101. The Hand Slipped A Little Bit

After a prolonged night, the red sun ascended, casting a slightly intoxicating morning glow.

The riots and fires gradually waned, and the majority of the slaves boarded the refuge ships that had been arranged. Atlas's warships followed the largest vessel at a steady pace.

"Rear Admiral Atlas! Accelerate, please. If these slaves manage to escape, you'll face the consequences!" 

"Soldiers over there, can your cannons be more precise?"

Since boarding the ship, CP0, adorned with a black and white mask, had incessantly pestered Atlas, even going so far as to overstep his authority and dictate the warship's operations.

"this..."

Marine on the side felt a twinge of embarrassment, directing them to fire cannons at unarmed slaves. This undeniably dealt a severe blow to the principles they had always upheld!

"Shut up, you bastard!"

Atlas could no longer tolerate this individual's incessant nonsense. The potent force of his Conqueror's Haki emanated from his body, pressing directly onto CP0!

"Hey! What do you want to do?"

CP0 broke into a cold sweat on his forehead, and his back was drenched with perspiration almost instantly.

"What do you refuse to comprehend? If you don't close that mouth of yours, I assure you, you won't get another chance to speak!" 

threaten!

A naked threat!

CP0, concealed behind the black and white mask, was well aware that Atlas wouldn't take action against him unless this guy no longer wished to remain within the ranks of the Marines.

But! He didn't dare to bet, because if he lost the bet, he would die!

"Heh..."

Observing CP0, maintaining silence, Atlas sneered with a touch of disdain. Individuals like him, conditioned and indoctrinated by the Celestial Dragons since childhood, were nothing more than walking automatons devoid of self.

"Don't worry about this guy, just attack according to your own ideas!"

"Yes, sir!"

'This guy!'

'This guy! What a...bastard!'

CP0, continued to roar internally, but his body remained obediently still. He dared not make a move, fearing that any action might lead to Atlas misunderstanding. Accidentally shooting him on the spot would be incredibly unjust.

Boom boom boom!

A considerable number of cannonballs were unleashed towards the refuge ship, yet a majority of them missed their mark. Instead, the colossal waves generated by the cannonballs propelled the refuge ship farther and farther away from the pursuing fleet.

...

On the largest refuge ship.

"Savior, the Marine chasing us seems a little strange?"

A recently liberated slave gazed at the red fish-man beside him with a touch of bewilderment and inquired.

This is a Sea Bream fish-man adorned with a turban. He boasts thick, curly hair, a broad mouth, a beard, a hint of stubble on his upper lip, and a tall, robust figure.

"Don't call me Savior, my name is Tiger, Fisher Tiger!"

"These Marines don't seem to want to pursue us?"

Tiger responded with a somewhat uncertain tone. In Tiger's experience, he hadn't engaged much with the Marines, but he harbored suspicion and even wariness toward the World Government and humans in general.

He had once been joyful with Princess Otohime and dreamt of coexisting with humans under the sun. However, his wretched time as a slave shattered those hopes entirely. Perhaps he understood that, regardless of race, there would always be both good and bad individuals. Nevertheless, deep within his heart, he still harbored a profound hate for humans.

"Pay them no mind. Let's sail at full speed now and distance ourselves from the Marines pursuing us!"

Tiger issued the order, and everyone on the ship dared not make a mistake. After all, it was Tiger who had rescued them from that hell just now, and they still had great trust in him.

Furthermore, Tiger could entirely forsake his liberated slaves and dive into the sea to escape. He is the sea's beloved, a fish-men!

In an inconspicuous corner of the refuge ship, the three Hancock sisters huddled together, drawn by the commotion caused by the Marine's attack. Endowed with the robust physical prowess granted by the Zoan fruit ability, they effortlessly spotted the man standing on the ship's bow. It was Atlas.

"Sister, earlier... did this Marine save us?"

Sandersonia asked with a degree of uncertainty. Though not as gifted as Hancock, her intuition conveyed that the Conqueror's Haki exhibited in the port city just now undoubtedly belonged to this Marine!

"Hmm... it seems so!"

Hancock nodded solemnly, her eyes flickering, a bit lost in thought, as if pondering something profound.

...

On the warship.

"Sir! Those slaves are on the verge of eluding us, and the gap between the warship and them is widening!"

"It's fine. Let me provide them with a lift!"

Atlas wore an inscrutable expression, and without slowing down, he activated the Dragon Talisman!

Bakuhatsu hono (Exploding flames)

Thick columns of explosive flames erupted from the warship, accurately hitting the edge of the refuge ship ahead...(T/N: My Man 👍)

The terrifying force of the explosion sent massive waves splashing, propelling the hull forward with tremendous force.

"Everyone, hold on tight! Grab onto anything secured on the ship and avoid being thrown off!"

Tiger bellowed with all his might, but his voice was swiftly drowned out by the roar of the colossal waves.

"Apologies, my hand slipped accidentally!"

Atlas tilted his head and directed his gaze at CP0, hidden behind the black and white mask. He offered his sincere apology, marking the first time he had done so thus far.

Soon, beneath the intense high temperatures, thick mist rose from the sea area. As Atlas anticipated, the warship lost sight of Tiger and the others.

"Report, sir! The group of slaves has been lost ahead!"

"That's regrettable, but there's nothing we can do. Their luck is exceptionally good. I believe Admiral Sengoku won't hold me accountable."

Atlas expressed with feigned regret, his appearance of sincerity and concern convincingly portrayed.

"Rear Admiral Atlas, you must be held accountable for all your actions today!" 

CP0 on the side finally couldn't bear it any longer after witnessing Atlas's poor acting skills. Today's mission was an utter failure. Even if, by some chance, he managed to escape the punishment of death, his life was likely ruined. So, he simply gave up.

"Huh? Interesting..."

Suddenly, a formidable presence pierced through Tiger's Haki, and it was clear that the other party was keenly aware of being observed.

"Hey! You bastard, don't underestimate me. My Haki is not inferior to yours!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Atlas leaped off the warship and commenced sprinting wildly on the sea, leaving behind a cascade of snow-white waves!

"Running on the sea? This guy is actually just a Rear Admiral?"

CP0 was slightly shocked. He was already taken aback by Atlas possessing Conqueror's Haki, but he didn't anticipate this guy being able to traverse the sea freely.

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