The New World / A Cute Mochi Falls from the Sky

It was no joke. With Akainu's destructive power, if he fought without holding back, there was no telling how much manpower and money Marine Headquarters would have to spend on repairs. Atlas almost felt sorry for Sengoku.

And Atlas still had a hard time facing Akainu. It was not just the overwhelming gap in physical strength and Haki; the sheer damage of a Logia power was more than she could withstand.

Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit truly deserved its reputation as a top-tier Logia. His mastery of it was extraordinary. He had even thought to mimic a volcanic eruption to boost his explosive power!

"I acknowledge your strength. Very impressive, Kanos Atlas!"

At those words, Akainu eased up a little and gave Atlas his approval. He was not a man who smiled easily, but the satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable.

Atlas's strength and her methods of dealing with pirates both left him nothing to criticize. With a little more training, it was only a matter of time before she became the next monster Vice Admiral!

Morning, Marineford.

The red sun had just risen, and dappled sunlight drove away the thin mist. The sky was clear and cloudless, as unblemished as Atlas's state of mind.

Atlas walked out of the dormitory building. After returning to headquarters a few days earlier, she had moved back into her Recruit Camp dormitory. Smoker and the others had apparently gone out on a mission with Teacher Zephyr, though, so she had the room to herself for now.

Just as she had expected, Rosinante had applied for early graduation after she left. His strength was nowhere near the required standard. He had probably heard about Doflamingo's crimes and volunteered to Sengoku to go undercover.

The commissioning ceremony was held in the square before the headquarters building, opposite the crescent-shaped harbor.

This was arguably the heart of Marineford. The Paramount War would later take place here, and it was here that Sengoku and Garp had joined forces to capture the Golden Lion when he attacked Marine Headquarters several years earlier. He had then been thrown into Impel Down.

The Golden Lion was ruthless, even to himself. He had cut off his own legs, shackled with Seastone, to escape, shattering Impel Down's reputation as an inescapable prison!

Quite a crowd had gathered in the square, though most were there to watch. Marineford housed not only a large Marine garrison but also the families of many officers, who lived in the residential district behind headquarters. It was arguably the safest place in the world.

Atlas was not the only one receiving a rank today, of course. She did not know most of the others on the platform, so there was no need for greetings. She headed straight up.

Under countless eager gazes, Atlas passed through the crowd and stepped onto the platform.

Today, Atlas wore a pure white suit, with a coat bearing the word Justice draped over her shoulders and fluttering in the wind. Marine officers of her rank and above no longer had to wear a uniform; they could choose their own clothes to wear with the coat.

Atlas had gone to a tailor to have the suit made. It fit her perfectly, and whatever fabric it was made from felt entirely comfortable. You really did get what you paid for. Headquarters was reimbursing her anyway, so she had not hesitated to spend the money.

Atlas had waited on the platform for about three minutes when Sengoku and Akainu finally arrived, walking up one after the other.

Sengoku was naturally presiding over the ceremony. Akainu had only come along to watch.

The noisy square quieted at once. Countless eyes turned toward the platform, most of them settling on the young Atlas.

Atlas was not beautiful in the conventional sense. Her features were firm, with the hard edge of a soldier. What drew attention, though, was her age: she stood among the candidates for Commodore. At this ceremony, she was about to become a Commodore of Marine Headquarters!

Meanwhile, Sengoku took out a document and began reading the list of those receiving commissions.

"Pimentel! Passed the physical assessment! Passed the field assessment! Approved for graduation and commissioned as a Major!"

A tall, powerfully built man jogged forward from the end of the line to receive his commission from Sengoku.

"Perasa! Excellent physical assessment, good field performance! Approved for graduation and commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander!"

"Darius...!"

"Leo Gago!"

"Belding!"

To Atlas's surprise, the recipients included not only people from outside the training camp but also recruits from the previous class. She had happened to graduate alongside them.

The ceremony went smoothly. Most received the rank of Major or Lieutenant Commander, while a few battlefield veterans were commissioned as Colonels.

Then Sengoku turned toward Atlas. A faint smile appeared on his face as he read aloud.

"Kanos Atlas! Excellent physical assessment! Excellent field assessment! Approved for graduation and commissioned as a Commodore!"

Boom!

The announcement sent a shockwave through the crowd. Eyes fixed on Atlas. Even though everyone had expected it, hearing Sengoku say it himself was hard to believe.

Marine Headquarters' Recruit Camp was also known as the elite training camp, a cradle for future officers. But who had ever heard of someone graduating after two years and immediately being made a Commodore?

The New World

The harbor at Mary Geoise.

A warship flying the Marines' distinctive seagull flag lay at anchor. Unlike an ordinary Marine warship, it was slightly larger and carried considerably more cannons along its sides. Dark red stripes ran across the vessel, and its figurehead resembled a strange creature with a gaping maw. The whole ship looked ferocious and built for battle.

