"Ugh--!!"
Andrew gazed at the severed limbs and shattered arms scattered on the ground. The queasiness in his stomach became too much to bear. He expelled the half-digested broccoli he had consumed the day before in a single, forceful heave. Veins bulged on his neck, and his eyes turned bloodshot.
The scene was incredibly sorrowful. Pirate corpses lay strewn about, depicting various gruesome fates. Some had limbs severed, bleeding out in agony; others had their neck arteries sliced, and a few met a truly grim end with their heads completely severed. The lingering sense of despair before their demise was still evident in their frozen expressions.
All of this caused Andrew, who had lived a comfortable life since childhood, to experience intense physical discomfort!
"How's the aftermath of the battle?"
Ignoring Andrew, who was busy vomiting nearby, Atlas turned to Smoker.
"Three individuals got hurt, but we took down all the pirates."
"Excellent..."
After surveying the surroundings and ensuring no one survived, Atlas continued, "Let's head to the palace. Both of you, take the sailors and explore other areas. I'll go find Pizarro on my own."
"But what about Pizarro's crew?"
"Those are just low-level underlings. This guy doesn't seem to care much about his subordinates. I sensed it with my Haki. Their strength is on par with these common pirates."
Atlas gestured towards the pirate corpse on the ground, completely dismissing Smoker's worries.
Even- with his Conqueror's Haki, he probably wouldn't be bothered by this kind of riffraff. If it weren't for Smoker and the rest getting an opportunity to flex their muscles, there would be no point in lingering here.
"Furthermore, Andrew will be your responsibility. Even after we pull out, this country will still rely on him."
Observing Andrew, who had managed to compose himself, Atlas smiled and added, "He will undoubtedly become a capable king in the future."
...
Broccoli Island doesn't offer much besides broccoli. Even the national flag of Chris Kingdom features broccoli, but the entire island is not large. So, after saying goodbye to Smoker and the rest, Atlas swiftly reached the palace's location.
Judging solely from its appearance, the palace's architecture isn't extravagant. It is supported by a massive broccoli tree and can be considered a prominent landmark across the entire island.
According to Atlas's Observation Haki, the individual with the strongest life force in the palace appears to be Pizarro. The life force of the others is feeble, akin to a flickering candle.
"However..."
"Let the small fry evacuate first!!!"
Atlas brought his index finger and middle finger together, tapping the center of his eyebrows. A menacing aura surged spontaneously. Innumerable black lightning danced wildly, transforming the initially clear sky into a somber scene, as if a colossal thunderstorm was brewing above!
Conqueror's Haki!!
Buzz—!!!
Atlas's exclusive Conqueror's Haki surged throughout the entire palace. The world appeared to transform into a black-and-white tableau, and time seemed to freeze!
Inside the palace.
Pizarro reclined on the throne as usual, lazily closing his eyes. A smile, unaltered for Ten Thousand Years, adorned his face, as if he were relishing the satisfaction of a recent act of violence.
"Ugh!!?"
Suddenly, Pizarro experienced a sensation akin to being struck by a hammer at the back of his head. He couldn't help but groan, and a powerful wave of dizziness engulfed him. The feline-like instinct within him swiftly triggered an alertness, snapping him awake. His eyes, initially slightly narrowed, abruptly opened. The slender pupils contracted instantly, almost as small as the tip of a needle.
"Conqueror's haki!?"
Absolutely correct!
Even though Pizarro himself doesn't possess Conqueror's Haki, he has dabbled in the world and witnessed the awe-inspiring presence of Conqueror's Haki users. While the number of Conqueror's Haki wielders in the New World might not be as common as crucian carp crossing a river, he has still encountered and battled alongside such individuals.
Even though the sensation is similar, the impact on his will is entirely different, akin to the contrast between a firefly and a radiant moon!
"Big Mom herself is present, nya!?"
Pizarro was taken aback and uncertain. Where was the emperor's expected demeanor? He had just uttered some pleasant words!
"Are you the Corrupt King?"
Just as Pizarro was questioning himself, a voice suddenly resonated from the apex of the palace hall.
"Marine? Nya~"
Pizarro instinctively lifted his head, searching for the origin of the sound.
A Marine in an immaculate white suit, with a justice cloak billowing in the wind behind him, materialized above Pizarro's head, emanating an awe-inspiring aura.
Evidently, the Conqueror's Haki had just erupted due to the man standing before him.
"Marine Candidate Admiral Hakuryu? Nya?"
Pizarro wasn't foolish. Despite not being highly attuned to external news, he still recognized the emerging Marine star who had recently gained notoriety. He had already marked him on the list of individuals not to be trifled with.
"What's the reason for you Marines to step into my territory? Nya~"
Whether it's due to the fruit's ability or not, Pizarro appears to have retained some feline habits. Despite his smiling exterior, his eyes betray no emotion.
"You're a pirate, and I'm a Marine. What do you expect my course of action to be?"
Atlas had no intentions of descending and continued to regard Pizarro condescendingly from above.
"It's truly...infuriating. What I detest the most is being beneath someone else, Nya!!!"
Boom!
The masonry erupted beneath his feet, and Pizarro's form shot out like a cannon from a dull hole. He materialized instantly in a position parallel to Atlas, lifting his arm, preparing to strike Atlas in the face.
"You are frustrated?"
Atlas smiled disdainfully, his feet encased in haki, and he forcefully withdrew them!
The speed was astonishing, catching Pizarro off guard. Despite the fruit ability significantly enhancing his nerve reaction, Atlas' leg whip struck him beneath the ribs without any warning!
Bang!!
The muffled sound of a physical clash resonated, akin to distant thunder in the sky, and an immense force was unleashed upon his body. Pizarro's entire form shot like an arrow released from a bowstring, crashing through the thick walls of the palace and the towering broccoli trees, hurtling towards the western direction, flying into the second ring area of Broccoli Island!
"Oh, what can you achieve if you're frustrated?"
Amidst the howling wind, Pizarro could faintly discern a few words.
....
"Hey, what on earth is that soaring through the air? Move out of the way!"
"It looks like someone flying from the palace's direction."
"It can't be that unfortunate, can it!? It's too early now!"
The Marines who had just completed their sweep were suddenly alarmed as they witnessed Pizarro's figure growing larger and larger in their line of sight. It appeared as if he were heading directly towards them!
Swish!
At the critical moment, Atlas' figure abruptly manifested in the sky, and he extended his foot once more, ruthlessly stamping on Pizarro's body hurtling at high speed!
Bang!!
The airborne trajectory came to an abrupt halt, and Pizarro's entire body was firmly embedded in the ground, with cracks resembling spider webs instantaneously spreading in all directions!
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