Backstabbing Sengoku

With that thought in mind, Atlas slowly controlled his body to float up from the sea and fly towards the shore of Raijin Island.

Soon, a clear coastline came into view.

At the same time, a uniquely shaped small boat was slowly lowered onto the sea.

The hull is entirely black, not like it was painted on by someone, but more like the charred remains of a ship struck by lightning. The material is not very sturdy and obviously cannot withstand long voyages.

The boat has a small volume of cargo space, just like an ordinary fishing boat.

Wait until the small boat is completely flush with the sea surface.

Several men in green jumped onto the small boat, took out oars, and rowed vigorously toward Atlas.

Soon, the small boat approached.

A group of people in green robes looked up at Atlas was floating in mid-air.

"Sir, are you planning to land on the island? Then you can't be without Lightning-Repelling Umbrella!"

The green-robed leader forced a stiff smile onto his pale face, raised his long green umbrella, and, in a hoarse voice, began to hawk his wares to Atlas.

Thunder roared, Lightning Flash flashed, and a white, silvery light shone on the face of the leader.

His face was covered in wrinkles, seemingly due to years of lack of sun exposure; his skin was exceptionally pale; beneath his sharp, hooked nose were loose, broken, and yellowed teeth; and his mouth, which stretched almost to his ears, looked particularly eerie, giving one goosebumps.

Do you... need an umbrella?

Seeing that Atlas did not answer, the green-robed elder at the head of the group asked again.

"Your umbrellas... can protect against lightning?"

Although the lightning on the island is just ordinary natural lightning, it does not possess any special abilities.

But with such dense thunderstorms, let alone an umbrella.

Even if you carry a house up there, you'll still get chopped down!

According to Atlas's speculation.

The formation of Raijin Island is likely due to a Devil Fruit User the Rumble-Rumble Fruit- Awakening Fruit awakening its power long ago, then battling an enemy and completely altering the island's climate.

Just like the later battle between Akainu and Kuzan for the position of Fleet Admiral, ten days and ten nights transformed the island, which served as the battlefield, into a harsh climate with half ice and half fire!

The Awakening each of the three Devil Fruit abilities has its own unique characteristics.

Awakening Zoan abilities greatly enhances physical strength and healing abilities; Paramecia allow the user to assimilate and utilize surrounding matter; and Logia can permanently alter the geographical environment, essentially causing natural disasters!

"That's right, the umbrella in my hand can help you enter this island safely."

"And you."

"Only a small price needs to be paid."

As the old man in the green robe spoke, he gestured with his thumb and forefinger to indicate the size.

"Oh? Then..."

"Could you please explain the working principle of this umbrella for lightning protection? It's mainly to satisfy my personal curiosity. If it's not convenient, then never mind."

"Hehe..."

The old man in the green robe smiled without fading. He raised the umbrella in his hand and explained unhurriedly, "There's nothing inconvenient about saying this. Almost everyone who comes to this island asks this question before buying an umbrella."

"The climate on this island has been like this as long as I can remember. My family has lived here for generations, although almost nothing grows on the island because of the frequent thunderstorms."

"However, there is always a glimmer of hope. One plant has survived tenaciously and possesses remarkable reproductive capabilities."

"Moreover, perhaps due to its living environment, the things produced by this plant can avoid Thunderbolt; lightning is completely blocked from entering, just like rain."

"Therefore, without the umbrella I have, made from a special plant, you will not be able to set foot on this island."

The old man in the green robe gently stroked the umbrella in his hand, his face full of confidence.

"But if you reveal this secret so easily, wouldn't those Pirates just steal the umbrella from your hand?"

Atlas descended slowly and asked in confusion.

"There's a major thunderstorm on the island every seven days. This umbrella I have won't be enough to withstand it. Only we know the solution, and it will take at least ten days for the pointer to fully charge its magnetic field."

"Unless those Pirates are willing to stop here, otherwise..."

"Hmph--!!!"

Chapter 225 Backstabbing the Sengoku

"So, sir, do you need to go to the island?"

The old man in the green robe closed his open umbrella, his smile growing increasingly eerie.

"Of course we need it, why wouldn't we?"

Atlas specifically brought this Eternal Pose here; he'd been craving the lightning tempering technique for a long time.

Most people wouldn't dare try such a near-suicidal method.

However, possessing the self-healing ability of the Horse Talisman, which is at the law level, he can naturally enhance his physical strength without any worries.

At his current level, if he wants to continue improving, conventional training methods will only become slower and slower until they become ineffective. Ultimately, like other powerful figures in the Pirates world, he will rely on the accumulation of time to slowly improve.

Another method is to fight against strong opponents, which is the most effective way to improve Haki and physique.

But nowadays, the only ones who can truly challenge him are the few Emperor of the Sea of the New World.

However, Whitebeard and his crew weren't fools; they weren't going to obediently come out and spar with him.

What?

You mean go and harass them on their turf?

Even if he had only been challenging them on the outskirts, once he ventured deep into enemy territory, he would have likely lost half his life, even if he managed to escape.

Besides, he was just a minor Rear Admiral back then, so losing face was no big deal for him.

If a dignified Navy Candidate Admiral, the face of the Navy, were to go to the territory of the Three Emperors and curse them.

It's estimated that a single Impact from the Sengoku period would have sent him to his death!

"Then you--?"

Upon hearing this, the old man in green rubbed his hands together and handed the umbrella to Atlas.

"But I don't need an umbrella!"

Atlas uttered these words and bypassed the green-robed men, flying straight towards Raijin Island under the old man's puzzled gaze!

Boom--!!

A thunderstorm swept across the land, and a thick bolt of Thunderbolt instantly engulfed Atlas's figure!

After a long while, the lightning bolt dissipated.

A scene that shocked the old man in green robes appeared!

Atlas continued deeper into the island unscathed, eventually disappearing from her sight!

"This guy--!?"

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Wearing a black fisherman's hat, Kizaru leaned back behind his desk, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips, his expression languid.

On the white wall behind them hung a square plaque that read 'Ambiguous Justice'!

"The ship of Vice Admiral Borsalino and Rear Admiral Kanar..."

"It's been breached!!"

Opposite Kizaru was a Marine who had come to report.

Wearing a cloak of Justice, her hair was piled high, almost reaching the ceiling, with a small white navy cap on top of it—her hair volume was simply enviable.

"..."

Kizaru didn't say anything, but shifted to a more comfortable position and continued to lean back.

"Oh, why force it? All I had to do was ask him to report the location."

He is very distressed right now.

Sengoku had already given him the answer: if he successfully captured Fisher Tiger this time, Sengoku would be promoted to Fleet Admiral, and he could be promoted to Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, shedding the title of "candidate".

After all, as long as the Sengoku period didn't see him promoted to Fleet Admiral, the four of them remained Candidate Admiral.

Just like Zhao Kuangyin, who donned the yellow robe, his subordinates probably wanted him to ascend the throne even more than he did, because only in this way would they have the opportunity to be promoted and given higher ranks.

Otherwise, if the boss is a general, his subordinates can't all become generals, can they?

But...

Kizaru clearly didn't want to move. He was having a great time, drinking tea and slacking off all day, earning his daily wage in no time.

Even as Admiral, I'd still have to listen to those troublesome Celestial Dragons; it's never been as comfortable as it is now.

Otherwise, if he had known about Fisher Tiger's gang long ago, he wouldn't still have failed to arrest Fisher Tiger.

"It's said that as soon as they came into view, they were surrounded by the sea in the blink of an eye..."

The navy officer, whose hair was remarkably thick, offered his explanation.

As a naval officer, obeying orders from superiors is a basic requirement. He had a good relationship with Rear Admiral Kadal, so it was impossible for him not to speak up for him at this time.

"Oh~ how terrifying~~ no wonder they're Fish-Man who thrive in the sea~~~"

Kizaru pouted, slowly exhaling a puff of white smoke. After a long silence, he finally asked, "Are there any new Fish-Man joining the Sun Pirates?"

"Aside from Arlong's Crew seem to be Pirates near Fish-Man Island, it's difficult to assess their fighting abilities at sea."

"In addition—there's Jinbe Whale Shark Fish-Man, who was discovered and wanted three years ago."

"There have been no new hires recently!"

Although he was puzzled by Vice Admiral Kizaru's actions, the intelligent man did not raise any questions.

They had discovered the Sun Pirates' whereabouts three years ago, but Vice Admiral Kizaru only ever ordered them to monitor their movements, occasionally taking some insignificant measures.

On the other side.

The Grand Line, on a certain island.

The Sun Pirates, who had just defeated the harassing Marines, were taking a short rest here, facing the island's native inhabitants.

There were not many people, and each of them wore bird feathers as headdresses. Their clothing was mainly gray-white robes, and they did not seem to have no contact with the outside world.

This is the most amazing thing about this world: despite such a fragmented geographical environment, there is no language barrier whatsoever; the only differences lie in customs and culture.

"Could you do me a favor?"

Suddenly, the leader of the natives appeared next to Fisher Tiger and his group, who were sitting on the ground, with a dirty little girl.

The Sun Pirates have been dedicated to combating human trafficking for years, and countless people have benefited from their kindness, including the natives of this island.

Otherwise, given Fisher Tiger's current reputation as promoted by the World Government, they would be lucky if they didn't avoid him; they wouldn't even have the courage to approach Fisher Tiger and start a conversation.

"Hmm? What's up?"

Fisher Tiger was slightly surprised, then asked softly.

"This child..."

"You were the one who escaped from Mary Geoise three years ago when the slaves were freed."

"However, the child's parents' hometown is too far away from here, and with our limited navigational technology, it is simply impossible to bring her back."

The indigenous chief pointed to the somewhat dazed-looking girl beside him and shook his head with a wry smile.

A year ago, they pulled the girl from the sea, and she was lucky enough to survive.

However, the Celestial Dragon's Hoof on the girl's back reminded them...

She was a slave who escaped from Mary Geoise!

However, being kind-hearted, they still took the girl in, but that was all.

Now that they've encountered Fisher Tiger and his gang, they can safely hand the little girl over to them.