This was Akainu's custom-built flagship. Marine Headquarters generally paid for its Vice Admirals to have warships built to their specifications, like Garp's unmistakable Dog-Head Warship. Vice Admirals were senior officers, after all; they could hardly be expected to sail on standard-issue vessels.

On the broad deck, Atlas watched Mary Geoise slowly vanish from sight. She was still wearing her white suit and Justice coat. She had ordered several identical suits, so there was no reason to change.

There were only two routes to the New World. One was to have a ship coated at the Sabaody Archipelago, then pass through Fish-Man Island. But if bad luck put a giant Sea King in your path, the voyage could end right there.

As Marines, Atlas and the others crossed the Red Line by way of Mary Geoise. It was relatively safe, though they might run into those repulsive Celestial Dragons in their bubbles.

Whether they were lucky today or Akainu's sour face held no appeal for them, Atlas had yet to see any of those so-called world nobles.

"Well? Are you ready to set foot on the battlefield that is the New World?"

Akainu's voice came from beside Atlas.

Atlas glanced at him but did not answer. Readiness was not something she could prove with words. She would announce her arrival in the New World with her fists!

"Since Roger's execution, the Golden Lion has escaped Impel Down and disappeared. The New World now has only three dominant powers: the Whitebeard Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates. The Whitebeard Pirates are the strongest, followed by the Big Mom Pirates. Kaido of the Beasts only recently took over Wano Country, so his forces are relatively weaker."

"There's also a Pirate Alliance of four crews opposing them: the Yermak Pirates, the Kraus Pirates, the Blood Scythe Pirates, and the Francis Pirates."

"But that alliance will fall apart sooner or later. According to Marine intelligence, Kaido has been trying to recruit Francis. Francis hasn't accepted, at least not openly, but suspicion is already spreading within the alliance."

"Recruit him?"

Atlas frowned. Why would Kaido single out Francis from the four crews? Was his crew stronger than the other three?

"Heh. Kaido has a particular fondness for Zoan Devil Fruit users. Francis has the Bear-Bear Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Savage Bear Form. And the Drought position in the Beasts Pirates is still vacant," Akainu explained.

"What we Marines need to do now is keep harassing the three strongest crews. That will make the so-called alliance think Whitebeard and the others are tied down. If they go to war with Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido before their alliance breaks apart, the Marines can profit from it."

"But those pirates aren't fools, are they? They won't fight until both sides are ruined just so we can reap the rewards!"

Atlas was puzzled. The average person in this world might not be particularly bright, but pirates powerful enough to claim a place in the New World were not that stupid. Pirates like them were generally cunning and cruel.

"Don't worry. That's not your concern. The World Government will send people to support our operation."

Akainu offered no further explanation. An unreadable smile tugged at his lips.

Atlas said nothing more. She suspected he meant Cipher Pol, the World Government's agency. Those rats were made for infiltration, assassination, and sowing discord.

Somewhere in the New World, over an unnamed stretch of sea.

Black clouds churned overhead, and bolts of thunder struck from time to time.

High in the dark sky, an enormous azure dragon soared and twisted. It had a strange appearance: besides its two dragon horns, two more horns extended outward. Flames curled around its body, and its four claws rode the clouds as it climbed and vanished into the storm.

Lightning struck the huge dragon now and then, leaving only a few stark white marks. An almost human look of pleasure spread across its fearsome face.

As the dragon flew on, the black sky abruptly cleared. The blue expanse looked as spotless as a mirror, as though the clouds and thunder had been an illusion. Such was the Grand Line's unpredictable weather!

Suddenly, the dragon's eyes lit up. A floating island appeared in the distance, and it hurried toward it on the clouds. There were many Sky Islands in this world. Even the legendary Golden Country on Yaka Island had become one only after a peculiar current had hurled it into the White Sea.

After landing, the dragon's immense body rapidly shrank into an exceptionally burly man. Black hair fell to his shoulders, a pair of long horns rose from his head, and his mustache resembled dragon whiskers.

His upper body was bare, with a dragon-scale tattoo on his left arm and an X-shaped scar on the right side of his abdomen. A purple shirt hung at his waist, with two gold chains attached to its hem. He wore baggy dark green trousers and a purple fur cloak, and held a spiked club bristling with sharp studs!

It was Kaido, governor-general of the Beasts Pirates!

"Hahahaha! What a... great place to kill myself!"

In human form, Kaido dropped onto the small Sky Island. He pulled a huge wine gourd marked with the character for "Heaven" from his waist and sat there, drinking in great gulps.

Before long, Kaido stared blankly into the dark mouth of the empty gourd. A deep flush spread across his fearsome face.

"Burp~"

Kaido gave a satisfied belch, hauled himself unsteadily to his feet, and walked to the island's edge. He peered down, his eyes unfocused.

"Burp~ Just the right height. Hahahaha..."

A Cute Kaido Fell from the Sky

The seas of the New World.

A huge Marine warship sailed slowly across the water. On deck, Atlas was asking Sakazuki for pointers on Armament Haki Emission. She had grown quite proficient at hardening and coating, and it was time to consider the next stage of her training.

They were heading for the Marines' G-5 base in the New World, their bridgehead in that sea.

Suddenly, Atlas and Akainu stopped talking and looked up at the clear sky. Their Observation Haki sent frantic warnings through their minds!

A black speck appeared overhead. It grew larger and larger, resolving into a person—and that person was falling straight toward the warship!

"All hands, prepare for combat! Helmsman, steer us clear! Damn it!"

Akainu was startled and furious. He had recognized the falling figure as Kaido of the Beasts. He had heard the man liked attempting suicide and subjecting himself to punishment, but he had not expected to run into him like this.

Atlas narrowed her eyes at the approaching Kaido. What a coincidence. She had already encountered the pirate governor-general who, a decade or so later, would be known as the Strongest Creature on land, sea, and air.

Atlas suspected Kaido's obsession with trying to kill himself was a way of developing his Devil Fruit. Zoan Devil Fruits were arguably the easiest to develop: their users simply had to get hurt and heal, over and over. With his tough hide and powerful Mythical Zoan Fruit, Kaido could keep throwing himself into danger.

"Meteor Volcano!"

Akainu did not wait for the impact. He activated his Magma-Magma Fruit, produced a barrage of molten fists, and launched them with the force of volcanic eruptions!

"One Sword Style: Tower Climb: Star Shatter!"

Atlas swiftly coated her weapon with Armament Haki and swung Sandai Kitetsu. Blood-red slashes spread toward Kaido like an enormous fishing net!

Bang! Boom! Hiss!

Countless magma fists struck Kaido and exploded. The molten rock then arced into the sea, sending thick white steam billowing across the surrounding waters!

The two attacks knocked Kaido's massive body off course, away from the warship. Through her Observation Haki, Atlas sensed only a few burns and a dense scattering of white marks on his skin. Her attack had barely scratched him!

The burning pain jolted the drunken Kaido awake. He twisted in midair and transformed into a gigantic azure dragon. Wisps of Cloud-Mist gathered beneath his four claws, holding him aloft.

His huge, fearsome dragon head swayed from side to side. He still seemed groggy, but when he recognized Akainu aboard the warship, he started and then laughed to himself.

"Marines? Akainu? Hehehehahaha!"

"Bolo Breath!"

Before Akainu could say a word, Kaido attacked first. A vast torrent of flame rushed toward the warship.

"Hmph!"

Akainu was annoyed. It was not concern for the soldiers aboard that held him back. As far as he was concerned, if it meant stopping Kaido here, the deaths of everyone on the ship—including himself—would be worth it.

But among the Marines' three monster Vice Admirals, Kuzan excelled at sea battles, Kizaru at aerial combat, and Akainu at fighting on land. Their Devil Fruit powers determined those advantages. This situation put Akainu at a disadvantage. Even with Geppo, he could not fight in the air for long; it consumed too much stamina.

"Vice Admiral Akainu! Let me handle this!"

Atlas stopped Akainu before he moved. Without another word, she took a textbook sword-drawing stance. The muscles in her arm flexed as immense force surged from her waist and abdomen into her arm.

One Sword Style: Martial God Arm: Dragon-Slaying!

A huge crescent-shaped slash met the searing breath head-on and split Kaido's attack down the middle. The flames that had been bearing down on the warship parted to either side of it! Waves of heat swept past everyone aboard before plunging into the sea, thickening the fog over the water.

"Atlas, take the ship and everyone aboard farther away! I'll deal with him!"

Akainu made his judgment in an instant. The soldiers would only be a burden if they remained here. He did not fear sacrifice, but he had no wish to waste their lives. He stepped into the air with Geppo and met Kaido's gaze with cold eyes.

"Yes, sir!"

Atlas answered loudly. Right now, following orders came first. There would be time to fight once she had gotten everyone on the warship to safety.

"Dog Biting Crimson Lotus!"

Akainu had nothing to say to a pirate. His arms turned to molten rock, magma poured from his body, and two enormous dog heads bared their fangs and lunged at Kaido!

Wind Scythes!

Kaido opened his mouth and spat out a barrage of wind blades. They sliced furiously into the molten dog heads, sending great masses of magma falling from the sky.

Razor!

This move combined Geppo and Shave, letting Akainu move through the air in a rapid, unbroken series of bursts. In an instant, he flashed in front of Kaido. Armament Haki covered his hand, its dark sheen flowing swiftly along his arm. Power built inside him like an erupting volcano, and his Haki-coated fist drove straight toward Kaido's right eye.

Kaido hurriedly shut that eye and coated his face with Armament Haki!

Bang!