"I knew I was right!"
Tashigi's expression lit up with excitement. "I think I know which two famous swords those are…"
It made sense that she didn't recognize them right away. Even though Tashigi was obsessed with famous swords, Sakura Ten and Deadwood had disappeared ever since Golden Lion Shiki escaped from Impel Down twenty-two years ago.
At the time, she had only just been born.
"Which two… which two are they?" Tashigi's expression twisted with frustration.
For someone as passionate about swords as she was, encountering a legendary blade but not recognizing it was a form of torture.
"Enough already," Smoker growled, punching her lightly on the head.
Boom!
"Ow…" Tashigi rubbed her forehead, eyes teary.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you," Carl sighed, the corner of his mouth twitching. "These two swords—one is called Sakura Ten, and the other is Deadwood. Got it?"
"Sakura Ten… Deadwood…?" Tashigi's eyes widened in realization. "Wait, don't tell me… these are the two famous swords that Golden Lion Shiki took when he escaped from Impel Down twenty-two years ago?!"
Carl stiffened slightly. This female Marine really knew her swords!
"How did they end up in your hands? Did you defeat Golden Lion?!" Tashigi asked, eyes burning with anticipation.
As someone who dreamed of reclaiming all famous swords from the hands of criminals, Sakura Ten and Deadwood were especially significant. They had been wielded by Golden Lion, one of the most infamous figures in history.
Roy, standing behind Carl, was even more shocked.
Carl Ensign had fought a strong opponent on Cecilford Island! Now, it was confirmed—it had to be Golden Lion!
Carl coughed and quickly waved his hands. "Of course not! How could I have defeated Golden Lion? I, uh… actually found these swords."
"Found them?" Tashigi frowned, pushing up her glasses. "Wait… don't tell me… is Golden Lion dead? Did you find them in his grave?"
That was the only reasonable explanation.
Carl hesitated for a split second before sighing. "Yeah, I got them after discovering Golden Lion's grave."
That was close. He almost gave himself away!
"I see!" Tashigi suddenly beamed. "So Golden Lion is dead. That's great news!"
To her, infamous pirates like Golden Lion were nothing but sources of chaos and destruction. Every one of them that died was a step toward justice.
More importantly, two stolen famous swords had finally been reclaimed.
"Alright, that's enough," Smoker interrupted, his expression unreadable.
If the rumors about Carl injuring Mihawk were true, then Golden Lion's death might not be as simple as it seemed.
"No!" Tashigi said firmly, turning back to Carl. "Solomon Carl Ensign, since you wield these two famous swords and even injured Dracule Mihawk, you must be an exceptionally powerful swordsman."
"I challenge you to a duel!"
She bowed deeply. "Please, cross swords with me!"
Carl blinked.
"…Huh?"
"Actually, I'm not a—"
Before he could finish, Tashigi interrupted. "Are you refusing because you think I'm too weak? Even so, I won't back down! I want to grow stronger, so please don't hold back!"
Carl let out a long sigh, then placed a hand on Sakura Ten. "Fine. Get ready."
This girl was clearly stubborn, just like many swordsmen he had encountered.
Swordsmen in this world really had an obsession with fighting.
To avoid dragging this out, he'd end this quickly.
"Thank you!" Tashigi's eyes lit up as she unsheathed her sword.
It was a beautifully crafted katana with a snow-white blade.
She adjusted her glasses and raised the sword. "Don't underestimate me. This is a famous blade too—one of the 50 Skillful Grade swords, Shigure."
"A good sword," Carl acknowledged as he unsheathed Sakura Ten. "Shall we begin?"
"Yes! Please attack at full strength!" Tashigi said, bracing herself.
Carl didn't say anything, but his gaze sharpened.
His entire presence shifted.
"That stance…" Smoker's eyes narrowed.
It was as if Carl was carrying an entire storm of blades on his back.
A wave of sharp killing intent spread outward.
Tashigi hesitated for half a second.
Carl moved.
With a single downward slash, a black crescent-shaped Flying Slash shot toward her.
Boom!
Tashigi barely had time to react.
The force of the impact sent her flying backward.
She landed hard on the ground, rolling across the lawn. Shigure slipped from her grasp and embedded itself in the dirt beside her.
Carl sheathed Sakura Ten.
"That's enough."
He knew she wouldn't be standing back up anytime soon.
The power from his Sword God Inheritance made his slashes devastatingly precise.
"…He's strong," Smoker muttered, giving Carl a long, serious look. Then he turned and walked over to pull Tashigi up.
The girl was already unconscious.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading off to rest," Carl said, waving lazily.
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke. "Solomon Carl, why did you stay hidden until now? What's your real reason for joining the Marines?"
His tone was grave.
After all, East Blue was known as the weakest sea. Someone of Carl's level appearing here was… suspicious.
What was even stranger was that there had been no record of Carl doing anything noteworthy for the past ten years.
Which, of course, made sense.
Carl had gone to sea two and a half years ago—but every pirate he encountered had been silently erased.
No one had lived long enough to spread his name.
"Well," Carl said, scratching his head. "If I had to explain it… I guess I'm just cautious? I didn't join the Marines for some grand dream. Honestly, I just see it as the safest option."
"You might not believe me, but that's the truth."
Roy, standing behind him, nearly teared up.
Carl Ensign! In order to conceal your true strength, you'd rather make yourself look like a coward? How dedicated!
Smoker nodded slowly. "I believe you."
"Huh?" Carl was surprised.
"You do?"
Most Marines wouldn't believe something like that.
"Yeah," Smoker said, taking a drag from his cigar. "Because there's someone just like you in the Marines."
A certain middle-aged man with a lazy grin flashed through his mind.
A man who also slacked off constantly, avoided paperwork, and treated his job like a chore.
Carl blinked.
Wait… he's talking about Kizaru, isn't he?
At that moment, a Marine soldier came running over, panting.
"Colonel Smoker! I finally found you! There's trouble!"
"Hm?" Smoker frowned. "What happened?"
"A pirate has entered Rogue Town! A big one!"
The soldier swallowed nervously. "A pirate with a 30-million bounty—Monkey D. Luffy!"
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