Seven Seraphim had assembled, accompanied by twenty-seven third-generation Pacifistas, fortifying Mary Geoise into an impenetrable stronghold.
Not to mention, Admirals like Borsalino were stationed here, along with Carl, the Fleet Admiral, holding the line.
Since Joy Boy was determined to engage in a decisive battle, Carl would grant him that wish. After this war, there would no longer be any force capable of threatening the World Government's rule.
However, before Joy Boy even appeared, Carl suddenly received a call from Shanks.
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Shanks' voice as it spoke:
"Brother, can your Marines still contact Mihawk?"
Carl raised an eyebrow. Not long ago, he had ordered his subordinates to contact the Seven Warlords of the Sea and instruct them to stand by beneath the Red Line.
However, his subordinates reported that Dracule Mihawk was the only one they had been unable to reach.
Initially, Carl assumed Mihawk was simply drifting across the sea again on his small boat, enjoying his aimless wandering. He hadn't given it much thought.
He spoke into the Den Den Mushi:
"No contact. What's he doing?"
"I'm not sure. He called me not long ago, but his mental state seemed off. He kept rambling about freedom and even tried to convince me to fight for it with him. From what I gathered, he might be planning to rebel against the World Government."
"Freedom… So Mihawk has most likely come into contact with Joy Boy."
"Joy Boy? Are you talking about Luffy?"
"Heh… There's no such thing as Luffy anymore. Only Joy Boy remains."
"What? What do you mean?"
"That's not something you need to worry about for now. Just focus on your mission. By the time you succeed, Joy Boy will likely have disappeared from this world entirely."
"I can help—"
"No need. I'll say it again—focus on your mission. There are no more obstacles in your way now. If you still fail, I'll knock you out and drag you back myself."
"…"
After ending the call, Carl leaned back on the sofa and muttered to himself:
"The World's Greatest Swordsman… Hah."
If Mihawk had been manipulated or coerced by Joy Boy, Carl might have considered sparing him.
But if Mihawk had willingly boarded Joy Boy's ship, then this so-called "World's Greatest Swordsman" would soon be erased from history.
...
At that moment, Monet entered the room carrying a tray of hot tea. She placed the tea set on the table, then gracefully sat beside Carl and spoke softly:
"Young Master, Shirahoshi seems to be feeling down lately."
Carl took a sip of his tea and asked, "What's wrong with her?"
"Yesterday, Sugar and Carrot went to play with her. When they arrived, they found Shirahoshi crying in her room. When they asked her what was wrong, she wouldn't say."
Carl pondered for a moment before replying, "Could it be that she's entering adolescence?"
"That, I'm not sure."
Carl set his cup down and said, "I'll go see her. Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I last visited."
"I'll fetch some clothes for you."
Carl chuckled, glanced at his loose black robe, and waved his hand.
"No need. It's not like I'm going to handle official business."
With that, he stood up, adjusted his collar slightly, and left the palace alone.
...
Passing through a garden, Carl arrived at Shirahoshi's residence—a towering ivory-white structure.
This tower had been specially constructed after Shirahoshi's arrival. Its scale was far greater than the Hard-Shell Tower she had once used to evade Vander Decken's attacks in another timeline.
Behind the tower, a massive pool had been excavated for Shirahoshi's enjoyment.
As Carl approached, several maids at the entrance quickly bowed in greeting. These maids had fair skin, mature and delicate features, and were all over thirty years old.
Moreover, they weren't ordinary humans but mermaids.
Mermaids, upon reaching thirty, could split their tails into legs, making them indistinguishable from humans unless they entered the water.
Carl acknowledged them with a slight nod before motioning for one of them to open the tower's entrance.
The doors had been designed with Shirahoshi's future size in mind, making them enormous. Normally, a single delicate mermaid wouldn't have been able to push them open. However, thanks to Vegapunk's design, a button was embedded in the nearby wall, accessible to a human of average size. A simple press would trigger the doors to open automatically.
...
Inside, the tower's interior was just as spacious. When Carl entered, he found Shirahoshi curled up on a fluffy pink carpet, staring blankly at a photograph in her hands.
Naturally, the photograph was an enlarged version, depicting her mother, Queen Otohime.
Seeing this, Carl immediately understood why Shirahoshi was feeling down—she missed her mother.
He walked up to her massive tail, then leaped onto her chest, landing firmly.
Startled, Shirahoshi gasped, her hand trembling as she dropped the photo.
Carl activated his Dark-Dark Fruit's gravitational pull, retrieving the photo and suspending it before her.
Shirahoshi blinked her large, watery blue eyes and looked down at Carl, who sat cross-legged on her chest.
"Saint Carl, when did you arrive?"
Carl tilted his head and smiled. "Not long ago. Shirahoshi, are you thinking about your mother?"
Shirahoshi bit her lip and nodded. "Mother hasn't visited in a long time…"
For the record, Carl had never forbidden Shirahoshi from seeing Queen Otohime.
In fact, he had granted Otohime permission to enter Mary Geoise freely. However, due to ongoing political affairs on Fish-Man Island and the current lockdown around the Red Line, she hadn't been able to visit for a while.
As Shirahoshi spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and soon, giant droplets began falling—enough to knock someone unconscious if they landed on them.
Carl sighed, unfolded his wings, and flew up to Shirahoshi's face. He gently patted her forehead and said,
"Stop crying. I'll send someone to bring Otohime here. You'll see her soon."
Shirahoshi's sobs stopped instantly. She looked at Carl with delight and exclaimed,
"Really!?"
Her voice was deafening. Carl rubbed his temples, annoyed. "Idiot, when have I ever lied?"
Realizing her outburst, Shirahoshi quickly lowered her head and apologized,
"I'm sorry! Please don't be angry…"
"Just don't cry anymore. Also, come with me for a bit later."
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+170 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg