The next day.
After bidding Monica farewell once again, Karl stood straight at Crescent Bay, dressed in a black suit, Justice cape draped across his shoulders, posture crisp and upright as he waited for Admiral Kizaru's warship.
Whoosh—
"Ready for your first mission, Vice-Adjutant Karl?"
Karl slowly turned his head.
Kizaru's tall figure came into view, sunlight glinting lazily off his frame.
"Of course, Admiral Kizaru," Karl replied calmly.
"What's our mission?"
Kizaru scratched his head, looking troubled.
"A real headache of a mission. Our target is… a newcomer from the Beasts Pirates."
Beasts Pirates? A newcomer?
Karl instantly recalled what Hina had mentioned a month earlier—
a mission involving Jack.
So Tsuru had already made her move.
"Isn't escorting pirates usually Impel Down's responsibility?" Karl asked.
"Why are we handling this?"
"Get aboard first," Kizaru said casually.
"I'll explain on the way."
Once Karl boarded, the warship immediately set off at full speed toward the Red Line, preparing to pass through Holy Land Mary Geoise and enter the New World.
Along the way, Kizaru explained the background of the operation.
In short—
After Tsuru successfully captured Jack, she discovered that his status was far from ordinary.
At just 19 years old, Jack had already become one of the Beasts Pirates' Three Calamities, highly valued by Kaido himself.
With the Beasts Pirates growing increasingly aggressive in the New World, Tsuru devised a plan to humiliate Kaido publicly and strike at his prestige.
Jack was the perfect bait.
Thus, this operation involved two Admirals—
Aokiji and Kizaru.
And as Kizaru's subordinate, Karl was naturally pulled into this high-risk mission.
"So yeah~ this mission's going to be pretty tough," Kizaru said lightly.
"After all, we're not dealing with small fry this time."
Karl's expression didn't change.
Tough? Not really.
He was just a Marine Headquarters Major—
surely no one expected him to charge at Kaido head-on.
In the end, it would still be Kizaru and Aokiji doing the heavy lifting, while Karl stayed behind buffing them with Holy Light.
"Kaido of the Beasts—one of the three rulers of the New World," Karl said.
"He's certainly troublesome. But I'm curious… the Marines have captured Kaido more than once already, and every time he escaped unharmed."
"Does this operation really have a chance to finish him for good?"
Kizaru pursed his lips, utterly unconcerned.
"Who knows~?"
"Just follow the orders and don't think too hard about it."
The truth was, this mission wasn't just about humiliating Kaido.
There was another reason—
Extracting Kaido's lineage factor.
Dr. Vegapunk's Artificial Devil Fruit project was nearing completion, but Kaido's lineage samples were nearly depleted.
The World Government wanted Kaido captured again—to replenish them.
That hidden objective had directly accelerated this plan.
Naturally, Kizaru had no intention of explaining all that to Karl.
He'd learn in due time.
Soon enough, the warship passed through the transport system beneath Mary Geoise, crossed the Red Line, and entered the New World.
Compared to pirates risking their lives to reach this sea, the Marines' method was fast, convenient—and most importantly, safe.
Karl also caught sight of the Holy Land Mary Geoise during the crossing.
Magnificent.
Luxurious.
A city worthy of the World Nobles.
And yet—beneath that splendor lay rot and decay far uglier than appearances suggested.
Looking out at the ocean of the New World, Karl couldn't help but sigh.
"So this is the New World? Honestly… it doesn't look that different from the first half."
Back in the day, he'd been stuck in the far-off North Blue.
He'd only just arrived at the Grand Line—and now he was already stepping into the New World.
He had just awakened both types of Haki, and before he even had time to comfortably bully weaklings, he was being thrown straight into conflict with a monster like the Beasts Pirates.
All he wanted… was to slack off.
"Tch~ Such youthful fearlessness," Kizaru teased.
"Vice-Adjutant Karl, pirates in the New World are very scary, you know~"
Karl smiled faintly.
He had already prepared himself mentally.
After all, if you followed an Admiral, you couldn't expect to keep bullying pirates from the Four Blues forever.
He wasn't Smoker, after all.
"Haha, by the way, Admiral Kizaru," Karl asked,
"Kaido won't really come rescue Jack alone, will he?"
Kizaru scratched his head.
"Well… based on what I know about Kaido—he definitely will."
Good.
As long as Kaido came alone, Karl could relax.
If it was just Kaido, his life wasn't in immediate danger.
He could safely play support and let the Admirals handle the real work.
One Day Later
Kizaru's warship successfully rendezvoused with Aokiji at G-2 Base, where Tsuru was already waiting.
"Kizaru, Aokiji," Tsuru said calmly,
"Perfect timing. The news that Jack is being held at G-2 has already been leaked."
"If nothing goes wrong, Kaido will come to break him out."
"When that happens—I'll be counting on the two of you."
Aokiji smiled politely, clearly respectful.
"Of course."
Kizaru, as always, seemed completely unfazed, meticulously trimming his fingernails.
Karl could only sigh at the sight.
Tsuru, already used to this, turned her attention instead to Karl and smiled warmly.
"You must be Major Karl."
Karl immediately snapped to attention and saluted sharply.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"I've heard your ability can heal and strengthen others," Tsuru said.
"When Kaido arrives, I'll be relying on you."
"Of course, Staff Officer Tsuru," Karl replied firmly.
"Even if you hadn't said so, I'd do my utmost."
"Hehe… good. Very good."
After the brief tactical meeting, Karl reunited with the long-unseen Hina at G-2 Base.
Standing beside her was a tall, cool, and striking woman—
Just as Karl expected:
Gion, code name Momousagi, Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral and Admiral Candidate.
She wore a pink form-fitting top with ultra-short hot pants, a spider tattoo clearly visible on her outer left thigh.
A white-handled long sword rested at her waist.
From Karl's professional perspective—
Big chest. Long legs. Fair skin. Beautiful.
No wonder Chaton (Tokikake) had confessed over a hundred times without giving up.
"Karl," Hina said knowingly,
"Hina knew you'd come. Let me introduce you—this is Vice Admiral Gion."
Karl smiled and nodded politely.
"Hello, Vice Admiral Gion. You're very beautiful—uh, both you and Hina are. Truly the face of the Marines."
Seeing the slight curve of Hina's lips, Karl finally relaxed.
That was close. Almost stepped on a landmine.
Gion covered her mouth and laughed.
"Oh my~ Little Karl is quite the smooth talker."
"I bet you've fooled quite a few innocent girls, hm?"
Karl simply smiled.
She wasn't wrong.
Even in the North Blue—where handsome men were common—
Karl's tall, striking looks had made him locally infamous as a heart-stealing menace.
"By the way," Gion added with a playful tone,
"Hina mentioned your ability can heal and enhance others."
"Why don't you let this big sister try it?"
Karl sighed inwardly.
Ah… another one craving my body—
—my ability.
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