c9 – The Empress!
"Huh? A major?"
"I thought I could at least get a major general for fun—it's so boring..."
Carl curled his lips in disdain, clearly dissatisfied with the rank of major.
But Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel frowned, obviously displeased by the reaction.
"What's that face for? This is the highest rank I could secure for you at this time.
And with the rank of major, you now qualify to sail with me on official deployments. Isn't that enough for you?"
"Satisfied—I'm satisfied..."
Carl waved his hand and turned away lazily—his tone indifferent and nonchalant.
Flying Squirrel sighed.
After spending weeks together, he had come to understand Carl's nature well.
In his eyes—Carl resembled a half-Buddha.
Unless something sparked his interest, he couldn't be bothered to involve himself in anything trivial.
Only topics like Marine rankings, capturing high-profile pirates, and combat stirred genuine reaction from him.
For everything else, Carl showed an almost zen-like detachment.
Flying Squirrel actually found this personality preferable.
"We'll be out of the Calm Belt soon—should arrive at Marineford in a few days.
Then I'll ask Garp to teach you a lesson!"
"Hehe—I'd be honored!"
Hearing Flying Squirrel's words—Carl showed no fear whatsoever.
He was confident he could now last at least a few exchanges with Garp, the Fist a man feared across the seas even by the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Carl was eager to test his strength against one of the world's true titans.
Only by clashing with the strongest could he find the will to grow stronger!
"The Kuja Pirates have been spotted ahead—they're blocking our path!"
"What?!"
Flying Squirrel was startled by the report from a flustered junior officer.
"Damn it's actually her!"
Though the Shichibukai serve under the World Government in name they don't answer directly to the Navy.
Only the Five Elders or Fleet Admiral Sengoku can truly command them.
Moreover, they possess a rare and legal right—to plunder.
Because of this even high-ranking Navy officers tend to avoid contact with the Seven Warlords.
Fighting them would paint the Navy as aggressors.damaging their credibility worldwide.
But backing down would make them appear weak trampled by pirates with government protection.
Most officers simply chose to steer clear.
Only admirals, those with overwhelming force had the confidence to engage a Warlord directly.
Unfortunately—Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel wasn't an admiral.
He couldn't even be certain if he could stand against Boa Hancock—known across the seas as the Pirate Empress.
"What's happening? Why would one of the Shichibukai stop us?"
Carl stepped out of the cabin, curious, and stood beside Flying Squirrel as the approaching ship loomed ahead.
The Pirate Flag bearing the iconic skull with snake motifs of the Kuja Pirates—fluttered in the breeze.
Standing on the prow was Empress Boa Hancock, arms crossed, her gaze razor-sharp.
Behind her, the Amazon warriors stood in perfect formation—their presence as fierce as any Marine unit.
"Listen here, Navy scum! You've crossed into Kuja waters!
Unless you give me a proper reason, you're not leaving unscathed!"
Hancock's voice thundered across the sea. Even though there was still distance between the ships—Carl could hear her clearly.
Immediately he felt a sharp jolt in his head.
But the sensation passed quickly leaving no lingering effects.
He turned and realized the Marines around him had collapsed to the deck, eyes spinning.
"Amazing... so this is Conqueror's Haki."
Carl stood tall unshaken by the overwhelming pressure.
Flying Squirrel glanced at him—clearly impressed.
"You're a monster too—to endure the Haoshoku Haki of the Pirate Empress without fainting..."
But despite the words of praise—Flying Squirrel was clearly not in top shape.
His forehead was full of sweat and it was evident that it took considerable effort to resist the effects of the Conqueror's Haki.
The same could be said for the Marines who hadn't passed out—each of them struggling to stay conscious.
"So this... is Conqueror's Haki?"
Carl pondered briefly over the intense sensation he had just felt.
Suddenly a burst of invisible force erupted outward from his body, rippling the air around him like a shockwave centered on his position!
Yet it dissipated almost instantly—not even lasting a full second.
But in that fleeting moment—Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel was stunned!
He hadn't anticipated that Carl would emit Conqueror's Haki too!
"Did you just awaken Conqueror's Haki?!"
"I... don't think it's fully awakened..."
Carl glanced at his system interface, noting that his Haoshoku Haki status still showed 'semi-mastery'. Scratching his nose awkwardly, he sighed.
Semi-mastery meant it could only activate under rare stimuli or duress essentially not under conscious control.
If Boa Hancock hadn't used her own Conqueror's Haki just now.Carl probably wouldn't have triggered his latent ability at all.
Still—by even releasing it for a moment—Carl had proven himself to possess the qualities of a king.
Flying Squirrel's evaluation of Carl quietly rose yet again.
At the same moment
Boa Hancock, still aboard the Kuja ship, sensed that brief release of Conqueror's Haki.
Though it had lasted only seconds she recognized the unmistakable pulse of a newly awakened Conqueror.
"Hmph! A mere Marine... dares to awaken the same Haki as me?! How irritating!"
Her voice, laced with pride and disdain, echoed across the sea.
"You all wait here. Your beloved Empress will deal with this personally!"
With those words Boa Hancock launched herself into the air, gracefully leaping from the Perfume Yuda and landing elegantly on the Marine warship.
"The Empress is here!"
"Ahh! She's so beautiful... my heart...!"
"No! Stay strong stay strong...!"
"I can't take it anymore! Hancock, I love you!!!"
Even though these Marines had resisted her initial Conqueror's Haki—they were utterly powerless before her beauty.
The Mero Mero no Mi's passive charm ability overwhelmed their rationality.
Combined with her natural allure.Boa Hancock could melt the will of almost any man.
"A bunch of hopeless fools."
Hancock didn't even look at them.her cold gaze shifted across the deck.
Only two individuals remained composed—Carl, and Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, who had stabbed his own thigh to stay conscious and focused.
"Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel... it's been a while."
She acknowledged him with brief formality then turned her attention to Carl.
"You. You're the one who just released that Conqueror's Haki, weren't you?"
"How'd you know it was me?"
"Who else could it be? Certainly not this bunch of weaklings," she scoffed, gesturing at the groveling Marines with disdain.
Carl gave a small nod, replying confidently
"Yeah, that was me."
"So what do you plan to do now? This is a Navy warship—we're escorting a high-value prisoner.
If you attack us—it's a violation of treaty law. You'll lose your Shichibukai status.
Are you really prepared for that?"
Carl met her gaze without fear his tone firm, echoing the attitude of a true Marine.
His posture even resembled Vice Admiral Garp's famous defiance.
Flying Squirrel felt both nervous and proud Carl's spine was admirable, but provoking the Empress was no light matter.
"Carl! I'm the senior officer here step back! This situation is my responsibility!"
Seeing Flying Squirrel's determination, Carl shrugged, then replied teasingly
"Sir, you're barely standing upright after that Haki blast.
Are you really sure you're in any condition to handle this alone?"