243. Pull The Ship Over

"Captain! A Navy ship is heading our way!"

On a decently-sized pirate ship, an alert echoed from the lookout post perched atop the mast. The pirate flag, featuring two ivory tusks, fluttered boldly.

"Navy? What base does it hail from?"

A tall, mighty fellow with a blond ponytail lifted his gaze, hollering towards the watchtower with a rugged tone.

"Captain! This looks like the G-5 base patrol ship!"

"Attack and take them down!!"

The captain, a stern man with icy eyes, issued the command in a deep voice. It seemed like he wasn't afraid of a mere patrol boat.

You see, on typical Marine patrol vessels, the leaders aren't that strong. They're mostly second or third in command. 

As for Hakuryu? That name might only frighten small-time pirates!

"But..."

"The head honcho of G-5 base, Hakuryu, holds grudges and strikes back hard. If we sink their patrol boat, it's risky..."

The rest of the crew members hesitated.

They knew about the Candidate Admiral Hakuryu. If a pirate he set his sights on sought refuge in the territory of the Three Emperors, chances were they'd end up dead the very next day!

Hence, a saying circulated in the New World's seas: "Don't mess with Akainu! Don't mess with Hakuryu!!"

"What's there to fear!! Sinking them will be my gift for boss Kaido!!" The captain's expression turned fiercer.

His sole aim, ever since setting sail, is to join forces with Kaido of the Beasts, the emperor ruling the New World. Only a man of that stature is fit to be his boss!!

"Yes! Captain!!"

Witnessing the captain's unwavering determination, the gunner had no option but to comply.

Boom—! The jet-black shells shot out from the gun's muzzle, and the robust recoil nudged the entire ship backward slightly, tracing a flawless arc in the air.

The size of the cannonballs actually exceeds the capacity of this sailing ship slightly.

However, the man referred to as the captain insists on using such sizable cannonballs, describing it in a roundabout way: Only these cannonballs can truly get his blood pumping!!

Boom—!!

A muffled crash echoed. No flames or deafening explosions followed. The distant warship was suddenly veiled in a white cloud of smoke. The initially massive shell was engulfed in an instant without making a sound, almost as if it had been swallowed by an unseen giant mouth. Swallowed, chewed—it all appeared rather eerie.

The captain squinted his eyes, observing the swirling smoke in the distance. He cast a sidelong glance and let out a chilly snort.

"Bring the boat closer!"

"Captain, the enemy might be White Hunter Smoker from G-5 base, a Logia-type user with Smoke-Smoke Fruit powers!"

"Who do you think I am?! Move the boat closer!" The man suddenly widened his eyes, emanating a cold aura as he issued the order in a frigid tone.

Meanwhile, on a warship enveloped in smoke.

Smoker displayed a hint of surprise as he assessed the cannonball shrouded in smoke in his hand.

Surprisingly, there are still pirates audacious enough to launch an assault on G-5 base's warships. Quite unusual!

"What's the deal with these Mammoth Pirates?"

Smoker inquired of the lieutenant colonel beside him, giving the cannonball a shake.

"Supernova Jack, who ventured into the New World a year ago, possesses the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model: Mammoth, and the bounty..."

The lieutenant colonel glanced at Smoker, hesitated for a moment, then continued cautiously, "The bounty is 260 million!"

"Two hundred and sixty million? Are you certain this is a supernova?" Smoker's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed in surprise.

This bounty amount surpassed what he, a colonel, could deal with.

Furthermore, even for a supernova, this seemed excessive, didn't it?

"A year ago, his bounty was only 150 million. I heard there was quite a stir in Sabaody, prompting the World Government to substantially increase his bounty."

"Moreover, it appears his strength at that time already exceeded the indicated reward..."

"That's the situation..."

The present Sabaody Archipelago differs significantly from Atlas' time stationed there. While it hasn't plunged back into the immediate chaos of the past, it has regained at least seventy to eighty percent of its former tumult.

Unfortunately, the Marine's military setup doesn't permit a formidable individual to remain stationed in Sabaody for an extended period. Hence, the tactics employed by Atlas back then could only address the surface issues but not the underlying problem.

The real change will only happen when he departs.

Everything will then be upended.

"Dispatch an urgent call for reinforcements to the base!"

Smoker swiftly made the decision, relying on his Logia Devil Fruit and Observation Haki to buy some time against this formidable foe.

"Yes!"

....

In the New World, at G-5 base.

Atlas descended leisurely from the sky, still relishing the sensation in his hands as if he were savoring the moments just passed.

That guy Enel...

He had the idea of starting a dyeing workshop when he got his hands on some haki, but once he incorporated the Armament Haki, he sensed he could surpass him. It was truly amazing.

"Vice Admiral!"

The instant Atlas' feet touched the ground, Maynard quickly emerged from the base, his robust physique causing the earth to tremble.

"Hmm?!"

"Colonel Smoker encountered Jack the Mammoth!"

Before anyone could arrive, the message had already been relayed.

"Jack the Mammoth?"

Atlas pondered, wondering what this was all about. Why did he have no recollection of it?

One would assume that with Smoker's Logia ability and Observation Haki, he could likely secure a 50-50 chance of victory against anyone he encounters, right?

"It's the supernova who wielded the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model: Mammoth a year ago. Marshal Sengoku even reached out to you specifically, urging you to keep a closer eye on this pirate crew."

"But it appeared he intentionally steered clear of our jurisdictional waters back then, and now, for some unknown reason, he's resurfaced and even launched an aggressive assault on Smoker's patrol warship."

"Wait, what was the name you just mentioned?"

Atlas felt a bit intrigued. Sengoku hadn't provided him with much detail about the Mammoth Pirates back then, so he hadn't paid much attention at the time.

"Jack! Jack the Mammoth!"

Jack the Ship King, perhaps? (T/N: His nickname in chinese fanfiction, regarding his visit to punk hazard with all those admirals present)

Atlas was taken aback. It appeared this guy had always been audacious. With his current reputation in the New World, he dared to actively provoke him.

He's probably just 17 years old!!

Darn it, it looks like this guy is indeed a genius!

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