"Jihahahaha, so you refused, huh?" Teach's expression didn't change as he laughed wildly. "I'll see you in the New World, Solomon Carl!"
The massive figure of San Juan Wolf waded into the sea, carrying the entire Blackbeard Pirates on his shoulders. As a Colossal Battleship, his sheer size allowed him to traverse the ocean without the need for a ship, his steps causing immense waves to ripple across Marineford's battered shores.
Carl exhaled a smoke ring, his crimson right eye flickering as the number shifted to 'five,' an ominous aura surging forth.
"The sea weakens Devil Fruit users… but I'm not one of them," Carl muttered, his figure rising into the sky. "Lion: Thousand Slice Valley – Change!"
Dozens of massive black-gold slashes erupted, splitting the heavens as they descended upon the sea.
BOOM!
The impact was akin to divine retribution—tsunamis crashed violently as the ocean itself seemed to fracture under the devastating force.
Sengoku and Shanks watched in stunned silence.
"…Carl," Sengoku opened his mouth, but no words followed.
It was worth a try. The Blackbeard Pirates were composed of the worst criminals in history. If Carl could eliminate them here, it would be a major victory.
"Solomon Carl!!"
Teach's furious roar echoed over the chaotic waters—before his entire crew vanished beneath the waves.
The battlefield fell silent.
Carl landed back at the ruined port, exhaling another smoke ring under the horrified stares of the remaining pirates. In a nonchalant tone eerily similar to Kizaru's, he mused, "Well… if they manage to survive, it just means they got lucky~"
After all, the majority of them were Devil Fruit users. If they could withstand both his attack and the sea, luck was their only ally.
Sengoku finally stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the silence.
"The war is over!"
The Marines sprang into action, treating the wounded and restoring order. The Red Hair Pirates and the remnants of Whitebeard's crew began their retreat.
Carl surveyed the battlefield—Marineford lay in ruins.
First Whitebeard's forces, then Blackbeard's betrayal, and finally Shanks' intervention… this war had pushed everyone to their limits. Even Sengoku bore injuries from his brief clash with Shanks.
A medic rushed over. "Colonel Carl, let me bandage your wounds!"
Carl waved him off. "I don't need it. Take care of the others first."
The medic hesitated, scanning Carl's body, and finally nodded. "Understood!"
Carl sighed and turned his gaze to the harbor.
Sakazuki stood motionless, his expression dark and brooding, completely ignoring the medics attending to him.
"…Seriously." Carl shook his head.
No doubt about it—Sakazuki had been the most aggressive Marine during the battle. But he was also the one who suffered the most.
If Shanks could be called the wielder of the Face-Face Fruit, then Akainu surely possessed the No-Face Fruit.
First, he challenged Whitebeard head-on and was nearly split in two by a brutal underground magma strike that left him gushing blood. Then he was pummeled into the earth.
After clawing his way back, he pursued Luffy—only to be stopped by Koby, of all people.
And just as he was about to kill Koby, Shanks appeared, blocking him effortlessly.
He tried to strike Shanks—only for the Whitebeard remnants to intercept him yet again.
For an Admiral, he received almost zero respect.
Aside from sitting in the center during the Admiral Trio's introduction, he had spent the entire war getting obstructed.
"…And yet, he still became Fleet Admiral." Carl lit another cigar. "Just like the old man… tsk tsk."
He clicked his tongue—no matter how humiliating Sakazuki's battle had been, the man had still fought relentlessly. No one in the Marines had contributed more.
Zzzzt!
A golden light flashed beside Carl.
Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "Oya~? Carl-kun, what was that about the old man?"
Carl stiffened. "Cough… nothing! I didn't say anything!"
"Well~" Kizaru chuckled lazily. "Anyway, Sengoku-san wants us in the temporary office for a meeting."
"…Got it," Carl replied.
Marineford – Temporary Office
Below the ruined fortress, a makeshift office had been set up.
By the time Carl arrived, all the high-ranking officers were already seated.
"Ah, Carl, you're here." Sengoku's grim face softened slightly at his arrival.
"Marshal Sengoku," Carl greeted with a nod, moving to stand behind Kizaru.
Sengoku's expression darkened. "I'll get straight to it. I just received a call from above—the breakout at Impel Down will be officially covered up."
"WHAT?!"
The room erupted in shock.
Everyone knew about the breach. Even Magellan had been severely wounded.
The Eternal Hell had been unlocked, allowing history's most dangerous criminals to escape.
And yet, instead of issuing new bounties…
"They're hiding it?"
"The old man won't stand for this!" Akainu slammed the table. "Those rats should be eradicated!"
The prisoners of Impel Down were among the worst of the worst. Each one had the potential to instigate chaos on a massive scale.
Yet the World Government's solution was… to do nothing?
"I've already arranged countermeasures." Sengoku's expression was unreadable as he turned his gaze toward Carl, who was idly twirling a pen behind Kizaru.
"After this war, we have too many urgent matters. We don't have enough personnel at headquarters," Sengoku continued.
"Whitebeard's death has thrown the world into disarray. The movements of the remaining Four Emperors are unpredictable.
"And on top of that, Blackbeard, the Worst Generation, and the Impel Down fugitives are all threats that require immediate action.
"Meanwhile, the Celestial Dragons are demanding an Admiral for personal security."
A heavy silence fell.
"…So, here's what I've decided."
All eyes turned to Sengoku.
"Vice Admiral Garp will oversee the New World's naval base."
Garp, sitting silently at the table, folded his arms. He had been listless since Ace's passing.
"Kizaru will be stationed at Mariejois to guard the Celestial Dragons."
Kizaru's expression remained unreadable behind his shades.
"Akainu and Aokiji will monitor Wano and Totto Land to track Kaido and Big Mom."
The balance of power had shifted. With Whitebeard gone, those two would inevitably make their move.
Whitebeard's territories were vast—his remnants alone wouldn't be able to hold them.
"Finally—" Sengoku turned to Carl. "You will handle the escaped prisoners from Impel Down, as well as the Supernovas in the Grand Line and the Four Seas."
Carl: "???"
"Wait, wait, wait—Marshal Sengoku, wasn't I stationed at Sabaody?" Carl's eyes widened. "That place is already a nightmare with all the pirates coming in daily!"
The last thing he wanted was to chase those maniacs around the world.
"Well, if you'd prefer, you can swap with one of the others."
Carl glanced around.
Kizaru. Aokiji. Akainu. Garp.
All of them were staring at him.
With hope.
They wanted his job.
"…Cough. Never mind. I think your arrangement is fine, Marshal," Carl replied. "I'll clean up the trash."
No way in hell was he exchanging with them.
"Good." Sengoku nodded. "Also, don't leave yet. Your promotion will be announced in two days."
Carl's face stiffened.
"…Actually, I should leave right now."
Tsuru chuckled softly.
Across the World…
Broadcast Den Den Mushi crackled.
"The Marines have emerged victorious over Whitebeard!"
The world erupted in celebration.
For decades, Whitebeard had stood as an indomitable force.
But now—his era had ended.
And the world would never be the same again.
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