251. Clash of Forces

"Haha! This is fun. The youngest Marine Candidate Admiral, visiting Pleasure District for a good time?"

Teach casually touched the claws hidden behind him, acting laid-back and playful.

"Well, it makes sense. Young folks are full of energy."

Clang!

Shanks didn't waste a moment. He swiftly drew the Griffin from his waist, smoothly and effortlessly.

"If I'm gonna fight, I won't go easy!"

Marine Vice Admiral——Hakuryu!

Before entering the New World, Vice Captain Rayleigh seriously warned him that this guy was undoubtedly dangerous!

After all, this guy represents one of Marine's top fighting forces!

The blind man beside him might not leave a strong impression, but standing alongside White Jade, he's definitely not just an ordinary person!

"Gravito Moko (Gravity Blade Fierce Tiger)!!" 

Issho also drew his cane and swung it steadily, sending a wave of purple energy surging towards Shanks and Teach.

Shanks and Teach felt their hearts tighten, their bodies bending suddenly as a powerful force pressed on them. Almost instantly, they nearly knelt down on the spot!

Swish! ! !

In a flash, before they could regain their balance and adjust to the sudden change in gravity, Atlas' figure appeared behind Teach like a ghost. He raised his legs slightly and swept out.

Bang! !

A muffled thud echoed as flesh collided. Teach had no time to react; a powerful kick landed on his sturdy back. The intense recoil sent him flying backward, crashing into Shanks.

Shanks had no interest in teaming up with Teach. He simply stepped back, turned to the side, and maintained a firm grip on Griffin's sword hilt, wearing a smirk as Teach tumbled into him.

Whoosh!!

As Teach landed, the surrounding gravity intensified. The dense air almost made it hard to breathe, and the intense internal and external atmospheric pressure relentlessly squeezed Teach's organs.

Click! ! !

At some point, Issho smoothly sheathed his staff sword, and the blade seamlessly connected with the wooden scabbard. A crisp sound echoed, creating a small hole in the once flat ground, just enough to accommodate Teach's body.

Jigoku Tabi (Hell Journey)!!!

Puff! ! !

All these actions occurred in the blink of an eye. Their keen haki made their teamwork as effective as seasoned comrades. The injuries, both internal and external, forced Teach to cough up a substantial amount of blood, and his sturdy neck strained against the force lifting him.

"Zehahaha! What's your plan, Marines?!"

"If you nab me, my dad won't spare you!"

Fear gripped him.

He knew about Hakuryu's notoriety.

Geese lose feathers as they pass, and beasts shed their fur as they leave. (T/N: I think it means escape comes at a price.)

Once a pirate falls to him, even the mightiest lose limbs! !

He still harbors unfulfilled dreams but doesn't want to meet an unnecessary end in this hellish place. Achieving fame on the seas is his ultimate goal! !

"It's truly pitiful. The once dignified Whitebeard Pirates' members look so wretched, tsk tsk tsk!"

Atlas glanced at Blackbeard, seemingly unaffected despite coughing up blood, with a hint of surprise.

His strength is mediocre, and his reflexes aren't top-notch.

Despite his rugged and thick physique, his resilience is surprisingly robust.

For anyone else, those two blows just now might have taken away half their life.

"I'm just a regular crew member on Whitebeard's ship. There's no point for you, a Marine Candidate Admiral, to kill me. It might even enrage my Dad. His Tremor-Tremor Fruit has the power to destroy the world."

Despite the disparagement from the other side, Teach wasn't angered but rather pleased, attempting to maintain his usual sincere smile.

"Marine buddy, don't pay attention to his nonsense. I sense a darker malice in him than your average pirate!!"

"Damn guy!!"

"Hey! Shanks, if we don't team up, we might really end up in the hands of the Marines this time!"

Hearing this, Teach's face instantly turned fierce, veins popped out on his neck, and he loudly shouted at Shanks, who still maintained a wary look.

Simultaneously, his body crawled out of the pit tremblingly, and even his chipped teeth oozed a trace of blood. It seemed like every pore was resisting the invisible gravity with a smirk.

Ultimately, while Teach's physical strength is average, his adaptability is undoubtedly better than most people in the world.

The effect of Issho's fruit have the miraculous ability to severely damage the enemy if not countered quickly, but it's evidently challenging to bring down Teach with just one move.

However, if the first move doesn't do the trick, the outcome of the second move becomes uncertain.

After all, there's a clear strength gap.

"Gravito Moko (Gravity Blade Fierce Tiger)!!"

The staff sword was unsheathed once more, and the forceful purple slashing ripples struck at Blackbeard, who had just climbed out of the pit.

Skin and flesh tore open, blood spilled, and the all-encompassing gravity penetrated Blackbeard's body recklessly, ruthlessly destroying every inch of his liver.

"Ah--!!"

The screams echoed; Teach's face spasmed, his entire body twitched, and intense pain swiftly invaded the nerves in his brain.

Even with his remarkable endurance, he couldn't help but roar, releasing his frustration, his eyes turning red.

"Shanks, you scoundrel!!!"

At this moment, Shanks was sweating, staring intently at the relaxed figure of Atlas across from him, unsure where to begin with the long knife in his hand.

The opponent appears to have vulnerabilities all over his body, yet he also presents a flawless and impenetrable exterior.

The two had already engaged in a fierce airborne battle. The formidable Conqueror's Haki emanated even stronger than before, and the air was saturated with a murderous aura, creating the sense of facing a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Swish! !

Silver light gleamed as the long knife sliced through the darkness. Its sharpness rivaled that of cutting through gold and jade, moving swiftly towards Atlas!

"Couldn't endure it any longer, huh."

Atlas sneered, slipping one hand into his pocket while forming a knife-like shape with his right hand. The haki's hue enveloped it, with a distinct black and red sheen.

Clang! !

The clear sound of metal and iron clashing filled the air as the blade collided with the edge of the palm, sparking countless flashes.

Atlas chuckled lightly. Without giving Shanks a chance to react, he swiped his palm along the blade and then smoothly retreated.

A backward elbow strike followed, transmitting a powerful force, all released onto Shanks' chest!

puff! !

A substantial amount of blood spurted out; Shanks rapidly flew backward, leaving a distinct elbow mark on his chest!

"Ha~"

The armament haki on the elbow slowly faded, gradually returning to its normal skin hue.

Shanks didn't anticipate defeating this man with just one move, but his defeat made him feel a bit frustrated.

Despite being among the best of the younger generation at his current age, he acknowledged that compared to the pinnacle of combat power, he still had room for improvement in various aspects.

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