The clear blue sky reflected on the deep sea, Atlas and others sailed slowly along the route back to Logue town...
"Hey, do you think the sword I just struck is cool or not?"
"No matter how handsome you are, it is not as handsome as me. I have killed many pirates. I will definitely be promoted when I go back."
"By the way, Lieutenant Colonel Atlas is really powerful. He eliminated the main combat power of the Garfield Pirates with two swords."
"Of course, even if a monster like Lieutenant Colonel Atlas is placed in Naval Headquarters, he will still be a monster among monsters!"
...
Marine on the warship was still immersed in the victory just now, and the chatter of discussions was endless. After all, it was a victorious battle without any casualties. Basically, many of them could get the credit this time back.
"Naval Headquarters..."
Atlas, who was lying on the deck basking in the sun, also smiled when he heard this, and then slowly raised his hand to his eyes. The strong sunlight fell on Atlas's face through the gaps between his fingers, and the originally tough lines suddenly disappeared. It's softened...
...
Logue town Marine school grounds.
A white-haired boy with his muscular upper body exposed was leapfrogging around the school grounds. The sweat on his body couldn't stop flowing down in streams. His determined eyes were staring straight ahead. It was none other than Smoker himself.
Since being woken up by Atlas last time, Smoker has been pestering Atlas to take him to train every day, but the physical difference is too big, Smoker can't keep up with Atlas's rhythm, so Atlas suggested that he Let's start with physical fitness.
Smoker was originally a genius. After exercising his body, he became much stronger, and the development and use of the fruit became much easier. This made Smoker more determined to choose to exercise his body.
...
"Report to Lieutenant Colonel, the front is about to arrive at Logue town——"
Atlas and others sailed on the sea for two days, and finally they were about to return to Logue town. After several days of sailing back and forth, Atlas almost felt like a shit he decided to return to Logue town. I want to treat my stomach.
"Everyone obeys the order! Be ready to dock at any time!"
Atlas stood up and gave the order, looking far away at the approaching Logue town...
"Yo! Smoker, you kid, is exercising."
Atlas had just left the colonel's office and was about to come to the school grounds to do some pre-meal exercises when he saw Smoker sweating profusely and couldn't help but joke.
"Ah? Yes, Brother Atlas."
"Also, could you please give me some advice later?"
Smoker was stunned for a moment when he saw Atlas, and then said shyly.
"Hahahaha! No problem, I'm just here to test your growth during this period."
Atlas replied cheerfully.
after an hour--
Atlas folded his arms and looked condescendingly at Smoker who was lying on the ground with a tired look on his face. He smiled and said, "Not bad, Smoker. Your physical fitness has improved a lot."
"But there is still a big gap between you and Brother Atlas!"
Smoker was obviously a little frustrated. He felt like Atlas was like a bottomless pit, and he couldn't find its depth no matter what.
"Well, okay, I'll treat you to dinner later, cheer up."
Atlas said nonchalantly, and then pulled Smoker away from the base.
...
A restaurant in Logue town.
Atlas and Smoker sat down one after another. After serving all the dishes on the menu, Atlas began to eat hazelnuts, while Smoker was more civilized. It seemed that Smoker in his teenage years was not like a teenager. You will be so wild and uninhibited later in the year.
"Brother Atlas, how can I become as strong as you?"
After drinking and eating, Smoker took out a cigarette from nowhere and started smoking in front of Atlas.
"Hiccup~ Smoker, what is your justice?"
Atlas burped with satisfaction, but instead of answering Smoker's question directly, he asked slowly.
"Is my justice..."
Smoker's eyes showed confusion.
"Hahaha, don't think too much, you will find your justice later!"
Atlas patted Smoker's shoulder to express comfort and went directly to the front desk to check out.
In fact, belief is a very strange thing in the pirate world. Basically everyone standing on the top of the sea has his own belief.
This belief does not have to be particularly grand, just like Whitebeard's belief is to have a family, and Marine's belief is justice!
But because every Marine has different experiences, the justice they believe in is also different.
Like Akainu, he believes in absolute justice, while Aokiji is lazy justice, and Kizaru is ambiguous justice, but there is no doubt that belief is very important to become a top strong person.
Like Marine's former Admiral Zephyr, although he was known as the youngest Admiral when he became an Admiral, he was just a soldier until he was twenty-eight years old. Could it be that such a character would remain unknown in twenty-eight years?
According to Atlas's guess, belief should be related to Haki's practice.
Because in the memory of the past life: Rayleigh said that Haki is a power hidden in everyone in the world, but most people are unable to exert it throughout their lives.
Belief refers to a will that one firmly believes in and is implemented from beginning to end. There is no distinction between likes and dislikes, and the key to Haki's guidance is probably faith.
Of course, the above are all Atlas's guesses, and Atlas cannot be sure of the specific situation.
...
As night falls, everything is shrouded in darkness...
Atlas sat cross-legged on the bed, his consciousness focused on the dim talisman in his mind.
Yes, Atlas is ready to light up his next talisman.
Four years have passed since he lit the first talisman. With his current physique, he has reached the standard of carrying two talismans. The reason for hesitation now is that he has been wavering between the ox talisman and the rabbit talisman.
But if the talisman works for him as he imagined, the Ox Talisman is his best choice at the moment!
Therefore, Atlas slowly focused his consciousness on the Ox Talisman, and the blue lines suddenly glowed with white light.
Soon, Atlas felt the power given to him by the Ox Talisman flowing slowly through his body...
The muscles all over his body contracted suddenly and became tighter.