Ocean Calendar Year 1517.
Karl had now been stationed at G-10 Base for a full three years.
Over those three years, life had been… quiet.
No earth-shattering achievements.
No major disasters either.
He had simply done his job—steadily, conscientiously, and without incident—serving as a dependable base commander.
Yet on this perilous stretch of the New World's sea routes, he had still earned a name.
"White Crow."
The nickname had been coined by Nelson.
Every time Karl went out on a mission, he wore a white suit and rode atop a black crow. Nelson felt it had the same ring as titles like White Horse, so "White Crow" was born.
At first, Karl hadn't cared much.
But somehow, the name spread farther and farther—until it officially became his callsign.
At that point, Karl could only accept it.
After all, a codename was just a codename.
And "White Crow" sounded far better than things like Tea Pig or Green Bull.
G-10 Base.
"Tsk… I really don't want to leave," Karl sighed.
"Three whole years here, and just like that, I'm gone. What do you think, Ain?"
Ain shot him a graceful glare, though she sighed softly as well.
What could they do?
Orders were orders.
Karl was being recalled to Marineford to undergo the Admirals' evaluation—to prove he was qualified to become an Admiral Candidate.
As for her, she would be leading her own unit, traveling the seas to hunt pirates independently.
Seeing Ain remain silent, Karl shook his head.
Such a nice office…
What a waste. The next base commander would get it for free.
"Why do you think Fleet Admiral Sengoku suddenly decided to make you an Admiral Candidate?" Ain asked.
"With your strength, shouldn't you have qualified long ago?"
Karl stroked his chin.
"Probably because Shanks became the fourth Emperor. The New World's balance is getting messy."
"And on top of that," he added casually,
"my years of service might finally be enough."
"Besides, Admiral Candidate is just a title. What really matters is that I'll be handling more important missions."
What Karl didn't say was that he strongly suspected Sengoku had finally grown tired of watching him slack off every day.
But it didn't matter.
After three years of accumulation, Karl had already undergone a complete transformation.
Status Overview
Name: Karl
Age: 28
Physique: SS+ (Heartbreaker bonus applied)
Perception: SS-
Willpower: SS+
Haki:
Armament Haki: MAX
(Hardening, Imbuement, Emission, Internal Destruction)
Observation Haki: MAX
(Weak Point Perception)
Conqueror's Haki: Lv. 6
(Intimidation, Coating)
Special Traits:
Still as a Maiden
Swift as a Mad Rabbit
Father of the Sea
Swordsmanship: MAX
Fishman Arm Strength
Heartbreaker
Stamina +62.102%
Stamina Recovery +124.204%
Three-Year Draw Rewards:
Steel-Reinforced Body: Defense +50%
Wandering Swordsman:
Flying Slash Power +20%
Flight Speed & Distance +50%
Holy Light Fruit: 72.1% Awakening Progress
Holy Light AbilitiesHoly Light Blessing:
Enhances allies' physique and heals injuries
Self: 100%
Single ally: 50%
Group: 25%
Purification:
Instantly restores body to perfect condition and removes all abnormal states, including Devil Fruit-induced effects
Blessing of Courage:
Massive physical enhancement
Self: 150%
Single ally: 75%
Group: 50%
Weapon Blessing:
Infuses weapons with Holy Light, increasing durability and power
Holy Light Domain:
500-meter radius domain centered on Karl
Allies continuously receive refreshed buffs
(25% efficiency)
Divine Protection:
Spherical Holy Light shield around the body
Extremely strong defense
Consumes enormous stamina—cannot be maintained indefinitely
Compared to three years ago, Karl was on a completely different level.
Big Mom, Kaido, Whitebeard, Shanks—none of them would have imagined that while they were busy ruling the seas, Karl had been quietly "slacking off" right under their noses…
…and somehow slacked his way into becoming a hidden boss.
At the very least, if he met Whitebeard again, Karl wouldn't be defeated so easily.
If he had to compare himself—
Against current Shanks?
Six to four.
Karl six. Shanks four.
Physique?
With all his bonuses, Karl surpassed a one-armed Shanks.
Swordsmanship?
Karl wasn't inferior either.
Shanks' only clear edge was Conqueror's Haki—but not enough to crush Karl outright.
Marineford.
Karl and Ain disembarked from the Holy Light and headed straight into headquarters.
"Karl, Ain—you're right on time," Sengoku said.
He handed Ain a document.
"Ain, this is your appointment letter. And these are pirate lists from the Four Seas entering the Grand Line. Consider it training."
Ain accepted it and saluted.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
Sengoku nodded in satisfaction.
"Your Seastone battleship is ready—Dock 23 at Crescent Bay. Go take a look and get familiar with it."
Ain glanced at Karl, then nodded.
"Yes, sir. I'll be going then—see you!"
Once Ain left, only Sengoku, Karl, and a white goat remained in the office.
The goat looked…
well, a bit dumb—but also oddly adorable.
"Baaah~"
Sengoku poured a cup of tea and handed it over.
"Here. Have some tea."
"You're too kind, Fleet Admiral," Karl said, taking a sip.
"Mmm… excellent tea. This is from Sri Lanka Island, right?"
Sengoku's eyes widened slightly as he stroked his beard.
"Oh? You know your tea?"
Karl smiled faintly.
Joke's on you—I've drunk more tea than you've peed.
"Just a little knowledge," he said politely.
"By the way, Fleet Admiral—why move me out of G-10 all of a sudden?"
"Truth is," Sengoku said,
"I wanted to make you an Admiral Candidate three years ago. Tsuru thought you were too young and needed more seasoning."
Karl immediately protested.
"But I'm still young now! I'm only twenty-eight! There isn't a younger Vice Admiral than me! How am I qualified?!"
"Why not just let me keep guarding G-10?"
Sengoku's face darkened.
"Oh, cut it out. You think I don't know what you do every day at G-10?"
"You live better than me—cough."
"In short, keeping you there is a waste. Whether or not you become an Admiral Candidate, I want you moving. I want you using your strength to enforce justice."
Karl scratched his nose awkwardly.
"I want you to stay at Marineford for now. In a few days, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu will all arrive to evaluate you. Prepare yourself."
"What?! All three Admirals? Do I have to fight them all?!"
Sengoku shook his head.
"No. They're just witnesses. You only need to fight one—whoever you choose."
Karl finally relaxed.
Thank goodness.
Getting jumped by all three at once?
That would be suicide.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (OP)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (OP)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (OP)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage