"Who knows?" Kizaru drawled lazily over the Den Den Mushi.
"Some young man. Oh, right—he's the user of the Goro Goro no Mi."
Karl "gasped" in shock.
"The Goro Goro no Mi? The lightning Logia that disappeared centuries ago?"
"Oh~ you know quite a bit," Kizaru chuckled. "That's right. I wouldn't mistake it."
Karl's eyes narrowed faintly.
So Enel escaped.
If he'd been captured, Kizaru wouldn't sound this relaxed.
Not bad, Enel.
"What's the situation in Mary Geoise?" Karl asked.
"Terrible~" Kizaru replied.
"Plenty of Celestial Dragons probably dead. The count isn't finished."
"The whole place is rubble."
Karl frowned. "He's that strong? Even you couldn't keep him?"
Kizaru shrugged audibly.
"He's as fast as I am. Look away for a second—he's gone."
"Anyway, enough questions."
"Come back immediately."
Karl glanced at the naked Hancock beside him and coughed lightly.
"I'm currently on an important mission. I may not return quickly—"
"Don't pretend. You have your raven. Fly back."
"If you ignore me, Sengoku will call you personally."
"…Fine. I'll try to return tomorrow."
"Wait," Kizaru added.
"What?"
"Were you asleep?"
"…Yes."
"Good. That's reassuring."
Click.
Kizaru hung up in Mary Geoise with a satisfied grin.
Karl stared at the Den Den Mushi.
"That old man—"
He slapped his thigh in frustration—
Only to accidentally land it on Hancock's smooth hip.
She let out a soft murmur and slowly opened her eyes, looking at him with half-lidded allure.
The Next Morning
Karl escorted Hancock back to Amazon Lily first, then headed straight for Mary Geoise.
Sengoku had already contacted him.
Several Celestial Dragons were critically injured—barely alive.
They needed his healing.
Karl was, of course—
"Duty-bound."
Mary Geoise – Afternoon
"Well well~ isn't that Vice Admiral White Crow?"
Kizaru greeted him with theatrical sarcasm.
Karl simply spread his hands innocently.
Sengoku rushed forward, visibly exhausted.
"Karl, good timing!"
"Several World Nobles require immediate treatment."
Karl responded flatly.
"Understood."
His tone carried obvious disdain for Celestial Dragons.
Sengoku scolded him outwardly—
But inwardly approved.
He himself despised them.
Unfortunately, the Marines belonged to the World Government.
Even as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had limits.
He appreciated Karl's attitude.
Much like he appreciated Kuzan.
Akainu, on the other hand—
Too rigid.
Too obedient.
Temporary Medical Ward
Doctors were already working.
Several bodies were covered with white sheets.
The air smelled of smoke and antiseptic.
Sengoku gestured.
"This is Vice Admiral White Crow."
"His abilities include healing."
The surviving Celestial Dragons immediately perked up.
"Hey! White Crow!"
"This Saint commands you to save my son immediately!"
"Or you'll regret wearing that uniform!"
Karl's fists clenched.
So this was how they asked for help?
He turned as if to leave.
Sengoku grabbed him quietly.
"Control yourself."
"If you save several World Nobles…"
"The Admiral expansion…"
"…might be negotiable."
Karl paused.
"Is that so?"
Sengoku tilted his head subtly toward the injured nobles.
Karl sighed.
Five critically wounded Celestial Dragons.
He summoned a small sphere of white Holy Light—
No larger than an egg.
And stingily divided it into five tiny fragments.
The effect was immediate.
Unfortunately—
Celestial Dragons were physically weak.
Even that minimal dose healed them rapidly.
Karl clicked his tongue internally.
Misjudged that.
One by one, they regained consciousness.
Tears and dramatic sobbing followed.
"Father! I hurt!"
"You're safe! Thank the heavens!"
Karl stared blankly.
Some of these "nobles" were older than him—
Yet mentally comparable to children.
The wonders of inbreeding.
Sengoku cleared his throat.
"We'll leave now."
"Wait."
A Celestial Dragon stepped forward.
Saint Charlos.
"You are Karl?"
"You saved my son."
"I will inform the Five Elders of your merit."
"You shall be rewarded."
He turned and left without another glance.
As if granting charity.
"Why are you standing there?"
"Thank Saint Charlos!"
Karl smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
He followed Sengoku out.
Outside – Media Frenzy
Reporters had already surrounded the area.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"What is your response to the attack on Mary Geoise?"
"Do you know the attacker's identity?"
"Has the Navy failed in its duty?!"
Sengoku felt a headache forming.
These journalists—
Their instincts were sharper than hounds.
Behind him—
Karl remained calm.
The storm outside Mary Geoise had only just begun.
And the world—
Was about to change.
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