Chapter 185: 181. Furious Moria
"Huh? What's happening? I hear Absalom's voice!"
The NEET Moria, who was slouched in the castle, naturally caught wind of Absalom's cries and instinctively sprung up from the ground, prepared to check it out.
The quantity of shadows is still too low, and it would be quite a hassle without zombie guards for patrolling.
Moria's inclination to sail into the Florian Triangle has intensified, and he's also contemplating the invitation from the World Government.
"Marine Vice Admiral..."
Even though Moria's observation haki isn't top-notch, it's still a breeze to traverse less than a third of Thriller Bark. However, the identity of Atlas remains unrecognized.
Even though Moria got wind of the Marines having a potential young Admiral candidate, he hastily escaped from Wanokuni with only one goal in mind – seeking revenge on Kaido. He sailed across the Grand Line and headed directly to West Blue, paying little attention to information about Atlas along the way.
"It turns out the corpses I took from Wanocountry don't have fitting shadows yet. This Marine appears to be a swordsman. He's truly the prey that came knocking at my door. Kishishishi..."
Moria has been contemplating his zombie army, particularly the corpse of the legendary warrior Ryoma from Wanokuni. The absence of the shadow of a formidable swordsman hinders the display of his physical prowess.
"But, Absalom... was he killed?"
Suddenly, Moria couldn't feel Absalom's life force, and her eyes instantly froze, a cold gleam flashing within them.
'This sensation... feels so familiar!!!'
Even though Absalom hasn't been on the ship for long, as someone who values his companions, he recently lost a group of trusted crew members. The same tragedy unfolds before him again, unleashing an uncontrollable surge of murderous intent within him.
Initially, he had no intention of confronting the intruders on the ship, but now there's no one else available. The brilliant surgeon Hogback is just a doctor with no combat skills, and it's absurd to ask him to intercept a Marine Vice Admiral.
On the other hand, Atlas noticed that after Absalom's complete demise, the hue of the snake talisman in his mind darkened slightly, and it's unclear what impact it might have on his abilities.
However, the immediate priority is to address the issue with Moria first. Delving into the intricacies of the snake talisman and other matters can wait for a later time.
Within Atlas' observation haki, a massive life form was charging towards him.
Soon, a multitude of black bats emerged not far from Atlas, swiftly amalgamating into a colossal dark shadow.
"Dopperuman (Doppelman)"
A piercing sound echoed, and the massive shadow instantly transformed into Moria's likeness.
The appearance is quite striking, but Atlas's keen haki clearly 'sees' through the maneuver, which is essentially transforming the shadow into a flying bat and then exchanging places with it.
It appears this person isn't familiar with him...
Atlas narrowed his eyes slightly. While Moria's peculiar appearance might instill a sense of intimidation among ordinary pirates or Marines, in Atlas' perspective, it appeared somewhat absurd.
"Gecko Moria..."
Atlas scrutinized the brawny man before him, pondering if he had been undernourished while toiling away in Kaido's domain. At this moment, Moria appeared somewhat slender, not as bulky as when he encountered Luffy later on.
"Marine!! You've actually taken Absalom's life!!"
In his peripheral vision, Absalom's battered body came into sight, and the rage in his heart intensified like a blazing fire.
Swish!
Atlas couldn't be bothered with banter for a defeated subordinate of Kaido. He swiftly applied force with his feet, instantly appearing in front of Moria and delivering a direct uppercut to his chin!
Phwoosh!
There was no actual impact from the punch, and Moria's figure simply vanished into thin air in front of Atlas!
Atlas' eyes narrowed, and his assault didn't cease. His feet clad in haki, his body somersaulted mid-air, descending like a battle axe!
Boom! !
A dark shadow on the ground seemed to be struck by lightning, and cracks appeared across the entire surface.
This is the aftermath of Atlas retracting his power. After all, once Moria is taken care of, Thriller Bark will be his ship. If it accidentally sustains damage, who will he have to repair it?
Indeed, Atlas has grown fond of this ship. After all, being the Candidate Admiral of the Naval Headquarters, how can he operate without a ship of his own? That would certainly put the Marines in a disadvantageous position, wouldn't it?
"Puff!"
Just as Atlas was contemplating reshaping Thriller Bark's fate, Moria, who had once again switched places with the shadow not far away, spewed out a mouthful of old blood, and every bone in his body seemed to be falling apart.
Although the Kage Kakumei (Shadow Revolution) can swiftly swap positions between the main body and its own shadow, the speed resembling space displacement, the fatal flaw lies in the fact that once the shadow is attacked with armament haki, the main body will endure the same damage!
He initially hoped to capitalize on Atlas's lack of awareness regarding his fruit ability, thinking he could catch him off guard. However, he didn't anticipate that the Marine before him would instantly recognize his technique.
He has overestimated Atlas considerably. This is the Calm Belt, and he didn't detect a warship docking near Thriller Bark. This implies that this Marine arrived here seemingly out of nowhere and most likely possesses the ability of a flying Devil Fruit! !
"What a perceptive observation haki! Kishishishi..."
Moria swiftly dissipated the shadows, and his main body rapidly surged toward Atlas.
In an instant, the shadow and body reunited, and Moria's expression grew more solemn. In the brief confrontation, he had already witnessed Atlas's incredible strength and combat skills, prompting him to exercise caution.
"Moria, let me make this clear – I've developed a fondness for your ship. Do you think you'd willingly give it up, or..."
"I'll defeat you and then take it away!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Atlas once again displayed his otherworldly speed.
Bakuhatsu ken (Explosive Punch)
Moria's heart trembled, and before he could ponder, Atlas' fist was about to connect with his face!
"Kishishishi! If you've got the guts, come and take it yourself!"
Kage Kakumei (Shadow Revolution)
The shadow beneath his feet swiftly writhed and contorted, and his arms also enlarged, adorned with weapons.
Boom!
What's the sensation of experiencing both immense force and explosive power acting on a person simultaneously?
Moria will provide the answer to this question.
Fear and terror.
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