206. It's your turn
"Huh? The Marines!?"
"Hey, hey, hey! I can't be hallucinating. Could this guy be..."
"Candidate Admiral of the Naval Headquarters—Hakuryu!!!"
Ping, ping, ping!
When the pirates heard it, they seemed mad at first. But as soon as they caught sight of Atlas walking ahead, their expressions shifted to pure panic, and they even began to scramble. Tables and chairs were overturned, creating a chaotic noise throughout.
This is a beast that went head-to-head with Kaido of the Beasts for three days and nights without a clear winner!!
If the danger posed by Big Mom could happen later on, the intense feeling of pressure from the young Marine standing before them is very real. These pirates are already scared just at the mention of Big Mom. How much courage can we realistically expect them to muster against a Marine candidate for Admiral of the same caliber?
"They're nothing more than useless pirates."
Atlas met the doubtful gazes of the pirates and surveyed the scene with a deliberate pace.
There's no formidable opponent to anticipate here; the strongest among them is, at best, on par with a supernova. Even if he masters Haki, he's just a slightly more significant troublemaker.
"You..."
Certain pirates, known for their fiery tempers, blushed upon hearing Atlas's scornful taunts. However, their companions swiftly intervened, recognizing that understanding Atlas's motives was unclear. It was wisest to hold back for now. Best not to provoke this high-ranking Marine.
"Smoker, it's your turn!"
"Remember..."
"Leave no one alive!!"
Having no intention of getting directly involved, Atlas pivoted and ushered Andrew towards the tavern's exit. Pirates of this caliber could easily be handled by his subordinates.
Now, Smoker and Kyros are both adept at utilizing two types of Haki. One possesses Logia abilities, while the other is a skilled swordsman, making them more than capable of handling this band of pirates.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Atlas!"
The voice resonated with strength and authority. This time, Atlas was accompanied by a formidable group of two hundred followers. Besides Lieutenant Colonel Smoker, several lieutenants, including Kyros, were part of the assembly. While most of them encircled the tavern, the combined force of dozens shouting together sent shivers through the initially panicked pirates.
Boom!
The tavern door slammed shut once more, and Atlas's figure vanished from everyone's view. The pirates, who had been unusually hushed, now appeared to erupt in commotion.
"Damn Marine, you're just an arrogant kid!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Am I hearing this correctly? Is he expecting these soldiers to handle us? Hahaha!"
"What a disrespectful guy!"
"When Hakuryu walks in and finds a Marine's body on the floor, I bet his expression will be priceless, won't it? Even if I end up dead, it'll be worth it, hahahaha!"
From the viewpoint of this pirate crew, among the Marines remaining in the tavern, the highest-ranking figure, Smoker, held the rank of lieutenant colonel. In the New World, he was hardly more than a minor player. Wishing for their complete annihilation was nothing short of wishful thinking.
It must be noted that the military ranks of Smoker and Cyrus are highly deceiving. Their true strength surpasses the insignias on their shoulders. It's no wonder this group of pirates is so arrogant.
Outside the door.
Andrew glanced anxiously at the door behind him, then lifted his head to address Atlas, "Sir Vice Admiral, they..."
"Don't worry, Smoker and the others can handle it."
Bang——! !
As soon as he finished speaking, a tremendous crash echoed from the tavern, accompanied by furious shouts and curses.
"Stick together, what can these few Marines do to us!!"
"Hmph, I don't believe it. I couldn't defeat Hakuryu, but I can't beat you, a kid. What's so special about Logia abilities? I know how to use haki myself!"
"It's truly... noisy!"
In the tavern, Smoker slowly pulled back the fist he had just thrown, biting on his smoking cigar. He turned his neck slightly, and the joints all over his body produced crackling sounds like fried beans.
"Enmu Ryōiki Tenkai!!" (Smoke Mist Domain Unraveling) (T/N: Those who know)
Smoker's entire body transformed directly into elements, releasing a substantial amount of smoke that enveloped the pirates on the opposite side. Innumerable smoke particles surged toward the entrance, targeting the pirates with intent!
Atlas, having a certain understanding of Smoker's abilities, now saw him not merely relying on physical prowess but rather emphasizing the intrinsic characteristics of his Devil Fruit. Smoker aimed to maximize the lethality of smoke itself.
"What the hell is this? A performance for the old man? Hahahaha! Uh--!!!"
Just as one of the pirates laughed dismissively, he suddenly felt a sensation as if something had lodged in his throat. His face immediately reddened, and he emitted an inexplicable whimper, clutching his thick neck tightly.
These smokes are all a result of Smoker's ability. They can adapt to the subtle shifts in his consciousness, swiftly solidifying if inhaled by the pirates. Once inside, they fill every available space, effectively blocking any openings. It's safe to say they're all-encompassing!
"No, everyone, hold your breath and avoid inhaling the smoke!"
Most pirates are quick-witted and respond promptly.
"It's futile. Even if you hold your breath, as long as there's any opening exposed to the air, my smoke can penetrate your body. Holding your breath only slightly delays the inevitable!"
Above the expansive cloud of smoke, Smoker's face, biting a cigar, suddenly emerged on the roof.
"Kyros, the task of collecting heads is all yours!"
"No problem! Leave five people to guard the perimeter, and the rest will come inside with me!"
Kyros responded with a resounding affirmation.
Even though the thick smoke filled the entire tavern, it only tightly encased the pirates. The outer layer of smoke remained condensed, making it impossible for anyone to break through momentarily. All they needed to do was create an opening towards the Marines outside, and then direct the flow inside. Harvesting heads would be an easy task.
"Ah--!!"
"What the hell? Damn it, those Marines are practically invisible. If this keeps up, we will be done for before we can even suffocate them!"
While a few of these pirates have somewhat mastered Armament Haki, none have awakened Observation Haki; otherwise, they wouldn't have ended up in such a passive situation.
Pfft——! ! ×66
The sound of numerous blades piercing flesh echoed, blood spurted wildly, and the Marines led by Kyros frenziedly harvested heads.
At this moment, they had never felt...
Pirates are actually not that hard to kill! !
The entire tavern instantly transformed into a slaughterhouse of flesh and blood. Pirates screamed one after another, and their frenzied roars diminished, eventually reducing to the whimpering sounds of small beasts.
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