59. The End

Grand Line, G-8 Fortress Training Room.

The training room, enclosed by iron sheets, stood vacant. Inside, specialized training equipment was the sole occupant. A young man relentlessly battered the massive steel using his body—employing fists, elbows, knees, and back to the fullest. This formidable individual is none other than Atlas!

The steel boulder bears witness to Atlas's tireless endeavors, marked with irregular cracks and fist impressions, narrating the tale of his intense training. Standing at an impressive height of 2.8 meters, Atlas, now 19 years old, exhibits a resolute countenance distinct from the handsomeness of his youth. His facial features and lines are as sharp and defined as a chisel, reflecting the dedication etched into his face.

The extended period of time spent at sea has transformed Atlas's complexion from the fair tones of his youth to a bronze hue. His once soft skin now bears the weathering of his maritime experiences. Sharp eyes and slightly raised eyebrows lend him an air of cold determination. Contrary to the Marine military cap, his head is adorned with fresh and neatly styled short hair, imparting an overall sunny and uplifting aura to his presence.

Complementing his appearance, Atlas's muscular physique is not overly bulky. Instead, it exudes a finely balanced strength and aesthetic appeal. His robust deltoid muscles resemble armor, while his expansive back muscles contribute to a somewhat slender waist, forming a perfect inverted triangle when viewed from behind. The coordination between his upper and lower body muscles is remarkable. The body, characterized by extremely low body fat, reveals muscle fibers akin to steel bars. Every muscle proudly exhibits potent explosive power!

boom!

Unexpectedly, the steel, tormented by Atlas's relentless efforts, suddenly cracked on the spot. Atlas appeared to have grasped something, though the sensation was faint. In reality, breaking the steel with Atlas's strength was not a challenge; the difficulty lay in achieving the rupture right on the spot. This particular type of training has been Atlas's ongoing pursuit. He believes it enhances the strength of his fists, imparting them with greater penetrating power, though he acknowledges that there's room for further strengthening.

"Captain Atlas! Vice Admiral Jonathan has something to do with you!"

In this moment, a Marine soldier abruptly entered the training room to deliver Jonathan's orders to Atlas. Observing the shattered steel on the floor, the Marine couldn't help but express admiration. Atlas had ascended to the status of a legendary Marine within G-8 Fortress.

In a mere three months, Atlas achieved remarkable feats. Initially, he obliterated the Ekrum Pirates upon their return from the New World. Following that, he engaged in combat with the formidable pirate, Shichibukai Crocodile, successfully apprehending him. Subsequently, he assumed the responsibility of guarding the Grand Line through G-8 Fortress. As a result, this route became an arduous obstacle for aspiring pirates, with very few managing to navigate it smoothly. For many, it transformed into a perilous journey and, in essence, a deathtrap. 

"Alright, I'll be there shortly," Atlas nodded in acknowledgment. He noticed the almost overflowing admiration from the Marine, but such reactions had become second nature to him. Over the past three months, his routine had been consumed by relentless practice and an unyielding commitment to tasks. Almost without a break, his days were filled with missions, either actively engaged or en route to another assignment.

Regardless of whether they were seasoned pirates or newcomers passing through, most found themselves at the mercy of Atlas, with many meeting their end at his hands. Even the captain of the Supernova, a pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million, was captured by him. Consequently, the number of pirates daring to traverse this route into the Grand Line has dwindled significantly. Among those who do, Atlas is now dubbed Captain 'Devil' by the pirates who tremble at the very thought of him.

...

Jonathan's office.

Atlas swung the office door open without hesitation. Over the past three months, his routine involved frequent encounters with Jonathan to assume various tasks. The familiarity between the two had reached a point where Atlas didn't bother with polite knocks; he simply entered. Fortunately, Jonathan maintained a good-natured temperament and wasn't bothered by such minor formalities.

"Vice Admiral Jonathan! What do you want from me? Do you have a new mission?"

As Atlas walked in, he found Jonathan once again engrossed in tinkering with his fishing rod. Atlas couldn't help but ask, somewhat bemusedly, "What's going on?"

"Atlas, you're here. Your trial period is complete. In two days, the headquarters' ships are scheduled to arrive at G-8 Fortress. You should return to headquarters with them," Jonathan explained.

"Warship from headquarters? Picking me up?" Atlas was puzzled. He couldn't fathom reaching a level warranting a special visit from the headquarters. Could it be that old man Sengoku's conscience kicked in?

"Hahahaha, don't get me wrong, it didn't come here specifically to pick you up," Jonathan chuckled, seeing Atlas's puzzled expression.

"It's that Crocodile guy. Headquarters decided to detain him till he reaches Impel Down. We couldn't spare the manpower to come here for the handover. Recently, a Rear Admiral happened to be stationed at headquarters, so we were specially dispatched to pick up Crocodile," Jonathan explained.

Atlas looked somewhat resigned, realizing he was simply caught up in the situation. However, he couldn't help but feel a bit surprised that Crocodile was still being held in G-8 Fortress, serving a life sentence. He had been preoccupied with capturing pirates during this period and hadn't had the time to keep tabs on Crocodile's situation.

Indeed, Atlas understood the headquarters' decision. Handling a pirate of Crocodile's caliber required more than just an average guard. Someone too weak would be unqualified for the task. Atlas felt a mix of concern and curiosity about the impending arrival of the Rear Admiral.

"I wonder who the Rear Admiral is? Vice Admiral Jonathan ."

Atlas had never been one to conceal his thoughts, so he didn't bother hiding his curiosity and straightforwardly asked Jonathan about it.

"Well, its.....hahahaha, its a secret."

For Jonathan, Atlas's view are very good, but the only aspect that earned him some criticism was Jonathan's penchant for storytelling and riddles, often leaving Atlas a bit bewildered.

"Ah, forget it. We'll find out in a few days anyway," Atlas remarked dismissively, a hint of disdain on his lips. The identity of the Rear Admiral didn't bother him much. At least there would be a ship, sparing him the need to wander around alone.

"Anything else? If not, I'll head out," Atlas said, gesturing towards the door.

"Hey! Don't leave just yet!" Jonathan hastily interjected as he noticed Atlas preparing to leave.

"Well, a friend of mine asked me to find out which base you'd prefer to go to after graduation," Jonathan explained.

"Well, I haven't really thought about it yet. It all depends on how Admiral Sengoku arranges it!" Atlas replied sincerely. It wasn't just a perfunctory statement; he genuinely hadn't considered which base to choose. Naturally, his inclination was towards a base in the New World, as the Paradise side seemed too tame for his capabilities.

Currently, Atlas recognized that he could only enhance his strength by consistently engaging in battles against formidable opponents. He had already activated twelve talismans: the horse talisman, the ox talisman, and the rabbit talisman. In truth, considering his current physical condition, he could activate more talismans, but he understood the wisdom of not biting off more than he could chew. Atlas decided to wait until he fully absorbed the benefits of the rabbit talisman before lighting up the next one.

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