( A/N: The anime's young Garling color scheme is finally out. Turns out he's not a redhead—Shanks must take after his mother! Wahaha!)
Garling, who had always been fearless, suddenly felt a trace of dread at the thought of seeing Shanks. He wasn't sure how to face this son who had wandered the seas for decades.
Makino noticed something was off and asked gently,
"Garling-sama, is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Hearing her question, Kalifa's lips twitched slightly. The odds of someone like Garling falling ill were about the same as a meteor hitting Earth—negligible.
Garling let out a soft sigh and said,
"It's nothing. Let's go in. This courtyard is for you and your daughter. When Amara grows up a bit more, I'll have a separate one built for her."
Having witnessed the grandeur of the Figarland estate, Makino was already used to Garling casually throwing around plans to build entire courtyards.
Just as Garling was about to lead Makino and the others inside, a voice rang out from nearby.
"Already here? Even faster than I expected."
Garling's lips curved into a subtle smile as he turned. Walking toward them at a relaxed pace was his beloved nephew—Carl.
Kalifa's eyes widened, and the maids who had just stood up moments ago dropped to their knees again, shouting,
"Carl-sama!"
Makino quickly bowed as well, following suit.
"Carl-sama."
The next second, an invisible force gently lifted Makino. Carl stepped to her side, smiling.
"Makino, this isn't the first time we've met. Why are you calling me 'sama'? You're just like Shanks—just call me by name."
As he spoke, Carl reached out and gently played with the baby in Makino's arms. Amara grasped his finger and babbled cheerfully.
Makino watched Carl play with Amara, a soft smile on her lips.
"Then… I'll call you Carl for now."
Carl didn't push the matter, chuckling.
"Suit yourself."
Then he turned to Garling.
"Garling-san, I just came from Shanks. He's already preparing to disband his crew. He should be here soon."
Garling's face lit up at first but quickly sobered as he coughed lightly.
"Ahem... Is that so? Moving that fast, huh? What, is he afraid you'll come after him now that he's no longer the Pirate King?"
The last bit was a rare joke, and Carl burst out laughing, raising his hands.
"As if! That's my adorable brother, after all."
Hearing Carl call Shanks—such a rugged man—adorable, Makino struggled to keep from laughing.
"Carl, I thank you on Shanks' behalf for all you've done for him these years."
Carl waved dismissively.
"We're family. No need for thanks. Right, Garling-san?"
Garling nodded with a smile, recalling the past. Long ago, he had said the exact same thing to Carl when the boy was still growing into his own. Back then, Carl had needed protection. Now, he had not only grown strong but had elevated the Figarland family's status to heights unseen in 800 years—firmly placing them atop the world.
Every time Garling thought about it, his gaze toward Carl brimmed with pride.
...
Just then, Carl turned his eyes to Kalifa, who had been standing quietly behind Makino.
"Kalifa."
The moment she heard her name, Kalifa straightened and looked at Carl. He smiled.
"You've done a good job. Thank you for your hard work lately."
Kalifa stood tall, her expression serious.
"Being entrusted with the care of Lady Makino and Lady Amara by you, Carl-sama, is the greatest honor of my life."
She bowed deeply and added,
"If it weren't for you, Carl-sama, there would be no future for me or for Lucci and the others. We pledge our lives in loyalty to you!"
Her words came from the heart. To the former CP9 members, Carl wasn't just a savior—he was the one who gave them a second chance. Without him, they would have remained fugitives or died as ones. Thanks to him, they had not only returned but risen in the organization.
To Carl, this might have been a small gesture. But to them, it changed everything.
From that moment on, their loyalty was no longer to the vague concept of the World Government—it was to Carl alone.
Kalifa's figure was already striking, and her slightly tight black suit only accentuated her curves. As she bowed, her ample cleavage came clearly into Carl's line of sight.
Of course, Carl, who had a literal all-star lineup of beauties under his wing, wasn't easily fazed by such sights. At most, he gave her a second glance.
But that single glance didn't go unnoticed. Kalifa looked up slightly and locked eyes with Carl.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Carl-sama… was looking at me…
Her face flushed, and a shy smile tugged at her lips.
What she didn't know was that Carl, as the master of the Empty Throne, had already developed the ability to read minds at will. The moment Kalifa's expression shifted, her inner thoughts were laid bare to him.
Though Kalifa had never experienced certain… encounters firsthand, her knowledge—courtesy of her background in intelligence—was leagues above naïve girls. Her imagination quickly filled in the blanks, starring none other than Carl himself.
Carl raised an eyebrow.
She's a lot like Robin... Sophisticated on the outside, but quite the closet pervert.
With a half-smile, he watched her for a moment before suddenly asking,
"Kalifa, what are you thinking about?"
"Ah?!"
Kalifa snapped out of it, visibly flustered. Even Makino noticed something was off.
"Kalifa, your face is all red."
That only made it worse. Kalifa's face turned beet red. Without realizing it, her Devil Fruit powers activated, and pink bubbles began to pop above her head.
Kalifa cupped her burning cheeks, biting her lip slightly.
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Makino. I'm fine… It's just… a little hot..."