been Sengoku causing him trouble.

"Alright, Atlas, you performed exceptionally well in this graduation assessment. The department has decided to commend you. The ceremony will be held in the next few days, so be prepared when the time comes."

"Furthermore, concerning your post-graduation assignment, what are your preferences or intentions?"

"Reporting to Admiral Sengoku! I'm at your disposal for any assignments you have in mind!"

"Excellent! After the commendation ceremony, you'll accompany Akainu to the New World." Sengoku nodded, outlining the plan he had prepared.

"Are you sure about going to the New World with me? It's not a stroll in the park; the New World is full of formidable opponents, and one wrong move could mean staying there for good."

Akainu advised Atlas with a stoic expression.

"Haha, the pirates in the Paradise are too weak. I want to become the strongest man in the world! Of course, I have to keep Whitebeard alive first, waiting for me to knock him off the throne of the strongest in the world! Hahahaha!"

Atlas didn't mind and flashed a slightly wild grin.

Akainu's eyes showed a hint of appreciation. "Impressive attitude and awareness. I've heard you're quite strong. I'd like to test if you're qualified to join my ship!"

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