Carl felt an uneasiness settling in his chest like a storm cloud.
As expected, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki gave a firm nod. "Yes, I summoned you for a mission."
"There just so happen to be three candidates," he continued, glancing at the officers in the room. "And there are three of you. Each of you will be responsible for inviting one."
His voice turned cold and absolute. "If any of them refuse… eliminate them on the spot."
"They're pirates. If they can't serve the World Government's interests as members of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, then they're better off removed. We don't need another Ace situation."
Sakazuki still held a grudge about Ace—how the man rejected the government's offer and instead joined Whitebeard's crew, sparking chaos and ultimately the Summit War. That's why he wasn't taking chances now. Only top-level combatants like admirals would be sent for these "invitations." If the pirate refused, there would be no escape.
Carl glanced down at the folder in his hand, the list of rising pirates selected as new Warlord candidates. "So, who am I assigned to?"
Kizaru, lounging with his usual lazy demeanor, chimed in with a light chuckle, "Old man, you can take Edward Weevil."
"I'll go deal with that 'Clown' Buggy," he added, adjusting his sunglasses.
"That means I'm stuck with Trafalgar Law, huh?" Carl sighed, tapping his chin. "Where's he now?"
"Punk Hazard," Sakazuki replied with a stern gaze. There was a brief flicker of something unreadable in his eyes—something cold and personal.
Punk Hazard—an island sealed off from the world. Once a government science facility, it became a desolate battleground after Sakazuki and Kuzan's ten-day duel for the title of Fleet Admiral. Half the island scorched into flame, the other frozen into eternal winter. And thanks to Caesar Clown's chemical weapons, much of the air remained poisoned.
"So it's there…" Carl muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Tch. What a dump."
"It's uninhabitable," Sakazuki said plainly. "But Law's there. Proceed with caution."
"And there's one more thing," Sakazuki added, reaching for another file.
"Hm?"
"It concerns your altercation with the 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock on the Sabaody Archipelago."
Carl blinked. "That little scuffle?"
"She filed a complaint directly with the World Government. They've issued you an official warning."
"…That's it?" Carl raised his brows.
That was unusually lenient. The elders must have been distracted—or Hancock was being protective of Luffy again.
"All in all, that's everything. Prepare to depart." Sakazuki pinched the bridge of his nose. "I've got my hands full dealing with Garp…"
The three officers rose from the sofa silently and exited the room.
At sea.
The Oak Dragon sailed steadily toward its target.
Carl stood at the bow, letting the salty wind whip through his hair. "New World… It's been a while."
Their destination—Punk Hazard—wasn't far. The island, located at the edge of the New World, had once served as a checkpoint under World Government jurisdiction before being rendered uninhabitable. Given its proximity, there was no need to venture deeper into Yonko territory.
"The atmosphere's so different here," Yamato said from beside him, scanning the shifting clouds.
"Feels heavier, more… violent."
"Obviously," Carl snorted. "Why do you think I've avoided the New World all this time?"
Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line—was chaotic, sure. But pirates there were often ignorant of Haki, and most were small fry. The New World? Even a cabin boy might know Armament or Observation Haki. It was a different league entirely.
Suddenly, T. Penn rushed over from below deck, waving a piece of paper. "Vice Admiral! Headquarters just issued a public statement!"
The higher-ups—Sakazuki and the Five Elders—had finally reached a consensus regarding Garp. To avoid uproar, they decided to reframe the situation.
"Marine Hero Vice Admiral Garp Assigned as the New Director of Impel Down!"
Impel Down had been compromised during the Summit War. Magellan, the former Director, was demoted to Deputy after his failure. Assigning Garp to the prison was more a symbolic sentence than a promotion.
Carl looked up at the sky, the cigar between his lips barely lit. "Looks like the old man might not leave Impel Down again…"
"Wait, you mean Garp's locked up?" Yamato blinked, confused.
"More or less," Carl shrugged. "Doesn't matter. We're almost there."
Yamato turned toward the front of the ship.
Krrk, krrrk—
The Oak Dragon smashed through ice floes ahead. The sea shimmered with unnatural colors—crimson from residual lava, and glacial blue from icebergs. This was the legacy of the Admiral duel.
"This is what happens when two top-tier Logia clash," Carl muttered, gripping the hilt of Sakuraten, his cursed blade.
He pulled the sword free.
Zheng—!
"Slash Wave."
A massive black-gold crescent cleaved through the waves, parting the sea ahead and creating a clear path forward.
Elsewhere, on a remote island—
Monkey D. Luffy held the newspaper in trembling hands. "Gramps… he…"
"We're lucky your grandpa let us escape," Usopp gulped. "Otherwise, we'd be rotting in Impel Down."
Zoro clenched his jaw. "Solomon Carl…"
He remembered the battle on Sabaody. Carl had crushed them—easily. Even Mihawk, Zoro's master and the greatest swordsman in the world, had lost to him.
"If I can't surpass Carl," Zoro muttered, "I can't reach Mihawk, either…"
"I'll defeat that Marine myself!" Luffy growled, eyes burning with determination.
"Heh. Let's see who beats him first, Luffy," Zoro said, smirking.
"It's me, obviously!"
"Huh?! No way, it's me!"
"Why are you so confident?!" Nami groaned from the side, watching the two bicker.
The rest of the crew quietly agreed—could such a monster really be defeated?
Back at Punk Hazard—
The Oak Dragon sliced through the waves like a great sword. In moments, they reached the island's coast.
"Vice Admiral! We've arrived!" T. Penn called out.
"I see it," Carl replied, eyes narrowing.
The island loomed ominously. One half scorched and blackened. The other half locked in ice. Above them, thunderclouds churned.
The ship anchored.
Carl took the lead as they disembarked.
"Are there really people on this hellhole?" Yamato asked, squinting at the harsh terrain.
Carl didn't answer immediately. Instead, a cold chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Sign-In Complete: Punk Hazard]
[Reward Acquired: Alchemy – Derived Ability (Source: Fullmetal Alchemist)]
[Ability Delivered. Please check status screen.]
Carl paused in place. Yamato and the Marines stopped behind him.
"What is it? An enemy?" Yamato asked, tensing—but she sensed no presence.
"No. Just something… interesting." Carl smiled faintly. "Let's keep moving."
As they advanced, the frozen terrain beneath their feet suddenly shifted.
A soft hum filled the air. In Carl's left palm, a red transmutation circle lit up.
Alchemy—the science of understanding matter, breaking it down, and reconstructing it through equivalent exchange.
FWOOOSH—!
A sudden burst of crimson flame flared from Carl's hand.
"Fascinating," he murmured.
If utilized properly, this ability had massive potential. Just like the homunculi in the source world—it could even support mass-produced soldiers.
Krrrk—
The frozen ice transformed into cold, polished steel.
"Wha… what is this?!" a Marine cried. Beneath their feet, the earth had changed into metal.
"Is this your Devil Fruit?!" Yamato asked, wide-eyed.
"Sort of," Carl replied calmly. "But this is just the beginning. Now, let's say hello to our host…"
He extended his palm into the air.
HUMMM—
A red sigil unfolded in front of him. He began calculating rapidly—the atmospheric composition, air density, volatile components…
Yamato's Observation Haki flared.
"Carl—! Wait—!"
BOOOOM!!
An explosion erupted in the distance, lighting up the edge of Punk Hazard with a fiery glow.
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