That's right.
Carlos's biological father was the Marine "Administrative Admiral" who was killed solo by Rocks in the Holy Land in the manga.
And it happened right in front of him; he witnessed it with his own eyes.
Carlos was a transmigrator.
And he had transmigrated as an infant.
Eighteen years ago, he was born into the world of One Piece and became the son of a Marine Admiral.
It could be called a god-tier start!
Carlos had once fantasized about it.
One day, he would witness the exciting stories of this manga world one by one as a high-ranking Marine official or even an Admiral.
He would clash with the legendary pirate powerhouses on the sea alongside Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
He would see the future three Admirals—the pheasant, the dog, and the monkey—join the Marines with his own eyes.
Then, decades later.
Luffy would set sail, and the Supernovas would gather at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Maybe he could even follow Kizaru to beat up some Supernovas and show off.
But man proposes, God disposes.
Carlos never expected...
...that the script he received would be like this.
Everything changed on that day twelve years ago.
That day, the World Conference was held in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The kings of over a hundred Affiliated Nations were invited to participate.
Rocks took the opportunity to infiltrate the Holy Land.
He kidnapped five kings.
The Marine Admiral stationed at the Holy Land at the time, codenamed White Dragon, Soros White, immediately went to the rescue.
He thought that as the World Government's highest combat power...
...he could easily take down this intruder.
Little did he know, Rocks' ferocity and strength far exceeded Soros White's expectations.
That Haoshoku-infused attack, like a cannon blast, possessed the terrifying power to shatter islands and destroy nations with every strike.
He was beaten into a steady retreat!
Plus, with several hostage kings dragging him down...
In just a few dozen short seconds...
A highest combat power of the World Government, a world-class Marine Admiral, fell heavily wounded!
And at that time, six-year-old Carlos happened to be by his father's side.
Even to this day.
He couldn't forget the scene after Rocks swung his blade and blasted a large hole in his father's chest.
Through that bloody hole...
...the scene of him smiling and waving at him.
That arrogant, conceited, cynical, and overbearingly peerless smile.
It was like a brand, deeply imprinted in Carlos's mind!
Regarding Rocks...
It was impossible for Carlos not to hate him.
The grudge of killing his father was irreconcilable.
Sooner or later, he would settle this score with Rocks!
However, he still knew how much he was worth right now.
Forget about taking on Rocks.
He couldn't even defeat those Division Captains under Rocks' command!
first division captain, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate!
second division captain, Golden Lion Shiki!
Third Division Captain, Charlotte Linlin!
All of them were legendary pirates who would shake the world in the future!
Compared to these long-famed Great Pirates, his eighteen-year-old self was still too young!
To compete with these monsters...
He had to at least catch up to the monsters on the Marine side first—Garp and Sengoku!
But even if he caught up to Garp and Sengoku...
And caught up to Whitebeard and Golden Lion...
He might not necessarily be able to get his revenge and kill Rocks.
After all, that was... Rocks!
Rocks' strength was simply off the charts!
It was a power that created a total gap!
Even a Marine Admiral like his father...
Even the King of God Valley, Gringu...
In front of Rocks, they only met the end of defeat and death!
This was a man who dared to break into the Room of Flowers alone, face Imu, and still retreat unscathed!
Without a doubt, he absolutely stood above top combat powers like Admirals and Four Emperors, reigning over the sea like a king, like a god-like existence!
Even in the entire history of the One Piece world...
Rocks' strength was probably enough to rank in the top five, or even the top three!
Therefore.
Even if Carlos had thoughts of revenge against Rocks in his heart...
He only wanted to grow himself first.
When he was strong enough, when he became part of the Marine decision-making level...
He would use the power of the Marines and even the World Government to confront and attack Rocks.
Not like what Kong said, running off to be an undercover in the Rocks Pirates right now.
Isn't that just looking for death?
Perhaps sensing the resistance in Carlos's words...
Kong sighed.
For a moment, he didn't know how to continue persuading him.
Actually, he was also in a bit of a dilemma coming here.
On one side was the proposal from the Marine Headquarters Staff Department.
On the other side, Carlos was the descendant of his comrade-in-arms.
Carlos's father, White Dragon Soros White, was a Marine Admiral just like him during his lifetime.
He was a comrade who had gone through life and death with him.
And a very close friend.
After Soros White died, Kong, as a Marine Admiral, took great care of Carlos.
He had even offended the World Government for this, talking back to the Gorosei who wanted to seize White's inheritance for the public treasury.
Otherwise, how could Carlos afford such extravagant spending now?
The assets accumulated by a Marine Admiral over decades—how could it be less than tens of billions of Berries?
What a massive asset, enough to make anyone green with envy!
You have to know, this is 42 years before Luffy sets sail!
With no one speaking, the room suddenly fell into a long silence.
Only the cigars in their mouths were constantly drifting smoke.
After a long time, Kong finally spoke, breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
He looked seriously at Carlos across from him.
"Carlos, actually... you don't need to be too modest about your own strength."
"Although you can't compare to Garp and Sengoku yet..."
"Your strength far exceeds the standards of your current rank."
"Even some Headquarters Vice Admirals can't defeat you; this is something we have all witnessed."
"Without a doubt, you inherited your father's talent... No, I even feel that your talent surpasses your father's!"
"Because even your father, even Garp and Sengoku, weren't as strong as you at your age..."
Carlos crossed his arms and tilted his legs.
"No need for flattery. I'm not going."
"It's not flattery! I'm serious!"
Kong looked solemn. "I truly feel that you have the potential of an Admiral... or even a Fleet Admiral!"
"Heh."
Kong ignored Carlos's curled lip and continued, "What you lack now is just enough military merit and a place to temper yourself."
"And now... the opportunity has come!"
"As long as you can complete this undercover mission, you'll not only accumulate enough military merit but also fully temper yourself, allowing your monstrous talent to grow rapidly!"
"I believe that one day in the future, you will definitely become an Admiral like your father! You might even have a chance to become the Fleet Admiral!"
"Drawing cakes, keep drawing cakes," Carlos sneered. "If it's such a good opportunity, why don't you let Garp go? You should send Garp or Sengoku; their strength is much greater than mine, and they have plenty of experience."
"Do you think they're suitable?" Kong smiled bitterly, spreading his hands.
"Setting aside their reckless personalities that hate evil as an enemy, just their current reputations are already known by pirates all over the world. How could they infiltrate the Rocks Pirates? Do you think others are blind?"
"But you're different, Carlos. You haven't officially stepped onto the sea yet, and your name isn't known to the outside world."
"And your style of doing things... in a way, it's very suitable for that side..."
Carlos curled his lip. "That's not necessarily true. There are plenty of face-blind people in this world. Add a scar to the face, change the hairstyle, or even snip the 'little bird,' and maybe no one would recognize them. Besides..."
"I feel like you're talking behind my back. They hate evil, but don't I?"
Kong glanced at the few camisoles scattered on the floor, his mouth twitching.
"You... also quite hate evil."