"Karl, how are things on your end?"
"Marshal Sengoku, everything is under control. It's just that the base was heavily damaged by the aftershocks of the battle and needs repairs."
"Haah… don't worry about that. I originally thought Whitebeard would be the first to show up—who would've thought Kaido would barge in instead."
Karl's lips curled slightly.
Hearing Sengoku say that, things suddenly clicked.
So… was he the bait?
A deliberate lure to draw Whitebeard out, then stir the waters a bit?
Yeah, that sounded about right.
When it came to strategy, being a little underhanded was perfectly normal.
"Maybe it's because I dealt with Jack the Drought on my way here," Karl said casually.
"He might've wanted to save face."
"That's possible. Kaido's thinking has never been very… normal.
In any case, that puts my mind at ease. I'll arrange the funds for the base reconstruction—G-10 will be in your hands from now on."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Marine Headquarters · Marshal's Office
After hanging up, Sengoku stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Driving Kaido away… putting Karl on the headlines wouldn't be unreasonable, would it?
Once Newgate learns where Karl is…
"Increase surveillance on the Whitebeard Pirates immediately," Sengoku ordered.
"Any unusual movement—report it to me at once!"
"Yes, Marshal!"
The Next Day
News Coo delivered newspapers to every corner of the world.
The front page headline was impossible to miss—
"KAIDO LAUNCHES SURPRISE ATTACK ON G-10 BASE!"
The article heavily emphasized how Marine Vice Admiral Karl, alongside Admiral Candidate Gion, had fought Kaido head-on for an entire day and night.
In an instant, Karl's name spread across the seas.
At just 25 years old, a Marine Vice Admiral was already rare enough—
let alone one who had survived a prolonged battle against Kaido of the Beasts.
And Kaido's reputation as a "benchmark" was more than solid.
Almost no one questioned whether Karl's strength was exaggerated.
Moby Dick
"Pops! Pops! We've got news!"
Whitebeard let out a hearty laugh.
"Gurararara! What's got you so worked up? Take it slow."
"It's that Marine—Karl! He's stationed at G-10 Base in the New World now!
Just one day ago, he and a Marine called Momousagi fought Kaido for an entire day and night!"
Whitebeard froze.
"Kaido?"
Hearing was one thing—seeing was another.
He snatched the newspaper and read carefully.
The photo showed the ruins of G-10 Base.
A battered Karl stood there, dual blades in hand, facing Kaido head-on.
"…This kid's grown fast," Whitebeard muttered.
"Last year he couldn't even trade blows with Marco—now he's clashing with Kaido?"
Marco spoke solemnly.
"Pops, his fundamentals are extremely solid. Especially his physical combat—even I couldn't gain the upper hand."
"Last year, my only real advantage was physique.
If not for that, I wouldn't have been able to suppress him."
"Now… his body is no longer a weakness."
Whitebeard nodded slowly, downing a bowl of sake in one gulp.
Last year, that Marine had caused trouble for his "daughter," killing all her subordinates.
Whitebeard had planned to help her get revenge.
But Karl never showed himself.
Later investigations revealed that the kid had been operating exclusively in Paradise—
crushing pirates there and never entering the New World.
Whitebeard wasn't about to personally march into Paradise—that would've been asking for trouble.
Even back then, he suspected Karl was being heavily protected.
And now?
The Marines were practically shouting in his ear:
"You want revenge? He's at G-10. Come on over."
From decades of dealing with Sengoku, Whitebeard could see it clearly—
This was an obvious trap.
"Pops! Pops! Let's go avenge Big Sis Whitey Bay!"
"Gurararara~ Not yet," Whitebeard said calmly.
"Revenge will come—but not now."
G-10 Base
Marines and civilians worked together to rebuild their home.
Even though headquarters' funds hadn't arrived yet, morale remained high.
The civilians still trusted the Marines—surely they wouldn't withhold wages.
"My office…! Waaaah—my sofa! My lounge chair! All gone!"
Karl wailed dramatically, staring at the wreckage of what used to be his office.
Ain rolled her eyes beside him.
"Stop crying already. It's just an office. Is it really that serious?"
"You're still young, Ain. You wouldn't understand," Karl sighed.
"Forget it. This time, I'm installing a jacuzzi in my office no matter what."
"What? Headquarters gives you funds and this is how you plan to use them?"
Karl theatrically pulled out a Beli note, pinched it—and lit it on fire.
Yes, using money as a lighter.
He casually used it to light his cigar and said arrogantly:
"Don't forget—I've got plenty of money.
Not just a jacuzzi—I'm adding a full bath too…"
"…You do realize you're the commanding officer, right?" Ain muttered before leaving.
Den Den Mushi
Buru buru…
Seeing the Den Den Mushi's face, Karl smiled.
"My dear, I heard Kaido attacked G-10 Base. Are you alright?"
Hancock… so thoughtful.
"Relax. You know my body well enough, don't you?"
The Den Den Mushi's cheeks flushed red—
which meant Hancock was definitely blushing on the other end.
"T-That's not what I meant…
I miss you. When are you coming to see me?"
Karl scratched his head.
"I'm a bit busy lately. Once things calm down, I'll come visit—okay?"
"Mmm! Then you have to come soon!
I bought lots of clothes you like~"
Karl swallowed hard.
"I—I understand. I promise I'll come soon."
He quickly hung up the call and took a deep breath to calm himself.
Then—
Buru buru…
Another call came in.
"I was at the Marine Science Unit recently, so I couldn't contact you.
You alright, kid?"
"Of course I'm fine, old man.
I'm not as weak as you think anymore—and Momousagi helped too."
"Scary~"
"By the way," Kizaru continued,
"I mentioned your ability to Vegapunk during the experiments.
He's very interested in you. Are you interested in—"
Click.
Karl hung up instantly.
Nope. Absolutely not.
Being researched was not on his to-do list.
Let Kizaru and Kuma handle that—he wanted no part in it.
Kizaru scratched his head.
He'd thought Karl wouldn't refuse so decisively, especially considering Pythagoras' help.
What's so bad about being researched?
At least you don't have to work—sounds great to me.
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