Watching Roger's Execution at the Start

Of the four Candidate Admirals, Atlas was the only one who had risen to her position too recently to properly train the troops under her command.

Compared with the other veteran Vice Admirals, the marines in Akainu's fleet had the strictest discipline. They obeyed every order without hesitation.

Their fighting style was just like Akainu himself: hard and uncompromising!

Akainu stood at the bow, the salty sea breeze brushing his face and his coat of justice snapping behind him. He stared grimly in the direction the warship was heading, a murderous aura surrounding him.

"Big Mom..."

He rolled the name over his tongue, his voice cold.

One of the pirate emperors who ruled the New World, she commanded one of the three mightiest forces among all pirates. She was also one of the greatest obstacles to the marines' campaign to sweep through the New World.

Atlas, meanwhile, was the most monstrous young talent the marines had ever produced—a genius who might even surpass them.

More than that, Akainu approved of how she conducted herself. He admired her, even.

If they could capture Big Mom together this time, they might even be able to force the Five Elders to add another Admiral position!

Elsewhere...

The sun and moon traded places. Stars appeared and faded.

Atlas had been fighting Big Mom for four days, and they had clashed hundreds of times.

Countless bolts of lightning and tongues of flame churned through the sky. Explosions rang out without pause as the world seemed to turn upside down and seawater surged skyward.

Both could fly, which kept the strain on their stamina to a minimum.

Their fighting strength remained at its peak, and neither bore more than a few wounds.

It couldn't be helped.

One had extraordinary defenses; the other possessed terrifying powers