Carl looked at the now-tidy desk, shaking his head with a smirk.
"Just a bunch of useless information. How could someone like Luffy show up in Pleasure Street?"
With that, Carl picked up the Den Den Mushi and directly called the intelligence department below.
"Take note of every pirate crew that provided intel. For now, leave them be. Once Joy Boy's whereabouts are confirmed, capture them immediately. Any resistance—execute on the spot."
"Understood!"
Carl hung up the Den Den Mushi and gazed out the window, momentarily lost in thought.
Judging from the current situation, relying on commoners and those useless pirates to find Luffy was clearly impossible. Even the CP organizations had failed to track him down. Just like the way he escaped back then—Luffy had vanished without a trace.
From Carl's perspective, Luffy, possessed by Joy Boy, was most likely hiding in some remote corner of the world, quietly regaining his strength. In fact, through their recent encounters, Carl had clearly felt that Joy Boy was becoming increasingly difficult to deal with.
The next time they clashed, who knew what new tricks he would have up his sleeve?
At this thought, Carl frowned slightly but soon relaxed.
With his current power and mastery over the Dark-Dark Fruit, he had nearly reached the level of his ancestor, Saint Cassilius. Even if Joy Boy returned to his peak, Carl was confident in his chances.
Besides, wasn't Imu still around? Unlike Joy Boy, who had been "disconnected" for 800 years, she had actually lived through those centuries.
Imu was, after all, one of the original twenty kings. Her talent couldn't be lacking. After 800 years, her strength must have reached an entirely new level.
If Joy Boy truly returned at his peak, Imu would definitely step in. With her, Carl, and the World Government's full forces, their lineup might even surpass the twenty kings from eight centuries ago.
Thinking this way, Joy Boy didn't seem as difficult to deal with as imagined.
As Carl was lost in thought, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a gentle voice from outside.
"Young Master."
Carl immediately responded, "Come in, Lucia."
Lucia gently pushed the door open. Carl rubbed his temples and said helplessly,
"I've told you before, there's no need to knock when coming to my office. Just come in."
Lucia replied softly, "Young Master, here, you are the highest authority in the Navy. I cannot break protocol."
"Protocol… Ha! I'm the one who makes the rules. And I'm making a new one right now—my office is open to you anytime. Make sure you follow it."
Lucia was momentarily stunned before a radiant smile spread across her face. She whispered,
"Lucia understands."
She gracefully walked behind Carl and placed her fair, delicate hands on his head, gently massaging it.
A look of contentment appeared on Carl's face as he closed his eyes, enjoying Lucia's service.
As she massaged him, Lucia asked softly, "Young Master, are you troubled by something?"
Carl, eyes still closed, responded, "Not really. Just wondering where that bastard Luffy is hiding."
"None of the recent intel was useful?"
"All obviously fake. Completely worthless. I've already ordered them to keep track of those pirates who provided the intel. Once things settle, we'll clean them up."
Lucia blinked her deep amethyst eyes and said, "Young Master, isn't that what they call 'killing the donkey after it has finished the millstone'?"
"You're giving them too much credit. At least a donkey is useful. Those guys are utterly useless. If we take them out too soon, it'll discourage other pirates from bringing in intel. Even though they're all trash, there's a lot of them. Who knows? Maybe one of them will stumble onto something valuable."
"I see. Young Master is always so thorough in his planning."
Carl suddenly opened his eyes and looked up at Lucia, hooking a finger under her smooth chin as he teased,
"Lucia, since when did you learn to flatter me?"
Lucia suddenly leaned in, her nose brushing against his as they locked eyes. In a soft, sultry voice, she murmured,
"Young Master, you misunderstand. Every word Lucia speaks to you is sincere. I've never flattered anyone."
Carl's lips curled into a wicked smile.
"Oh? Then I suppose I'll have to properly reward you…"
Lucia's violet eyes burned with a passionate fire. Her fair skin flushed a delicate shade of red. She subtly shifted her legs and bit her lip.
"Lucia looks forward to it…"
Carl's eyes narrowed slightly as Lucia seductively swayed her hips and took two steps forward, gracefully perching herself on his desk. Her long, black-stocking-clad legs swayed gently, as if signaling something to him.
Carl slowly rose from his chair, pulling Lucia into his arms, pressing her tightly against him. His other hand emitted a trace of dark energy as he waved toward the door.
Darkness instantly filled the door's cracks, sealing it shut. The already soundproofed office became utterly silent, ensuring that no one—no matter who they were—could interrupt before Carl finished his "reward."
With everything in place, Carl pressed Lucia onto the desk.
...
After an unknown amount of time, the symphony of passion gradually faded. Soon after, the rustling of clothing being put back on filled the air.
In the office, Carl sat bare-chested in his chair, Lucia nestled in his embrace, clad in nothing but a Marine Admiral's cape draped over her shoulders.
Lucia curled up like a contented kitten, resting against his chest. Carl took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. Lucia raised a slender finger, summoning a flicker of violet flame to light it for him.
Carl took a long drag, nearly finishing half of it in one go. As smoke curled around them, Lucia pressed her cheek against his chest and softly spoke,
"Oh, right, Young Master. There's something I need to report. Yesterday, our people captured two Mink Tribe members near the perimeter."
"Hm? Were they pirates?"
"No. They don't seem very old. The older one appears to be a canine-type Mink, and the younger one is a rabbit Mink. They recklessly sailed in on a tiny, broken boat, claiming to have urgent information for you."
-----------
+200 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg