บท 245: 245. The World Is Still Uncertain

Moo——! ! !

A loud cry echoed in the air, and out of nowhere, a massive mammoth emerged right in the middle of the battleground. The colossal creature took heavy steps, causing ripples along the sides of the ship.

The sheer size of the mammoth astonished Smoker, pushing him back, while unseen waves of air surged and dispersed in every direction.

It's the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model: Mammoth! ! !

"This situation..."

As Smoker stared at the colossal creature before him, he found it hard to contain his emotions.

In an instant, a red gleam flashed in his eyes, and his expression shifted dramatically.

"Oh no!"

A powerful, dark elephant trunk swung towards him at incredible speed, leaving him struggling to react.

He could only watch in dismay as the elephant's trunk rapidly grew larger in my field of vision!

Boom! ! !

After just a brief attempt to resist, He was utterly overpowered. The muffled sound of impact echoed!

His chest caved in, blood spewing from his mouth. He felt like a limp doll, propelled backward by the intense force!

He could sense it.

It seemed like several ribs in his chest had been broken.

Boom! ! !

Suddenly, Smoker felt a force even more formidable than Jack's, halting his movement. The torn collar on his back seemed to be lifted by a massive hand.

Through the haze, a familiar, mocking laughter echoed in his ears.

"Yo! Smoker, why'd you take such a beating?"

It was Brother Atlas!

A sudden burst of light illuminated Smoker's mind, and his entire body quivered. Suppressing the pain, he managed to crack open his eyelids, attempting to identify the approaching figure.

"Alright, take a good rest! Leave this foolish guy to me," chuckled Atlas, as a green light enveloped Smoker. The fractured bones swiftly mended, and the vigor of the horse talisman flowed through the rugged skin.

Swish! ! !

Atlas tossed Smoker upwards with a flick of his hand, utilizing the Rooster talisman's ability to instantly compress a cushion of air beneath Smoker's backside, securing him in place.

"Marine candidate Admiral Hakuryu?!"

In mammoth form, Jack's eyes widened, and white mist kept spewing from his nose.

As he spoke, low-frequency vibrations persisted in the air.

Swish! ! !

Atlas materialized in front of Jack instantly. Gazing at the massive creature before him, he instinctively tilted his head slightly.

Taking a step back, fists clenched, black and red lightning promptly enveloped him, violently tearing through space!

A straightforward punch! !

Under Jack's horrified and bewildered gaze, Atlas's arm suddenly bulged, and a black-red fist swiftly connected, brazenly striking his head! !

Boom! !

A massive explosion reverberated, leaving a fist-shaped burn mark clearly imprinted on Jack's forehead. Thick smoke swirled, carrying the savory aroma of barbecue. The formidable Conqueror's Haki surged directly into Jack's majestic aura!

Jack's eyes immediately rolled back, frothing at the mouth, his colossal mammoth frame suddenly freezing. In a daze, he toppled to the side.

Bang! ! !

Plunging into the sea, the tremendous kinetic force sent a towering white wave splashing several feet high. The massive mammoth swiftly diminished as half of its body submerged in the seawater, entirely reverting from its beastly form!

Gululu~~~

Unconscious, Jack breathed involuntarily. A substantial amount of foam bubbled up from the ocean floor, and his body continued its descent.

"It's Vice Admiral Hakuryu!! Vice Admiral Hakuryu is here!!"

"Hahahaha! Let me assure you, once our backup arrives, it'll be the demise of these pirates!!"

"What Jack the Mammoth, he's just a chicken and a dog compared to Vice Admiral Hakuryu!!"

With Atlas' sudden appearance, he swiftly vanquished the Mammoth Pirates' captain, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the Marines below.

Even the knives in their hands unconsciously tightened a little!

"Captain, he..."

"Isn't this unbelievably unlucky? Hakuryu just had to return to the base now!!"

"Crazy, we're going to die anyway, why not take on these Marine bastards now!!"

On the other hand, observing the Mammoth Pirates' crew.

In stark contrast to the Marines, only a handful of their crew members appeared to be motivated with ferocity, adopting tactics that were utterly perilous.

Snapped! ! !

The distinctive sound of fingers snapping resonated, and unseen blades materialized in the air, slashing toward the necks of the pirates below! !

Blood streaks spurted, and dozens of pirates crumpled to the ground instantly, helpless. Their vision blurred, and the hilts of the knives in their hands clattered to the ground.

"This..."

The Marines observed the pirates whose necks were suddenly slashed, collapsing, and exchanged bewildered glances.

"Is this a victory?"

"Well, it should be!"

"Hey! Then why are you standing around? Pick out a few of the tougher ones and go down to retrieve Jack."

"Also, make sure the Seastone is prepared to restrain him when the time comes!"

Atlas gently descended onto the warship deck. Simultaneously, with a gesture of his right hand, he shifted Smoker, who had recuperated from his injuries, onto the warship.

"Yes! Vice Admiral Hakuryu!!"

A chorus of Marine soldiers responded emphatically.

Shortly after, with dozens of Marines supporting him, the unconscious Jack, who is only 17 years old, was finally hoisted up.

Considering Jack's young age and his Devil Fruit powers not fully awakened, his proficiency in two Haki's could be described as rudimentary at best. After taking a severe hit from Atlas' Conqueror's haki infusionblow, it would be fortunate if he could regain consciousness.

Click! !

There was a clear locking sound, and a sturdy Seastone chain instantly encircled Jack's neck.

Clang! !

The Kaminari at the waist was unsheathed. A bright silver light flickered, and four blood-red slashes burst forth, aiming directly for Jack's limbs!

Poof! !

The limbs, lacking the protection of hardened armor, were cleanly severed by the unparalleled sharpness of Kaminari, the supreme sword, and blood sprayed out!

"Ah--!!!"

...

After the skirmish, the warship swiftly made its way back to the G-5 base. Jack, now limbless, was transported to the prison at the G-5 base for temporary confinement by the patiently waiting Marine soldiers.

"Vice Admiral, here's your communication device. It's from Admiral Sengoku!"

As soon as Atlas touched down, Maynard hastily approached him once again, handing over a dialed Den Den Mushi.

Click!

Atlas seized the phone without hesitation.

"Hey! Old man Sengoku, what's the buzz on the phone?"

"I haven't had the chance to congratulate you yet. I heard you'll finally get to assume the position of Fleet Admiral as you've desired in three months!"

There's already internal chatter in the Marines about the Five Elders signing the document to appoint Sengoku as the Fleet Admiral.

Now, there are only three Admiral candidates whose appointments haven't been finalized! !

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