Watching Roger's Execution at the Start

What a joke. If Akainu fought at full strength with that kind of destructive power, there was no telling how much manpower and money Marine Headquarters would have to spend on repairs. Atlas almost felt sorry for Sengoku.

And Akainu was genuinely difficult for Atlas to face right now. It was not just the overwhelming gap in physical strength and Haki; Atlas had no way to withstand the devastating power of a Logia, either.

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 amplify his explosive power!

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

Hearing that, Akainu held back 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 the way he dealt with pirates left Akainu with nothing to criticize. With a little more training, it was only a matter of time before he became another monster Vice Admiral!

Morning came to Marineford.

The red sun rose, and dappled sunlight drove away the thin mist. The sky was clear and cloudless, much like Atlas's state of mind.

Atlas walked out of the dormitory building. After returning to headquarters a few days earlier, he had gone back to his room in the Recruit Camp. Smoker and the others were probably out on a mission with Zephyr, though, so he had the room to himself for now.

And just as he had expected, Rosinante had applied to graduate early after Atlas left. His strength was nowhere near the required standard. He had probably heard about Doflamingo's crimes and volunteered to go undercover, taking the request to Sengoku himself.

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

This was the heart of Marineford. The Paramount War would take place here, and a few years earlier, Sengoku and Garp had joined forces here to capture Golden Lion after he attacked Marine Headquarters. They had then sent him to Impel Down.

Golden Lion had been ruthless enough to cut off both legs shackled in Seastone to escape, shattering Impel Down's reputation as an inescapable prison!

Quite a few people had already gathered in the square, though most were there to watch. Marineford housed not only a vast number of Marines but also many officers' families in a residential district behind headquarters. It could be called the safest place in the world.

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

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

He wore a pure white suit, with a cloak of justice billowing behind him. Marine officers at the rank of major and above no longer had to wear uniforms; they could choose their own clothes to pair with the cloak.

Atlas had gone to a tailor for the suit. It fit him perfectly, and whatever fabric it was made from, he felt not the slightest discomfort. You really did get what you paid for. Headquarters was reimbursing him anyway, so he had not hesitated over the price.

Atlas waited on the platform for about three minutes before Sengoku and Akainu arrived, one behind the other.

Sengoku was presiding over the ceremony. Akainu had simply 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 handsome in the usual sense. His face was stern, with the hard edge of a soldier. What drew attention was his age: he stood among those about to become Commodores. At this ceremony, Atlas would receive the honorable rank of Marine Headquarters Commodore!

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

"Pimentel! Physical fitness test passed! Practical assessment passed! Approved for graduation! Commissioned as major!"

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

"Perasa! Excellent physical fitness evaluation! Good practical assessment! Approved for graduation! Commissioned as lieutenant colonel!"

"Darius...!"

"Leo Gago!"

"Belding!"

To Atlas's surprise, the recipients included not only people from outside the Recruit Camp but also recruits from its previous intake. He had graduated just in time to join them.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly. Most received the rank of major or lieutenant colonel, while a small number of battlefield veterans became colonels.

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

"Kanos Atlas! Excellent physical fitness evaluation! Excellent practical assessment! Approved for graduation! Commissioned as Commodore!"

Boom!

The announcement sent a wave through the crowd. Eyes fixed on Atlas. They had known it was coming, yet hearing Sengoku announce it still seemed unbelievable.

Marine Headquarters' Recruit Camp was also called the elite training camp, the cradle of Marine officers. But no one had ever said a recruit could graduate after two years and be made a Commodore!

New World ### At the port of Mary Geoise.

A warship flying the Marines' distinctive seagull flag lay at anchor. It differed from a standard Marine vessel: it was slightly larger, carried considerably more cannons along its sides, and bore dark red stripes. Its figurehead resembled a strange creature with a gaping maw. The whole ship had a fierce, menacing air.

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 distinctive Dog-Head Warship. Vice Admirals were senior officers, after all; they could hardly be expected to sail on ordinary standard-issue vessels.

