"Aladdin, help her stop the bleeding, quickly!"
Tiger also emerged from the dark room and said in a deep voice to the ship's doctor, Aladdin.
"It was a bit rough...But as long as that brand is there, what should be forgotten can never be forgotten!"
"..."
Everyone was silent. They knew exactly what "brand" Tiger was talking about. Many among them had also escaped from Mary Geoise three years ago.
They knew the physical and mental torment of that indelible brand. It represented a memory too painful to look back on.
The flag of the Sun Pirates was born from this. Psychological trauma might not heal quickly, but another brand could cover a physical brand!
"Hee!"
Suddenly, Koala, who had just been wrapped in bandages by Aladdin, startled awake on the deck. She subconsciously maintained her smile, her tears held back in her eyes.
"Ah! I passed out...I'm sorry, but I didn't cry, so please don't kill me. No matter what you do to me, I won't cry..."
"Cry!!!" Tiger suddenly roared, cutting Koala off. "What's wrong with crying! Don't lump us in with trash like the Celestial Dragons!"
Koala remained unmoved. She no longer trusted anyone. If not for the conviction of wanting to see her mother again, perhaps life would have already lost all meaning for her?
"..."
"Watch closely!" Tiger suddenly calmed down. He pulled a flintlock pistol from his waist and waved it in front of Koala. Then, he threw it overboard!
Splash—.
A dull splash was heard. Tiger looked at Koala's tear-filled eyes with an incredibly firm gaze and said, word by word:
"We will not kill anyone..." After speaking, he abruptly stood up, his coat fluttering behind him, and announced loudly, "Let's go, men...We will take this child back to her homeland!"
"Wuu... wuu...!! Waaaaah—!" A loud wail echoed across the entire pirate ship.
...
New World.
Raijin Island still had its familiar appearance, shrouded in dark clouds. Dense purple lightning bolts seemed to form a bridge connecting the island to the sky.
From a distance, it looked like a giant cage of lightning!
Rumble—!
A bolt of lightning as thick as a water column poured down, followed by a deafening, earth-shattering roar.
Today was Raijin Island's seven-day thunderstorm.
Giant pillars of lightning descended upon various parts of the island, as if a god were smiting it!
But the natives who had lived here for years were long used to it, relying on the magical properties of their lightning-proof umbrellas.
Their basic survival needs could be met, and they would occasionally obtain some necessities from pirates who wanted to land on the island. Their lives were relatively comfortable.
Wendy Kris was one of the island's natives. As the leader of the island's patrol team, her daily job was to go out and sell lightning-proof umbrellas to passing pirates.
Tonight was another sleepless night, she had lost count of how many. The shock left by the Marine who had landed on the island a month ago was too great.
Lightning...
In the worldview she had formed since childhood, it had always been the most powerful and destructive force, and now, a Marine had suddenly appeared.
He bathed his physical body directly in the lightning. The impact this had on her worldview was unparalleled.
Previously, she had received some information about the outside world from pirates who occasionally landed on the island.
But it was all too superficial. She only knew that the outside world was divided into Marines and pirates, and she lacked any direct understanding of what a truly strong person was.
Naturally, she did not recognise the Marine Admiral candidate who was famous in the outside world.
Squeak—!
Gently pushing open the charred black door, Kris carefully peered through the crack to observe the situation outside.
The roof of the house was covered with the island's special plant, which could effectively ward off lightning strikes.
Before the thunderstorm arrived, they would coat it with a secret paste that allowed it to withstand even more ferocious lightning.
"It's him—again?!"
Kris's pupils shrank, her face filled with utter shock. She was certain she wasn't mistaken.
For the past month, she had seen that Marine was freely bathing in the lightning almost every night.
But this was the first time she had seen him during the seven-day thunderstorm. It wasn't that he avoided the thunderstorm to land...
It was that... even though they had a special method to survive the more terrifying thunderstorm, she only dared to huddle in her safe house, trembling, not daring to take a single step outside.
Today, she couldn't suppress her curiosity.
She never expected...
In the sky at this moment, there wasn't the usual frenzied lightning, but rather thick, heavy clouds, layered one upon another, creating an oppressive feeling for anyone who looked.
Purplish-black arcs of electricity snaked through the clouds, like coiling dragons!
Atlas's body levitated motionlessly in mid-air. He looked up at the rolling thunderclouds that were brewing a terrifying power.
He was at a point perfectly midway between the sky and the ground.
"Myriad Thunders...Heaven's Fall!"
He shouted.
Ten thousand bolts of lightning stampeded down. Thick pillars of thunder, like unbridled wild horses, rushed recklessly toward Atlas!
Rumble—!
The lightning poured down, lingering for a long time.
In an instant.
The once-dim Raijin Island was illuminated as if it were daylight. The purplish-black lightning seemed to become the only thing in the world!
A rich, charcoal-grilled aroma washed over the senses, and raging flames suddenly appeared within the pillar of lightning.
There were no blood-curdling screams, only the incessant, deafening roar filling the ears!
—A long time later!
It was as if all concepts of time had been lost. Kris, watching from a distance, was so shocked she was almost speechless, just staring blankly at Atlas's figure, which slowly emerged in the sky.
Like a demon, like a god.
The lightning dissipated, and the world returned to darkness. Raijin Island actually enjoyed an unprecedented peace. The heavy, dark clouds still pressed down on the island.
Crack—!
In the silence, the upright figure in mid-air slowly twisted. The charred-black outer shell slowly peeled off, revealing fair skin and a powerful physique.
Purple arcs of electricity roamed beneath his skin. His muscles were even more solid and dense!
"Ah, that's better~"
Atlas casually stretched, and a loud pop-pop-pop sound came from his joints.
For the past month, he had been running back and forth between the base and Raijin Island.
The gains in his physique were indeed greater than those from conventional training methods.
To him, his physique was his foundation.
Whether it was using the talismans or bearing their power, it all required a powerful physique.
He understood now. The power of the talismans had no upper limit; their applications varied only under the rules of the pirate world.
As for how much power he could draw out, that depended entirely on Atlas himself.
However...
Atlas suddenly looked up, his gaze seeming to pierce through layers of fog, foreseeing the unknowable future. Has it been a long time since I've been back to Marineford?
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside Kizaru's office.
Kizaru still looked like his usual half-dead, slacker self, taking occasional drags from his cigarette, blowing clouds of smoke, and looking quite content.
Among the Admiral candidates for the headquarters, he was the only one not stationed in the New World.
He was occasionally responsible for the headquarters and for the security of Vegapunk's science unit.
This was far more comfortable than fighting those terrifying pirate lords in the New World.
After all, the science unit's location was extremely secret; almost no one could find it, so naturally, he didn't need to worry too much.
As for Marine Headquarters, any pirate with half a brain wouldn't try to attack Marineford.
If Sengoku hadn't thrown the mission of chasing Fisher Tiger at him these past few years, his wrinkles probably wouldn't have multiplied so quickly.
"It's so troublesome~" Kizaru made a pained face, subconsciously moving to pick his ear.
"Vice Admiral Borsalino? Are you listening?" The Marine with the thick head of hair had a dark look on his face, staring speechlessly at Kizaru, who had clearly zoned out.
"Ah~ I'm listening~You can continue~"
Hearing this, Kizaru's hand movement paused, and his gaze refocused on the Marine in front of his desk.
The Marine rolled his eyes. As the adjutant who had been with Kizaru for a long time, he was already used to his superior's slacking.
He paid it no mind and continued his report.
"We received a report from the villagers on Foolshout Island. A group of Fish-Men is about to land, matching the description of the Sun Pirates we've been chasing. So..."
Bang—!
The sound of a door bursting open instantly interrupted the adjutant's report. Veins immediately bulged on his forehead, his eye twitched, and he glared fiercely at the door.
"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Kizaru!" Atlas strode into the office, greeting Kizaru with a smile.
"Vice Admiral Byakko!"
The adjutant quickly stiffened, his expression smoothing out as he gave a standard Marine salute to the approaching Atlas.
Great! Here's another one I can't afford to offend!
