Ch. 201The Finishing Blow
Plot points and events
- Bullet unleashes a massive burst of Conqueror’s Haki, knocking out the remaining Pirates and Marines and shaking the island as he erupts from underground.
- His Haki now coats his entire body, transforming his appearance and revealing a level of mastery Atlas had not expected.
- Atlas answers with his own full-body Conqueror’s Haki infusion, calling on Futsu-no-Mitama. The sword appears integrated into his body, and its power produces an immense crimson-and-black blade that clashes with Bullet’s Haki and briefly disrupts his awareness.
- Futsu-no-Mitama fully recognizes Atlas, amplifying his Conqueror’s Haki attacks. Its dragon-core origin also gives it the power to command lightning and unsettle the mind.
- Atlas and Bullet trade powerful blows. Bullet repeatedly dives underground, while Atlas counters a surprise attack and withstands their collision without yielding.
- Bullet uses his Devil Fruit to repair and manipulate the fractured island. Atlas then leaps into the sky, saying he is ready to end the fight.
Character developments and interactions
- Atlas moves from surprise at Bullet’s strength to confidence, revealing that he too can coat his whole body in Conqueror’s Haki. His bond with Futsu-no-Mitama deepens as the sword finally grants him its full power.
- Bullet shows immense Haki and resilience, but also admires Atlas’s fighting spirit and questions why someone so powerful would remain a Marine.
- Crocodile and Jot recognize Bullet’s terrifying Conqueror’s Haki, while the Marine officers observe the fighters’ extraordinary strength and wonder how Bullet grew so powerful in prison.
- The battle remains evenly matched in physical exchanges, though Atlas’s mobility and Bullet’s control over the island shape their tactics.
Significant themes
- Different limits and potential: People vary greatly in strength, and even extreme training or confinement cannot explain every disparity.
- Will and mastery: Conqueror’s Haki reflects force of spirit, while Atlas’s sword recognizes his growth and commitment.
- Power’s trade-offs: Bullet can command the island but cannot fly; Atlas’s aerial movement gives him an advantage as the fight escalates.
- Identity and ambition: Bullet’s praise raises the question of whether Atlas’s power and temperament fit his life as a Marine.