On the broad deck, Atlas watched Mary Geoise slowly disappear from view. He still wore his white suit and cloak of justice. He had ordered several identical suits, so there was no need to change his style of dress.

There were only two routes to the New World. One was to have the ship coated at the Sabaody Archipelago, then pass through Fish-Man Island. But one unlucky encounter with a giant Sea King, and the voyage would end there.

As Marines, Atlas and the others had naturally crossed the Red Line through Mary Geoise before sailing on toward the New World. This route was relatively safe, though they might run into those disgusting bubble-wearing fools.

Whether it was luck or Akainu's scowl putting them off, Atlas had not seen any of the so-called Celestial Dragons today.

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

Akainu's voice came from beside him.

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

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

"Four other crews have formed a Pirate Alliance to stand against them: the Yermak Pirates, the Kraus Pirates, the Blood Scythe Pirates, and the Francis Pirates."

"But that alliance will break sooner or later. According to Marine intelligence, Kaido has been trying to recruit Francis. Francis hasn't agreed, at least not openly, but suspicion has already taken root within the alliance."

"Recruit him?"

Atlas frowned. Why had Kaido singled 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 ate the Ancient Zoan Bear-Bear Fruit, Savage Bear Form. The Drought position in the Beasts Pirates is still vacant," Akainu explained.

"What we Marines need to do is keep harassing the three strongest crews. That'll make the so-called Pirate Alliance think Whitebeard and the others are tied down. If the alliance goes to war with Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido before it falls apart, the Marines can profit from the fighting."

"But those pirates aren't fools. They won't wear each other down just so the Marines can pick up the spoils!"

Atlas was puzzled. The average person in the pirate world might not be particularly clever, but the great pirates who had carved out territory in the New World could not be that stupid. Pirates that powerful tended to be cunning and brutal.

"Don't worry about that. The World Government will send people to support our operation."

Akainu offered no further explanation. A cryptic smile touched his lips.

Atlas said no more. He suspected Cipher Pol, the World Government's agency, would be involved. Those rats were best suited to infiltration, assassination, and turning allies against one another.

Somewhere in the New World.

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

High in the dark sky, an enormous azure dragon twisted and soared. It was a strange sight: besides its two dragon horns, another pair of horns extended outward from its head. Flames coiled around its body, and its four claws gripped the clouds as it climbed into the storm.

Lightning struck the dragon now and then, leaving only deep white marks on its body. An almost human look of pleasure crossed its fierce face.

As the dragon flew on, the dark sky suddenly cleared. The blue expanse was spotless as a mirror, as though the clouds and thunder moments earlier had been an illusion. Such was the unpredictable weather of the Grand Line!

Then the dragon's eyes lit up. A floating island had appeared in the distance, and it rose through the clouds toward it. There were many Sky Islands in the pirate world. Legend held that Yaka Island, the Golden Country, had become one after a strange current hurled it into the White Sea.

After landing, the dragon's massive body rapidly shrank into that of an exceptionally burly man. Black hair fell to his shoulders. He had a pair of long horns and whiskers like a dragon's.

His upper body was bare. A dragon-scale tattoo covered his left arm, and an X-shaped scar marked the right side of his abdomen. A purple jacket hung at his waist, with two gold chains dangling from its hem. He wore loose dark green trousers and a purple fur cloak, and held a spiked club in one hand!

He was the commander of the Beasts Pirates—Kaido!

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

Kaido dropped onto the small Sky Island and pulled a huge gourd marked with the character for "heaven" from his waist. Sitting where he was, he began gulping down its contents.

Before long, Kaido stared blankly into the dark mouth of the gourd. A stubborn flush spread across his fierce face.

"Burp~"

Kaido belched contentedly and hauled his swaying body to its feet. He walked to the island's edge and peered down, his eyes unfocused.

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

A Certain Kaido Falls from the Sky ### In the waters of the New World.

A huge Marine warship sailed slowly across the sea. On board, Atlas was asking Sakazuki how to project Armament Haki. He was already proficient at hardening and coating, so it was time to consider the next stage of his training.

They were heading for G-5, the Marines' base in the New World and their foothold in the region.

