Carrot swallowed nervously, her expression tense as she asked,
"Then what do you want me to do?"
Carl smiled slightly and said,
"You don't need to do anything. Until I take down Joy Boy, you can stay here as my pet... hmm, or rather, my mascot."
The former Fleet Admiral Sengoku kept both sheep and pigeons as pets—so what was wrong with him keeping a talking, electricity-wielding rabbit?
Carrot's eyes widened.
"Hey, hey, hey! You were totally about to say 'pet,' right? It was definitely 'pet,' wasn't it? You actually want to make me your pet! You're absolutely—"
"Hmm?"
Before Carl could respond, Lucia let out a cold snort, her eyes narrowing slightly. A faint gleam of icy sharpness flickered from the blade at her waist as a purple aura radiated from her body.
Carrot's words cut off abruptly. She had no doubt that if she dared to say anything disrespectful about Carl, Lucia would have a sword at her throat in the next instant.
However, Carl had no intention of letting Carrot off so easily now that she had quieted down. He tilted his chin slightly, looking at her with a half-smile.
"And what if you are my pet? You don't want to be?"
Though Carl's tone remained casual, the pressure he exuded was even greater than Lucia's had been moments ago.
Carrot's voice trembled.
"I... I..."
Carl didn't give her a chance to finish. Crossing his arms, he said,
"You seem quite troubled. I'm not one to force people. You two have contributed greatly—go claim your rewards and return to where you came from. We may meet again soon enough."
At those words, Carrot was still processing, but Wanda reacted first. She rushed to Carl's desk, placing both hands on the surface, causing her ample chest to shake from the sudden movement.
She spoke anxiously,
"Fleet Admiral, we don't need any rewards! Carrot is still young and doesn't understand things well. How about I become your pet instead? I can do it!"
After saying this, Wanda glanced at Lucia beside her. Under Lucia's gaze, she slowly stepped forward, presenting herself to Carl as if surrendering to his will.
In truth, Carl had a certain level of appreciation for Wanda. As a woman willing to travel such a long distance to Marine Headquarters for the sake of her people, she was far stronger than that so-called king, Pedro.
To Carl, Wanda was the most suitable candidate to rule the Mink Tribe.
With that thought in mind, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace. Caught off guard, Wanda instinctively resisted for a moment before quickly settling herself on Carl's lap.
Carrot was stunned by the sight. Carl, meanwhile, gazed at Wanda and asked,
"Do you want to be the queen of the Mink Tribe?"
Wanda had never been this physically close to a man before. Her face flushed as she lowered her head. But hearing Carl's question, she suddenly lifted her head in shock.
Carl spoke indifferently,
"No need to be so surprised. If the Mink Tribe wants to continue existing in the future, it will need a queen like you. I happen to have some history with your kind. I promise you—I will only punish the war-hungry Minks. Your sisters and those who love peace will be left unharmed."
At these words, a huge weight lifted from Wanda's heart. She couldn't help but nuzzle against Carl's chest.
Her willingness to humble herself wasn't just for the sake of her people. Deep down, she also harbored a certain admiration for Carl.
From the very beginning, she believed the World Government's power was insurmountable. And standing before her, as a symbol of the entire World Government, was Carl. To him, the Mink Tribe was likely no more significant than an ant colony—something he could crush with a single step.
Compared to some mysterious figure like Joy Boy, she trusted Carl—the man whose achievements were recorded in history.
Throughout her journey, she had heard countless stories about Carl. As a Marine cadet, he had already made a name for himself, engaging Whitebeard's crew and emerging unscathed. Later, he single-handedly killed the infamous pirate Golden Lion and annihilated his entire crew!
After graduating from the Marine Academy, he became an Admiral at an unprecedented age, making history as the youngest person to ever hold that title.
When Wanda first learned about this, she had been stunned.
Even in the secluded Zou, the Minks knew what it meant to be a Marine Admiral—one of the highest combat forces representing the World Government!
But Carl's legend didn't stop there. As an Admiral, he led the Marines to victory against both Roger and Whitebeard's pirate crews.
Later, under the eyes of the entire world, he even slew Gol D. Roger—who had just become the Pirate King!
After that battle, Carl mysteriously disappeared for twenty-two years, but his astonishing feats had never been forgotten.
When he returned, he took Kaido's head and claimed the title of Fleet Admiral. Not long after, he defeated the other two Yonko, Big Mom and Whitebeard, securing the Marines' dominance over the seas.
The newspapers had revealed that Carl was a Celestial Dragon, but no one dared question his worthiness as Fleet Admiral.
His overwhelming achievements made the title of Celestial Dragon seem almost trivial in comparison.
To women—especially young women like Wanda—such a man was irresistibly attractive.
Not to mention, Carl appeared so youthful. Though Minks referred to humans as 'hairless monkeys,' he was far more appealing than any Mink, especially given his ability to transform just like them. In his transformed state, he was mesmerizing—like moonlight itself.
Though Wanda's initial fears had been dispelled, her gaze gradually became hazy.
Carrot, watching all this unfold, thought Wanda must be feeling utterly humiliated. She believed Wanda was sacrificing herself for her sake.
Determined, Carrot straightened up, puffed out her chest, and declared,
"Let me be the pet!"
She wore an expression of noble sacrifice as she bravely stepped forward toward Carl.
However, just as she took a step, Wanda quickly interrupted,
"W-Wait, Carrot! You don't have to… I'll do it instead..."
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+190 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg