After landing on the deck, Karl walked straight toward Ain.
Naturally, the Whitebeard Pirates weren't about to let him take her away so easily.
One by one, they stepped forward, blocking his path, eyes sharp and hostile.
Karl let out a soft chuckle and said to Ain calmly,
"Restore him."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ain returned Satch to normal.
But as she looked at the pirates surrounding them, unease still filled her eyes.
"Now," Karl said, smiling politely,
"can I go over?"
A man wearing an open dark-blue shirt, his chest hair fully exposed, snorted coldly.
"Don't get too cocky, Marine."
"This is the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, not Marineford."
Karl's smile slowly faded.
His face went completely blank.
"I said—move."
"And if I don't?"
The temperature seemed to plummet instantly.
Weapons were drawn.
The Whitebeard Pirates were ready to fight at any moment.
Bang!
Whitebeard slammed his hand onto the armrest.
Every pirate immediately turned to their captain.
"Gurararara~ What a bold Marine," Whitebeard laughed.
"Let him through."
Karl glanced at Whitebeard, then strode forward without hesitation.
The pirates parted, but their eyes stayed locked on him, as if trying to dissect every movement.
Reaching Ain, Karl untied her restraints and whispered,
"In a moment, Raven will take you back to G-10."
Ain nodded—then suddenly grabbed his arm.
"What about you?!"
"Me?"
Karl smiled lightly.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. I already contacted Admiral Kizaru—he's on his way."
"But—"
"No 'buts.' That's an order."
Karl whistled.
The Raven descended from the sky.
A pirate sneered,
"You think we're invisible? The Moby Dick isn't a place you come and go as you please."
Karl turned his head calmly.
"She leaves. I stay. Any problem with that?"
"She's just a Colonel," he added casually.
"I'm a Vice Admiral. You're actually getting the better deal."
Whitebeard's lips curved slightly.
"Hero saving the damsel, huh? Interesting."
"Boy, you remember what happened a year ago, don't you?"
"The Witch Pirates, led by Whitey Bay—destroyed by your hands."
"Yes," Karl said calmly.
"I did it."
"And you know they were an affiliated crew of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Touch my people," Whitebeard continued,
"and the price is never light."
"But—"
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Since you didn't mistreat Whitey Bay herself, I'll allow the girl to leave."
"But you must pay a price."
Otherwise…
He didn't finish the sentence.
But everyone knew what it meant.
Whitey Bay herself trembled with excitement among the crew.
Karl looked at Ain…
Then at Whitebeard.
And smiled.
"Alright."
In the next instant—
Slash.
Karl drew Thunderstorm in reverse grip and cut downward.
Thud.
An arm hit the deck.
"Karl—NO!!!"
Ain screamed.
Karl blocked her instinctive attempt to activate her ability, his face pale as he looked at Whitebeard.
"Is this price enough?"
Gulp.
The Whitebeard Pirates stared in stunned silence.
This Marine was insane.
A whole arm—cut off without hesitation.
For a woman?
Whitebeard's eyes flickered with surprise.
He hadn't expected such decisiveness.
"Enough," Whitebeard said slowly.
"The girl may leave."
"But your debt with us isn't settled."
"You stay."
Karl forced a smile.
"Fine."
He called the Raven down and turned to Ain.
"You go. Don't worry about me."
"No—I'm not leaving!"
"That's an order."
Karl's voice hardened.
"Raven, take her back to G-10. No matter what she says—do not listen."
"Gaa!"
Ain mounted the Raven, tears welling in her eyes.
"What will you do?!"
"I'll be fine," Karl said gently.
"I promise I'll return safely."
"I still owe you a birthday."
Ain took a deep breath, eyes red, and finally flew away.
Only then did Karl let out a quiet breath.
With Ain gone, he had no more restraints.
Now he only had to hold on until reinforcements arrived.
Kizaru… hurry up.
"Hey," Marco said quietly, his expression complicated.
"Didn't that hurt?"
"Hurt?"
Karl shook his head.
He crouched down, picked up his severed left arm, pressed it back into place—
White holy light erupted from his body.
His pale face regained color at visible speed.
When the light faded, Karl moved his arm casually.
Perfect.
"Not anymore."
Marco: "..."
Whitebeard: "..."
What the hell kind of recovery is that?!
Reattaching an arm like it was nothing?!
"That light—"
"Is that what healed him?"
Hidden in the crowd, Teach's eyes burned with greed.
That ability… isn't bad at all.
Too bad it's a Paramecia.
Karl grinned.
"Well then, Whitebeard—show me what you've got."
In the next second—
A terrifying Conqueror's Haki burst outward.
Pirates across the deck collapsed in waves.
Only division commanders remained standing.
"What?!"
"A Marine… with King's Haki?!"
Even Whitebeard was shocked.
But shock quickly turned to pressure.
Whitebeard's own Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, crushing Karl's.
Karl was instantly pushed back in the clash—but that was enough.
The weaker pirates were already down.
"As expected of the strongest man in the world," Karl said, breathing steadily.
"Unbelievable presence."
Whitebeard chuckled, rising to his feet.
He lifted the Supreme Grade Blade Murakumogiri and walked forward.
"You're impressive, boy."
"But you shouldn't have become a Marine."
Karl looked up at the towering giant before him.
Six and a half meters tall… this isn't a human.
Then again—this is One Piece.
"What's wrong with being a Marine?" Karl said evenly.
"Only as a Marine can I bury you relics of the old era."
"What did you say?!"
Before Whitebeard could speak, his sons erupted in fury.
But none dared to move.
"Big talk," Whitebeard said coldly.
"Let's see if you can back it up."
He swung Murakumogiri down.
The air froze.
Karl instantly drew Shusui, blocking—but not completely.
Whitebeard's raw strength forced Karl into the deck.
Veins bulging, Karl deflected the blade aside and countered—
"Elbaf Spear: Weiguo!"
A massive crimson flying slash roared toward Whitebeard's scarred chest.
Whitebeard snorted and punched.
The slash shattered.
But the quake force traveled straight into Karl's body—
BOOM.
He flew backward, crashing into the cabin wall.
One exchange.
The difference was obvious.
"You've got a long way to go, boy," Whitebeard said, returning to his seat.
"To bury me."
Karl coughed up blood, breathing hard.
Whitebeard was still Whitebeard.
Even now—terrifying.
His attacks hit harder than Akainu's magma.
Karl couldn't outlast him.
If this is him now… how monstrous was he in his prime?
"No wonder Shiki lost heart," Karl muttered.
"And Roger…"
He steadied himself.
"I'm young. I've got time."
"But you don't."
Whitebeard smiled faintly.
"And you may not either."
The division commanders moved instantly.
One after another, they rushed Karl.
"Remember me, Marine?!"
Whitey Bay shouted furiously.
"A year ago, you slaughtered my crew!"
"She's right!"
"This is the price for crossing the Whitebeard Pirates!"
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