A Nikyu Nikyu no Mi fruit, just for a bear to play with flowers.
Carl could understand some abilities, like flight, but the others—such as instantaneous teleportation, shockwave repulsion, and even Yin Healing Bullet—were simply absurd.
Why could a paw print develop such broken abilities?
But now wasn't the time for questions.
Kuma had to be dealt with before the old man finished tangling with Rayleigh.
If not now, there'd be no second chance.
Soru!
Both Carl and Kuma vanished at the same time, leaving behind only a powerful gust of wind.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dull impacts echoed across the battlefield.
In mid-air, Carl's Sakura Ten clashed repeatedly against Kuma's Nikyu Nikyu no Mi-enhanced palms.
Carl's attacks rained down at terrifying speed, while Kuma constantly teleported, avoiding direct confrontation.
"It's like fighting against a cheat code," Carl thought, his eyes calm despite his rapid strikes.
Above them, silent pink cherry blossom petals began to drift down from the sky.
Suddenly, Carl's offensive pattern shifted.
"Shishi: Senjikizoku!" (Lion's Thousand Slice Valley!)
A barrage of black and gold slashes tore through the battlefield.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kuma's figure flickered as he tried to evade, but even his near-instantaneous movements weren't fast enough. He raised a massive hand in defense—
But Carl's relentless attack pushed him back!
Carl showed no hesitation. His slashes poured down like they cost nothing.
"Kaijing: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!" (Ocean Mirror: Thousand Cherry Blossom Emperor's Scene!)
Just as Kuma struggled against the onslaught of golden-black energy slashes, Carl unleashed his trump card.
A sea of pink petals enveloped Kuma.
"So that's your next move," Kuma's voice remained expressionless, robotic, devoid of any trace of emotion.
Despite everything, he was still mostly machine.
Yet, Carl's attack was finally starting to leave scars on his body.
Then—
A flash of shimmering light condensed in Kuma's palm.
BOOM!
A devastating shockwave erupted, obliterating the massive cherry blossom formation in an instant!
Kuma blitzed directly toward Luffy.
Luffy—battered, bruised, and exhausted—stared back at him with defiance.
"Farewell."
Chance!
The moment Kuma extended his hand, Carl's aura changed drastically.
His right eye, which had been displaying the number 'one,' shifted—
Now it showed 'two.'
His body became an arrow released from the string.
In the blink of an eye, he was beside Kuma!
Bang! Bang!
Two muffled impacts sounded almost simultaneously.
Kuma's paw landed on Luffy's body, and at the same moment—
Carl's strike smashed into Kuma's head!
BOOM!
The earth shattered.
A pillar of dust and debris surged into the sky as an immense shockwave rippled outward.
Luffy was gone.
Kuma lay pinned to the ground beneath Carl's weight.
Carl let out a small sigh of relief.
Without wasting the cover of the rising dust, he gripped Kuma's head, forcing their eyes to meet.
[Hungry Kidō]—Activate!
A wave of invisible energy surged from Carl's right eye.
Straight into Kuma's mind!
"Success!" Carl's pupils gleamed with excitement.
At this moment, an inexplicable sensation overtook him—
It was as if he now controlled two bodies simultaneously.
Even more incredible—he could use Kuma's powers effortlessly!
Marine Deception
As the dust settled, Carl immediately made his next move.
To avoid raising suspicion from Kizaru and Rayleigh, he controlled Kuma's body to slap himself in the chest.
Puff—!
The force sent Kuma flying straight into the ruins.
Kizaru, watching from nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"Oh~? Carl actually got sent flying? That's scary~ Shichibukai sure are strong."
His gaze drifted toward Kuma.
"Well, at least the Straw Hat boy is gone. That's one headache less~"
The intense pressure looming over Sabaody slowly faded.
With their main target gone, the battle was no longer worth continuing.
Rayleigh, cracking his neck, let out a hearty chuckle.
"Man, my old bones aren't what they used to be. Getting old is rough."
He glanced at Kizaru and smirked.
"You Marines sure have some scary newcomers…"
"Hehe~ Even this old man thinks so," Kizaru replied, his exaggerated tone unchanged.
"But still, it's not as bad as your pirates. This whole new generation is being called the 'Worst Generation,' after all~"
Rayleigh scoffed.
"Hmph, like hell I'd believe you. Anyway, we've achieved what we came for."
With a carefree wave, he turned and left.
Kizaru made no attempt to stop him.
Without Luffy present, even a Marine Admiral would struggle to detain a legend like Rayleigh.
Besides, Kizaru had other matters to attend to.
Soru—!
A flash of golden light brought him directly before Kuma.
"You really went through with it, huh~? How are you planning to explain this to the higher-ups?"
Kuma was silent for a moment before responding mechanically.
"I will handle it."
Kizaru sighed, tilting his head slightly.
"Throwing your life away for some rookie pirate crew… Is it worth it?"
Even Kizaru, detached as he was, acknowledged Kuma's strength.
As the temporary commander of the Marine Science Unit, Kizaru had a unique insight into Kuma's modifications.
The majority of Kuma's mind had already been erased.
And with the Pacifista project deemed a success, there was no longer a reason to hold back the final step.
"Well~ If that's your choice, I won't stop you," Kizaru murmured.
"But if the main culprit escapes, the old man will have some trouble explaining himself."
His gaze turned toward the ruins.
"Carl! Stop playing dead!"
Carl's muffled voice emerged from the rubble.
"Ugh… What do you want, old man?"
"There's still work to do~" Kizaru pursed his lips.
"I need to capture some pirates to turn in, you know~?"
Step. Step.
Carl emerged from the debris, casually puffing a cigar.
"Really? Just send Sentomaru to handle it."
Kizaru widened his eyes.
"That won't do~"
"Sabaody's crawling with 'Worst Generation' rookies, and Sentomaru might not be enough."
He smirked.
"And besides, isn't this your turf?"
Carl groaned, exhaling a ring of smoke.
"Fine. Let's go."
Their figures vanished into the sky.
A New Dual Reality
Only after Kizaru left did Kuma finally move.
He rubbed his chin.
A completely unnatural motion—nothing like the robotic precision from before.
A low mutter escaped his lips.
"So, what now?"
"The blame for letting the Straw Hats escape is on Kuma's head. The higher-ups will order his full cybernetic conversion."
"But if that happens, my possession might be disrupted…"
Carl—controlling Kuma—let out a sigh.
"This is going to be a pain in the ass."
But for now, he had a war to prepare for.
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