Suddenly, Atlas and Akainu both looked up from their conversation. Their Observation Haki screamed warnings as they stared into the clear sky!

A black dot appeared overhead. It grew larger and larger, taking the shape of a person. And that person was falling straight toward... the warship!

"All hands, prepare for battle! Helmsman, steer the warship clear! Damn it!"

Akainu was startled and furious. He recognized the falling figure: Kaido of the Beasts. He had heard Kaido liked to attempt suicide and seek out punishment. He had never imagined they would run into him like this.

Atlas narrowed his eyes as Kaido drew closer. What a coincidence. He had already encountered the pirate commander who, more than a decade later, would be known as the Strongest Creature on land, at sea, and in the air.

Atlas suspected Kaido's obsession with trying to kill himself was a way to develop his Devil Fruit powers. Zoan Devil Fruits were arguably the easiest of the three types to train: the user only had to keep getting hurt and healing. With his tough body and powerful Mythical Zoan Fruit, Kaido could survive one reckless stunt after another.

Meteor Volcano!

Akainu had no intention of waiting to be hit. He activated his Magma-Magma Fruit, rapidly producing a barrage of molten fists and launching them with the force of a volcanic eruption!

One Sword Style: Tower Climb: Star Shatter!

Atlas swiftly coated Sandai Kitetsu in Armament Haki and slashed. Blood-red arcs flew toward Kaido like a vast fishing net!

Bang! Boom! Hiss!

Countless fists of magma struck Kaido and burst apart. Molten fragments arced into the sea, sending thick white mist billowing across the surrounding waters!

The two attacks knocked Kaido's massive body off course, away from the warship. Atlas's Observation Haki told him they had left only minor burns and dense white marks on Kaido's skin. His own strike had done little more than tickle him!

The burning pain jolted the still-drunk Kaido awake. He flipped in midair and immediately transformed into a huge azure dragon. Clouds gathered beneath his four claws and held him aloft.

His enormous, fierce head swayed from side to side. He did not seem fully sober yet. Once he recognized Akainu aboard the warship, he looked startled, then burst out laughing to himself.

"Marines? Akainu? Heh, hahahaha!"

Bolo Breath!

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

"Hmph!"

Akainu was irritated. It was not concern for the soldiers aboard that held him back. If he could bring Kaido down here, the deaths of everyone on the ship would be worth it in his eyes—including his own.

But of the three monster Vice Admirals, Kuzan excelled at fighting at sea, Kizaru in the air, and Akainu 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 a tremendous amount of stamina.

"Vice Admiral Akainu! Let me handle this!"

Atlas spoke up before Akainu could act. He took a textbook sword-drawing stance, his arm muscles swelling as power surged from his waist and abdomen into his arms.

One Sword Style: War God Arm: Dragon Slayer!

A huge crescent slash met the scorching breath head-on and split Kaido's attack down the middle. The fire that had been bearing down on the warship parted to either side of it! Waves of heat swept past those on board before plunging into the sea, thickening the mist across the water.

"Atlas, take the others aboard the warship farther away! I'll deal with him!"

Akainu made his decision at once. The soldiers would only get in his way if they remained here. He did not fear casualties, but he had no desire to throw lives away for nothing. With that, he stepped into the air using Geppo and met Kaido's dragon gaze with cold eyes.

"Yes, sir!"

Atlas answered loudly. His first duty now was to obey orders. He could worry about joining the fight after getting 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 pouring from his body as two enormous dog heads bared their fangs and lunged at Kaido!

Wind Scythes!

Kaido opened his mouth and unleashed a barrage of blades of wind. They sliced wildly into the molten hounds, sending great masses of magma falling from the sky.

Razor!

The move combined Geppo and Shave, allowing Akainu to dart through the air without pause. In an instant, he appeared before Kaido. Armament Haki coated his hand, the dark power flowing rapidly along his arm. Force gathered inside him like an erupting volcano, and his Haki-coated fist shot straight toward Kaido's right eye.

Kaido snapped his eyelid shut and coated his face in Armament Haki!

Bang!