When Carl first arrived in this world, he never imagined he would cultivate himself to such an extreme degree.
All he wanted was to get stronger.
Because in this outrageous world, only strength guarantees survival.
But over time, he realized something—if he wanted to stand among the true monsters, he had to keep up with them.
The Four Emperors of the pirate world were known for their flaws: "Sick in the East, Disabled in the West, Crazy in the South, and Confused in the North."
Each of them seemed to have weaknesses.
Yet, they undeniably stood at the ceiling of the world's power.
The one Carl was most concerned about was Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom's terrifying natural physique.
At five years old, she had shattered the sword of a Giant warrior just by standing still.
Her body was impervious to cannonballs and musket fire, earning her the title of a "steel balloon."
With such an indestructible physique, how could anyone threaten her?
Thus, Carl dedicated himself daily to perfecting his physical endurance and Armament Haki.
His body might not be as naturally monstrous as Big Mom's, but his Haki had reached the absolute peak!
And right now, fighting Shiki, it felt like he was battling Kaido and Big Mom's former contemporary—another legend from the old era.
A Battle of Attrition
"Looks like I'll just have to outlast him," Shiki muttered, composing himself.
Carl's full-body Armament Haki was undeniably draining.
As long as this fight dragged on, his opponent would run out of stamina first!
Unfortunately, Carl was thinking the exact same thing.
"Damn old man, that Float-Float Fruit is too annoying," he muttered, frustrated.
Even with his Senbonzakura's sword wings, he couldn't catch up with Shiki.
His only option was to grind him down until his stamina ran out!
As for his own Haki consumption?
Ridiculous.
He had yet to find a fight where his Haki reserves ran dry.
"Lion Majesty: Earth Coiling!"
Boom!
The island trembled as massive stone lions emerged once again.
Carl didn't hesitate. His figure blurred as he charged through them, while his thousands of flying swords swarmed toward Shiki in the sky.
"Slash Wave!" "Slash Wave!"
Shiki's twin swords for legs slashed furiously, deflecting the incoming barrage.
The battle was locked in a stalemate.
Then—
Shiki changed his tactics.
"Lion Majesty: Govern Place Earth Coiling!"
Suddenly—
The surrounding seawater surged into the air, forming massive lion heads that pounced toward Carl.
"Jie ha ha ha ha!"
Shiki laughed wildly.
"This move is made for Devil Fruit users like you!"
He was a veteran of countless battles.
He knew any Devil Fruit user would lose control of their power upon contact with seawater.
Except, of course, for that indestructible beast named Kaido.
But Carl wasn't Kaido.
Surely, this would finish him.
The sea lions crashed down, engulfing Carl entirely.
Shiki floated in the air, arms crossed, watching the result unfold.
His years of combat experience kept him cautious.
He didn't celebrate early—he continued manipulating the Float-Float Fruit to bury Carl under an avalanche of stone and water.
"Lion Majesty: Earth Coiling!"
The entire island trembled as its landscape began to collapse inward!
He would crush Carl beneath it!
The Counterattack
"Tch… this old fossil is really cautious."
Carl sighed from beneath the crushing weight.
Originally, he had planned to wait for Shiki to let his guard down.
Clearly, that wouldn't work.
Just as the island's landmass began to compress around him—
SHOOM!
A figure rocketed into the sky!
"What?!"
Shiki's pupils shrank—his reaction was immediate.
His legs swung, releasing a rapid flurry of flying slashes.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Each slash was caught mid-air, and before he could reposition himself—
Carl was already upon him!
"Die!"
Carl's fist shot forward—
Shiki instinctively raised his left leg—the sword "Sakura Ten"—to block.
BOOM!
A golden blur was sent flying.
The legendary blade "Sakura Ten" was ripped from Shiki's leg—sent spiraling through the sky.
Carl moved to pursue, but—
Shiki had already drifted out of range.
"Tch… Annoying."
Shiki's Flight abilities made him absurdly hard to pin down.
It was no wonder he had pushed Roger to his limits—
And had stormed Marineford alone!
The Undying Legend
"Cough…"
Shiki hovered mid-air, his left leg bleeding.
'Sakura Ten' was gone, and his face finally showed strain.
Even so, his expression didn't waver.
Instead, he stared at Carl, eyes burning with intrigue.
"…Aren't you a Devil Fruit user?"
Carl had already retrieved Sakura Ten, inspecting the blade in his hand.
Hearing Shiki's question, he calmly turned his head.
"When did I ever say that I was?"
Shiki grinned slowly.
"…I see."
This time, he wouldn't underestimate Carl.
Carl, in turn, felt his own battle intent rise.
"Come on, then!"
The final clash was imminent.
"Lion Majesty: Govern Place Earth Coiling!"
"Jijing · Senbonzakura Yanjing!"
BOOOOM!
Cecilford Island Below
The Marines watched the sky, their eyes filled with awe and terror.
The battle above was beyond anything they had ever witnessed.
Even from ten thousand meters away, they could hear the destruction.
"Ensign Carl… whatever happens… you must win!"
Roy clenched his fists.
He was too weak.
All he could do was watch and pray.
The battle raged for one day.
Two days.
Three days.
The clashes never ceased.
Like two relentless monsters, Carl and Shiki fought endlessly across the Nine Heavens.
By the fourth day—
Silence.
Above, the once majestic floating islands had been reduced to rubble.
Shiki stood, surrounded by a massive lion of seawater and stone.
His body was covered in wounds.
His clothes were in tatters.
Fist marks.
Blade wounds.
Yet he still hovered, breathing raggedly.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
Shiki chuckled, exhausted.
"Jie hahaha… Boy, is your Haki finally running dry?"
Across from him—
Carl hovered with his sword wings, arms crossed.
Though he bore no visible injuries, his Armament Haki had receded.
Only his arms and Sakura Ten remained coated.
Carl smirked.
"Heh… I just realized something."
"This mode isn't useful against you."
His full Haki Burst Form was meant for overwhelming strength and speed.
Against someone like Shiki, who constantly dodged, it wasn't efficient.
Instead, precision was the key.
Shiki, despite himself, chuckled.
"Marine… tell me your name."
For the first time, his tone was solemn.
He was acknowledging Carl as an equal.
Carl didn't hesitate this time.
"Solomon Carl."
Shiki grinned.
"Jie ha ha ha ha! Solomon Carl, huh? I'll remember it!"
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