"What are you?" Chaton roared, gripping his weapon with furious strength, pouring all his energy into piercing Atticus.
"No..." Gion tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Nearby, Akainu considered intervening, but thinking ahead, he decided to wait. He would step in only if necessary.
"Yo, that's terrifying," Kizaru commented, patting his chest and feigning fear, leaning into his usual playful arrogance.
Atticus' fury erupted fully. Three times in a row, someone had tried to take his life. Since arriving in this world, he had never provoked anyone, but now, he had truly reached his limit.
Turning abruptly, his face contorted into a menacing snarl, eyes blazing with murderous intent. "Since you're seeking death, I'll grant it to you."
In a blink, Atticus vanished from his spot, seizing the long spear still mid-flight. Dust erupted around him as he lunged at Chaton, eyes bloodthirsty, spear aimed for his heart.
The fight unfolded faster than anyone could react. Chaton could only rely on his own instincts.
He was a true Admirals' candidate. At the last moment, his face filled with terror, he dodged, letting the spear pierce his shoulder instead of his heart.
"Boom…" Dust swirled, the ground trembled, and the force sent Chaton flying. Atticus pursued relentlessly, his hand ablaze, the searing flames radiating a clear intent: total annihilation.
"Oh no… Atticus wants to kill Chaton!" Onigumo and the others watched in fear. Atticus at this moment was terrifying, his wrath palpable.
"What a frightening madman. If we don't stop him, we'll all get dragged in. I don't want Zephyr scolding me," Kizaru muttered, transforming into light and instantly appearing before Atticus.
"Atticus, have you ever been kicked by light?" he asked with arrogance, his golden foot hovering above him.
"Kizaru, you're asking for death!" Atticus' flames roared to life. Wings of fire appeared, scorching the air as he shot upward toward Kizaru.
"Bang…" Golden light met searing flames, cracking the ground beneath Atticus. A terrifying wave of heat spread outward.
"Endless Arrows," Atticus called, spreading his hands. Golden-red flames coalesced into over twenty weapons above the sky: swords, spears, halberds, each etched with strange runes.
"Whoosh…" The atmosphere trembled under the sheer explosive force, and Kizaru's eyes widened.
"Red Lotus," Atticus roared, an evil fiery dog erupting in front of him.
"Akainu," Atticus turned his gaze coldly, "If you have the guts, come stop me. Let's see if you can kill him."
His flames burned hotter, wings unfurling faintly in the blaze, radiating endless malevolence and raw power. Kizaru and Akainu's faces changed as they realized they were being singled out.
"Unlucky," Kizaru muttered, retreating. Provoking a formidable opponent like Atticus was unwise. Retreat was safer than risking annihilation.
With Kizaru stepping back, Akainu was left exposed to Atticus' wrath. Frustrated, he cursed Kizaru inwardly.
"Fire Spear," Atticus intoned, clasping his hands. The sky ignited with golden-red flames, intertwining into white-hot intensity. A massive spear, over ten meters long, descended toward Akainu.
"Boom… Boom…" Heat waves rolled, forcing everyone to retreat. The ground turned molten, and Akainu, though in elemental form, realized that even his Logia powers could not fully negate the attack.
Breathing heavily, Atticus' stamina waned, but his resolve remained. Raising his hand, he compressed countless flames into a basketball-sized orb, the heat intense enough to melt the ground beneath.
Everyone's eyes widened at the inferno in Atticus' hand. Even without detonation, the sheer destructive potential was obvious.
"Atticus, stop! You'll destroy this place!" Aokiji warned, emanating his frigid air. He was unsure he could intervene unharmed.
From a distance, Garp's booming voice followed, "What are you trying to do, kid?"
"Atticus, calm down," Zephyr added, rushing behind.
But Atticus ignored them all. With a resolute motion, he hurled the high-energy fireball at Akainu.
"High-Energy Fire Blast."
"Piece of sh!t… Atticus!" Akainu's face twisted in disbelief. He had not expected this disregard for Kong's orders.
"Great Eruption!"
Three figures leapt into the inferno, explosions shaking Marineford. Flames surged like mountains, blasting outward.
"Ice Wall!" Aokiji raised his hands, a massive barrier shielding everyone.
Moments later, the flames subsided, leaving a massive crater. Zephyr, blackened and scorched, held the battered Chaton. Akainu bent over behind Kong and Garp, spitting blood.
Atticus narrowed his eyes, surprised that Garp and the others were mostly unharmed. Akainu, overconfident in his elementalization, had overlooked the weaknesses within Logia powers. All were still young, far from their peak strength.
Breathing deeply, Atticus' flames stabilized. Kong's authoritative aura intervened, halting the battle.
"Kid, I told you to stop. Do you want to kill your comrades?" Kong's expression was grim.
"I just want to kill those who sought my death," Atticus said calmly, eyes fixed on the unconscious Chaton and the brooding Akainu.
"I never start trouble, but that doesn't mean I am easy to bully. Not causing trouble doesn't mean I'm afraid of it. This has always been my principle," he said to Garp, unwavering.
Akainu, pride still intact despite his injuries, gritted his teeth. "You're seeking death. I'll grant it to you," Atticus repeated, his flames intensifying, ready to annihilate at the slightest provocation.
The pressure was immense, causing Atticus' flames to solidify momentarily. Kong's voice cut through the tension.
"This matter ends here. No deaths in Marineford, and the rest is up to you. If anyone dies, do not blame me."
"Take Gion and Akainu for treatment. Everyone else is dismissed."
Atticus smiled faintly, a sinister curve of his lips. He knew that as long as no one died within Marineford, the rest of the world was fair game. Observing the retreating Chaton and Akainu, he muttered under his breath, "The days are long. Plenty of time to play."
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