216. Terrifying Defense

"Mama Mama! Hakuryu, you've really made me angry!"

Big Mom glared at Atlas with intense eyes, extended her large, chubby hand, and grabbed him by the head!

The oversized captain's hat clutched tightly, revealing a purple turban adorned with yellow dots snugly wrapped around the head.

"Napoleon!"

"Yes, Mama!"

The pink captain's hat swiftly changed shape and extended, revealing a long sword gleaming with a cold light in his hand.

Big Mom gripped the sword's handle with both hands, pulled back, and executed a forward slashing motion. His thick arms seemingly expanded out of nowhere.

Swish!!

Hahaba (Blade of Destructions)!!!

The long sword descended abruptly, unleashing terrifying shockwaves in all directions. The air emitted intense, high-pitched whining sounds that felt as if they could pierce through eardrums directly.

Clang!!

Atlas didn't just sit there awaiting doom. He unsheathed the Kaminari from around his waist, and Armament Haki swiftly enveloped him. He raised the tip of the sword, and the final strike was unleashed first!

Clang!!

A crisp sound of metal collision echoed as the blades fiercely struggled against each other, generating numerous sparks. The flowing Armament Haki clashed like saw teeth.

"Big Mom..."

Atlas's eyes widened, neck veins bulged, teeth clenched, and his body gradually ascended, gaining complete control of the situation.

Boom!!

A powerful force thrust Big Momcorpulent body backward!

Simultaneously, the sword gleamed, and sword energy surged. Atlas forcefully halted the inertia of his body, closed in, unsheathed his sword, and delivered another slash!

"Ittōryū Shōten Kaidan (Ascension Stairs)!!"

The radiant sword light swiftly cut across Big Mom's body, enough to instill fear in anyone. Sharpness surged relentlessly, attempting to pierce through Big Mom's physical defense.

SLash--!!

The sword light faded, revealing torn clothes on Big Mom. A shallow blood streak extended from the shoulder to the left lower abdomen, with faint traces of blood nearly imperceptible.

"As expected from Big Mom, renowned as the iron balloon..."

Witnessing this spectacle, Atlas's pupils contracted.

Despite the time constraint, he employed only the most basic haki techniques. Yet, when coupled with Kaminari's sharpness, it proved sufficient to cut through even the toughest materials.

Even Kaido has to shroud his weapon in Haki to withstand physical attacks!

And Big Mom in front of him...

If Atlas observed correctly, she didn't even employ her Haki just now!

What a significant revelation!!

"Mama Mama! Kid, it's too late to surrender now. I'm not as useless as Kaido!"

Big Mom gazed at the wound that had left a white mark before her. Suddenly, she tightened her grip on Napoleon and raised it high above her head!

Invisible ripples radiated in all directions, and potent waves of sword energy rippled around.

Buzz—!!! 

The long sword descended, unleashing a formidable shockwave of sword energy. The speed surpassed that of thunder, and the broad water column's range made it even more challenging to evade!

Ikoku (Mighty Nation)!!!

Also known as Spear of Elbaf, this move is unique to the giants. Atlas is not sure how Big Mom mastered it.

"Secret of Ittoryu: Behead the enemies without stopping, without resting with the sword...."

Atlas gripped the Kaminari with both hands, positioning the horizontal sword directly in front of him. Muscles all over his body tensed, and the black and red Armament Haki promptly enveloped the blade, with Haki flowing throughout his entire body.

"Chi no Sora (Blood Sky)!!!"

The long sword cut through the air, and the bloody slash intertwined with the black and red Armament Haki, confronting the massive sword energy shockwave!

Swish!!

The slashing motion was swift and potent, cutting through the shockwave at its core. The formidable energy dispersed to both sides, plunging into the sea below and creating thousands of white waves!

The blood-red slash persisted, akin to a meteor racing across the sky, reaching Big Mom in an instant.

"Mama Mama! Haha no Hi (Blade Mother's Blaze)!!"

Clang--!!

For a fleeting moment, the transition between light and darkness ensued, and the entire world fell silent, as if a black hole had collapsed, releasing innumerable lightning bolts from the instantaneous collision.

The conviction to sever everything emanated from the slash, and the formidable thrust continued to tip the balance of victory!

Zephyr once mentioned while teaching Atlas Haki: "Having faith is powerful!!"

It's quite idealistic but a wise statement.

"Kid!! I am the emperor of the sea!!"

eyes glowed scarlet, and she roared incessantly. Her purple eyeshadow was smudged with sweat, the silk scarf around her head was absent, and her disheveled pink hair clung to her scalp, giving her the appearance of... well, let's say an angered scolding shrew.

"Let me demonstrate true power!"

With a roar, Big Mom once again drew the purple thunder, unleashing it relentlessly on Napoleon!

Boom!!

A mighty force surged forth, and the blood-red slash was forcefully diverted, soaring behind without losing momentum.

....

New World, an uncharted sea region.

A blood-stained warship gently dropped anchor in the sea, encircled by shipwrecks and roaring flames. The label 'G-7' was etched on the warship's side.

The G-7 base falls under the jurisdiction of Marine Candidate Admiral Akainu!

Now, on the warship.

Akainu appeared stern, crossing his arms as he stood upright on the deck.

Beside him stood a Marine with a world-weary countenance, wearing a helmet adorned with a two-headed dragon pattern, and a fierce expression.

"v, are these individuals the masterminds behind this child abduction incident?"

Akainu inclined his head slightly, glancing at Onigumo, his adjutant.

"Yes, but there is also a group of slave traders collaborating with them."

Onigumo nodded in acknowledgment.

His current rank is Headquarters Rear Admiral. Akainu noticed him as early as the training camp. Following graduation and gaining experience, he was eventually appointed as Akainu's ship adjutant.

Much like Akainu, he is a formidable figure among the Marines.

"I'll leave the rest to you, just remember one thing..."

Having said that, Akainu paused for a moment, declaring, "There is no need to leave room for evil!!"

"Sengoku Admiral called just now, but you were occupied in annihilating pirates, so I didn't inform you."

"What's the matter?"

"It is said that Vice Admiral Hakuryu is in conflict with Big Mom, and he wants you to go and provide support as much as possible."

"Where is the battleground?"

"Near Broccoli Island..."

"Prioritize supporting Hakuryu, set aside other matters for now."

Akainu swiftly made a decision and issued the command to Onigumo.

"But..."

"With the current distance to Broccoli Island, even if we sail at maximum speed, we won't reach there in time."

Sailing takes time, and it's not always a smooth journey, especially in the unpredictable weather of the New World, where storms and extreme conditions are common.

Onigumo is left estimating the time with compromises in mind.

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