"I'm free—hahaha!" A scruffy pirate, his tattered clothes still stained with blood, took an eager step forward, ready to bolt.
Crack!
Before he could move further, a firm hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"W-What's wrong, Lord Marine…?" The pirate's voice wavered, a nervous grin frozen on his face.
Carl took a slow drag from his cigar, his eyes cold as the steel of Sakura Ten. Smoke curled between them as he spoke.
"When you go out, call in all the Marines stationed outside," Carl said flatly. "I want them inside. Now."
The pirate's head bobbed frantically, nodding like a broken doll.
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Only after Carl lifted his hand did the pirate dare to move, stumbling toward the exit as if a noose had just been loosened from his neck.
The others hesitated but soon followed—twenty or so men, mostly pirates and bounty hunters.
Carl's gaze swept over the dimly lit slave chamber. Some of the prisoners had freed themselves from the iron shackles, yet they did not rush outside.
Many bore deep scars, their bodies emaciated from captivity.
Others were just children. Young girls with vacant eyes clung to each other, too terrified to move.
Even if they were freed, Sabaody Archipelago was no place for the weak.
At the far end, several mermaids huddled inside water-filled tanks, their shimmering tails barely visible in the murky water.
Carl exhaled, rubbing his temple.
"Tch… this is such a pain."
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
"Colonel Carl!"
March and Bright strode in, saluting crisply. Behind them, a platoon of Marines stood ready.
Carl gestured toward the prisoners.
"Take all of them out," he ordered. "Get medical treatment for the wounded. Find shelter for the children and the women."
He turned his gaze toward the corner, where an old man with a white beard sat, arms crossed lazily.
"…Don't bother with that one."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines efficiently moved in, escorting the former captives out.
Soon, the chamber was nearly empty.
Carl stepped forward. His boots echoed off the stone floor as he stopped just short of the old man.
"Pluton Rayleigh," he said evenly. "First time meeting you."
Rayleigh grinned, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening.
"Oh? You know this old man's name?" he mused. "Didn't think a young Marine like you would recognize me."
Carl exhaled, taking the cigar from his lips. "I'm Solomon Carl, the Marine Base commander here in Sabaody." His voice dropped slightly. "And to me, you're an unpredictable variable."
Rayleigh chuckled. "Now, now… Don't be so tense, lad. I'm no longer a pirate, you see? Hell, I'm so broke I let myself get caught and auctioned off."
Like hell you did.
Carl didn't even try to hide his skepticism.
"I don't care what your excuses are," he said bluntly. "Just don't cause me trouble. Got it?"
Rayleigh waved a hand dismissively. "Of course, of course. I'm an old man now—what's the point in picking fights?"
Yet his eyes twinkled with knowing amusement.
Carl didn't buy it, but he let it slide. He could feel the weight of Rayleigh's Haki—even when dormant, it was oppressive.
It was like standing in front of a sleeping dragon. The moment it awoke…
Still, even a legend like Rayleigh was ultimately just a man.
No Devil Fruit, no monstrous Kaido-level endurance—he was purely a physique-based fighter.
And that meant, if necessary, Carl could outlast him.
Just another Golden Lion waiting to fall.
Carl turned on his heel. "I've said my piece. Do what you want."
He crushed his cigar in his palm and left.
Marine Base – Sabaody
Carl leaned against his desk, his golden eyes scanning the sea of freed prisoners now standing outside.
"…What the hell am I supposed to do with them?"
He rubbed his temple.
Caring for civilians wasn't exactly his job.
"Cough… uh, Bright."
"Yes, Colonel Carl?" Bright snapped to attention.
Carl gestured vaguely toward the freed slaves. "They're all yours. Handle them however the Marines usually do."
"…Sir?"
Bright hesitated, glancing at the massive group behind him.
"You're an experienced Marine, right?" Carl said smoothly. "I'm just a rookie—barely been in the force. Not really familiar with all these bureaucratic procedures."
"Besides," he added, "it's a good chance for you to earn some credit."
Bright's hesitation melted into grim determination. He straightened, saluting sharply.
"Yes, sir! I'll handle it!"
Carl smirked. That's the spirit.
He kicked back in his chair, feet propped on the desk, and closed his eyes.
This was how a real commander delegated work.
Shakky's Rip-Off Bar – Grove 13
The door creaked open, and Rayleigh stepped inside.
Shakky glanced up from behind the bar, her cigarette resting between her fingers. A knowing smile played on her lips.
"Figured you'd be back," she said casually.
Rayleigh raised a brow. "Oh? And why's that?"
Shakky exhaled a stream of smoke. "Because that Solomon Carl didn't tear apart the underground auction house just for fun."
Rayleigh's grin faltered slightly.
"You know that Marine?"
"Not much," Shakky admitted. Her expression turned serious. "But what little I do know is interesting."
She tapped her cigarette against the ashtray.
"That man appeared out of nowhere. Just suddenly popped up in East Blue—and injured Mihawk in a fight."
Rayleigh's eyes darkened.
"…Hawkeye?"
Shakky nodded. "He joined the Marines at Branch 148 in East Blue. Then, out of nowhere, he was fast-tracked to Marine Headquarters and made a direct subordinate of Admiral Kizaru—with the rank of Colonel."
Rayleigh whistled. "From a nobody to a headquarters officer?"
"Not just that," Shakky continued. "Now he's stationed in Sabaody—and he took down Disco without hesitation."
Rayleigh chuckled, but there was a flicker of caution behind his eyes.
"I haven't fought him," he admitted. "But he's dangerous."
He thought back to that moment in the slave chamber—when Carl stood in front of him, unreadable.
It wasn't just strength. It was Haki—so overwhelming that his own Observation was screaming in warning.
Shakky stubbed out her cigarette.
"Marine Headquarters wouldn't put someone like that here without a reason."
She leaned on the counter, eyes sharp.
"This time… I think the Marines are playing for real."
Marine Base – Sabaody
Carl sat alone in his office, flipping through a thick stack of documents.
Records from the underground auction house.
Every illegal transaction. Every secret deal. Every name that mattered in the shadows of Sabaody.
His golden eyes glinted in the dim light.
This place… is filthier than I thought.
And now—
Carl smirked.
I know exactly who's pulling the strings.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 50+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Kora_1