Dressrosa, aboard the Ryusen.
"You two, go help Kyros," Atlas said, his eyes flickering.
Although Kyros, who had learned both Armament Haki and Observation Haki, combined with his practiced swordsmanship, was indeed very powerful, he was still slightly inferior to Doflamingo. Atlas could tell that Doflamingo's Devil Fruit abilities had significantly improved, almost reaching the point of awakening.
"That presence..." Smoker's face changed slightly as he activated his Observation Haki. Although his range wasn't as extensive as Atlas's, it was more than enough to cover a radius of tens of kilometers. In his perception, a powerful aura was rapidly approaching, breaking the sound barrier with sheer physical speed. In an instant, it was already close to the direction of the Hakuryu!
"Redfield, the aloof red, also known as the 'Red Count,' is said to be a man who alone can stand on equal footing with Whitebeard and Roger," Atlas grinned, showing his white teeth. A strong murderous aura began to spread around him.
"Redfield?!!" Smoker's cigar trembled, some ashes falling to the deck. "That's the legendary pirate!!"
From what Smoker knew, Redfield was a pirate who had almost escaped after defeating Fleet Admiral Kong. If Vice Admiral Garp hadn't arrived in time, this guy would have gotten away.
"Just an old guy running around in embarrassment," Atlas said, though he didn't know why Redfield was with Doflamingo. Judging from the other man's aura, he seemed gloomy, as if he hadn't yet found his target—Bat-Bat Fruit, Model: Vampire!
"Old guy? Are today's young people... all so arrogant?" A hoarse voice came from behind.
Whoosh!!!
Atlas didn't move at all. A thick blast of flame suddenly shot out from his back, accurately targeting the direction from which the voice had come.
Rumble!!!
A terrifying explosion sounded in the distance, turning the dawn sky red and lighting up the entire Dressrosa.
"You go and help Kyros first. This battle is not something you can participate in," Atlas said, slowly turning around and giving instructions to Enel and Smoker. He could clearly feel Kyros becoming increasingly overwhelmed by Doflamingo's aerial offensive.
There was no way around it; Doflamingo's Devil Fruit ability was incredibly well developed. Connecting strings to the clouds, he had developed the ability to walk on air. Atlas had to admit—this imagination, as long as it was a more powerful conceptual fruit of superpower, made Doflamingo's strength far superior.
In fact, if Paramecia Devil Fruits were subdivided, they could be roughly categorized into superhuman bodies, superpowers, supercreations, and special Paramecia. Doflamingo's String-String Fruit was a supercreation. If only this ability had superpowers. If he could, he might even develop conceptual abilities just like Bartholomew Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit, repelling off timelines, causes, and effects.
Ahem... of course, these were just his speculations.
"Then we will go first, Brother Atlas."
Smoker tugged on Enel's sleeve, then jumped up and rapidly descended.
With the three of them together, they might not defeat Doflamingo, but their odds of winning were significantly higher.
"Canos Atlas, the current Marine Admiral—Hakuryu?"
The owner of the hoarse voice finally revealed himself to Atlas.
A tall, thin man with long, white hair braided into two plaits hanging down his shoulders. He had red eyebrows, a gold chain hanging from his mouth, and a blue rose around his neck. He wore a rose-red shirt, blood-red trousers, and black leather shoes with gold rims. A wide cloak fluttered behind him as he held a slender bat-handled umbrella, slowly landing on the deck of the Hakuryu.
"What a dandy, he's already quite old."
Atlas spat, silently complaining.
"Marine, that brat Doflamingo is under my control now. Even if Sengoku comes, he can't touch him."
Redfield had a devilish smile on his face, looking down with contempt in his eyes.
"Haha~~~"
Atlas narrowed his eyes slightly. Was this old guy still stuck in the glory of the past, unable to extricate himself? Did he really think the current era was still the previous one?
Redfield's eyes flashed red, his expression calm. "Oh? Do you look down on us from the old era? But..."
His eyes suddenly turned cold, but there was a fanatical look on his face. "Defeating Whitebeard is not something you can be proud of. He is just an old pirate. When I find the fruit, I can regain my previous strength!!"
"Although that kid Doflamingo has many tricks, he does have information about the fruit, so..."
"I am saving him today!!!"
He said this to Atlas in an almost commanding tone.
"Red the Aloof? Quite fitting for you," Atlas chuckled, barely containing his laughter.
The owner of natural Observation Haki, Redfield had the ability to read other people's minds and steal memories. This god-like ability gave him extraordinary pride, leading him to refuse alliances, not only because of his hatred of people's hearts but also because of his disdain for others.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you can read people's emotions. That's really impressive. You can even read part of my mind."
Atlas acknowledged Redfield's profound mastery of Haki. When one's Haki reached his level, even heaven-defying Devil Fruit abilities had limited impact. Moreover, with the Sheep Talisman, Atlas had far more soul power than anyone else in the world.
"Um?!!"
For the first time, Redfield looked surprised. Earlier, he could read some of the Marine's simple thoughts. But now, it felt as though his ability had lost its effect! He couldn't detect what the other person was thinking! This was something he had never encountered before!
"What, can't read my mind?"
Atlas's mocking laughter came at the right time.
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