"Cough… cough…"
Swaying unsteadily, Atticus felt a sharp, metallic sweetness rising in his throat. He spat out a mouthful of dark, clotted blood before forcing himself upright, every movement trembling with pain.
A low, broken laugh escaped him.
"Haha… haha…"
He took a step forward, a twisted sneer pulling at his lips as he stared at Akainu. His voice was cold and sharp.
"You stubborn mutt. I still won. This time, let's see who can possibly save you."
Akainu lay sprawling on the ground, his face ashen and drained of all ferocity. He glared up with a sinister rasp.
"Someone like you will never obtain what you desire. Justice will never allow a monster like you to exist…"
Atticus approached with the pride of a victor, planting his boot firmly on Akainu's chest. His expression was a distorted mix of exhaustion and madness.
"In this world, only the victor has the right to speak. And you, unfortunately, are not the victor."
"Bastard, I'll be waiting for you in hell, you power-hungry fool!" Akainu roared, struggling weakly beneath the weight holding him down.
Flames swirled around Atticus' arm, gathering into a blazing spear. The tip darkened, coated in Armament Haki, cold and lethal.
"Then wait for me there. I'll climb to Vice Admiral, Admiral, even higher. Sadly for you, you won't be around to witness any of it."
The corner of Atticus' mouth curled into a savage smile as he raised the spear.
"You'll die a terrible death!"
For the first time, true fear surfaced in Akainu's eyes. He had never realized how simple, how quick, death could be.
"Your death is not worth pity."
A thunderous explosion erupted in a flash of light. A shockwave hurled Atticus backward, blood spraying from his mouth as he crashed heavily into the ground.
He forced himself up again, flames bursting from his body. His blood-red eyes burned with a horrifying madness.
"Garp!"
In front of the fallen Akainu, a figure now stood tall.
"Oh my… is the battle already wrapping up?"
A lazy voice drifted through shimmering gold light as Kizaru arrived.
"It seems we haven't reached the point of no return yet."
A wave of chilling air spread as Aokiji stepped out of the shadows.
"Atticus, enough. Akainu cannot die."
Garp's voice was heavy, his expression grave. He had promised Sengoku to intervene only if absolutely necessary, but the situation had escalated far beyond what he expected.
Because the young man before him was no longer acting like a normal human.
Atticus laughed under his breath, the sound eerie and broken.
"Enough? You want me to stop now, Garp san? You really think highly of yourself."
His voice grew sharper with every word.
"Do you think I'm someone you can just push around?"
His fists tightened until veins bulged, and his murderous gaze locked on Garp with a ferocity that could suffocate lesser men.
If not for his final shred of restraint…
If not for Hazel, waiting for him…
He might have already struck against the Marines and walked away forever.
Garp remained silent, meeting Atticus' fury with calm resolve.
Flames roared out once more. A massive fiery bird flickered into existence behind Atticus, its cry filled with violent malice.
"Hey now… what does he think he's doing?"
Kizaru widened his eyes in mild disbelief.
"Atticus, don't lose control. The old man might have his orders."
Even Aokiji showed unease. Atticus' current state was unstable, dangerous.
Atticus breathed deeply, suppressing the raging flames inside. He glared at Garp.
"I'm not your match. It seems I can't kill this mutt today. Garp san, one day, you'll regret what you did here."
Garp grinned.
"Then I'll be waiting."
With eerie calm, Atticus extinguished his flames, turned, and walked toward the coastline without another word. Neither Kizaru nor Aokiji spoke, both stunned by his abrupt withdrawal.
None noticed his nails digging so deeply into his palms that blood dripped silently to the ground.
Atticus' eyes held burning desire. He needed more strength.
Kizaru stretched lazily.
"Looks like this training session is over."
Aokiji approached Garp.
"Old man…"
"No need. I know."
Garp sighed quietly before glancing at Akainu's limp form.
"Still alive, aren't you?"
"…Barely."
"Then gather everyone. Training is finished."
Minutes passed.
At the shore, Atticus sat cross-legged on the deck, his expression emotionless after speaking briefly with Zephyr.
The other cadets stared at his battered form. The deep claw-like scars across his right cheek were particularly shocking. No one dared speak. Silence hung heavily around the deck.
Only Momousagi's eyes remained fixed on Atticus the entire time, her gaze unreadable.
Soon, Garp, Kizaru, and Aokiji emerged from the jungle, carrying the blood-soaked, barely conscious Akainu onto the ship. Every cadet stiffened at the sight.
Atticus had beaten him again.
And this time, he had nearly killed him.
If Garp had arrived a second later…
Not a single cadet dared look Atticus in the eye afterward. Even from where he sat silently with his eyes closed, he radiated a danger none of them ever wanted to provoke.
"Everyone is here. We're returning to headquarters," Zephyr announced with a calm glance toward Akainu.
"Teacher Zephyr," Atticus said, rising slowly. "The grand competition is in two months. I request permission to remain on the island and continue training for one and a half months."
The request made Zephyr pause. This island held multiple beasts capable of challenging a Vice Admiral. And Atticus… was already pushing himself beyond reason.
Meanwhile, the other cadets looked like they had all swallowed lemons. None of them wanted to remain here a second longer. Many of their peers had already vanished during this training.
"Are you certain?" Zephyr asked heavily.
"Yes."
Atticus' voice was firm, his eyes filled with determination.
Zephyr exhaled.
"Very well. A warship will return for you in a month and a half."
Atticus bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Master."
"Be cautious. All of this is too dangerous."
"I understand."
With that, Atticus' body ignited, and he vanished into the forest in a streak of fire.
The remaining cadets exchanged uneasy glances. But no one spoke. Everyone knew Atticus lived for training.
"You're letting him go?" Garp asked.
"He is my disciple," Zephyr replied with a rare smile.
"Then prepare to get yelled at by Sengoku."
"You're coming with me to explain."
"Not a chance."
"Two bags of doughnuts."
Garp twitched.
"You underestimate me."
"Five bags."
"…Deal."
Laughter echoed across the sea as the three warships slowly disappeared beyond the waves.
---
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