"Karl, would you let me experience your ability for myself?"
Akainu's fiery gaze locked onto Karl. An invisible pressure descended, making Karl's scalp tingle.
Beside him, Aokiji also looked over—his expression calm, but his eyes practically screaming I want that too.
"Uh… sure," Karl replied quickly, then added, "Admiral Aokiji, would you like to try as well?"
Aokiji raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"Oh? I get a share too?"
On the surface, Karl smiled cheerfully.
On the inside—Of course you do. What if you hold a grudge and make my life miserable later?
When Karl said that, Kizaru's posture immediately grew a little… pitiful.
Don't ask how Karl knew—Monica wore the exact same expression every time her monthly relative came to visit.
That said, Kizaru was merely aggrieved, not angry. No resentment, no hostility—just seasoned indifference.
An old fox, through and through.
Karl had no choice. He couldn't afford to offend anyone here.
With a helpless shrug, he formed two golden orbs of light and gently sent them toward Akainu and Aokiji.
The moment the holy light entered his body, Akainu closed his eyes.
His entire body felt lighter. Fatigue faded rapidly—but that wasn't the important part.
He clenched his fist slowly, sensing the subtle but undeniable increase in strength.
A long-lost feeling… getting stronger.
Roughly a 2% increase, perhaps. The exact number didn't matter—the effect was unmistakable, both physically and psychologically.
Akainu snapped his eyes open, staring straight at Karl.
This man must become my subordinate.
On the other side, Aokiji also opened his eyes. He wasn't as outwardly intense as Akainu, but his gaze toward Karl was openly covetous.
"Karl," Akainu said firmly,
"Join my command. I guarantee that within three years, you'll be promoted to Rear Admiral at Marine Headquarters."
"Woah woah woah~ Sakazuki," Kizaru immediately chimed in, lips puckered.
"That's not what we agreed on before, is it? No way, no way—you wouldn't seriously try to steal a subordinate I already reserved, right?"
He rattled on deliberately, using the chance to mock Akainu for breaking his word.
The message was clear: Akainu's promises are just talk—listen if you want.
Akainu ignored Kizaru's sarcasm completely, his tone steady.
"Apologies, Borsalino. But Karl's ability is exactly what I need. With him assisting me, my mission efficiency will skyrocket—even the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't concern me."
"Your ability is already strong enough," Kizaru shot back lazily.
"He's far better suited to be my adjutant."
Despite saying "sorry," Akainu showed not the slightest trace of remorse.
"I'm not joking," he continued, looking straight at Karl.
"The more missions you complete, the more military merit you'll earn. That's the only way to keep rising."
He then glanced at Kizaru dismissively.
"Only under my command would Karl have the best environment to grow.
I'll teach him everything—martial arts, ability development, even swordsmanship—without reservation."
"…As for you," Akainu scoffed, "heh."
Honestly, Karl almost said yes.
But the moment Akainu's reputation flashed through his mind, he hesitated.
"Scary~" Kizaru sighed theatrically.
"If you put it that way, looks like I have no choice but to let Karl go…"
Akainu's face remained calm, but the flash of delight in his eyes betrayed him.
Then—
Kizaru gently pushed his sunglasses up.
"Oh right… I almost forgot," he said casually.
"Karl already promised me he'd report to my command after graduation. Isn't that right, Karl?"
Perfect.
The pressure landed squarely on Karl.
Karl's expression turned serious.
If it had been Aokiji, he might have considered it.
But Akainu was never an option.
Four words summed it up perfectly: values do not align.
He had heard far too many stories about Akainu while lying in bed, listening to Monica gossip during post-coital "sage time."
Put simply—Akainu was too dedicated.
Always killing pirates. Or on the way to killing pirates.
Following him would absolutely crush Karl's slacking schedule.
That alone was unacceptable.
Karl's path was clear:
Slack steadily → accumulate seniority → earn merits → rank up → grow stronger.
The Marines were a job to him. Nothing more.
So—
Sorry, old man Sakazuki.
"Admiral Akainu," Karl said carefully,
"I truly appreciate the offer. But I already made a prior agreement with Admiral Kizaru. And I'm a man who keeps his promises."
Then he turned to Kizaru, who was practically pouting with happiness.
"Admiral Kizaru—once my internship ends, I'll report to you. You have my word."
Akainu's face darkened instantly.
His voice turned cold.
"Karl… I hope you won't regret this."
With a sharp snort, he turned and strode away.
Watching his back, Karl couldn't help but sigh.
See that, old monkey? I even offended Akainu for the sake of slacking peacefully with you.
Three years. If I'm not a Rear Admiral by then—don't blame me for flipping the table.
"Hahaha, impressive," Aokiji laughed lightly.
"You really rejected Sakazuki without hesitation."
He patted Karl's shoulder.
"Grow strong. You're important to the Marines."
With that, Aokiji left—never once suggesting Karl join his command.
With both rivals gone, Kizaru shrugged casually.
"Carl, this is my Den Den Mushi number," he said, handing over a slip of paper.
"If you encounter enemies you can't handle during your internship, just call me. That goes for afterward too."
Karl took the note, a little stunned.
If Aokiji or Akainu had given him their number, that'd be one thing—but Kizaru?
The fastest man in the world.
If Karl ever got cornered by someone like Whitebeard, one call and Kizaru could arrive in record time.
Even if they couldn't win…
They could at least surrender together. Companionship mattered.
"Thank you, Admiral Kizaru. No—sir."
Kizaru chuckled approvingly, then dissolved into shimmering particles of light.
Only then did Smoker and Zeff approach.
Smoker smirked.
"Didn't think you'd be this popular—but it makes sense."
"Your ability is just too damn useful."
He already knew Karl's power from Zeff—and even he wanted Karl as a subordinate, though he knew that was unrealistic.
A man with Karl's strength and strategic value was destined for greater things.
At worst, after the internship, Karl would become a Major—he was already a former Branch Captain, after all.
No way he'd follow a rebellious Major like Smoker.
"So you've decided to go with Kizaru?" Zeff asked seriously.
"Yes, Instructor Zeff. That was our agreement from the beginning."
Zeff sighed.
"Then I won't stop you. Just remember—don't waste your talent for martial arts."
"Of course! By the way… Instructor Zeff, during the internship, are we just hunting pirates?"
Zeff nodded.
"That's right. I've already chosen the target—a pirate crew with a combined bounty of around 60 million."
"With your strength, that'll be easy."
"But remember—the Marines are a team."
A team?
Karl's eyes lit up.
Ah. Got it. Let others perform. I don't act unless necessary.
That—I'm a professional at.
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