Under the reverent gaze of all the Marines, Carl and the group, led by Sakazuki, slowly approached Sengoku the Buddha.
Zephyr was the first to step forward, saluting with precision and calling out, "Fleet Admiral."
He then took another step closer and clapped Carl heavily on the shoulder.
"Carl, well done!"
Carl smiled faintly and replied, "InstructorZephyr, you really should have come along this time. I feel a little sorry for you missing out."
Zephyr chuckled, shaking his head. "No regrets. Someone had to stay back and guard Marineford. Besides, I don't believe there's anyone in this world who could stand against the likes of you all."
His gaze swept across Carl and the rest of the group, pride evident in his eyes.
To train even one Admiral was a remarkable accomplishment for any teacher, but Zephyr had produced six Admirals—and one Fleet Admiral. Coupled with the countless Vice Admirals who had risen under his tutelage, Zephyr's prestige within the Marines had surpassed even that of Sengoku.
Standing nearby, Sengoku silently observed the exchange. It would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.
Garp suddenly raised his head and spoke, his voice trembling.
"Fleet Admiral..."
Garp's voice, usually powerful and commanding, now carried a deep sense of sorrow. Sengoku, Tsuru, and the others couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
Zephyr turned to glance at Garp and sighed softly.
Carl's expression remained calm as he looked at Garp.
"Vice Admiral Garp, do you have something to say?"
Garp's lips quivered before he finally spoke. "Dragon's body... Can I see it?"
Carl was silent for a moment. Then, with a wave of his hand, a black mist surged forth.
As the mist dispersed, two ice-bound corpses appeared—one large and one small.
The larger ice block encased Big Mom's bloated, grotesque form, while the smaller one contained Dragon. Compared to Big Mom's unrecognizable remains, Dragon's body appeared relatively intact, missing only an arm. At least it wasn't the headless scene Garp had feared.
Garp staggered toward the block of ice holding Dragon, his face streaked with tears.
Dragon's eyes were still open. Garp raised a trembling hand to gently touch the surface of the ice, muttering, "You've walked this path to the very end..."
Tsuru, unable to bear the sight, stepped forward to comfort him. But before she could, Garp did something no one had expected.
Clenching his fist tightly, he suddenly struck the ice with all his might.
Crack!
Lightning, characteristic of haki, danced along his fist, shattering the ice and Dragon's body into countless fragments that quickly dispersed into the air.
Carl's expression remained composed as he observed the scene. His mastery of Observation Haki allowed him to foresee Garp's actions, and he could have stopped him in time. Yet, he chose not to intervene.
That single punch seemed to sap all of Garp's strength. He stood hunched over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath.
Sengoku snapped out of his shock, his face a mix of disbelief and anger.
"Garp! What do you think you're doing?"
Garp turned to face Sengoku, his expression bleak. His voice was low and hoarse as he said,
"Monkey D. Dragon was my son. The fact that he reached this point is my failure as a father. I should have been the one to end his life during the expedition to Whole Cake Island. But I couldn't do it. I'm a coward."
Taking a deep breath, Garp removed his Marine coat and bent at a ninety-degree angle toward Carl.
"Fleet Admiral, I destroyed Dragon's body without authorization, violating military regulations. I await your punishment."
Carl said nothing, merely staring at Garp. Sengoku and the others held their breath, afraid to speak.
After a long silence, Carl finally said, "Dock a year's pay. Reflect on your actions."
The words left everyone stunned, including Garp, who froze in place, disbelief written all over his face.
Without another word, Carl turned and walked toward Marine Headquarters with Sakazuki and the others.
As they watched Carl's departing figure, Sengoku, Tsuru, and the other senior Marines felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
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