Previously, in the underground auction's slave room…
Rayleigh had already met Carl.
From Carl's perspective, the old man before him radiated an aura akin to a roaring inferno—an undeniable presence.
In Rayleigh's eyes, however, the Marine standing opposite him, despite his youth, was a monster through and through.
To be honest, wasn't the so-called 'tender sprout' he spoke of also around this age?
Even after witnessing promising young pirates like Luffy, Kid, and Law, he was only mildly impressed.
But this Marine, standing before him—against the so-called Worst Generation—was a force of absolute domination!
Where the hell did such a monster come from?
Carl's right hand had already gripped the hilt of Sakura Ten. With a single step, a jet-black streak cut through the air, flying toward Nami, Robin, and the others who were fleeing.
Clang!
The blade in Rayleigh's hand swung with a violent force, coated in a dense layer of Armament Haki.
Clang!
Their weapons clashed, sending shockwaves through the room.
"Old man, are you really going to stop me?" Carl raised an eyebrow.
Rayleigh's infamous habit of skirting trouble was deeply ingrained.
"Oh~ I was careless," Kizaru's lazy voice echoed from behind, though his pursed lips suggested mild amusement.
I don't believe you, you bastard!
Carl didn't even bother to complain.
"It's been a while since I last wielded a sword… I'm a little rusty," Rayleigh admitted with a wry smile, gripping his blade with both hands.
"Then fight me next," Kizaru interjected.
Tiancong Cloud Sword!
A golden light radiated from Kizaru's hand, forming a blade of pure energy.
Clang!
Rayleigh's longsword met Kizaru's lightsaber mid-air.
The two veterans engaged in a fierce duel, their strikes cutting through the battlefield like flashes of lightning.
Carl exhaled a smoke ring, unfazed. The two old men were already lost in their own battle.
He turned his head toward the direction Nami and the others had fled. Thanks to the interruption, they had managed to get far—but trouble awaited them.
A Pacifista—identical to the tyrant Bartholomew Kuma—stood in their path.
"It's over… It's over!" Usopp's voice trembled.
"How could this be?!" Robin clenched her fists.
Kizaru had deployed four Pacifistas for this operation.
Three were engaged with the remaining Worst Generation supernovas in Sabaody's Grove 24.
The fourth had been directed by Sentomaru to intercept this group.
Bzzz!
A golden glow—reminiscent of Kizaru's Pika Pika no Mi—concentrated within the mouth of the Pacifista.
Just as despair set in, Carl's gaze sharpened.
Another figure appeared.
A true Pacifista, holding a book, stood silently before the Straw Hats, blocking PX-1's attack.
"Bartholomew Kuma…" Carl murmured.
This wasn't one of the knockoff models.
This was the real deal.
Originally, his bounty had been 296 million berries, but it had stopped increasing after he joined the Shichibukai.
And Carl knew exactly how strong this man was.
Among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he was likely the only one who could rival that bastard Mihawk.
A powerhouse who could dominate all seven routes of the Grand Line's first half.
Even in the New World, where Yonko and legendary pirates ruled, he would still rank among the elite.
"Unfortunately, the transformation has already begun…" Carl sighed.
Such a formidable warrior—willing to surrender his consciousness for the sake of a mission.
Rayleigh, who was clashing with Kizaru, caught sight of the situation and attempted to assist.
But Kizaru's attacks suddenly intensified, preventing his retreat!
Once these titans locked into battle, it was nearly impossible to disengage.
Bartholomew Kuma, unfazed, stood calmly before Nami and the others.
"If you could go anywhere… where would you like to travel?" Kuma's voice was devoid of emotion.
Nami and the others hesitated, momentarily stunned.
Behind Kuma, PX-1 began charging its lasers again.
Boom!
Without warning, Kuma raised his massive paw and slapped the Pacifista.
The massive cyborg vanished instantly.
Then, with another casual motion, he swiped at Nami.
Her entire body disappeared into thin air.
"NAMI!!!" Usopp and Robin screamed.
"Huh?" Kizaru, momentarily distracted, turned his head.
"This is… unbelievable."
"Karl! Catch the Straw Hats now!"
He immediately recognized what Kuma was doing.
This wasn't an arrest—it was a rescue!
A flicker of joy passed through Rayleigh's eyes.
He had initially feared that another powerful Shichibukai had arrived to capture Luffy's crew.
If that had been the case, today would have ended in disaster.
"Hey! Old man, that's a Shichibukai! How can a colonel like me beat him?" Carl waved dismissively, cigar still in his mouth.
Yeah right!
This was the best possible outcome—why would he interfere?
If Luffy were actually captured, what would happen next?
Execution? Then Marineford would be an all-out war against the Revolutionary Army and the Four Emperors! Even Garp's reaction would be unpredictable.
If Luffy wasn't executed, who would take the fall for letting him go?
After all, he had attacked a Celestial Dragon. The World Government would demand justice.
Right now, Kuma had taken matters into his own hands.
Perfect.
And Carl's words weren't just an excuse.
Bartholomew Kuma was an undercover agent for the Revolutionary Army.
If Carl tried to stop him, Kuma would fight back.
And against an opponent like Kuma—who had honed his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi to near perfection—even Carl wasn't foolish enough to pick a fight.
Besides… Kuma was close to losing his free will.
Which meant…
Carl's mind raced.
"If he's about to lose consciousness… doesn't that mean I could manipulate him with my Six Paths Reincarnation?"
If that were possible…
Wouldn't he gain a top-tier powerhouse as a subordinate?!
Carl's eyes gleamed with opportunity
.
"If I do it before he's completely converted, I might be able to control him…"
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.
With Kuma under his command, he wouldn't have to lift a finger in the future!
"I've decided!" Carl flicked his cigar away.
"Old man, we can't let the Straw Hats escape—I'll handle Bartholomew Kuma!"
Kizaru blinked in surprise.
"Oh? You actually care about the mission now?"
Rayleigh took a deep breath.
This isn't good.
That monstrous Marine was finally making a move.
Kuma's arrival had been a blessing.
But if Carl intervened, the situation could spiral into chaos.
After all, even Rayleigh couldn't fully grasp this Marine's true strength.
"There's no choice…" Rayleigh muttered.
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Conqueror's Haki!
Even Kizaru hesitated for a moment.
Carl's body tensed, pupils contracting.
This pressure…?!
Boom!
Rayleigh surged forward, unleashing high-level Armament Haki, sending Kizaru flying.
Then, his blade—coated in pure black Haki—sliced toward Carl's neck.
Clang!
A thunderous metallic clash echoed.
The impact alone cratered the ground several meters deep.
Bzzz!
A flicker of black lightning crackled around Carl's neck.
Rayleigh's blade pressed against his skin—yet couldn't pierce an inch further.
"…That was a serious strike," Rayleigh muttered, beads of sweat forming.
Carl's crimson gaze met his.
His voice was eerily calm.
"…Why did you attack me?"
Rayleigh forced a grin.
"If I say it was a misunderstanding… would you believe me?"
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