Carl, still drifting across the Grand Line, remained completely unaware that the Marine Admirals at Headquarters were currently debating his future.
At this moment, he lounged on a reclining chair on deck, lazily gazing at the rolling waves with a relaxed expression.
"Oi! Carl! Alabasta is up ahead!" Smoker barked from the bow of the ship, his voice as rough as ever.
"I know, I know," Carl replied, casually waving him off.
Ahead, the port of Nanohana slowly came into view, its bustling docks filled with merchants, traders, and the general liveliness characteristic of the desert kingdom.
A short while later, Smoker disembarked with Tashigi and a squad of Marines, eager to begin their pursuit of the Straw Hat Pirates. Carl, however, took his time, strolling leisurely behind them.
The vibrant market caught his attention. After weeks at sea, stepping into such a lively city felt refreshing. He had no intention of interfering with Smoker's pursuit—Alabasta's internal affairs were of little interest to him.
"Golden Apples! The legendary fruit of eternal life!"
"Fresh Vision Kebabs! A delicacy like no other!"
Vendors shouted from their stalls, their voices filling the streets.
Carl had already separated from Smoker and the others, his hands full of skewers and snacks. Smoker was far too preoccupied gathering intelligence on the Straw Hat Crew to keep an eye on him.
"This is the life," Carl mused, taking a bite of grilled venison as he wandered in the opposite direction of Smoker's group.
He had no interest in meddling with Alabasta's current turmoil.
"So Crocodile plans to overthrow the kingdom, huh? And his real goal… Pluton?" he muttered to himself, recalling what he knew about the Warlord of the Sea.
Crocodile's reputation preceded him—one of the Shichibukai, a former rising star of the New World, and the wielder of the Suna Suna no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit.
Against an opponent like him, the Straw Hat Crew, who had yet to master Haki, should have stood no chance.
And yet…
Carl scoffed, "Luffy really is something else. With such weak strength, he still managed to defeat Crocodile."
There was no denying it—Luffy's victory was an anomaly.
Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden commotion erupted nearby.
Boom!
A fierce clash of flames and smoke sent a shockwave through the streets.
Carl turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow.
"Tsk… Smoker and… Ace?" He muttered, watching as a familiar figure clashed with the Marine Captain.
He remembered Portgas D. Ace well—Gol D. Roger's son, Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, and the wielder of the Mera Mera no Mi. More than that, Ace was Luffy's older brother.
This man, in many ways, was the catalyst for the greatest war in Marine history. While Blackbeard had been the true instigator, Ace's capture had set the chain of events into motion.
"Well, this could be interesting." Carl took another bite of his skewer before turning toward the fight.
By now, Ace had already disengaged from Smoker, prioritizing his pursuit of Luffy over a prolonged battle.
As he sprinted forward, flames flickered around his arm.
"Tch, more Marines?" Ace muttered, spotting a lone figure blocking his path. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist and sent a wave of fire toward the apparent obstacle.
Ace didn't even bother looking back—no ordinary Marine could withstand his flames.
Or so he thought.
"Huh. That's quite the greeting," a voice sounded, completely unharmed.
"What?!" Ace's pupils shrank as he turned sharply, his expression filled with disbelief.
The Marine standing before him had three swords strapped to his waist, but more importantly—he was unscathed.
Carl rubbed his chin, eyeing Ace with mild curiosity. "Portgas D. Ace… Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, huh?"
Ace's aura radiated warmth, fitting for someone known as the Little Sun at Sea.
Ace narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
Carl shrugged. "No need to know my name. I'm not here to fight you."
Ace raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Hmph. Well, at least you know your place. See ya."
Without another word, he turned and dashed away.
Carl sighed. He thinks I'm just another Marine who knows not to challenge a pirate of his caliber.
Well, that worked out in his favor.
"Oi! Carl!" Smoker's voice rang out as he ran toward him. "Why didn't you stop him?! That was Whitebeard's Second Division Commander!"
Carl blinked, feigning innocence. "Huh? That guy was a big deal?"
"Of course he was, you idiot!" Smoker snapped, exhaling a puff of smoke.
Then, after a pause, his anger slightly subsided.
"…Well, I guess it makes sense. You've never left East Blue before. You wouldn't recognize someone like Ace."
Tashigi finally caught up, panting.
"The Straw Hat Crew, the criminal organization operating in the shadows, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and the looming coup in Alabasta…" Smoker's expression darkened. "There's a connection between all of this. Carl, what do you think?"
Carl hesitated. This feels familiar…
"…Yeah," he said slowly. "There's definitely some kind of connection between them."
"OF COURSE, THERE IS!" Smoker snapped. "Something is happening in Alabasta, and I bet Crocodile is in the middle of it!"
Carl frowned but remained silent.
Alabasta was full of secrets. But did he care to uncover them?
Not really.
Crocodile, for all his schemes, was still a Shichibukai. That meant, at least officially, he was still an ally of the Marines.
Navigating that political mess? Too much trouble.
Smoker took a drag from both cigars, his mind racing. "Crocodile… the only pirate allowed in Alabasta, a Shichibukai at that… there's no way he doesn't know something."
"The Straw Hat Crew's presence here must be linked to him."
"So, you're going after him?" Carl asked, feigning curiosity.
"Damn right I am," Smoker grumbled. "We'll head to Rainbase."
Tashigi saluted. "Understood!"
Carl sighed. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up later."
Smoker gave him a sharp look but ultimately nodded. "Fine. Just don't cause trouble."
With that, the Marine unit marched toward Rainbase—Crocodile's base of operations.
Carl watched them disappear into the crowd before letting out another sigh.
Honestly, I don't want to go at all.
Dealing with a Shichibukai was bound to be a hassle.
But if he didn't go, there was a chance Smoker would end up getting himself captured. And with his presence in this world, there was no telling if Luffy and the others could still escape unscathed.
"I really am a responsible Marine," Carl muttered, shaking his head with a grin.
And in a blink, he vanished.
Rainbase – The City of Dreams
The oasis city stood as a testament to Crocodile's influence. The extravagant casino Rain Dinners dominated the skyline, its golden architecture gleaming under the sun.
Carl strolled through the casino, his eyes scanning the floor.
He wasn't here to gamble.
He was here to win.
"Place your bets!" the dealer called.
Carl's lips curled into a smirk as a faint red glint flickered in his eyes.
Then, without hesitation, he placed all his chips on 'small.'
"Open!"
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