An Admiral candidate, practically a guaranteed future Admiral. What's more, this one held a special candidate seat created by the Five Elders. His future was limitless.
"Yo~ Strawberry is here too?"
Atlas tilted his head, looking at the Marine with the astonishing amount of hair, and returned a smile.
Unlike Akainu and Aokiji, he spent more time at headquarters, so he naturally had dealings with Kizaru and was familiar with his adjutant.
A rare two-sword style swordsman. He had even sparred with him briefly once. His strength was good for a Rear Admiral. That was Atlas's assessment.
"Atlas? Weren't you doing just fine in the New World? What brings you back to Marineford all of a sudden~" Kizaru had no intention of getting up.
If you can lie down, never sit. If you can sit, never stand!
"It's not like there's much going on in the New World right now. I just came back to check things out. You, on the other hand...You're getting more and more laid-back here at headquarters."
Atlas knew Kizaru's personality, so he wasn't annoyed at all, just lightly teasing him. He hadn't been back at headquarters for long. First, he went to check on Luffy and his two brothers.
Fortunately, although Luffy hadn't had the Gum-Gum Fruit for long, it was more than enough for him to goof around with.
Even at the Marine academy, which was full of officers' children, the three wild kids had already become the kings of the school. Even the upperclassmen didn't dare to provoke them.
"An old man like me just wants to wait peacefully for retirement. Not like you young people, who can even single-handedly force an Emperor of the Sea to retreat~~"
"So scary~" Kizaru's face fell as he whined.
"Umm...Vice Admiral Borsalino, about the Sun Pirates?" Strawberry, seeing that their mutual flattery wasn't about to end, quickly interrupted.
They had been tracking Tiger for three whole years, and Sengoku had urged them several times, but his superior always handled it perfunctorily.
With a boss like this, when would he ever get a promotion...
"I'll leave it to you. I still have some paperwork to deal with here."
Kizaru said, gesturing to his empty desk as he casually dismissed Strawberry.
"Fisher Tiger? Mind if I join? As it happens, I was also involved in the Mary Geoise incident three years ago. I'm quite interested in him."
...
Grand Line, a certain sea.
Aboard the Sun Pirates' ship.
The Fish-Men were bustling about. Even the slender Koala was doing her best to contribute, and the ship was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
"Hey! Koala, you don't need to work! This is a farewell party we're throwing just for you. You're the guest of honour today!"
"Yeah, yeah! You're leaving us soon, so don't forget to think of us! Hahaha!" The crew members, busy preparing food for the feast, teased Koala.
"Mhm! I will never forget you...I'll tell everyone in my village! That there are many good people among the Fish-Men!"
Koala's face was bright with joy as she nodded emphatically. She was completely different from when she first came aboard.
Her clothes were clean, her expression no longer empty and numb but filled with genuine smiles.
Her entire demeanour had gradually transformed into the lively one a normal child should have.
"Tch~ When you grow up, brat, you'll become just like all the others!!" Arlong, standing to the side, mercilessly poured cold water on the moment.
Unlike the other Fish-Men on the ship, he had never changed his opinion of humans.
The time they had spent together had not built any deep friendship between them, and he was completely dismissive of her words.
"Shut up, Arlong!!"
"Arlong, you bastard!!"
The other Fish-Men, including Jinbe, glared at Arlong. He always had to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
"Brother Jinbe, you've changed a lot in these three years..." Arlong shook his head, his face still rebellious.
"Use your brain. What's the point of one person in a village saying Fish-Men are good people! It's just like Otohime's advocacy. It'll go in one ear and out the other!"
"Alright, Arlong. Koala is leaving in two days. Don't say such things in front of her."
Tiger sighed. Arlong and Jinbe had this argument almost every day.
He could already see that if he were to die one day, the Sun Pirates would definitely fall apart.
"Also, I've managed to contact your family. You'll be able to see your mother very soon, Koala."
"But for now...Let's enjoy the feast!"
"Oooh—! A feast! A feast! Let's forget about goodbyes for now!"
"Yeah, the most important thing right now is the feast!!"