Kuja Palace.
The moment Karl appeared, Boa Hancock opened her arms and threw herself straight at him.
"My dear—you finally came to see me! I missed you so much!"
The last time they'd parted, nearly four or five months had passed. Hancock had almost fallen ill from lovesickness.
Karl patted her back and laughed.
"I missed you too. I'm starving—got anything good to eat?"
"Of course! Someone, come at once!"
Hancock had prepared a massive feast, worried Karl might not eat enough. She even insisted on feeding him personally.
"Are you still hungry? Do you want a bit more?"
"That's enough, that's enough—burp."
Karl loosened his belt, revealing his round belly. Taking a deep breath, he activated Life Return, his stomach instantly flattening again.
"My dear," Hancock said softly, a faint blush on her cheeks, "the day before yesterday was your birthday. I have a gift for you."
Karl raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? What kind of gift?"
Hancock grabbed his hand and pointed toward the sleeping chambers.
"C'mon… let's talk about it inside…"
Not long after, Marigold and Sandersonia, both red-faced, cleared the palace of all attendants and strictly forbade anyone from entering.
Only then did Karl finally understand what kind of "gift" Hancock had meant.
Oh Holy Light, do you see that enemy before me?
Look at them—clearly a foe worthy of battle!
Grant me boundless strength and inexhaustible stamina,
and help me triumph over this enemy!
In the end, Karl defeated Hancock without much effort—though, admittedly, the Holy Light provided a little assistance.
"My dear," Hancock whispered afterward, "today is my dangerous period…"
Karl's body stiffened. Without hesitation, he gathered pure white Holy Light and shouted:
"Purify!"
Hancock felt a warm sensation spread through her body—and then nothing else happened. Karl, on the other hand, finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"You just now—"
Karl smiled gently.
"It's nothing. I was just worried you'd get tired."
"Mm… you're so good to me…"
The Next Day
Raven dropped a newspaper it had snatched onto the table beside Karl, then immediately dove headfirst into the "cafeteria" to stuff its beak.
"Today's news?" Karl said, unfolding the paper.
"Things move fast."
The headline was explosive: Fleet Admiral Sengoku had ordered the arrest of all corrupt Marines, who were to be detained at Marineford. A public trial would be held in three days.
It differed slightly from the reality—but propaganda was propaganda. Nothing wrong with polishing the story. In any case, his promotion to Vice Admiral was already secure.
After reading the paper, Hancock covered her mouth in shock.
"That old man Sengoku is really going all out, huh?"
"Of course," Karl chuckled. "After all, this is the result of my efforts over the past few months."
"What?! My dear, are you saying you caught all those corrupt Marines?"
Karl nodded.
"More or less."
"That damned Sengoku—stealing all your credit!" Hancock said angrily.
"Hahaha, don't say that. This was agreed upon beforehand. Besides, I'll be a Vice Admiral soon anyway."
Hancock's eyes lit up.
"That's wonderful! But wait—if you become a Vice Admiral, won't you be even busier?"
Karl shook his head confidently.
"Not necessarily."
The announcement of the public trial shook the entire sea.
Back when Gol D. Roger was executed, it hadn't even caused this much of a stir. This time, the defendants were Marines themselves—internal filth exposed directly to the public. Weren't they afraid of losing face?
Whether the Marines lost face or not, no one knew. But civilians loved watching drama—especially other people's drama.
Baltigo
Monkey D. Dragon stared at the newspaper, lost in deep thought.
In his view, neither the World Government nor the Marines would normally tolerate such scandals being made public. Yet not only had they done it—they'd publicized it widely. There had to be a deeper motive.
"Chief, Bartholomew has no intelligence regarding this Marine action," someone reported.
"Forget it," Dragon replied. "I think I've figured it out."
He took a deep breath. Though he didn't know exactly what the Marines were planning, he could guess most of it.
"A public trial… yes. After the verdicts, they'll announce measures to prevent future corruption, restore public trust—and maybe even raise the Marines' prestige higher than before."
If it were him, that's exactly what he'd do.
To be honest, he didn't harbor much personal hatred toward the Marines. He himself had once been one of them. Unfortunately, they were Marines of the World Government, naturally opposed to the Revolutionary Army.
As enemies, of course, he hoped the Marines would be as ineffective as possible—so civilians would lose faith in them, and in the World Government, giving the revolution room to grow.
"Ah… what a pity…"
Two Days Later
A radiant Hancock reluctantly bid Karl farewell, watching as he rode Raven and departed Amazon Lily.
"Goodbye, Hancock. I'll come see you often!"
"Mm, my dear. I'll be waiting."
After three hours of flight, Karl finally returned to Marineford.
"Vice Admiral Karl!"
Karl patted the Marine's shoulder and pointed toward the busy plaza.
"Setting up the trial venue?"
"Yes, sir. Most of it's done. We're testing the visual Den Den Mushi now."
Karl nodded and headed straight for Marine Headquarters.
"Little Karl, long time no see!"
Gion smiled and waved. Karl nodded back—only for Tokikake to step into view beside her, looking at Karl calmly.
"Vice Admiral Tokikake, you're here too? Long time no see!"
Tokikake forced an awkward smile.
"Yeah… long time. You're still as… carefree as ever."
"Little Karl, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is waiting for you," Gion said. "You should go."
"Thanks, Sister Gion. I'll head there now."
As Karl left, Gion's face darkened instantly.
"Tokikake, can you stay a little farther away from me? Do you have to keep hovering around me?"
Tokikake clutched his chest in mock pain.
"Gion, that really hurts. I—I just like you, that's all."
Gion rubbed her forehead, suppressing the urge to draw her blade, and walked away quickly.
"Hey! Gion! Don't leave so fast! Dinner tonight?"
"No!!!"
Fleet Admiral's Office
The moment Karl walked in, he saw Monkey D. Garp sneaking Sengoku's rice crackers, while Sengoku glared at him furiously. Tsuru sat nearby with her eyes closed, resting.
Quite the lively scene.
"Karl, you're here!"
Seeing him, Sengoku decided not to argue with Garp anymore—no need to tarnish his dignified image in Karl's eyes.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you wanted to see me?"
Sengoku handed him a stack of documents.
"These are the criminal records of the corrupt Marines. Tomorrow, when the verdicts are announced, I'll need you to present the evidence. After all, you are the Marines' face."
Karl had wanted to refuse—but then reconsidered.
This was a perfect chance to build public exposure.
After all, no matter how handsome you are, without visibility you won't gain fans. And without fans, where would his Heart-Stealing Arsonist bonus come from?
"Hahahaha! I knew you'd agree," Sengoku laughed. "Then I'll leave tomorrow to you."
"Happy to oblige, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
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