Carl returned to the Admiral's residence, handing Tama and the Golden Lion over to Donquixote Doflamingo. After all, Tama's ability was invaluable to someone like Doflamingo, who could mass-produce SMILE Fruits. In time, she might grow into a figure similar to Sugar from the original story.
For Doflamingo, this moment was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. Carl had practically paved the road for him. If he still couldn't gain control of Wano Country, he wouldn't have the face to see Carl again.
...
Marineford, Navy Headquarters
A Navy battleship descended from the sky, landing steadily at the harbor. Seven Admirals disembarked one after another, leaving the surrounding soldiers dumbstruck. For a moment, they even forgot to salute.
As Carl stepped off the ship, he turned and waved at Doflamingo, who respectfully bowed to him before flying into the sky, disappearing over the horizon.
In the crowd, a young Marine with pink hair swallowed nervously as he looked at Carl in the distance. Then, summoning all his courage, he shouted,
"Admiral Black Dragon!"
His outburst startled the Marine beside him, whose chin looked suspiciously like a rear end.
"Hm?"
Carl, mid-conversation with Sakazuki, turned at the sound of his name, raising an eyebrow as he asked,
"Koby?"
Sakazuki frowned, asking, "Carl, you know that soldier?"
Carl squinted, replying, "Sort of. I believe he's the apprentice Garp took in, isn't he?"
Sakazuki nodded. "Yes, though his talent is mediocre. I've heard he works hard."
"Hard work?" Carl chuckled. "What's that nonsense about putting in a hundred times the effort? If he could truly do that, I wouldn't call his talent mediocre. After all, effort itself is a kind of talent."
Sakazuki, known for being one of the hardest-working recruits during his time, scoffed inwardly. Even with his abilities, he'd never dared claim to put in a hundred times more effort than others. That would be a surefire way to train yourself to death.
Carl glanced at Koby again, motioning for him to come over.
Koby, however, froze, as if that shout had drained all his energy. It wasn't until Helmeppo elbowed him that he snapped out of it.
"Hey, Koby! What are you doing? Admiral Black Dragon is calling you! Hurry up!"
Koby, trembling, began to move, though his legs felt like jelly. Had it not been for Helmeppo catching him, he might've collapsed right then and there.
Watching the scene unfold, Sakazuki frowned.
"That kid has no composure. What on Earth did Garp see in him? Just his supposed hard work?"
Carl merely smiled, saying nothing. By then, Koby, supported by Helmeppo, had reached Carl.
Standing before the imposing figure of the Black Dragon Admiral, Koby was visibly overwhelmed. Helmeppo, by contrast, saluted smartly.
"Admiral Black Dragon!" Helmeppo shouted.
Carl nodded slightly at Helmeppo before glancing at the rank insignia on Koby's shoulder. He said flatly,
"Koby, you called me?"
Koby trembled uncontrollably, his voice quivering as he replied,
"A-Admiral Black Dragon Admiral, I have a question to ask you..."
The Marines around them exchanged glances.
"What is this guy thinking? Doesn't he know his place? He actually has a question for the Admiral Black Dragon?"
"Tch, don't forget, he's got connections. Vice Admiral Garp's a big name!"
"Hah, these days, everyone knows the biggest name in the Navy is Black Dragon Carl. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku wouldn't help if you tick him off!"
Carl looked down at Koby. "What is it?"
Koby swallowed hard, steadying himself as much as possible. "I... I want to know if Straw Hat Luffy is still alive."
"He's alive."
At those words, Koby let out a visible sigh of relief, his tense body relaxing.
Sakazuki, however, narrowed his eyes and took a step forward, the oppressive force of his presence making Koby fall to the ground. Helmeppo froze in place, paralyzed with fear.
"You seem happy," Sakazuki said coldly.
"N-no, Admiral Sakazuki! Please don't misunderstand!" Koby stammered, still on the ground. "Straw Hat Luffy saved my life once. That's all. I just..."
"So you've developed compassion for a criminal?"
With a sneer, Sakazuki grabbed Koby by the collar, lifting him effortlessly. Smoke began to billow from his free arm, his molten fury ready to incinerate the young Marine on the spot.
The other Admirals, including Borsalino, simply watched, showing no intention of intervening.
Except...
"Enough, Sakazuki," Carl said softly, raising a hand. "It's understandable to feel some gratitude toward someone who saved your life. Let him go."
Though Carl's voice was calm, his words carried undeniable authority. Sakazuki grunted, releasing his grip. Koby collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
"You don't deserve to be a Marine," Sakazuki declared icily, towering over the trembling Koby.
The surrounding Marines were silent, understanding the weight of those words. With Sakazuki's influence in the Navy's Hawk faction, Koby's career prospects had just been shattered.
Carl, unfazed, reached into the void. From the Black Bible appeared a massive frozen head, which thudded onto the ground in front of Koby.
The Marines gasped collectively.
"Kaido of the Four Emperors!"
Pale as a sheet, Koby stared at Kaido's lifeless, unseeing eyes encased in ice. Struggling to his feet, he could barely hold his balance.
Carl's voice broke through the tense silence. "You approached me over a pirate, yet Garp never taught you respect for your superiors?"
Borsalino chuckled, hands in his pockets. "Knowing Vice Admiral Garp, that's hardly surprising."
Realizing his grave mistake, Koby bowed repeatedly, apologizing profusely.
Carl pointed at Kaido's frozen head. "Pick it up and take it to Headquarters."
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+255 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg