192. Situation

In the New World, a massive azure dragon stomped on a Homura-gumo, breathing out fire from its mouth that seemed like an endless abyss. On the other side stood Garp, the strong Marine hero with half-white hair and a beard.

"Hey! Garp, move aside! I am coming through!"

The enormous azure dragon talked in human language, and its already fierce face grew even more aggressive.

"Bwahaha! If you aim to move forward, you'll need to inquire whether my fist grants permission, Kaido!"

Garp chuckled, completely unfazed by Kaido's arrogance.

As the negotiation fell through, Kaido had no option but to resort to force. His intention was merely to gauge the strength of this ex-Marine hero. Back when Kaido was just a rookie pirate, the other side was already recognized as one of the world's strongest.

"Bolo Breath!"

High-temperature flames erupted from Kaido's colossal mouth. The air along the path became blistering and distorted, with a searing heat wave rushing toward Garp.

"Genkotsu Meteor!" (Fist Meteorite)

Garp laughed as armament haki enveloped him. With Geppo, he swiftly charged forward!

A sharp blade seemed to cut through the overwhelming heat in the middle. Garp's fist resembled the legendary fire-preventing bead, and the intense air explosion sounded as if it could rip the sky apart, breaking through the steaming heat!

Boom!

Despite Kaido's massive body, Garp's fist appeared relatively small. However, when the dark fist connected with Kaido's jaw, the overwhelming power and Haki's determination, penetrating to the bone marrow, seemed unparalleled. It forcefully pierced through Kaido's head.

Ouch! ! !

Kaido groaned in pain, and his initially wide-open mouth was forced shut instantly. Ferocious fangs showed cracks, and the entire dragon body rolled backward uncontrollably.

Garp's techniques all start with "Fist," emphasizing the incredible toughness of his fist, as hard as Iron.

"It hurts a lot, just as expected from Garp!"

Finally stopping, Kaido subconsciously shook his pained head. He gazed at Garp not far away with a fearful expression, as if recalling the formidable figure of Rocks, the captain who had thwarted him decades ago.

But...

Roar--!!"

Kaido bellowed towards the sky, "I am the strongest creature... Kaido!!"

Then, shaking his head, he transformed into a dragon, surged forward, and engaged in battle once more with Garp.

...

Knock Knock Knock! !

"Please come in!"

Click!

Atlas pushed open the door and entered. Moments ago, he had been instructing swordsmanship in the recruitment camp. After a few days of guidance, Ain was on the brink of mastering the Realm of cutting steel. Unexpectedly, he was abruptly summoned; Sengoku wanted to discuss something with him.

Sengoku sat on the office chair, squinting and massaging his temples with a headache. As he heard the knock on the door, his expression turned serious, his posture straightened, and he signaled for Atlas to take a seat.

"What's bothering you, old man Sengoku? You seem troubled."

Atlas said with a half-joking tone, attempting to lighten the somewhat tense atmosphere.

"Your ship has been upgraded. Take a look later; it's tailored to your specifications."

Sengoku sidestepped Atlas's question and instead focused on the matter of the Thriller Bark.

Atlas grasps the situation; is he heading to the New World?

In a cautious tone, he inquired, "Is something happening in the New World?"

Only a situation like this would make Sengoku so solemn and prompt Atlas to assume a position in the New World as swiftly as possible.

"Yes, the undercover agent sent by the CP department to the Beasts Pirates has been exposed. He's already initiating plans to escape. However, Kaido has finally taken notice, and interception is anticipated at the G-5 base. You need to get to the New World swiftly; otherwise, not only will be held responsible, but the G-5 base could also face destruction."

The G-5 base currently lacks a Vice Admiral. If Kaido arrives without top-level combat power to restrain him, the entire base won't be able to stop him.

"Francis?"

Atlas had a faint recollection. During the New World War a few years ago, he was dispatched to the waters of Totto Land and tasked with creating an opening in the fishing net to facilitate Francis's escape. Later, he learned that this individual was a former prisoner, one of the three All-Stars within the Beast Pirates.

It appears that the agent training in the CP department lacks rigor. Kaido only uncovered his undercover identity in a few years.

However, among the current Sanko, only the Whitebeard pirate group, based on family ties, lacks a stringent intelligence network within its territory, unlike the other two pirate groups. Naturally, Big Mom's domination over all nations' seas doesn't require one. It's rumored that the unique nature of the Soul-Soul Fruit turns the entire world into her spy.

While Kaido's Beasts Pirates might not have the extensive surveillance of the Big Mom Pirates, Kaido's secretary and the linchpin of the Beasts Pirates, King, can indeed monitor certain areas of Onigashima through specialized means.

"Wait! Where's old man Garp? Wasn't he at the G-3 base?"

Atlas was perplexed. The G-3 base, where Garp was stationed, should be the closest to Kaido. If Garp intercepted him, there was no reason for Kaido to catch up to the G-5 base.

"... After a skirmish, dealing with Kaido's Devil Fruit became too troublesome for Garp. He couldn't catch up, and as a result, Kaido could make it to the G-5 base."

This is why Sengoku is urging Atlas to head to the New World promptly. He recognizes Atlas's Shiki-like abilities, and only Kizaru can rival him in terms of mobility.

Regarding the life of the CP agent, Sengoku didn't place much emphasis. The primary concern was the predicament caused by Kaido's interest in Francis. A single mishap could result in the destruction of a Marine Base.

"Okay, I understand. I'll head to the New World right away."

Atlas comprehended the gravity of the situation and promptly stood up, exiting Sengoku's office.

Despite the vastness of the New World, even with Kaido's ability to fly, catching up to the G-5 base shortly after being restrained by Garp might prove challenging. Nevertheless, Atlas is not one to fear uncertainty, just being cautious.

Atlas didn't want to relax until he reached the G-5 base else he would be seeing destruction and ruins.

Marineford Harbor.

Due to the immense size of the Thriller Bark, it couldn't dock conventionally at the port. Therefore, Atlas suspended it in mid-air, controlling numerous stones to craft a hanging ladder, facilitating access for the renovation crew.

The recent spectacle of wonders going up and down has become a picturesque sight at headquarters, but today it's notably absent. The extensive renovation of the Thriller Bark has, for the most part, been finished.

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