"Just a few days ago, I managed to get my hands on a famous blade too," Karl sighed.
"Unfortunately, it got damaged during battle."
He couldn't help but recall Umaru, the fine blade he'd only just acquired—only for that monster Weevil to ruin it. Now, staring at Gion's Konpira, he felt a twinge of envy.
Unlike Kizaru or Akainu, who could rely on overwhelming power through elemental transformation, Karl didn't have that luxury.
If he wanted strong offensive power, swordsmanship was a path he had to walk seriously.
His thoughts drifted to Ryuma's black blade, Shusui.
Once this mission is over, I'm definitely making a trip to the Florian Triangle, he decided. No matter what.
"Oh? Is that so? What a shame," Gion said lightly.
She then held Konpira upright before Karl.
In the next instant, the blade turned pitch-black.
"See?" she said with a smile. "Once you awaken Armament Haki, you can harden your weapons like this. It'll make them far less likely to break."
"I know," Karl replied calmly. "I've already awakened both types of Haki."
Gion gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.
"Really?! Wow—no wonder Sister Tsuru keeps calling you a genius!"
"What are you two chatting about?"
Tokikake (Chaton) came trotting over, pretending to be casual while sizing Karl up.
"Vice Admiral Chaton," Karl said politely, "I was just admiring Vice Admiral Gion's Konpira and discussing famous blades with her."
"Oh—so that's it," Tokikake nodded.
"Well, I've got some insights on famous swords too. Gion, you see—"
And just like that, he launched into a long-winded lecture.
Gion's smile stiffened.
"Sorry, Vice Admiral Chaton. I need to patrol. I don't have time for idle chatter. Excuse me."
"Ah—don't rush! We can patrol together!"
Tokikake shot Karl a glance and hurried after her.
Watching the two leave, Karl shook his head.
Classic simp behavior. Simping until there's nothing left.
If it were him, he'd never hang himself on a single tree.
One simp was simping.
A hundred simps were still simping.
But the success rate? Instantly multiplied by a hundred.
"Phew… good thing I'm handsome."
Time passed.
An invisible pressure gradually enveloped the entire G-2 Marine Base, as if storm clouds were gathering above every Marine's head.
Kizaru, who had been drinking coffee and eating desserts with Karl, suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked toward the door.
"How scary~ What an aura!"
"Karl, looks like it's time to work."
Karl straightened immediately and followed Kizaru to the center of G-2 Base.
A few breaths later, the sky began to darken—as if an enormous shadow had blocked out the sun. The air grew heavy and oppressive.
"Karl, we're counting on you," Advisor Tsuru said calmly, nodding at him.
"Understood."
Under everyone's gaze, Karl spread his arms.
Dazzling golden Holy Light burst forth from his body, gathering into a massive sphere of radiant brilliance.
"May the Holy Light bless you all!"
The instant his voice fell, the giant sphere scattered—splitting into six equally sized beams of light that flew into Kizaru, Aokiji, and the other top-tier fighters.
"What an incredible power…" Aokiji murmured.
The others' reactions were even more pronounced—especially the Vice Admirals.
Compared to the Admirals, they felt the buff far more clearly. Their physical strength surged by nearly 10%, the equivalent of almost a year's worth of grueling training.
Kizaru glanced at their shocked and envious expressions, lips pursing as a smug smile crept onto his face.
Be jealous~
This Holy Light is something I get to enjoy anytime. You lot are lucky if you feel it a few times a year.
"Worororo~! The Marines really think highly of Jack, don't they?"
"Sending two Admirals to guard him—are you scared because of my reputation?"
Karl looked up.
From the clouds emerged an enormous dragon head, followed by a long, winding body suspended in the sky.
A Mythical Zoan, indeed—just transforming already set it apart from ordinary Zoans.
"Prepare for battle!" Tsuru ordered.
"Kizaru, Aokiji—execute the plan!"
Aokiji nodded.
In the next moment, Kizaru turned into light and shot into the sky, appearing directly before Kaido. He crossed his arms, pinky raised, lips pursed.
"Yasakani no Magatama."
Countless light bullets rained down on Kaido. In dragon form, Kaido's massive body was practically a living target.
Even if Kizaru gouged his own eyes out, he'd still hit.
Sure enough, the barrage slammed straight into Kaido's face. Some shots missed—but most exploded across his scales.
With a pained roar, Kaido opened his massive jaws. Flames gathered in his throat.
"Boro Breath!!!"
A torrent of fire blasted forth.
Sensing danger, Kizaru immediately dispersed into light and escaped.
The fiery beam stretched for over a kilometer—nearing G-2 Base itself.
Aokiji snorted coldly, vanished from his spot, and shot into the air.
"Ice Time Capsule!"
An overwhelming wave of freezing cold erupted from his hands. Everything it touched froze solid, colliding head-on with Kaido's Boro Breath.
Ice and fire clashed, painting the sky in extremes.
In the end, Aokiji's absolute zero froze and dissipated the flames, sparing G-2 Base from destruction.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Kizaru continued harassing Kaido endlessly from the air, leaving Kaido furious but helpless.
After all—
he was facing the fastest man in the world.
"Damn you… Kizaru!!!"
With a roar, Kaido reverted to his human form and plunged toward the ground.
"Ahh~ what a pity~" Kizaru sighed.
"I was just starting to enjoy myself."
The living target was gone.
Even Kaido, stubborn as he was, wasn't stupid.
"BOOM!"
A gigantic humanoid figure smashed into the training grounds of G-2 Base, creating a massive crater.
Gion and the other Vice Admirals exchanged glances with Tsuru—then charged toward the impact site.
According to plan, they would exhaust Kaido's stamina.
Karl frowned slightly.
It wasn't that he doubted Gion and the others—but Kaido was that strong.
Could they really wear him down?
Tsuru seemed to sense Karl's concern. She chuckled softly.
"Don't rush, Karl. Once you've grown, you'll also have chances to fight the Four Emperors."
A bolt of lightning flashed through Karl's mind.
So that's it…
"You mean," Karl said slowly, "the Vice Admirals are fighting Kaido… to train themselves?"
"Exactly," Tsuru replied with a smile.
"Facing a ruler of the seas is a rare opportunity. Pressure of this level allows rapid growth."
"I see."
Karl nodded.
So even Advisor Tsuru knows Kaido's hidden talent—
the Pirate World's Number One Instructor.
…No, no. That was just a meme. Don't take it seriously.
Still, among the three great sea emperors, Kaido really was the best sparring partner.
Ridiculously durable
Not especially fast
Lacking Whitebeard's outright world-ending attack power
And, crucially, the Marines had plenty of experience capturing him
Put together—
Wasn't that the perfect training dummy?
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