Boom! A sudden explosion came from a whirlpool, sending a towering column of water into the sky. The unsuspecting pirate ship, previously bustling with activity, was suddenly thrown into chaos.
Crash! The ship shattered into fragments, quickly consumed by the churning waters, as if a colossal abyssal maw devoured everything in its path.
Amidst the rising currents, clusters of beautiful bubbles ascended gracefully. Among them, a particularly enormous cluster formed a protective barrier around a small island.
Donald Moderate couldn't contain his excitement, breaking into a joyful dance. "It's a bubble! And look, there's a massive one enveloping the entire island!"
"It's definitely the real deal this time! Roger's hidden answer is the one we've been seeking!"
A hushed whisper filled the air.
While other pirates erupted into cheers, Crocodile remained unimpressed. "Why don't you lot go and try to grab it? That's the treasure of the Pirate King," he scoffed, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
Vasco Shot belched, the smell of alcohol wafting from him as he shook his wine gourd, gauging how much longer his supply would last.
"Haha! Only fools would fall for this."
Crocodile bit down on his cigar, his eyes betraying a smirk.
These fools were genuinely spooked by that guy's words.
"What were the words left behind by One Piece Roger... Just a load of nonsense!" Crocodile scoffed.
"Don't act clueless when you're here," he pressed Shot again.
"I've told you already, I'm just here for a drink," Shot replied nonchalantly.
Upon hearing this, Shot cracked open the wine barrel he held and guzzled its contents greedily. The clear liquid cascaded down his throat, soaking the ground around him.
"Kuahahahaha..." Crocodile chuckled deeply, seeing his counterpart's blunt response.
Only a fool would buy into this nonsense.
"Alright, everyone! Let's showcase our unique abilities and make a dash for the treasure island!" Donald Moderate exclaimed.
"Uh oh—!" The crowd murmured in response.
Donald Moderate, adept at controlling the situation, swiftly rallied everyone's emotions with just a few words.
Boom! Another deafening roar echoed through the air.
Before anyone could react, a scene of immense visual impact unfolded before them.
Rumble! "Look! What in the world is that? Has Roger's treasure been destroyed?" gasped the pirates in shock, as a series of fiery explosions enveloped the massive bubbles.
There was no resistance whatsoever; the island, along with its protective barrier, was obliterated in an instant.
Even the towering currents that had previously soared into the sky seemed to vanish instantly under the intense heat!
This devastation wasn't solely due to the firepower unleashed by the attackers, but also the explosive force of the Dragon Talisman.
Otherwise, such a staggering effect wouldn't have been possible.
In the aftermath, chaos ensued among the pirates!
"Who the heck did this?"
"One Piece Gold Roger's treasure! Damn it! I've never felt closer to the Pirate King's throne, and now everything's ruined because of that scoundrel!"
"You bastard! If you've got the guts, come out and face me! Let's see if I don't beat you senseless!" a pirate bellowed angrily.
The island was instantly filled with the echoes of curses.
This was the treasure left behind by Roger, the Pirate King!
They didn't even get a chance to glimpse it, despite rumors circulating throughout the seas about a permanent guide to the final island.
But rumors were notoriously unreliable, and now they didn't even have the opportunity to verify them.
How could they not be enraged?
Few were contemplating just how terrifying it was to possess a weapon capable of obliterating an entire island in one blow...
Even though it's just a tiny island. In fact, it barely qualified as an island.
But despite its diminutive size, the terrifying power it possessed was undeniable.
Therefore, the shift from hope to disappointment sometimes sparked a surge of anger that overwhelmed people's rationality.
"It's me! What's going on, you scoundrels!" a voice boomed amidst the curses.
Suddenly, a colossal shadow loomed over the island, casting most of it into darkness.
A sleek, silver-white hull emerged, its lines smooth and its iconic beast figurehead towering into the sky.
Though the brilliant sun was momentarily obscured, the pirates' pupils dilated in shock. The fierce curses abruptly ceased, replaced by an eerie silence that enveloped the surroundings.
Ryu-Sen! They recognized it!
Throughout the entire sea, only the Marine's man-carrier was this high-profile.
And this could only mean one thing...
The one who just spoke was none other than Hakuryu himself!
"Hehe..." Atlas ascended from the ship's bow, gazing down at the pirates below like a deity, a disdainful smile curling his lips.
However, no one present dared to challenge him.
This man... he's a killer!
One person held the entire audience captive!
With a graceful wave, a colossal shadow loomed over Hakuryu.
Islands!
Another massive island!
"In that case, let me silence them forever!" With a hint of ferocity gleaming in his eyes, Atlas forcefully brought down the island he had summoned!
He refused to believe that Bullet would still hide and avoid coming out when he submerged the entire island.
"Hey, hey, hey! Run! If that thing crashes down, we'll be turned into pulp in an instant!"
"Damn Hakuryu! As expected, nothing good ever comes from encountering this guy!"
"Being able to manipulate an island with such ease... it's just as the rumors say, possessing abilities akin to Shiki!"
The sudden turn of events snapped the pirates out of their stupor.
Horror etched across their faces, the pirates didn't waste time cursing Atlas; instead, they scattered in all directions like startled birds and beasts.
At a time like this, escaping was paramount!
Crash! Gravel tumbled down, occasionally striking one or two pirates, heightening the urgency among them.
It felt as though a sword of Damocles hung perilously over their heads!
Just as the massive island crept closer to Delta Island with each passing moment, a violent aura erupted, growing ever more intense.
It was as if an evil specter had emerged from the depths of hell, instilling deep terror in all who beheld it!
"Finally, you've shown yourself!" Atlas smirked. "I thought you were planning to hide there for the rest of your life!"
"Douglas Bullet!!"
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