c4: Get on Board!
"Hahahahahaha!"
"What a thrill—absolutely exhilarating!"
"The pirates in the East Blue are truly too soft! I've been stationed here for almost a month, and not once have I had to go all out—this was a rare treat!"
Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel laughed heartily his Navy Justice cloak lay in tatters on the ground, shredded from the sheer force of the final attack.
It was obvious that in the last exchange, he had been met with unexpected resistance.
Across from him, Carl wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head, half-exasperated.
"You were trying to kill me, weren't you?"
Carl sheathed Withered Wood and Sakura Ten expression unreadable.
That last attack had created a shockwave felt throughout Boya Town.
The harbor lay in partial ruin—seawalls cracked, docks shattered, and several nearby homes had collapsed.
Fortunately, Flying Squirrel, ever the responsible Marine, promised reparations for the civilian damage.
The Vice Admiral's final blow had been executed at near his full might
A move worthy of someone who once sparred with legends like Garp and Tsuru during training exercises.
Carl had only narrowly avoided death by sacrificing defense for disruption—using his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi powers in tandem with his blades.
The surprise attack had caught him mid-preparation, hence the injury.
If it had been a prolonged fight, Carl felt confident he could at least hold the Vice Admiral off.
"Judging by my current level, I'm roughly at a rear admiral's strength maybe just shy of a vice admiral.
But that's not bad, considering I only just acquired this Devil Fruit," Carl muttered to himself, quietly evaluating his combat tier.
"Carl recruit!" Flying Squirrel's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Quit spacing out. Grab your trophy and get on board!"
"Ah yes, sir! Right away!"
Carl was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he activated the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, levitating the heavy coffin containing Shiki's remains directly onto the Navy warship.
At that moment, the surrounding Marines, who once eyed him with scorn, now looked at him with newfound respect.
This was a world that revered strength.
No matter your background—if you proved your power, respect followed.
Though his duel with the Vice Admiral had only lasted three moves, those watching knew they couldn't have lasted even one.
Carl hadn't officially joined the Marines yet but many already viewed him as one of their own.
He turned to the townsfolk, offered a respectful salute, and boarded the Navy vessel bound for Marineford—the headquarters of the Marines.
Flying Squirrel's original mission had been simple: confirm reports of the Golden Lion's presence and eliminate the threat.
While patrolling the East Blue, he'd intercepted news that Straw Hat Luffy, using Nami's weather manipulation, had brought down the airborne Merveille stronghold—critically wounding the legendary pirate Shiki.
He'd rushed to Boya Town hoping to intercept Shiki in his weakened state and capture him to earn accolades.
Instead, he found that Carl had already delivered the final blow.
Carl scratched his head sheepishly at the story.
He hadn't expected fate to toss such an opponent right onto his doorstep.
Had the Golden Lion not already been on the brink of death, Carl wasn't sure he'd have survived the encounter.
"Carl," Flying Squirrel asked curiously as they sailed, "who taught you to use Haki—especially Armament and Observation?"
"Haki? Learn? Lieutenant General, I think I'm missing something here what are you talking about?"
Carl tilted his head, feigning ignorance.
He knew there was no way to completely hide it but the Haki he used was barely refined.
It was instinctual—raw and undeveloped.
In this sea, many combatants awaken Haki not through formal training, but through life-or-death struggles.
As far as Carl was concerned, he'd just tapped into something sleeping within him.
There was no point denying it but no reason to elaborate either.
So as long as he pretends not to understand, the other party can't force more answers out of him just like how Luffy plays dumb when questioned by the World Government.
"Another monster… I'm jealous—self-awakening Haki users are rare enough as it is."
Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel shook his head and muttered to Carl in a tone that carried both admiration and envy.
He had seen his share of prodigies across the seas—Vice Admirals like Smoker, Bastille, and Momonga.
But the difference between a genius and a monster is night and day!
Every Vice Admiral was already a rare genius strong, disciplined, highly trained.
But the current three Admirals—Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu are true monsters.
Their mastery of Devil Fruits and Haki was so extreme, some techniques seemed instinctive.
Even among Marines, it was said that Kizaru could use his Pika Pika no Mi powers reflexively from a young age.
In Flying Squirrel's eyes, Carl had potential of that same caliber!
But Carl had no idea what imaginary comparisons Flying Squirrel was making he was simply thinking about food.
The battle had taken a lot out of him burning stamina and energy like a gear-shifting Luffy fighting Lucci.
So naturally, Carl needed to eat ten servings just to be full.
That's how Carl earned the nickname "Big Stomach King."
But he didn't mind it one bit.
For five years straight, he'd been doing 1,500 to 2,000 push-ups daily almost like Garp's brutal training of Coby and Helmeppo.
Such rigorous exercise burned immense calories, which explained his monstrous appetite.
"Recruit Carl! I've already reported you to the Fleet Admiral."
"The Fleet Admiral says you're promising—so you've been accepted into the Navy's Elite Training Camp."
"Isn't that your dream come true? Hahaha!"
After their clash earlier that day, the relationship between Flying Squirrel and Carl had grown much closer.
Flying Squirrel wasn't the stiff military type—he liked jokes, card games, and even drinking with lower-ranked soldiers.
Carl naturally appreciated that kind of camaraderie.
"Well, it's good news—I just thought maybe I'd be promoted right into a commissioned rank as an official Marine."
"Hahahaha! Don't be so impatient. Going through the training camp is like coating gold on yourself—it makes your record shine!"
"The seas are calm now. Newly recruited Marines don't receive immediate rank not unless they've earned high-level credit."
"Pfft—wasn't taking down the Golden Lion high-level credit?"
"Don't be cocky! You finished off a nearly-dead Shiki."
"But don't worry your bounty reward will be full. If the Fleet Admiral dares to dock you even a single Berry, I'll cover it myself!"
"Oh yeah one more thing. Since you have the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, can't you just fly us all straight to Marineford?"
"Are you trying to kill me?"
Hearing Flying Squirrel's question, Carl's eyes widened in disbelief—his face full of exasperation like Sanji dealing with Luffy's antics.
He'd inherited Shiki's powers, yes but Shiki was at death's door when Carl fought him.
While the Devil Fruit ability had transferred flawlessly, Shiki's endurance and physical stats had not.
Plus, manipulating the gravity of objects consumed tremendous stamina.
Flying solo from Boya Town to Marineford was feasible.
But lifting an entire Marine vessel full of people? He'd be drained within three days!
"Haha! I was just joking don't take it so seriously!"
"Hmph!"
Carl snorted and returned to his room, intending to rest after the exhausting day.
Flying Squirrel watched his retreating back his eyes thoughtful and gleaming with interest.
Although Carl was still technically just a recruit, Flying Squirrel was convinced.
With Carl's raw power and rare fruit, he wouldn't remain anonymous for long—he was destined to become a household name.
He had seen a handful of prodigies like this in his career and he knew it was wise to form bonds with them early.
---
Meanwhile…
Marine Base—Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku slowly set down the receiver of the Den Den Mushi.
Sitting nearby, Vice Admiral Garp munched loudly on senbei, not even bothering to hide the fact that he was eavesdropping.
"Haha! That old lunatic Shiki—taken down by a nobody! Bet he didn't see that coming!"
"This time, he really drew the short end of the stick—eight lives of bad luck all at once!"
"Hmph! Shiki's defeat was deserved," Sengoku muttered. "But this rookie—he's not bad. If he can survive a full-force strike from Flying Squirrel, his potential must be exceptional."
Sengoku stroked his beard in contemplation—then narrowed his eyes when he saw Garp's hand sneak toward his drawer.
"Garp! You're trying to steal my donuts again!"
"Hahahaha! What do you mean 'steal'? I haven't eaten them yet!" Garp grinned shamelessly. "Why don't we share them, old friend?"
"Get out! That's my supper!!!"
---