262 252. Defeat

"Gravito Moko (Gravity Blade Fierce Tiger)!!"

Doing the same move again, he grinned and swung the sword, summoning a purple tiger that pounced with its teeth and claws aimed at Shanks.

But, Shanks is no ordinary guy. Even after taking a powerful hit from Atlas, his basic physical reflexes are way superior to Teach's.

In a split second, he twisted his body mid-air, skillfully dodging the tiger that was just about to bite him.

This guy is incredibly fast!!

His teeth were tightly clenched, his nerves on edge, and his back drenched in cold sweat.

"Hey! If you've got something, bring it out now and quit hiding it! Teach!"

"..."

Teach endured the sharp pain surging through his body, turned to glance at Shanks beside him, and stayed silent for a moment.

Swish!!

Yet, Atlas wasn't going to give them much time to catch their breath. He leaped up and was right in front of the two almost instantly.

Buzz!!!

"Jigoku Tabi (Hell Journey)!!"

A gentle buzz filled the air, and a formidable force surrounded the two once more.

Both of them, instinctively getting ready to defend themselves, suddenly found themselves frozen in place, struggling to adjust to the abrupt shift in gravity!!

"Tetsu Rakan (Iron Storm Kick)!!"

With an infusion of armament haki, the blood surging, and the muscles in the thighs and calves activated, they collaborated to unleash a powerful kick.

Boom!!!

A leg whip struck them with force!!

The attack didn't let up, and their bodies suddenly bent forward at the knees. The armament haki swiftly coated their thick kneecaps, and black and red lightning danced wildly!

Even before the impact, a potent energy wave swiftly collided with Teach's jaw!!

Bang!!

His eyes rolled back, and his mind felt as if it got hit by lightning. In a brief struggle, Teach lost consciousness, and his hefty body toppled backward, creating a powerful shock.

Everything unfolds in an instant.

With a controlled smile, Atlas launches a fierce attack.

When two of the world's top fighters team up, if Teach doesn't submit, it would be a disrespect to both of them.

Currently, Atlas can infuse Conqueror's haki throughout any part of his body, enhancing his attacks, even with weapons.

Kaminari inherently possesses a significant mental shock capability. When he first acquired the Conqueror's infusion technique, its power was already formidable.

Moreover, he has mastered the Conqueror's entanglement skillfully by now.

"What do you say? Will you persist in resisting fruitlessly?"

Casually standing, Atlas glanced at Shanks, whose clothing was now in tatters, and spoke calmly.

"...."

With a wolf in the front and a tiger at the back, savage creatures observing, Shanks appeared helpless.

Undoubtedly, this was a dire circumstance.

Even if Beckman and the others arrived, the outcome would likely be unchanged. Even if one or two were fortunate enough to escape, the entire pirate crew would undoubtedly face significant losses.

Shanks hesitated to involve the companions he had painstakingly gathered in such a situation and had no intention of seeking help from Beckman and the others.

However, going down without a fight isn't his way!!

His gaze intensified, and a decision was already made in his heart. Turning the blade, his muscles swiftly responded.

Rather than passively awaiting demise, Shanks took the lead, and Armament Haki swiftly enveloped him, almost instantaneously.

It's evident that his training in Haki hasn't lagged behind despite the adventures in the Four Blues.

However...

To rapidly enhance Haki through repeated and intense combat, Shanks, who seldom engages in life-or-death battles with genuinely powerful opponents, faces a limitation.

This is why, despite Shanks' innate talent, his strength didn't experience swift growth until he officially ventured into the New World.

Ironically, once in the New World, it only took him six years to ascend to the pinnacle of global power.

It's challenging to raise dragons in shallow waters!!

That's the reality!

Swish!!

The blade danced as wrists and arms swirled, casting a cold gleam in front of Atlas.

The Meito, Gryphon, features a Western sword-style hilt. Though its exact rank is uncertain, it's, at the very least, a Great Grade Blade, possibly even on par with Kaminari!!

"The blade is impressive."

The intense red glow in Atlas's eyes flickered as he gracefully sidestepped the powerful blade, making it seem effortless. He even added a comment at the end.

Having the ability to foresee the future is undeniably a tricky disadvantage for Shanks in this situation.

Their reaction speed and overall physical prowess just don't measure up.

It can be concluded that Shanks is still getting accustomed to the challenges of the New World.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

His teeth were clenched, yet his eyes stayed remarkably calm. His hand movements continued without pause. Chopping, trusting, stabbing, slashing—he executed various fundamental maneuvers swiftly, as if attempting to pinpoint Atlas's vulnerability.

However, it was evident that disappointment awaited him.

No matter how rapid his movements, under Atlas's absolute dominance, Shanks could barely graze Atlas's attire.

"Indeed, the Marine gentleman is correct. Possessing such formidable strength at this age, his potential is beyond measure."

Issho, who had retracted his hand, sensed the vitality of the two young fighters on the battlefield, wearing an emotional expression.

Shanks evidently didn't intend to expend more energy in vain. His assault halted, and he took a step back. Gripping the knife with both hands, Gryphon slashed upward once more. A dense layer of Armament Haki enveloped it, creating a faint vibration in the space around the blade.

"Kamiyoi (Divine Departure)!!!"

Shanks learned this technique from Roger, but it pales in comparison to Roger in terms of potency and vigor.

Moreover, mastering the Conqueror's infusion technique remains beyond Shanks' grasp.

"Oh? Resembles the Conqueror's infusion attack?"

Atlas expressed surprise, as he could clearly sense it.

In addition to the armament haki attack, a force somewhat akin to Conqueror's haki lingered around the blade.

However, in comparison to the Conqueror's infusion, it appeared significantly less robust.

Clang!!

The Kaminari at the waist unsheathed, and Atlas retaliated with a slash. Conqueror's and armament haki intertwined, and black and red lightning danced wildly, carrying a terrifying wind pressure surging towards Shanks!

Boom!!

Right at the moment of impact, the seemingly formidable slash was instantly overcome.

As if caught in a fierce storm, Shanks felt like a small boat on the vast sea, tossed around by the violent tempest.

The surging force vented onto his body, and the dominating will, like a sharp bayonet, thrust into his consciousness.

The overwhelming determination was instantly engulfed, and his entire mind went blank.

"Mr. Issho, I understand your concerns. The moment has arrived. I trust you can discover your own sense of justice within the Marines."

This was the sole conversation Shanks heard before slipping into a coma.

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Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari

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