Chapter 3: The Staff Admiral's Son
That's right.
Carlo's biological father was the Marine "staff admiral" from the manga, the one Rocks killed single-handedly in the Holy Land.
And it happened right in front of him, witnessed with his own eyes.
Carlo was a transmigrator.
And he was reborn from infancy.
Eighteen years ago, he was born into the world of One Piece and became the son of a Marine admiral.
It was a perfect start.
Carlo used to fantasize about it.
One day, as a Marine high-ranking officer, even an admiral, he would personally witness one exciting story after another in this manga world.
He would clash with the legends of the seas alongside Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru, trading blows with one legendary pirate after another.
He would see with his own eyes the future trio of admirals: the pheasant, the dog, and the monkey.
Then, decades later, Luffy would set sail and the Supernovas would gather at Sabaody.
Maybe he could even go with Kizaru to beat up some Supernovas and show off a little.
But plans never beat reality.
Carlo never imagined that this would be the script he got.
Everything changed twelve years ago, on that day.
That day, the Holy Land held a World Conference.
More than a hundred kings of member nations from around the world were invited to attend.
Rocks took the chance to infiltrate the Holy Land.
He kidnapped five kings.
The Marine admiral stationed in the Holy Land at the time, code-named White Dragon, Soros White, immediately went to rescue them.
He thought that as the World Government's highest combat power, he could easily take down this intruder.
Who would have expected Rocks' ferocity and strength to far exceed Soros White's expectations.
Those Conqueror's Haki-infused blows, like bombardment, each strike carrying terrifying power that could shatter islands and destroy nations, drove him back again and again.
And with several hostage kings holding him back, in just a few dozen seconds, a top Marine admiral—one of the World Government's highest combat powers—was gravely wounded and fell.
At the time, six-year-old Carlo happened to be at his father's side.
Even now, he could not forget the moment Rocks swung his blade and blasted a huge hole through his father's chest.
Through that blood-soaked opening, Rocks smiled and waved at him.
That arrogant, rampant, carefree, domineering smile etched itself into Carlo's mind like a brand.
As for Rocks, it was impossible for Carlo not to hate him.
A father-killing grudge could never share the same sky.
Sooner or later, he would settle this debt with Rocks.
But Carlo also knew exactly what he was worth right now.
Forget taking on Rocks.
He could not even defeat the division commanders under Rocks.
First Division Commander, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate!
Second Division Commander, Golden Lion Shiki!
Third Division Commander, Charlotte Linlin!
Every one of them would become a legendary pirate who shook the era!
Compared with these long-famous sea demons, the eighteen-year-old him was still too young.
If he wanted to compete with monsters like that, he at least had to catch up to the monsters on the Marines' side first: Garp and Sengoku!
But even if he caught up to Garp and Sengoku, and even if he caught up to Whitebeard and Shiki, he might still not be able to take revenge and kill Rocks.
Because that was Rocks!
Rocks' strength was far beyond the standard.
It was strength on a completely different tier!
Even a Marine admiral like Carlo's father.
Even the King of God Valley, Gringu.
Before Rocks, they would only end in defeat and death!
He was the kind of man who dared to barge into the Chamber of Flowers, face Imu directly, and still retreat unscathed.
Without question, he stood above admirals and Yonko alike, reigning over the seas like a king, like a god.
Even in the entire history of the One Piece world, Rocks' power was likely enough to rank in the top five, even the top three!
So even though Carlo had thoughts of vengeance, his plan was to grow first.
When he became strong enough, when he reached the Marines' decision-making level, he would borrow the power of the Marines and even the World Government to confront and crush Rocks.
Not run off now to infiltrate the Rocks Pirates like Kong was suggesting.
That would be like lighting a lamp between your butt cheeks—asking to die.
Maybe he heard the rejection in Carlo's words.
Kong let out a sigh.
For a moment, he did not know how to continue persuading him.
Actually, this trip had put Kong in a difficult position, too.
On one side was the proposal from the Marine high command's staff department.
On the other side, Carlo was the descendant of his old comrade.
Carlo's father, White Dragon Soros White, had been a Marine admiral just like him.
They had fought through life and death together.
They were close friends.
After Soros White died, Kong, as a Marine admiral, took great care of Carlo.
He even offended the World Government for it and confronted the Five Elders who wanted to confiscate White's inheritance.
Otherwise, how could Carlo be spending so extravagantly now?
The wealth accumulated by a Marine admiral over decades was far more than ten billion beli.
It was an enormous fortune that would make anyone jealous.
After all, this was forty-two years before Luffy set sail.
With no one speaking, the room fell into a long silence.
Only the cigars clenched between their teeth kept sending smoke into the air.
After a long time, Kong finally spoke and broke the heavy atmosphere.
He looked seriously at Carlo across from him.
"Carlo, actually… you don't need to belittle your own strength so much."
"Sure, you're not on Garp and Sengoku's level yet."
"But your strength far exceeds what your current rank suggests."
"Even some Headquarters vice admirals can't beat you, and everyone has seen that with their own eyes."
"Without a doubt, you inherited your father's talent… no, I even think your talent surpasses your father's!"
"Because even your father, even Garp and Sengoku, weren't as strong as you at your age…"
Carlo folded his arms and crossed one leg over the other.
"Save the flattery. I'm not going."
"It's not flattery. I'm serious!"
Kong's face turned solemn.
"I truly believe you have the makings of an admiral… even of a fleet admiral!"
"Heh."
Kong ignored Carlo's curled lip and continued.
"What you lack right now is enough merit, and a place to temper yourself."
"And now… the opportunity has come!"
"As long as you complete this infiltration mission, you won't just accumulate enough merit."
"You'll also temper yourself fully and make that monstrous talent of yours grow rapidly."
"I believe that one day, you'll definitely become an admiral like your father."
"Maybe even fleet admiral isn't out of reach."
"Nice dream. Keep selling it." Carlo sneered.
"If it's such a good opportunity, why not send Garp."
"Send Garp and Sengoku instead. They're way stronger than me, and they have more experience."
"Do you think they're suitable?" Kong gave a bitter smile and spread his hands.
"Forget their reckless, justice-obsessed personalities."
"Just their reputations alone are already known to pirates all over the world."
"How could they possibly infiltrate the Rocks Pirates."
"Do you think everyone else is blind?"
"But you're different, Carlo."
"You haven't officially set foot on the sea yet, and your name still isn't known outside."
"And your way of doing things… in a certain sense, it suits that side."
Carlo curled his lip.
"Not necessarily. There are plenty of face-blind people in this world."
"Put another scar on your face, change your hairstyle, cut off your junk, and maybe they still won't recognize you."
"Also…"
"I think you're taking a jab at me."
"They're justice-obsessed, and I'm not?"
Kong glanced at the few straps scattered on the floor and the corner of his mouth twitched.
"You… are pretty justice-obsessed too."