92: Observation Haki, Top Level

Ron Island, the sea area under the jurisdiction of the Whitebeard Pirates.

This island, not particularly large in the New World, bears the insignia of a massive white crescent bearded skull flag flying high atop its tallest structure. It signifies the protection granted by Whitebeard, requiring only a certain annual payment, albeit much less than the astronomical sums of Heavenly Tribute.

In the tavern, Atlas grasped a pint of beer, lifted it to his lips, and allowed the refreshing brew to cascade down his throat. At the age of 20, Atlas had reached a point of both physical and mental maturity.

Atlas was the sole occupant of the entire tavern, not due to the island's impoverished conditions, but because he made no effort to conceal his identity. Dressed in a pristine white suit and a Justice cloak, a clear admiral's insignia adorned his chest. All these elements unmistakably proclaimed his rank as a Marine Rear Admiral.

Indeed, long after the conflict in the New World concluded, he received a promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral.

This area belongs to the Whitebeard Pirates. While Whitebeard is generally lenient with the island's residents, they are cautious not to approach Marine too closely.

...

Aboard Moby Dick.

Marco stepped out of the cabin with an expression of resignation. He glanced at Whitebeard, his eyes downcast, and raised his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "Dad, that guy's in our territory again. Why not let Jozu handle it this time? He can deal with it."

"Gurarara! Marco, Jozu can't handle him. You're more resilient to beatings, so you should go and handle it for a while!"

As soon as Whitebeard heard this, he knew that it was the brat from Marine threatening to challenge him again, and he couldn't help but laugh.

As the Emperor of the Sea, Whitebeard naturally cannot deal with Atlas in person. He can only send the captain of the division. However, Marco is no longer his opponent, which means that Marco's regenerative flames can force him to a draw with that kid, this terrifying speed of progress surprised him.

Another guy like Garp...

...

"Boss! Check out. Damn, why hasn't that pineapple head arrived yet?"

Atlas looked at the wine barrels piled on the table, but there was no hint of drunkenness on his face, and his eyes were extremely clear. He then stood up and shouted to the cowering boss, expressing his dissatisfaction.

"Hey! Speaking ill of people behind their back is not a good habit, you annoying Marine!"

A voice sounded at the door of the tavern.

Atlas smirked and approached the man with the pineapple head. "Well, if it isn't the pineapple head. I've been waiting for you. Ready for another beating?"

Atlas looked back and saw a man in a purple coat with the Whitebeard Pirates' logo tattooed on his chest. The man, with a pineapple-shaped head, stood at the tavern's entrance, wearing an impatient expression.

"Yo! Marco! Finally showed up. I was starting to think your Whitebeard Pirates were on their deathbed, unable to spare anyone to teach me, a Marine, who dared to intrude on your territory."

Atlas said with a mocking tone, half-smiling.

Marco looked up to the sky and yawned, "Why do you always like to make trouble? I heard that you went to the Big Mom Pirates to provoke Katakuri some time ago, but Big Mom took action in person and chased you to Marine's base."

Speaking of this, Atlas immediately became a little embarrassed, "That's because Big Mom, that old witch, lacks martial ethics. Being an emperor of the sea, she actually came personally to hunt me down."

It's quite pitiful that Atlas only occasionally visited Totto Land for a breath of fresh air. He went there once, twice, thrice, four, five, six... times, mainly to have a 'friendly' discussion with Katakuri. Anyway, no one can stop him from running, and he can also discreetly learn the ability to predict the future using Observation Haki. Isn't that how Luffy learned it?

Who would have thought that Big Mom would be so aggressive, leading Zeus and Prometheus to chase after him? Fortunately, his vitality is now strong, which means he's a little more resilient, and Big Mom can't do anything to him.

"Well, who told you to go that far..."

Marco became furious when he saw Atlas still looking aggrieved. Since the last New World reshuffle, this guy has been running to the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates every day, jumping around on their territories. He was almost blacklisted by the two major pirate groups.

But the vitality and self-healing ability of the guy in front of him are almost as good as his, a Mythical Zoan famous for self-healing. If he hadn't seen him moving freely in the sea several times, Marco would really doubt whether this guy ate some Zoan Devil Fruit secretly.

"Let's go. I believe you don't want to affect the residents of the island. Let's just find an uninhabited island and have a fight."

Atlas didn't bother to explain, skillfully signaling Marco to move out of the way, and walked straight out of the door of the tavern.

Stepping out of the tavern door, Atlas stretched a little. Then, a red light flashed in his eyes, and a powerful Observation haki spread from him!

"This kind of observation haki...!"

Marco's face changed slightly as the Marine's Haki in front of him quickly covered Ron Island. It spread unabated to the boundless sea, and Marco was almost unable to perceive the terrifying haki.

'Found it!'

A smile appeared on Atlas's lips as he stepped into a Geppo, walking in a direction devoid of any objects within his field of vision.

...

"Does this kind of haki...really exist?"

Marco observed the uninhabited island ahead, mentally measuring the distance to Ron Island. He couldn't shake off the unease that gripped him. This unprecedented range of perception left Marco feeling uneasy, a level of Haki he had never encountered before.

"Marco, stay focused. If you lose your concentration, today could be your final breath of fresh air!"

Observing Marco's distracted demeanor, Atlas felt compelled to offer a reminder. He had no interest in engaging an opponent who couldn't maintain focus.

"Stop talking nonsense, bastard Marine!"

Hearing the reminder, Marco forced himself to regain composure. He was well aware of the ruthless nature of the man before him. Despite Atlas's usual affable demeanor, failure today would likely result in a swift execution or imprisonment in Impel Down. Atlas's methods were just as brutal as Sakazuki's.

Fushichō no Tsume (Phoenix Claw)

As he spoke, Marco unfurled his wings, composed of vibrant blue flames, swiftly transitioning into his hybrid form. Utilizing the force of descending from a great height, he lunged at Atlas with a rapid and powerful kick.

"Left!"

Remaining remarkably composed, Atlas keenly tracked Marco's movements. Nearly simultaneously, he skillfully shifted his body, adeptly evading Marco's swift kick.

Future Vision

Surprised by Atlas's evasion, Marco abruptly halted his forward momentum. With a swift motion, he spread his wings and ascended to a higher vantage point, maintaining a considerable distance from Atlas before coming to a stop.

Marco, refusing to acknowledge any lapse on his part, stands firm. As the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, he has engaged in numerous battles against the Big Mom Pirates, frequently encountering opponents like Katakuri. Therefore, he possesses a deep understanding of Observation Haki and its predictive capabilities. Observing keenly, he discerns that Atlas initiated evasive maneuvers even before his own offensive commenced.

----------

Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari