Calm Belt.
The Ryu-Sen's stern flames shot out, propelling it forward swiftly without depending on the sail's force. Upon receiving Hawkeye's latest update, Atlas promptly altered course, steering away from Marineford and heading along the Calm Belt in the opposite direction.
"Atlas, can we trust that guy's intel?" Smoker asked, approaching Atlas with a puzzled expression.
Up to this point, they hadn't encountered any adversaries in the Calm Belt. Typically, aside from the Marines, only a handful of pirate vessels dared to venture across these treacherous waters.
The issue with power alone is enough to drive those pirates to frustration. Consequently, the entire sea surface remains mostly free of obstacles. Any appearing ship is swiftly spotted.
"That person... must not have come all this way just to deceive me."
"Moreover, didn't Kyros have suspicions related to this before? It's like his doubts are now being confirmed."
As he spoke, Atlas instinctively activated his observation haki, causing his eyes to glow red as if the entire world was vividly projected into his mind.
"It seems you've detected signs of that individual?"
"Five o'clock direction!"
Sensing the potent aura in his range, a faint smile crept onto the corners of Atlas' mouth.
This person... actually came here!
Even though he hadn't crossed paths with Byrnndi World before, he couldn't forget that guy's aura once he saw it.
However, the aura now is exceptionally potent, and it's still within the Calm Belt. Besides that guy, Atlas couldn't think of anyone else.
"...found him?!"
Smoker's eyes shifted, and he swiftly descended, shouting towards the power room:
"Five o'clock direction! Move it, we've spotted the enemy's presence!"
"Yes!"
Following the command, the Ryu-Sen swiftly turned around, setting course towards Byrnndi World.
....
On the Groseade.
Sebastian and the crew are diligently carrying out the inspection mission for Byrnndi World.
"Hey! Sebastian, why can Nightin stay calmly in the room?" Gairam, holding a sledgehammer, questioned with frustration.
"She's not a fighter, so she should stick to her role as the ship's doctor!" Sebastian coolly adjusted his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose and replied.
"You guy, are you having some connection with that old woman? Why do you always defend her?" Gairam eyed the earnest Sebastian with suspicion.
This guy is a mix of a fishman and a giant, possibly having some idiosyncrasies different from others.
Even though Nightin appears older, she can temporarily regain her youth through medicine!
"...What's on your mind? It's wiser to carry out the captain's orders now."
"After leaving Impel Down, his mental state kept deteriorating. He became increasingly suspicious of us."
"We will never betray the captain. We've proven it before, and we'll undoubtedly prove it again in the future!" Gairam retrieved the hammer from behind him and slammed it onto the deck with a determined expression. "Anyone aiming for the captain's quarters has to get past me first!"(T/N: Flag-Flag-Flag)
Whoosh—!
Suddenly, a laser beam struck from an unknown direction, piercing Gairam's body instantly. The tremendous force sent him and the hammer flying.
"—Gairam!"
Sebastian urgently shouted as he witnessed the scene. Gairam's life force quickly vanished within his haki range. Letting out a scream, he relied on instinct to roll away to a safer location, swiftly pulling a nearby box for makeshift cover.
Yes, he is visually impaired.
Hence, he relies on Observation haki for our daily activities and has honed a heightened skill in Observation Haki.
"Hoo-!! Hoo!!"
The not-so-sturdy box provided a semblance of security. Sebastian's chest rose and fell intensely as he struggled to calm his turbulent emotions.
"What in the world is that thing?!"
While seeking refuge in the bunker, he wasn't idle, but he couldn't pinpoint the source of the mysterious laser beam.
As for Gairam, he witnessed the laser piercing Gairam's heart in an instant with his own eyes, realizing he was likely already dead.
Far away.
Ryu-Sen maintained its high-speed pace, closing in on the Groseade.
"It's a shame that he managed to escape," Atlas squinted, gazing at the now unseen Sebastian with a hint of regret.
Of course, he could track him using the pig talisman's power by following the sensed aura. However, it wasn't deemed necessary.
"How about Jinbei? Go deal with him. If I'm not mistaken, he's a fish-man too, right?"
"Alright, if that's the case, let me pave the way!" Jinbei rose to his feet in response and leaped into the sea with a splash, leaving no ripples behind.
The fish-men's inherent body structure makes them supremely suited to water. When it comes to swimming, no other race in the world can match their prowess.
"Hey! I'm joining in too!" Enel couldn't wait and volunteered for assistance.
Having recently defeated Smoker and earned the position of second-in-command on the Ryu-Sen, he felt the need to showcase his capabilities and establish authority. At least, that's how it appeared to Enel.
"Since you're volunteering, the rest of the people on the ship are your responsibility."
"No problem, but... can I take on Byrnndi World? I just want a bit of credit to completely surpass Smoker."
Enel scratched his head in embarrassment and then explained eagerly, "I'm not after the glory; I just want to see what the veterans from the old era are capable of!"
"You don't believe... Byrnndi World is actually weak, do you?" Atlas gazed at the confident Enel, his expression incredulous.
'This silly boy... didn't he grasp the gravity of his earlier mockery of Byrnndi World?!'
Byrnndi World, even if not labeled as exceptionally powerful, certainly can't be dismissed as weak. Active across three legendary pirate eras, it required the World Government's schemes and the collective might of the Marines to apprehend him. Such a figure is undoubtedly far from weak.
Moreover, these twenty years of suspension have maintained his physical condition at the same state as when he was initially apprehended. If Enel faces him, he's bound to receive a harsh lesson!
"Alright, no problem!" Atlas agreed readily, even cracking a grin against the sunlight, causing Enel an involuntary shiver.
'I can't shake this feeling... is something off?!'
Enel suddenly regretted his decision. Has he fallen into a trap?
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