276. The Strongest Man in the World was actually...

"Whitebeard, you oughta understand you can't escape Marineford today!"

Atlas stayed calm, his justice cloak fluttering in the sea breeze.

"Gurararara! Just you, a kid? I'm—"

"Whitebeard!"

Whitebeard's left arm flexed, vibrating power focused on his massive fist.

All of a sudden, the sky flipped, the air cracked, and the sea water rushed in!

Buzz! !

Before reaching Atlas, the horrifying shockwave rippled through the transformed air like a mirror!

"Enchū Bakuen (Flame Pillar Explosion)!!"

Atlas shaped his hand like a gun, and a towering blaze erupted, defying his size. Its might matched Akainu's Dai Funka!

Rumble! !

A colossal roar echoed across the battlefield, and the flame pillars, charged with the force of a monstrous explosion, were swiftly pushed back, transforming into sparks scattered in the sky.

Yet, the Dragon Talisman's core explosive power endured. It created stacked layers of airwaves, spreading in all directions on the battlefield! !

"Gurararara! You sly kid, quite a bag of tricks you got there!"

Whitebeard erupted in laughter, crouched, and leaped, swiftly flipping the Murakumogiri in his hand. The air around him detonated suddenly, a fearsome wind roar resonating as it struck Atlas's head!

Boom! ! !

Stepping back, the clenched fist swiftly enveloped in black and red Haki, boldly delivering a punch with armament haki!

Vibrations and haki collided, their intense oscillations relentlessly squeezing the surrounding space. Concurrently, they swept over Atlas's body through the transformed air.

"Oh? You've honed your skills in armament haki, little brat!!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Whitebeard's eyes, yet the grip strength didn't waver. Instead, the vibration frequency accelerated, ceaselessly eroding Atlas's body.

"Tremor-Tremor Fruit...is quite something."

Confronting the persistent concussive force within his body, Atlas felt not surprise but delight.

He sensed his organs and bones rapidly breaking down, yet a multitude of green light clusters kept traversing, repairing them. This cycle persisted, enhancing the resilience and durability of his internal organs.

If the thunder and lightning bath could toughen his skin and connective tissues.

Then Whitebeard's concussive power is fortifying his internal organs! !

One internal and one external process complement each other! !

"You sly kid?!"

Whitebeard suddenly widened his eyes, gazing at the youngster before him. Despite evident struggle, the kid's breath was steadily rising.

"Fancy moves!!"

He abruptly released the Murakumogiri in his hand; the naginata flipped, and the hefty handle swung out, enveloped in haki.

Clang--! !

A fist shrouded in profound Haki struck him head-on, and despite Whitebeard's formidable power, he couldn't budge an inch.

whoosh! ! !

Wind and waves surged as two mighty forces clashed head-on. Atlas withstood the shock in his body and grinned.

"Fancy? It's plenty to take you down!"

Atlas abruptly lifted his head, offering a determined smile to Whitebeard. His arms swelled suddenly, and his divine power surged, relentlessly pushing Whitebeard back! !

Boom! Boom! Boom!

After retreating three steps, Whitebeard finally steadied himself. No trace of disdain remained in his gaze as he looked at Atlas.

This kid who dared to challenge him a few years ago.

Now... perhaps you truly possess this kind of strength!

At least, in a contest of sheer strength, he undeniably suffered a defeat.

"Buzz!!!"

"What?!"

"This guy actually pushed back dad!"

The clash between Whitebeard and Atlas drew almost everyone's gaze. Any development in this duel would capture the entire battlefield's attention.

For the spectacle unfolding before them.

The members of the Whitebeard Pirates found it particularly hard to accept. Their father is the strongest man in the world!

Even the Marine enemy facing him is the most formidable monster in Marine history for 800 years, but ultimately, he's only in his twenties.

Yet today, Atlas conveyed a message with his fists!

Monsters are made to shatter expectations! !

And he, Atlas, stands as a monster among monsters!

"This... is this the might of Mr. Atlas? Actually -"

"Forced Whitebeard back!!!"

Even the Marines observing this spectacle were left astounded.

What ensued was a mix of joy and exhilaration.

This is the strongest man in the world! !

"Gurarara! Quite the surprising kid! He managed this much, but it stops here!!"

Whitebeard's expression settled, and his entire being emanated an aura as profound as a fortress. The formidable aura was gradually building up.

.....

Impel Down, Eternal Hell.

Inside the director's office.

A towering elderly man donned Impel Down's distinctive black uniform. His beard and hair were entirely white, signifying a wealth of life experiences.

Facing him was Magellan, displaying a respectful demeanor.

As the imminent successor to the directorship, Magellan found himself obligated to be present for the old director's guidance sessions, except when it was time for essential breaks.

It could be seen as a form of legacy within Impel Down.

"After assuming the director role, you must enhance the surveillance of the prisons, particularly Eternal Hell. You are well aware of the caliber of criminals confined there."

"Each release will bring unprecedented chaos to the seas."

"Yes, Director, rest assured."

Magellan also nodded earnestly.

He wasn't a stranger to the sixth floor underground.

Many of the pirates detained there were only known through legends, and some Magellan himself hadn't laid eyes on. The director personally checked on them daily.

"By the way, how's the young fellow Hannyabal? He's a good lad, just has a few quirks."

"Him?"

Bringing up Hannyabal brought a smile to Magellan's lips.

He, Hannyabal, and Shiryu comprised the upcoming group of successors collectively groomed by Impel Down.

However, due to Shiryu's excessive bloodlust, the director aimed to refine his character, placing him under Hannyabal.

In terms of strength alone, Hannyabal was the weakest among the three.

"There seems to be some commotion in Freezing Hell. I instructed Hannyabal to investigate the situation first..."

Before he could finish speaking, Magellan's expression abruptly shifted, and he rose from his chair in a flurry of concern.

His gaze focused on the vivre card suspended on the wall, with only a small portion of paper remaining.

He recalled it vividly.

——That vivre card belonged to Hannyabal! !

"Oops, Director, something must be happening with Hannyabal!! His vivre card is burning!!"

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