After scouring Sabaody Archipelago, Carl returned to Shalria with Law in tow.
Roswald had already regained consciousness, though his face was swollen beyond recognition. Father and daughter were clutching Charlos's lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably, while rows of Marines stood guard, their presence a testament to the severity of the incident.
As Carl appeared, the wailing abruptly ceased. Roswald froze in place, staring at Carl, before doing something that left the surrounding Marines utterly dumbfounded.
He crawled toward Carl with surprising speed and clung to his leg, crying out:
"Saint Carl! Please, you must bring justice to our family!"
Hearing Roswald address Carl in such a reverent tone, the Marines exchanged confused glances. They didn't dare overthink it, assuming the Celestial Dragon had simply been traumatized.
Carl spoke, his voice calm yet commanding:
"The perpetrator has been dealt with. Stay here and don't wander off. I'll arrange for you and your daughter to return to Mary Geoise soon."
Roswald nodded vigorously, while Shalria ran over, clutching Carl's other leg.
"Saint Carl, can you personally escort me back? I'm so scared..."
Without hesitation, Carl refused:
"No. I have other matters to attend to. The Supernovas on this island have been eliminated. There's nothing to fear."
The surrounding Marines broke into a cold sweat at Carl's blunt dismissal. This was a Celestial Dragon, yet Carl brushed off her request without a second thought. Wouldn't he fear incurring their wrath?
However, Shalria's reaction surprised them all. She removed her bubble helmet, wiped her tears, and said with a trembling voice:
"I'm truly sorry, Saint Carl. I shouldn't have made such an unreasonable request. Please don't be angry!"
Among Celestial Dragons, Shalria's appearance was considered exceptional, far superior to her grotesque brother Charlos. Her pitiful demeanor, paired with her noble status, created a stark contrast that evoked a surprising urge to protect her even among the stoic Marines.
But Carl's expression remained indifferent. He nodded and said:
"Then stay here quietly. Don't wander off."
As he finished speaking, Carl's figure began to blur and fade. Roswald and Shalria, still clutching at his legs, suddenly found themselves grasping at air. When they looked up again, Carl was gone.
...
Mary Geoise, Figarland Estate
Carl made his way directly to Garling. Before Carl could speak, Garling asked:
"Was the one who killed Charlos dealt with?"
Carl nodded.
"Dealt with. It was someone from the Straw Hat Pirates."
Garling nodded in satisfaction.
"Of course. The Navy can always be trusted when you're involved."
Carl offered a faint smile and continued:
"Unfortunately, the user of the Nika Fruit got away."
Carl explained his encounter with Luffy. Garling's expression grew grave as he listened.
"You're saying Joy Boy's will has awakened in this Monkey D. Luffy? It seems this Nika Fruit user is extraordinary."
Carl shrugged.
"He's exceptional enough that even Roger's son became his scapegoat."
He gestured toward Law, whom he had tossed to the ground, and said with a grin:
"But let's not dwell on that. Uncle Garling, take a look at this."
Garling glanced at Law and asked:
"Who is he?"
"Who he is doesn't matter. What matters is his Devil Fruit—the Op-Op Fruit."
Garling's eyebrows raised, his interest piqued as he scrutinized Law. Carl leaned in slightly, speaking in a low voice:
"Uncle Garling, have him sent to Egghead. Let Vegapunk study him. Our family deserves to enjoy the benefits of the Perpetual Youth Operation."
...
News of the Sabaody Incident
Within three days of the incident, news spread across the seas like wildfire.
A Celestial Dragon had been killed on Sabaody Archipelago by one of the Supernovas, Roronoa Zoro. In retaliation, the legendary Admiral Black Dragon personally took action.
The result was a bloodbath. The Supernovas, who had stirred such commotion on the seas, were nearly wiped out by Carl, their deaths unimaginably gruesome.
And Carl's feats didn't stop there. Silvers Rayleigh, the former first mate of the Roger Pirates and known as the Dark King, had also fallen at his hands.
Another shocking revelation accompanied this: Portgas D. Ace, the Supernova with the highest bounty, was revealed to be the son of Pirate King Gol D. Roger.
It was rumored that Rayleigh had appeared to protect Roger's son, but he ultimately paid with his life.
For the first time in 22 years, Admiral Black Dragon had made his move, and the results were devastating.
One photograph stood out in the newspapers: Ace's severed head impaled atop Marineford's highest flagpole, his lifeless eyes wide open in terror.
...
Baltigo, Revolutionary Army Headquarters
A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the island.
"Ace!!!"
Rouge collapsed to her knees, tears streaming through her fingers as she covered her face. Dragon stood silently before her, sweat dripping from his tense expression as he stared at the newspaper in his hands.
Bang!
The door burst open, and a young man with a black top hat and steel pipe stormed in. His tear-filled eyes locked on Dragon, and he stammered:
"Dragon, Ace… he's…!"
Dragon, his back to the door, spoke in a low voice:
"Sabo, calm yourself. As the Revolutionary Army's chief of staff, you cannot lose your composure at a time like this."
Sabo wiped his face roughly, his voice breaking:
"But Ace was killed! And Luffy… we don't even know where he is! They're my brothers—how can you expect me to stay calm?"
Rouge's sobs grew louder, each cry cutting through Sabo like a blade. Dragon remained silent.
Sabo punched the wall, cracking it like a spider's web. His voice was filled with rage:
"I'm going to find Luffy! And that Admiral Black Dragon—I'll kill him!"
Dragon's brows furrowed. He barked sharply:
"Enough! Sabo, do you want to destroy the Revolutionary Army? Now is not the time to wage war against the Navy!"
"Then I'll go alone!"
Sabo turned to leave, but Dragon moved in a flash. A powerful gust of wind knocked Sabo to the ground.
Dragon stood over him, his voice cold:
"No one will search for Luffy without my orders. He may be my son, but he's not a Revolutionary. Sabo, don't lose sight of your priorities."
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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg