A vast cluster of islands and an enormous volume of seawater plummeted from the sky.
Carl's warship had already put considerable distance between them and the impact site. Now, from a safe distance, they turned back to witness the spectacle.
Boom!
Tidal waves erupted as the sea devoured the falling islands, sending massive shockwaves rippling across the water. The sheer force of the impact propelled Carl's warship forward.
Carl stood on the deck, his gaze fixed on the largest island. A golden figure was faintly visible, sinking along with the shattered landmass into the depths of the sea.
"Old man… it's over."
This battle had given Carl a firsthand taste of the terrifying might at the top of the sea's hierarchy.
Golden Lion had been old, injured, and restricted for decades—yet he had still pushed Carl to his limits. If that was the case, then what of those who stood at their absolute peak?
Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, the Admirals…
The thought sent a chill through Carl's spine.
Moreover, during the fight, he had realized a fundamental flaw in Senbonzakura.
While its offensive power was overwhelming in large-scale battles, when it came to direct confrontations against a single powerful opponent, its raw destructive force was somewhat lacking.
"Tch… So why does the headquarters want to summon me now?"
Carl clicked his tongue in frustration. "Thankfully, I still have time. Once I get there, I'll request my assignment—I absolutely cannot remain at headquarters."
If he had been sent there before the Summit War, things could have gotten complicated.
Golden Lion had been a nightmare.
Whitebeard?
Whitebeard would have been a disaster.
"By the way, Roy!"
Suddenly recalling something, Carl turned and called out to the Marine behind him.
"Yes, Carl-Ensign! Do you have orders?" Roy rushed forward, awaiting instructions.
"You're not to report what happened today. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Roy saluted, his expression filled with admiration.
He had no idea who Carl's opponent had been.
But to create such an earth-shaking battle, the enemy must have been someone unimaginably strong.
Yet Carl wasn't seeking any recognition or reward for it.
A true Marine of justice.
"Good. As long as you understand." Carl nodded, satisfied that his subordinates knew how to handle the situation.
A Few Days Later…
The warship finally docked at Loguetown, the final stop before the Grand Line.
The moment they reached the port, the Marines secured the wooden gangway. Carl stepped onto the solid ground, but as soon as his boots touched the pier—
—he stopped.
The Marines behind him exchanged glances, confused.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at Loguetown!]
[Reward: Inheritance of the 'Sword God'!]
[Reward has been issued. Please check immediately.]
A mechanical voice echoed in Carl's mind, followed by an overwhelming flood of information.
Countless sword techniques, insights, and combat experiences surged through him.
When he opened his eyes again, his hands instinctively rested on the 'Oto' (Deadwood) and 'Kogarashi' (Sakura Ten), both secured at his waist.
His expression turned strange.
"Sword God? These skills… this has to be…"
Among the techniques he had just received, there were not only a multitude of powerful attacks but also various passive abilities:
• [Weapon Grandmaster]: A profound comprehension of all weapon types, enhancing his proficiency with any blade.
• [Extreme Swordsmanship – Ghost Blade Style]: A sword art refined to its ultimate form, drastically increasing offensive power.
• [Ultimate Sword Domain]: The ability to assimilate the techniques of other master swordsmen and integrate them into one's own style.
And those were just the basics.
Carl's brow twitched.
This skill set…
Wasn't it identical to the abilities of a certain character from a game called Dungeon Fighter back in his previous life?
"Still, this is ridiculously powerful…" Carl murmured, tightening his grip on his twin blades.
With the [Weapon Grandmaster] ability alone, the legendary swords in his hands felt like an extension of his body.
It was as if he had spent decades honing his swordsmanship—like a seasoned master swordsman whose instincts had been forged through countless battles.
"Carl-Ensign, what's going on?"
Roy finally spoke up, unable to contain his curiosity.
For minutes, Carl had stood motionless, his hands on his weapons. Then he had drawn them, his expression unreadable.
"It's nothing."
Carl re-sheathed Sakura Ten and Deadwood, snapping out of his trance. "Let's go. We need to report to the base commander."
Leaving the rest of the Marines to manage the warship, Carl and Roy made their way into Loguetown's Marine Base.
At the Marine Base…
Inside the commander's office, Colonel Smoker, the White Hunter, sat at his desk, casually smoking a cigar.
A Den Den Mushi sat before him, transmitting a report from Marine Headquarters.
"So, that Solomon Carl… injured Hawkeye Mihawk?"
Smoker exhaled a thick puff of smoke, his brow furrowing.
"That's correct," came the voice of a Vice Admiral over the line. "Just giving you a heads-up. He's a newcomer and may not be familiar with Marine protocols yet. Don't be too hard on him."
"I see…" Smoker muttered, ending the call.
His sharp eyes darkened.
"Solomon Carl… Someone that powerful came from East Blue?"
Suddenly—
Boom!
The office door slammed open.
"Colonel Smoker!"
A young female Marine with glasses rushed in—Tashigi, Smoker's subordinate and an avid swordswoman.
"What is it?" Smoker grunted, exhaling smoke. "Tashigi, how many times have I told you to be more composed?"
"A Marine officer has arrived from the East Blue!" Tashigi reported.
Smoker raised an eyebrow and stood. "I see. Let's go meet the man who injured Hawkeye."
"Wait—WHAT?!"
Tashigi's jaw dropped. "What do you mean injured Hawkeye?"
"Exactly what I said." Smoker shrugged. "Headquarters just informed me that an Ensign named Solomon Carl clashed with Mihawk. Apparently, it was only a brief exchange, but it confirmed that this guy is dangerous."
Meanwhile…
Carl remained unaware that his reputation had already reached the base commander's ears.
Guided by Roy, he made his way through Loguetown's Marine Base, only to run into Smoker head-on.
"You're Solomon Carl?" Smoker said, scrutinizing him.
Carl blinked. "You know me?"
"Headquarters gave me a heads-up." Smoker nodded. "Name's Smoker, Colonel of Loguetown's Marine Base."
Carl maintained his usual calm demeanor. "East Blue 148th Branch, Ensign Solomon Carl."
He knew about Smoker.
A Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit user with an unyielding sense of justice. He was also a former student of Admiral Zephyr and had a strong personal connection to Aokiji.
Smoker was a thorn in the side of the World Government—but a true Marine.
"The warship heading to Marineford will take some time," Smoker said. "Until then, you'll stay in Loguetown."
Perfect.
The longer he stayed in East Blue, the better.
Smoker raised an eyebrow at Carl's sudden smirk.
"What's so funny?"
Before Carl could answer, a voice interrupted—
"Wait! Those swords!"
Tashigi's eyes locked onto Deadwood and Sakura Ten at Carl's waist, filled with unmistakable shock and excitement.
"…Huh?" Carl blinked, confused.
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