"There are more human traffickers than gangsters, and more gangsters than pirates," Carl muttered, flipping through the underground auction's intelligence records. His lips curled into a sneer. "This place is even filthier than I thought."
The Sabaody Archipelago had always been a hive of corruption. Human trafficking was a lucrative business, fueled by the twisted appetites of the Celestial Dragons and the lawless underground. The very fact that some of these criminals dared to operate in the vicinity of Marine-controlled areas—specifically the 60s-numbered groves—was an outright insult to Marine authority.
"These scum act like they're untouchable…" Carl exhaled a plume of smoke from his cigar. "Looks like it's time for another cleanup."
But before taking action, he recalled something important—an event he knew was bound to happen soon.
"Right… the Supernovas."
Twelve rookie pirates, each with bounties exceeding 100 million berries, had gathered here. They would later be infamously known as the Worst Generation.
"The trigger should be… the Celestial Dragons," Carl mused. "But since I wrecked the Population Auction, will things still play out the same way?"
He wasn't sure. However, with this many reckless pirates in one place, trouble was inevitable.
After all, none of them respected Marine authority.
—
Over the next few days, Bright finally wrapped up the handling of the freed slaves.
"Report! Colonel Carl!"
On the Marine training ground, Bright snapped into a crisp salute.
Carl had been overseeing the training of Coffey and Emily during this time—not focusing on their combat techniques, but on their sheer physical endurance.
No matter how skilled someone was, raw power and durability determined one's survival in a real fight. Even Haki users like the Admirals or Yonko relied on their monstrous endurance to maintain dominance.
Bright finished his report and added, "By the way, Colonel, when we escorted the mermaids back to Fish-Man Island, we were personally received by King Neptune. He extended an invitation for you to visit sometime—he wants to thank you in person."
Carl waved his hand lazily. "I see."
Fish-Man Island… He would go there eventually. After all, it was another special check-in location.
But not yet.
For now, the real trouble was coming.
Just as he had this thought, the system's mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully signing in at the special location: Sabaody Archipelago!]
Carl narrowed his eyes slightly. He had already guessed this would happen.
And as expected—
His right eye began to tingle with an eerie sensation.
"Bright," Carl said, pressing a hand to his temple. "Take over their training for now. I'll be in my office."
"Yes, sir!"
Carl's figure flickered and vanished from the spot, moving at near-instantaneous speed.
—
Back in his office, Carl sat down and opened the system interface.
[New ability acquired: Six Paths Samsara!]
(Note: This ability originates from the world of "Katekyo Hitman Reborn," used by Mukuro Rokudo, the Mist Guardian of Vongola.)
His right eye throbbed, and Carl instinctively reached up to cover it. When he lowered his hand, his reflection in the window revealed an unsettling sight—
His iris had turned blood-red, and within his pupil, the number 六 (six) was embedded.
Just like the Golden Experience Requiem ability he obtained before, this had now become an innate power within him.
Immediately, the knowledge of its abilities flooded his mind.
[Six Paths Samsara Abilities:]
• Path of Hell (冥道, Meidō): Traps an enemy's consciousness in an inescapable nightmare, draining their mental energy.
• Path of Hunger (餓鬼道, Gakidō): Steals an opponent's abilities.
• Path of Beasts (畜生道, Chikushōdō): Summons deadly creatures imbued with powerful toxins.
• Path of Asura (修羅道, Shuradō): Enhances Carl's physical combat prowess with a violent aura.
• Path of Man (人道, Jindō): Further amplifies combat abilities beyond the Asura Path, but at a cost.
• Path of Deva (天道, Tendō): Allows control over another person's actions.
At its default state, his eye would always display the number 六 (six).
But when he activated a specific path, the number in his eye would shift accordingly.
Carl's gaze darkened slightly.
"The Path of Hell and the Path of Deva… These might be very effective against someone like Kaido."
Kaido, the so-called Strongest Creature in the World, was infamous for his near-immortal body. Physical attacks rarely fazed him, and even if he was harmed, he'd recover almost instantly.
But mental attacks?
That was something Kaido had never been shown to resist.
"Then again, it won't work on BIG MOM," Carl muttered, rubbing his chin.
Charlotte Linlin possessed the Soul-Soul Fruit (Soru Soru no Mi), an ability specialized in manipulating spirits and souls. She was a master of psychological warfare—trying to use mental attacks against her might be as ineffective as attacking her with a butter knife.
"Well, either way, this is a huge upgrade."
His red eye flickered, and the number shifted from six to four.
A surge of deep purple energy radiated from him.
Then—
Boom!
A sudden explosion shook the training ground.
The Marines, along with Bright, Coffey, and Emily, all snapped their heads toward the source of the impact.
Dust billowed into the air.
Carl stood at the edge of a massive crater, casually flexing his fingers. His grin widened.
"This power boost is insane."
His raw punching strength had increased by at least 20%.
That might not sound like much to ordinary people, but at his level, even the smallest improvements carried massive implications.
After all, when you reached the pinnacle of power, every percentage gain was like shattering through another ceiling.
Carl let out a satisfied exhale. His eye shifted again—from four back to six.
He turned away and walked back toward the training area.
"Continue your training. Don't mind me—I was just testing a new ability."
"C-Colonel Carl…" Bright hesitated, staring at Carl's glowing red eye. "What… exactly is that?"
"Oh, this?" Carl touched his temple, then smirked. "Just a little trick."
A mischievous thought struck him.
"Actually, Bright," Carl added, "why don't we test it on you?"
Bright paled. "T-Test what exactly?"
He didn't like the sound of that.
Before he could react—
Carl clapped a hand on his shoulder.
Bright's body suddenly stiffened.
He blinked.
For some reason, his limbs weren't responding.
Carl grinned.
Path of Deva: Consciousness Manipulation—Activated.
In a split second, Carl gained complete control over Bright's actions.
"Oh? Feels pretty smooth," Carl mused, lifting Bright's arm without his consent.
Meanwhile, Bright's consciousness screamed inside his head.
What's happening?!
"Uncle Bright, what's wrong?" Emily asked, tilting her head.
Bright's face suddenly contorted—he made a ridiculous expression and stuck out his tongue.
Emily shrieked. "Ah! Scary!!"
Carl finally let go of his control.
Bright staggered back, gasping. "I-I was… what just happened?!"
He barely remembered anything—just a vague dream-like state.
Carl simply chuckled.
This new ability…
Would be very fun to use.
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