But what Dragon was about to do next made Carl extremely uncomfortable.
As the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon prided himself on fighting for the liberation of the people. But right now, saving his son was just that—saving his son. Did he really need to make such a spectacle out of it?
The original scene from the manga—the devastating storm that swept away Marines, pirates, and civilians alike—was anything but comforting.
"Are you going to stop me?" Dragon's sharp gaze locked onto Carl, his presence alone carrying a weight unlike any ordinary man.
Carl cracked his neck, fingers gripping the hilt of Sakura Ten. "What do you think?"
It was obvious. He wouldn't have stepped forward just to exchange words.
"You are strong. Surely, you've seen the truth of this world." Dragon's voice was calm but piercing. "Why do you serve the World Government?"
"Tch. What a pain," Carl clicked his tongue. He had a feeling this would happen—Dragon was about to start his revolutionary preaching. "You're talking about the Celestial Dragons, right?"
Dragon's eyes narrowed.
Of course, the Celestial Dragons were the root of the world's corruption. Their unchecked power, their tyranny—so long as they remained in control, the world would never see true freedom.
That was the belief that had driven Dragon to wage his silent war against the World Government.
"I joined the Marines, not the World Government." Carl exhaled a slow ring of smoke, his face unreadable. "People like you always lump the two together."
Even Vice Admiral Garp, the so-called "Hero of the Marines," openly despised the Celestial Dragons. Yet, he remained a Marine.
Carl didn't say the deeper reason behind his words.
He had been reborn into this world, but the ideals he had carried from his previous life had shaped his perspective differently from the people here.
Yes, the Revolutionary Army sought to overthrow the World Government and bring down the Celestial Dragons.
And to be honest? Carl didn't have a problem with that.
Because the Celestial Dragons were rotten.
At least ninety-nine out of a hundred were absolute scum, yet they controlled the greatest power in the world. It was a broken system.
But then what?
Even if the World Government fell, what guarantee was there that the new rulers wouldn't become the next Celestial Dragons?
"Hey, Dragon, I have a question for you."
Carl's fingers lightly pulled Sakura Ten from its scabbard, but he didn't draw it completely.
"What is it?" Dragon's voice remained steady, but his expression was wary.
"If you overthrow the World Government… will you build sea trains across the entire world?"
Dragon frowned. "Are you referring to the sea trains of Water 7?"
"That's right."
Dragon thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "No."
He didn't know where Carl was going with this, but his answer was clear.
The construction of a worldwide sea train network was absurd. The cost of resources, manpower, and logistics was enormous. All that effort, just for a mode of transportation that was slightly faster than ships? It wasn't worth it.
Carl let out a quiet sigh. "So there it is… your 'new world' is hopeless."
Dragon's eyes flickered, unable to understand Carl's thoughts.
A wry smile tugged at Carl's lips. How could Dragon possibly comprehend?
Carl had come from a world where governments built roads to even the most remote villages, where infrastructure connected people regardless of cost.
Here? Whether the World Government or the Revolutionary Army held power, nothing would change.
"Enough talk."
With a quiet rasp, Sakura Ten slid from its sheath.
"Let's fight."
A surge of pitch-black Haki coated the blade, crackling with liquid lightning.
Carl's crimson eyes gleamed with a cold, terrifying light.
A suffocating aura exploded outward.
It was pure killing intent.
[Raptor's Void Cleave!]
Boom!
Carl vanished, charging forward at breakneck speed.
A ferocious wave of Sword Qi erupted from his blade, forming the shape of a black dragon's head!
Dragon's pupils shrank.
He reacted instantly, raising a fist clad in Advanced Armament Haki—but instead of blocking, he launched a powerful strike that blasted both Smoker and Luffy away from the battlefield.
"BOOM!"
Dragon's gaze darkened.
"He's strong!"
Not only was the impact itself overwhelming, but the Sword Qi embedded within the attack carried immense cutting force!
Even with his Haki-coated arm, Dragon felt the sting of impact.
Carl wasn't done.
One relentless slash after another came his way, each one crackling with black lightning.
[Li-Style: Phantom Swordplay!]
A fundamental technique—but when executed at this level, each strike carried devastating power.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks erupted in midair.
Behind the two, the images of a bloodthirsty beast and a soaring Azure Dragon clashed, mirroring their battle.
This wasn't just a physical confrontation.
It was a battle of will.
A battle between men who stood at the top.
The ground beneath them shattered into rubble.
Carl's advance came to a sudden stop—his other hand moved to the hilt of Deadwood.
Dragon's instincts screamed.
A deep warning—an extremely dangerous attack was coming!
This move… could kill him.
Carl vanished.
Schwing!
He reappeared behind Dragon.
For a brief moment, neither moved.
Dragon's lips curled into a grin. "Hahaha… amazing."
"It's been a long time since I fought someone like you."
Carl exhaled, sheathing Deadwood with a quiet click.
[Divine Sword Style: Instant Slash.]
A fine red line appeared on Dragon's side.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Multiple slashes erupted from his flank, tearing through his cloak.
Carl frowned. "Tch. He dodged the fatal strike."
His original aim had been Dragon's heart.
But Dragon—at the very last moment—had twisted his body just enough to avoid a lethal blow.
Carl lifted Sakura Ten, prepared to continue the assault—
But suddenly, a gust of cyan wind spiraled up from the ground.
In an instant, Dragon was gone.
Carl raised an eyebrow before sighing and sheathing his blade.
Defeating a man of Dragon's caliber was nearly impossible in a single fight.
Even if Kaido and Big Mom combined forces, they wouldn't be able to stop him if he truly wanted to escape.
Just as Carl was about to turn and leave, a voice echoed from the sky.
"Marine… I'll remember you."
Dragon's presence faded completely.
"If you ever come to see the truth of this world… the doors of the Revolutionary Army will always be open to you."
Carl scoffed, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
"Even when fleeing, he doesn't forget to recruit people. Seriously, revolutionaries are such a hassle."
Despite the brevity of their clash, they had measured each other.
There was no doubt—both stood among the strongest in the world.
A true battle to the death would take days, maybe even weeks.
Ending it in a single confrontation? Impossible.
Carl rubbed his temple, a headache forming.
"Right… what about Smoker?"
Without Dragon's storm, the Straw Hats hadn't been blown away.
Neither had Smoker or Buggy.
Which meant the chaos in town was still ongoing.
Carl sighed, stepping forward.
In a flash, he disappeared—reappearing in the distance.
"Smoker! Are you dead yet?"
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