"Since I've gotten the answer I wanted, I won't disturb you any longer, Mr. Karl."
After finishing the last sip of tea in his cup, Aokiji mounted his bicycle and pedaled lazily away, disappearing down the road.
"Captain," Enel asked, frowning, "why do all these Marine Admirals hate fighting so much? That Aokiji guy was so laid-back it killed my fighting spirit. And that light-using Admiral before him—he just slacked off the whole time during battle."
"Uh… not all of them are like that," Karl replied. "There's one who's a real battle maniac—his power's magma-based, and his temper's just like magma too."
"Hah! Then this god will challenge that magma guy next time!" Enel said excitedly, lightning crackling faintly around him.
"…If that's what you want. Anyway, let's head back."
When they returned home, Karl found that Daphne was already back, chatting happily with Hancock.
"Lord Karl~ Are you alright? Were you hurt?" Hancock immediately stood up and began fussing over him, running her hands across his body to check.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! We just talked—didn't even fight. You know my strength. Besides, Enel was there too." Karl smiled helplessly. Hancock always put his safety above everything else.
"That's good then~ I was just worried you might have been injured~" Hancock sighed in relief.
"Darling," Daphne asked, "why did Aokiji come to Jaya Island? Is the Navy planning something against us?"
"Nothing serious," Karl said. "They wanted to set up a Marine branch here. Of course, I refused. What kind of joke is that? If the Navy stationed here, what would people think of me?"
He secretly wondered if Sengoku had somehow mistaken him for a nice guy—thinking Karl would agree to such nonsense. That way, the World Government could claim control while undermining Karl's authority at the same time. What a beautiful fantasy.
"That's all he came for? But still, why send an Admiral for something so trivial?" Ellie came out from her lab, wiping her hands.
"Honestly, I think he was just looking for an excuse to slack off," Karl said. "He mostly wanted to talk about his idea of 'justice.' The Ohara incident probably left a deep scar on him."
"Ohara…" Ellie murmured softly. "I haven't seen Robin since she left Howling Tiger Island. I wonder how she's doing. She hasn't called, hasn't sent a message—nothing."
Hearing the name Ohara reminded Karl of her too.
"You mean Nico Robin? She stayed on Howling Tiger Island before?" Daphne asked curiously.
"Mhm. When I first met her, she looked so pitiful I couldn't just leave her. I took her in, taught her Haki and the Six Forms of the Navy. Later, she insisted on continuing her search for the Poneglyphs, so I let her go. But it's been so long without any word… that's not like her."
"Should we ask Sister Shakky?" Hancock suggested softly. "I think she'd know something about Nico Robin's whereabouts~"
"No need," Karl said calmly. "No news is the best news. We'll run into her again someday."
A few days later, Karl escorted the Pirate Empress back to Amazon Lily, then began preparations for a trip to the North Blue.
Since the World Government still didn't trust him, Karl decided it was time to strengthen himself further. And the best preparation was, of course, power.
If that old scientist Judge could finish the gravity machine project, it'd be a massive help. And if he couldn't do it there, Karl would drag him to Jaya Island—where it was perfectly safe—and make him do it.
That evening, Daphne returned home from work. "Darling, are you heading to the North Blue tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yeah. The sooner we get that gravity machine built, the better. Oh, by the way—you mentioned wanting to see Judge too. What are you planning to have him work on?" Karl asked.
"Darling, what does the Germa battle suit remind you of?" she said, taking a small metal capsule out of her pocket.
Karl blinked. "A universal capsule?"
"Bingo~! If we can make something like this, we'll be the richest people in the world!" Daphne said, eyes sparkling.
Karl chuckled—it was true. But it was also absurdly difficult. A capsule capable of storing anything? Even Vegapunk would struggle with that.
"Sweetheart, that's pretty different from the battle suit tech. Even if it's possible, it'll take a long time to develop."
"Mm… I know. But we can at least have Judge look into it. If it fails, no big deal," Daphne replied with a shrug.
"Alright. But can you even leave Jaya Island right now?" Karl asked.
Recently, the Shunfeng Express delivery stations had opened on Water Seven and the Sabaody Archipelago. Next were Drum Island and Alabasta, which kept Daphne quite busy.
"Mmm~ Then I'd better stay," she said thoughtfully. "Zoe can't handle the company alone. Just make sure Judge gives it a try. If he needs funding, we'll cover it."
"Got it. I might be gone for a while anyway. I also plan to look for Wano Country—Kaido and I already agreed to do business in Seastone."
"Then take a Life Card with you. Once you find Wano, contact me. I'll have Zoe send over a Mother Nest, then I'll dispatch people to set up a Shunfeng Express station there," Daphne said, all business now.
"Understood."
"Uncle Karl! Can I come too?" Anne piped up. "I'm getting so bored on Jaya Island~"
Karl smiled. "Alright, you can come. It'll be good for you to see the top powers of the world firsthand."
"Yay! I'll go pack right now!" Anne squealed and dashed off to her room.
"Oh, by the way, Daphne," Karl said suddenly, "we should set up delivery stations on Howling Tiger Island, Skypiea, and Amazon Lily too. It'll make shipping things much easier."
"Already done," Daphne said smugly. "And Mom sent over some of Tiger Island's special fruits too—but you completely forgot about them, didn't you? Hmph ╭(╯^╰)╮"
"Hahaha, I've been busy! It just slipped my mind. By the way, where are the fruits?" Karl tried to change the subject quickly.
"Tch~ Busy lying in the sun, you mean! I sent some to Hancock and gave a few to Enel and the others. There should be some left in the fridge," Daphne said, rolling her eyes.
"Er… right, got it. Anyway, let's wash up and get some sleep. I'll be gone for quite a while."
"Hmph~ You're always thinking about that," Daphne teased, but still followed him into the room.
After all, Karl had spent the past few weeks with Hancock… and she had been missing him quite a bit herself.
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