After the Straw Hat Pirates disappeared, only a few half-dead members of the Spade Pirates were left on the ground, groaning in pain.
Carl raised his hand, and cleaned up the remaining pirates. He frowned, gazing at the sky. The power Luffy had just unleashed felt eerily familiar.
He recalled when he went to meet Imu, a similar power had been released.
From Luffy's current situation, it was clear that Joy Boy had emerged to "fight on his behalf." This power undoubtedly belonged to Joy Boy.
Luffy truly lived up to being the "child of destiny." Even Gol D. Roger, a man of immense fortune, paled in comparison. Joy Boy hadn't stepped in to help Roger but had now intervened directly for Luffy.
And conveniently, there was Toki, a user of the Time-Time Fruit, to facilitate the process.
However, the original timeline had already been severely disrupted due to Carl's influence. Momonosuke had died early at Carl's hands, and Oden had been left paralyzed, effectively ending his bloodline. This meant Hiyori was never born.
(T/N: Kouzuki Hiyori is the daughter of the late Kouzuki Oden and Kouzuki Toki and the younger sister of Kouzuki Momonosuke.)
In the war 22 years ago, Oden had not appeared. Carl speculated that he had likely been sent back to Wano before the battle began, as his condition would have made him a burden.
Given Oden's crippled state, it was easy to imagine his fate if he encountered Kaido in Wano. He was likely turned into soup stock by now.
With no husband and no children, Toki's decision to time-travel made sense.
The Time-Time Fruit was indeed a powerful escape tool. However, no matter how far she traveled, she was bound to reappear in this timeline.
Regardless of when she appeared, Carl would always be waiting for her in this timeline.
After surveying the devastated surroundings, Carl disappeared from the scene in a flash.
Somewhere by the shore
Law was leading the Heart Pirates, preparing to board their submarine-like ship. Before they could board, a black slash descended from the sky, carving a deep trench in the ground before them.
As the group stared in shock, Carl descended, arms crossed, floating above the trench.
Law reacted quickly, extending his hand and shouting, "ROOM!"
A translucent field expanded from Law's palm as he drew his cursed sword, Kikoku, and slashed at Carl from a distance.
However, the slash that was meant to bisect Carl did nothing. Seeing Law's shocked expression, Carl calmly said,
"Has no one told you? Haki can nullify Devil Fruit abilities."
With that, Carl raised his hand, pulling Law toward him effortlessly.
The moment Carl's hand touched Law, the "ROOM" field dissipated.
Carl didn't kill Law immediately—he had other plans for him. However, the Heart Pirates wouldn't sit idly by as their captain was captured. They charged at Carl in desperation.
Crackle!
Silver lightning danced at Carl's fingertips as he raised his hand to unleash an electric blast. But before he could, Law struggled and shouted,
"Wait, please! Are you the Black Dragon Admiral? I'm under the protection of Captain Rosinante!"
"Hm?"
Hearing this, Carl's expression showed mild surprise, and he lowered his hand. His eyes narrowed slightly, and an intense wave of Conqueror's Haki swept out. The members of the Heart Pirates were instantly knocked unconscious, collapsing to the ground.
Carl grabbed Law and brought him to an isolated area, tossing him to the ground.
Law coughed violently, clutching his throat. Carl looked down at him and said flatly,
"What's this all about?"
Rising shakily, Law glanced at Carl with reverence and said,
"Admiral Black Dragon, Captain Rosinante is still undercover with Doflamingo. He saved me from him."
"Hmm?"
"So you became a pirate because of that?"
"Admiral, please believe me. I don't want to be a pirate. My dream is to become a doctor. But I had no other choice. Captain Rosinante told me that Doflamingo planned to hand me over to a Celestial Dragon in Mary Geoise. If I joined the Navy, I feared they'd still send me to Mary Geoise. I used my abilities to escape but was branded a pirate by the World Government..."
Hearing this, Carl pieced it together. The "important person in Mary Geoise" that Law mentioned was undoubtedly himself. The irony made him chuckle inwardly.
With an unchanged expression, Carl looked at Law and asked,
"So, you're not worried that telling me this might lead me to send you to Mary Geoise?"
Law shook his head. "I'm not afraid. Captain Rosinante told me that the Black Dragon Admiral is a good man."
Carl raised an eyebrow. He had only met a young Rosinante once but didn't expect him to hold such a favorable impression of him.
If Rosinante was still undercover with Doflamingo, it meant his cover hadn't been blown yet.
Carl mused silently. Since his reawakening, he hadn't visited Doflamingo. Perhaps it was time. Doflamingo had even prepared Law as a "gift" for him—truly thoughtful.
After a moment of silence, Law nervously asked,
"Admiral, are you taking me to the Navy?"
Carl snapped out of his thoughts, smirking as he shook his head.
"No, you're coming with me to Mary Geoise."
"Nani?!"
Law's eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, Carl struck the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious.
Holding Law by the collar, Carl muttered,
"Don't worry. Since Rosinante thinks I'm a good man, I'll be one this time."
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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg