Compared to the tranquility of the deep sea, the Four Seas were in complete turmoil.
The four ironclad fleets of Marine Headquarters had launched a "Great Purge." For fledgling pirate crews still growing in their "beginner villages," it was as if they had suddenly encountered the final boss—crushed to dust in an instant.
Surrender was not an option. Once targeted by the Headquarters fleet, the only fate awaiting them was utter annihilation.
With this, every pirate crew in the East Blue was living in fear. Many even chose to disband on the spot, but disbanding didn't mean salvation. Anyone who had ever been on a wanted poster was executed on sight.
Carl sat inside his warship's cabin, remotely overseeing the movements of each fleet. A week had passed, yet there was still no news of Luffy and his crew.
Luffy, along with the vast Revolutionary Army, had seemingly vanished into thin air.
But Carl didn't only command the Marines—he also had authority over the CP organizations. The highest officials of CP9, Spandam, and CP0, Stussy, were both under his control.
By now, Spandam and Stussy had already received Carl's orders, deploying a vast number of intelligence agents across the Four Seas.
As expected, professional work required professionals.
Before long, CP operatives began uncovering Revolutionary Army members hidden among the populace. However, most of them were low-ranking operatives with no knowledge of Luffy's whereabouts.
That wasn't to say there were no gains at all. With the intelligence they obtained, the Marines and CP launched coordinated strikes, destroying over a dozen hidden Revolutionary Army bases in just three days.
That day, a white figure suddenly appeared on the warship's deck.
The newcomer wore a white suit and a matching white top hat, his face concealed by a cat-shaped mask. In his hand, he carried what appeared to be an unconscious young woman.
The soldiers on deck reacted instantly, raising their rifles the moment they saw the masked figure.
Just then, Vice Admiral Momonga stepped forward, raising a hand and ordering,
"Stand down. He is not an enemy."
At his command, the soldiers swiftly withdrew their weapons and stood at attention in perfect unison, their discipline impeccable.
The masked figure walked up to Momonga in silence. The Vice Admiral spoke in a low voice,
"You're with CP0, aren't you? The Fleet Admiral is waiting inside."
The masked man nodded slightly and muttered a quiet "thank you" before carrying the young woman toward Carl's cabin.
Before he could knock, Carl's voice rang out from within.
"It's you, Lucci. Come in."
The masked figure hesitated slightly before pushing the door open. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Carl seated at the center of the room, with Lucia standing beside him.
Upon seeing Carl, the man slowly removed his mask, revealing the face of Rob Lucci.
In Carl's presence, Lucci abandoned his usual aloof demeanor. He immediately placed the unconscious young woman to the side, then knelt on one knee and respectfully greeted,
"Lord Carl! Lady Lucia!"
Carl smiled faintly and glanced at the unconscious woman beside Lucci.
She wore a wine-red felt hat, her orange short hair peeking out from under the brim. She was dressed in a pink short dress, paired with black thigh-high stockings and boots.
Carl rested his chin on one hand and tapped his fingers on the table with the other, smiling.
"Oh? You even brought me a gift this time. Stand up and introduce her."
Lucci nodded and slowly rose to his feet.
"Carl-sama, this woman is a high-ranking Revolutionary Army officer named Koala. We discovered and captured her two days ago."
Carl nodded in satisfaction.
"Well done. How did you find her?"
"Recently, she was mobilizing people to stockpile large amounts of food. After Jabra conducted a thorough investigation, we located and raided her base. She tried to commit suicide, but I stopped her."
"I see. Looks like placing you in CP0 was the right decision."
"It's all thanks to you. Without you, we would still be fugitives."
Carl chuckled.
"I heard from Stussy that Kalifa has already gone to Foosha Village?"
"Yes. Chief Stussy assigned Kalifa to protect and care for a pregnant woman named Makino. Once she gives birth, Kalifa will escort them to Mary Geoise."
"Hmm, I see. That was my order to Stussy, but I didn't expect her to send Kalifa. That's actually quite fitting—after all, she used to be a secretary."
Since Carl himself had issued the command, Lucci refrained from commenting further. Instead, he glanced at the unconscious Koala and asked,
"Should we wake her now?"
Carl responded with a calm "Mhm." At his signal, Lucci knelt down and pressed a precise spot on Koala's neck.
She let out a pained groan before slowly regaining consciousness.
As her vision cleared, Carl's face became distinct.
Koala's eyes widened in shock, and she gasped,
"Celestial Dragon!!"
A smirk played at Carl's lips as he lazily waved in greeting.
"Hello, Miss Koala."
Hearing her name spoken so directly, Koala's expression changed. She turned to glare at Lucci, gritting her teeth.
"World Government lackey..."
Lucci narrowed his eyes and said coldly,
"I suggest you watch your words while you're here."
Under Lucci's piercing gaze, Koala struggled to her feet. She turned to face Carl once more, her voice filled with hatred.
"It was you! You killed Ace!"
Carl chuckled and waved dismissively.
"Ah, yes. A trivial matter. Not even worth mentioning."
Koala's face flushed red with fury. She coughed violently before forcing out her words through gritted teeth.
"You bastard...!"
Smack!
Lucia had appeared beside Koala without warning, delivering a slap that sent her flying into the wall before she collapsed onto the floor.
Koala's once smooth, fair face had already begun to swell, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. She looked utterly miserable.
Carl shook his head and sighed.
"Ara ara, Lucia, that was a bit too much. You might kill her."
"Apologies, Young Master."
"No need to apologize. I'm not blaming you."
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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg