In the Sea Calendar year 1506, it had been eight years since Carl fell into a deep slumber.
During this time, thanks to their achievements in the battle at Ohara alongside Roger, Akainu and Borsalino were both promoted early to the rank of Admiral.
Aside from the "Admiral in name only," Zephyr, the true Admirals in power within Marine
Headquarters were three: Sengoku the Buddha, Akainu, and Borsalino.
(According to the timeline set by the Rosinante incident, Rosinante's death in the original storyline occurred in 1509, when Sengoku was still an Admiral.)
However, both within the Marines and outside, it was widely believed that the current three Admirals, even combined, did not possess the influence or deterrence of the "Black Dragon," who had vanished for eight years.
Even though Carl had been silent in the world for eight years, his fame only grew, and his title extended far beyond the mere rank of "Admiral."
In other words, the rank of Admiral alone was no longer sufficient to represent Carl's power. The people preferred to call him:
"The Legendary Marine!""Marine War God!""The First Admiral!""The World's Strongest Power!"
The World Government, of course, was delighted by this perception and actively fueled the narrative, elevating Carl's legend.
On the pirate side, after Roger's death, the concept of "Emperors of the Sea" emerged quietly. Whitebeard, Big Mom, and the rising star Kaido were successively crowned with the title, each dominating their respective territories.
Because of Roger's last words, the number of pirates did indeed grow steadily in these years, though not as crazily as in the original timeline.
This was largely because the war eight years ago had ended under the world's watchful eyes. The sight of Pirate King Roger being slain by Admiral Carl, the Black Dragon, was etched in memory. Roger's death was brutal, far from the composed and carefree manner depicted in the original. As a result, it had a much weaker inspirational effect on aspiring pirates.
...
Sacred Mary Geoise
Otohime, leading the six-year-old Shirahoshi, was escorted by a group of golden-armored guards into the Figarland family estate.
Carl had previously mentioned Shirahoshi to Garling. So when Shirahoshi turned six, Otohime brought her to Mary Geoise, where Garling sent people to escort the mother and daughter from the entrance to the estate.
Even at six years old, Shirahoshi was already taller than her mother, Otohime, even with Otohime's tail transformed into legs.
As they entered the Figarland estate, Shirahoshi, stepping out of Fish-Man Island for the first time, kept her head down, following closely behind her mother while sneaking glances at her surroundings.
She whispered to Otohime,
"Mother, this place is so big and beautiful!"
Otohime appeared calm on the surface, but she was even more overwhelmed by shock than her daughter. She had believed that Ryugu Palace was grand enough, but the Figarland estate made her feel like a "country bumpkin entering the city."
It was evident that the Figarland family was one of the most prestigious noble houses among the Celestial Dragons. Their heritage was unmistakable, even from their estate alone.
Otohime turned to Shirahoshi with a faint smile, though there was a trace of bitterness in it. She said softly,
"Shirahoshi, do you like it here?"
Shirahoshi replied in her soft, sweet voice,
"I like it! I've never seen such a big palace before. Mother, who lives here?"
Otohime sighed and said,
"The people who live here control the fate of all life. The survival of everyone on Fish-Man Island lies within their whims."
Young and sheltered in Ryugu Palace, Shirahoshi could not fully grasp the meaning of her mother's words. She simply nodded in confusion and said,
"How amazing!"
Otohime gently patted Shirahoshi's head and said softly,
"Shirahoshi, the future of Fish-Man Island depends on you."
Before Shirahoshi could ask what her mother meant, the golden-armored guards suddenly stopped.
Their leader turned and said,
"This is Lord Garling's chamber. You may enter."
Otohime bowed slightly and gestured for Shirahoshi to remain silent. Holding her daughter's hand, she stepped into Garling's chamber.
Inside the reception hall, Garling sat with his legs crossed on a central sofa. His eyes locked onto Shirahoshi the moment the pair entered.
Garling's temples were streaked with gray, and the regal aura around him had only grown more intense with time. His gaze alone frightened Shirahoshi into tears. She shrank behind Otohime, clutching her mother's clothes.
Even Otohime froze under Garling's oppressive presence. At that moment, she understood just how insignificant even the so-called royal families were compared to the true nobles of the world.
While her husband, King Neptune, was massive in stature, she did not doubt for a moment that Garling's comparatively small frame contained an unimaginable power.
Shirahoshi's sobs echoed in the reception hall, and Garling's expression darkened. He said coldly,
"Stop crying!"
Boom!
Garling's advanced Conqueror's Haki rippled outward. His three words, imbued with overwhelming power, resounded like thunder in the chamber.
Shirahoshi fell silent immediately, trembling and clinging to Otohime, unable to meet Garling's eyes.
Garling frowned and asked,
"This is the Ancient Weapon, Poseidon? Are you certain she is your daughter?"
His sharp gaze bore down on Otohime, who could barely withstand the pressure. Falling to her knees, she replied,
"Lord Garling, Shirahoshi is indeed my biological daughter, my only daughter. You can send someone to Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island to confirm this!"
Unable to kneel properly due to her tail, Shirahoshi lay curled next to her mother, quietly sobbing.
Garling rose slowly from the sofa and walked over to the pair. The air seemed to freeze as he gazed down at them. Sweat dripped from Otohime's brow as she held Shirahoshi close.
Just when Otohime thought she could not bear it any longer, Garling turned to the doorway and said,
"Take them to Carl's chamber."
He then addressed Otohime,
"There's no need for you to stay here. You'll be escorted back later. As for what Carl promised you, I'll ensure it's arranged."
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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg