In the evening, within the grand dining hall of the Hudson manor, Carl gave final instructions to Credence over dinner.
"I have something important to take care of tonight and likely won't return until tomorrow afternoon," Carl said calmly, his gaze soft but firm. "I've already sorted the first-year magical textbooks for you. Use the time to study what you can. I'll begin teaching you properly when I return."
He gestured toward the shelves that lined the walls. "There are many magical books in the study. If you're curious, ask Barry to fetch any of them for you. And if you want food or drinks, just tell Barry—she'll make it for you. Should you need anything from Diagon Alley, she can fetch it too."
"Yes, teacher. I understand," Credence replied, his voice quivering slightly. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he looked at the table, now covered with dishes more exquisite than he'd ever seen, let alone tasted.
He wasn't crying from sorrow. It was joy—pure, overwhelming joy. After years of abuse, neglect, and torment, he had suddenly been lifted out of a nightmare and placed into a warm, safe haven.
"Let's eat," Carl said, gently ruffling his hair.
Carl had taken in Credence not only because of the terrifying power of the Obscurus within him but also because he genuinely sympathized with the boy. It was the same kind of complicated compassion that led him to take in Amelia and David.
However, Carl was no saint. If Credence proved to be of no value, his sympathy alone wouldn't have justified adoption. He made decisions with his mind first, and heart second.
After dinner, Carl used his Transformation Jutsu to alter his appearance and Apparated to a remote cliff above the English Channel. A rough-looking wizard with a long, unkempt beard and yellowed teeth stood waiting there.
"New York," Carl said curtly.
"Thirty gold Galleons," the man grunted, revealing a grin full of rotten teeth.
Carl didn't hesitate. He handed over the gold and stepped onto the portkey—a rusty iron barrel.
While the Ministry of Magic offered licensed international portkeys, black market smugglers like this one catered to those who wanted to cross borders undetected. These under-the-table routes cost a fortune—Carl had once used a Ministry-registered portkey for under two Galleons, but here it was fifteen times more.
Still, for wizards barred from international travel or those with records to hide, it was the only option.
The world spun violently. When the chaos settled, Carl found himself once again in New York.
Checking his watch, he noted the time: 6:30 p.m. Dusk was falling, and the Magical Congress of the United States (MACUSA) would still be in session.
Using his Transformation Jutsu once more, Carl altered his appearance and strode confidently toward the doors of MACUSA.
Just yesterday, he had aided Newt, Tina, and Jacob in breaking out of prison. Tonight, he intended to break someone back out—Gellert Grindelwald, the very man he had helped imprison.
Carl hadn't orchestrated Grindelwald's capture simply to play hero. He had grander plans. By building a public identity as Tom Foley, the respected wizard, and secretly creating another as a mysterious figure capable of infiltrating MACUSA's most secure facilities, he positioned himself not as a subordinate to Grindelwald—but as his equal.
He wanted partnership, not servitude.
Stepping into the magic elevator, he descended toward the 50th sublevel—the high-security cellblock.
"I'm sorry, sir. This area is restricted. Please turn back immediately," one of the two stationed Aurors said, raising a wand with sharp authority.
Carl paused politely, his face the picture of innocence. "Oh? I thought this was the Portkey Registration Office. My apologies, I'll be on my way."
His apparent confusion and lack of a visible wand made the Aurors lower their guard momentarily.
But it was all Carl needed.
He quickly formed a hand seal: "Illusion Art: Golden Binding Technique."
Instantly, both Aurors froze, terror on their faces. Their bodies were rigid, seemingly paralyzed.
The Golden Binding Technique was a D-rank genjutsu commonly used by ninja to immobilize wild beasts or non-shinobi foes. Since genjutsu targets the mind's sensory perception through chakra disruption, Carl had long experimented to see whether non-chakra-bearing beings—like Muggles or wizards—were susceptible.
His findings had been promising. Though wizards lacked chakra, they possessed magical energy, making them vulnerable to illusion if their willpower was weak.
In Naruto , even primitive humans fell prey to Kaguya's Infinite Tsukuyomi, and wild beasts were regularly incapacitated by illusions during Chūnin Exams. The principle was simple—illusion was about manipulating perception.
Nonetheless, this was Carl's first real attempt to use genjutsu against actual wizards.
To be safe, he instantly used body flicker technique to the frozen Aurors and struck them unconscious before the illusion could wear off. Rummaging through their robes, he retrieved a metal key, then opened the gate leading deeper into the prison.
His destination was the deepest level—a special holding cell meant for the most dangerous magical criminals.
Unlike upper cells which resembled iron cages, Grindelwald's cell was a sealed chamber accessible only via a metal-lined corridor and guarded by ten elite Aurors around the clock.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" one shouted as Carl's footsteps echoed ominously.
Without responding, Carl quickly formed seals.
"Lightning Release: Earth Walk!"
Arcs of lightning danced through the metal corridor, racing along the walls and floor, striking all ten guards simultaneously. Their bodies convulsed as their magical chants were interrupted.
Magic required drawing a wand, aiming, and verbal incantation. Ninjutsu, on the other hand, only required hand seals. Carl's speed was a distinct advantage.
Taking full advantage of their disarray, Carl charged forward. His combat-enhanced strength, agility, and physical training allowed him to take them down quickly with precision and restraint.
When the last guard fell unconscious, Carl approached the massive metal door and blasted it open with a well-placed kick.
Inside, Grindelwald sat strapped to an iron chair. His eyes as calm as an ocean before a storm even as Carl entered.
"I don't believe we've met," Grindelwald said, tilting his head.
"Good evening, Mr. Grindelwald," Carl replied with a calm smile. "We may have not been met before but i believe that going to change...I'm here to break you out."
Grindelwald's eyes narrowed with curiosity, a smirk beginning to form on his lips.
Now the real game was about to begin.