(Previously omitted: Zephyr had voluntarily stepped down from the rank of Admiral due to his age and now serves as the Chief Instructor.)
After the meeting concluded, news of Admiral Black Dragon's return spread like wildfire throughout Marineford.
Accompanying this was another bombshell revelation—three new Admirals had been appointed, one of whom was a woman!
Lucia, the newly appointed Admiral Hakutsuru, might be unfamiliar to the newer recruits, but the veterans were quick to recount her legendary feats. Nearly every one of Admiral Black Dragon Carl's epic campaigns had her presence etched into history.
Despite being a woman, her strength was undeniably terrifying. Upon her return, even Momousagi candidly admitted she was no match for Lucia, declaring her new rank as Admiral to be well-deserved.
These announcements sent shockwaves through the Marines and beyond.
Those familiar with Carl's ways knew one thing: his return meant that the world was on the brink of monumental upheaval.
The Admiral who once dominated an era—Black Dragon Carl—was back!
...
Dressrosa, King's Plateau
Doflamingo held a newspaper with trembling hands, muttering under his breath,
"Carl, you've finally returned."
Viola, standing nearby, had never seen Doflamingo in such a state and couldn't help but ask,
"Doffy, what did you just say?"
Snapping out of it, Doflamingo stuffed the newspaper into his coat, glanced at Viola, and replied indifferently,
"Nothing. Any word from Kaido?"
Suppressing her curiosity, Viola responded,
"A few days ago, Jack the Drought came by. He wasn't happy about the SMILE shipments and demanded we speed things up."
Hearing this, Doflamingo sneered,
"It's not just about SMILEs. He wants our family to bow to his Beasts Pirates."
After speaking, Doflamingo ignored Viola and walked to the balcony, gazing down at Dressrosa with a cold smirk.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... A mere Yonko, expecting me to submit? Don't make me laugh!"
...
Marineford
Carl leaned against his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he stared at the Den Den Mushi on the desk. The snail mimicked the sultry expression of Stussy to perfection.
"Master, why didn't you let me know you were awake? Did you forget about me?"
Carl chuckled. "Stussy, you're the head of CP0 now. Why are you acting like a schoolgirl?"
"In front of you, what's a title like that worth? I'm swamped with trivial matters. Sometimes I wish I'd joined the Marines instead!"
"You've visited me often enough these years, haven't you?"
"But I missed the moment you woke up! I've waited 22 years to hear your voice again!"
"Now you've heard it. Next time, come to Mary Geoise, and we'll meet."
"Hmm~ I can't wait, Master!"
The Den Den Mushi mimicked her coquettish expression perfectly. Carl shook his head with a chuckle.
"Alright, Stussy. Any updates on the Straw Hat Pirates? Do you know their current location?"
At this, Stussy immediately turned serious.
"Master, the Straw Hats are under close surveillance. I've just received word—they've arrived at Sabaody Archipelago, likely for a ship coating before heading to the New World."
Carl nodded. It seemed the infamous incident where Monkey D. Luffy assaulted a Celestial Dragon was about to unfold.
The victim? Charlos, the idiotic son of Rosward.
Carl remembered Rosward quite well. Years ago, the man groveled before him, offering three Devil Fruits as compensation for his misdeeds.
Father and son shared an obsession with collecting slaves, but after his encounter with Carl on the Red Line, Rosward developed a phobia of the slave markets there and limited his purchases to Sabaody.
As Carl mused over this, a knock sounded at the door. Ginny's voice came through urgently.
"Carl, something's happened! A Celestial Dragon was killed at Sabaody by the Straw Hats!"
Carl's eyes narrowed. He ended the call with Stussy, appearing at the door in an instant.
"Ginny, did you say a Celestial Dragon was killed?"
Ginny nodded vigorously. "The Sabaody garrison reported it. Sengoku is deploying forces immediately, led by Borsalino!"
As she finished, a golden light flashed, and Borsalino appeared beside Ginny.
"Carl, about Sabaody..."
Carl raised a hand, cutting him off.
"Ginny already briefed me. You're not going. I'll handle this personally."
Relieved, Borsalino immediately stepped back from the task. "Understood! By the way, the deceased is Charlos. His father and sister are still there, but their status is unclear!"
With a mighty sweep of his black wings, Carl shot into the sky, disappearing in an instant.
...
Sabaody Archipelago, District 31
The bustling streets were now in ruins, littered with unconscious Marines and suited guards.
In the center of the chaos, Zoro stood with a bloodied sword, droplets of crimson falling from its tip.
Not far from him lay Charlos in a pool of his own blood. One slash to the abdomen had ended the Celestial Dragon's life. His fragile constitution had sealed his fate.
The guards Charlos had brought, along with the Marines who had rushed to his aid, were all defeated.
Zoro sheathed his sword, surveying the carnage with a frown.
"Ridiculous."
He turned his gaze toward the trembling slaves huddled around Rosward and the unconscious Shalria.
Rosward, pale and shaking, clutched a golden flintlock pistol in one hand while shielding Shalria with the other.
As Zoro's eyes met his, Rosward trembled violently but managed to shout in a voice laced with desperation and fear,
"You bastard! Do you know who I am? Do you have a death wish?!"
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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg