Solomon Carl, also known as "Nobita" in his disguise, looked at the group of Marines speechlessly.
"So, can you catch these pirates first?"
His words snapped the Marines out of their daze.
"All hands, move out! With Lord Nobita here, these pirates have nowhere to run!"
"R-run away!"
The pirates panicked, fleeing in all directions.
"That monster… we can't win against him!"
Among them was "Iron Head" Boyle, a notorious pirate with a bounty of 55 million berries, a formidable sum in Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line. While he wasn't on the level of the Supernovas, he was still considered a big name among lesser pirates.
Yet, despite his reputation, he had been utterly crushed in a single blow.
Soru!
In an instant, the massive cloaked figure of "Nobita" materialized in front of a fleeing pirate.
"What?!"
The pirate barely had time to react before a heavy palm sent him flying.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Across the battlefield, "Nobita" vanished and reappeared unpredictably, executing Rokushiki's Soru to its absolute limit.
At Sea, En Route to Sabaody
A Marine warship cut through the waves.
Carl reclined on a deck chair, watching the sky with interest.
"This feeling is really something else…"
He was controlling two bodies at once—his own and "Nobita's." While his proficiency in handling Bartholomew Kuma's physique was still lacking, he could utilize its basic capabilities effectively.
Of course, it was far from Kuma's full combat potential. But once he fully mastered this ability, "Nobita" would reclaim a place among the top powerhouses.
Or rather, he should be called "Nobita" now.
Sabaody Archipelago
A black-cloaked figure flickered across the battlefield.
No pirate could evade his palm strikes.
Boom!
With another strike, "Nobita" took down a pirate, then halted momentarily. The remaining enemies weren't worth his effort.
"Bright and the others should be able to handle the rest… Actually, never mind. They need to get used to their own abilities. I'll keep going."
With that thought, he vanished once more, teleporting toward another pirate whose aura he sensed through Kenbunshoku Haki.
Sabaody Archipelago - Port Area
A Marine warship slowly docked.
"Colonel Carl! We've arrived!"
A Marine saluted as he reported.
Carl lazily opened his eyes, scanning the harbor filled with pirate ships. Most bore Jolly Rogers, and new pirate crews kept arriving.
"Tch… That old man Whitebeard really left me a mess."
After the downfall of the Supernovas, pirates should have feared setting foot in Sabaody.
However, before his death, Whitebeard's final words—"One Piece is real!"—had echoed across the world.
Now, reckless pirates rushed toward the New World, believing they could fill the void left by the Emperor's fall.
"So this is the Great Pirate Era… and the allure of the One Piece."
The warship reached shore, and a wooden gangplank extended down.
Carl disembarked first.
"You all, move forward," he ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines rushed ahead, while Carl flicked his fingers. Thin, blade-like petals materialized in the air, their razor-sharp aura sending chills down spines.
"C-Colonel Carl is…" A Marine widened his eyes in shock.
One by one, the thin blades rained down upon the anchored pirate ships.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Carl turned away casually, without even glancing at the destruction behind him.
"A real man never looks back at an explosion."
The soldiers, however, couldn't resist stealing a glance.
Their expressions froze.
The pirate ships—sliced apart like hot butter under a knife—sank instantly.
The pirates aboard didn't even have time to scream before being dragged under by the sea.
Sabaody Archipelago - Marine Base, Area 66
As Carl entered the base, a frustrated voice called out.
"Hey! You, Marine! Talk to me!"
Carl smirked but didn't slow down.
"Colonel Carl!" Bright ran over, excited. "You're finally back!"
He had just finished rounding up the pirates knocked out by Nobita.
"Good. Let's talk while we walk," Carl said, heading toward his office.
"Hey! Marine! Hey!"
Jewel Bonney, one of the Eleven Supernovas, was calling out, her frustration evident.
"Colonel Carl, do you have someone named 'Nobita' under your command? He single-handedly took down thousands of pirates!"
Carl nodded casually. "Yeah. He's one of mine."
Bright hesitated, then added, "Colonel, King Neptune of Fish-Man Island personally invited you to visit."
"Oh?" Carl raised an eyebrow. "Because we sent back those two Fish-Men?"
Bright nodded. "Yes. The King wants to meet you and thank you personally."
Carl thought for a moment. "Alright. Prepare for departure. We're heading to Fish-Man Island."
"Yes, sir!"
Bright hesitated before saying, "But Colonel, to reach Fish-Man Island, we need a proper coating."
Carl chuckled. "I know just the guy."
Sabaody Archipelago - Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, Area 13
Inside the dimly lit bar, Silvers Rayleigh and Shakky looked toward the door as footsteps echoed.
Creak—
The door swung open, revealing a tall man with a cigar in his mouth.
"…It's you?"
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed sharply before he broke into a slow grin.
"Solomon Carl… What brings a rising star like you to an old man in retirement?"
Shakky, standing behind the counter, took a deep breath.
"So this is Solomon Carl…"
Carl exhaled a smoke ring. "You hit me last time, old man. I haven't settled that debt yet."
Rayleigh's eye twitched. Who was hitting who?!
"Listen, kid," Rayleigh sighed, forcing a smile. "I'm just an old relic now. I'd rather not fight someone like you."
Carl smirked. "Fine. But you owe me compensation."
"Huh?" Rayleigh blinked. "I don't have any money."
"Who the hell wants your money?"
Some time later…
Rayleigh begrudgingly coated Carl's warship.
"This is extortion," he muttered.
The once-proud Dark King now had to coat warships for Marines as repayment.
Beside him, two young Marines—Coffey and Emily—watched in fascination.
"Are you two under Carl?" Rayleigh asked.
Coffey's eyes shone with admiration.
"Lord Carl saved our lives! It's my dream to serve under him!"
Emily giggled. "That's right! I think so too!"
Rayleigh stared at them silently before resuming his work.
The Next Day - En Route to Fish-Man Island
The warship began its deep-sea descent.
Coffey and Emily watched through the coating, awestruck.
"This is the ocean floor…"
Carl, reclining on his chair, smirked. "Keep an eye out for Sea Kings."
"W-What?!"
The two Marines paled.
Sea Kings were legendary sea monsters, possessing absurd size and strength.
And then—
A deep, resonating sound echoed through the ocean.
Carl blinked.
"…No way."
In the distance, a colossal shadow stirred.
The Marines froze, horrified.
Carl exhaled.
"Damn it… Do I still have the crow's mouth attribute?"
From below, a gigantic tentacle emerged, dwarfing the entire warship.
Carl stood up, his red eyes flashing.
"No need to worry."
He grinned.
"I'm not a Devil Fruit user."
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 80+ CHAPTERS
Patreon.com/Kora_1