Boom—!
A deafening explosion thundered across the boundless sea.
An incomparable shockwave and annihilating heat coalesced into a towering mushroom cloud that climbed from the surface.
Dozens of nautical miles off Cocoyasi Village, a mid-size warship capable of carrying roughly five hundred men was reduced to powder—vanished without a trace.
To leave no evidence, Karl put his full strength into that one throw.
As a result, even from Cocoyasi's shoreline you could faintly see the mushroom cloud's scar in the sky.
"Hah… hah… so this is what exhaustion feels like?"
Hands braced on his knees, sweat pouring as he panted, Karl watched the cloud—several to more than ten times bigger than a large warship—and laughed. "Haven't felt this in years. With power like that, I should make the world's top hundred, right?!"
"…"
Carina and Nami didn't hear Karl mutter to himself; they were both stunned speechless.
They had overestimated the spear's power—no, they had vastly underestimated it.
If Karl hadn't thrown it from several nautical miles away at the warship, that shockwave alone might have flipped and even destroyed their boat.
"With one strike… you could probably erase half of Loguetown," Carina murmured.
City-busting force—again their worldviews were shattered.
They gained a new understanding of the word power.
After returning to Cocoyasi, the three began preparations to leave.
As agreed, Nami officially severed ties with the Arlong Pirates and joined Karl's crew, becoming his navigator and cook.
"Goodbye, everyone!"
"Goodbye, Nami—take care of yourself!"
On the Cocoyasi pier, the villagers waved with deep reluctance.
Nami felt the same, yet her eyes did not brim with tears.
With her nightmare ended four years early, she was full of drive now—ready to follow the man at her side across the world and realize her dream.
"Carina, where are we heading next?"
Once Cocoyasi was out of sight, Nami turned to Carina—already in study mode with a book in hand—and asked.
Carina pointed at an iron chest on deck. "First I'll cash in Arlong's head for the bounty, then we go to Loguetown to buy a new ship."
"And after we switch ships?" Nami asked again.
"That'll be up to the captain."
Carina glanced at Karl, sprawled in the sun on the deck. "I've taken down the East Blue's tyrant. Are we really going to linger in this sea?"
"No. I'm going to the Grand Line."
Karl sat up, face serious. "But before that, there's one place I have to go."
"Where?"
Seeing him so earnest, Nami asked curiously.
"The sea restaurant, Baratie."
"…Knew it," Nami sighed, while Carina pressed a palm to her forehead. "How many times have I said it—Baratie is the most expensive place to eat in the East Blue. My savings might not even get you half full there."
"I don't care. If I don't eat there once, I'll regret it forever," Karl said, firm.
"Alright… chalk it up as one of your requests."
Finding Karl's reasoning fair, Carina nodded helplessly. "But I'm capping you at ten million Beli. Satisfy your taste buds, don't eat your fill."
"Deal!" Karl shot his hand up.
"Honestly…"
Watching Karl act like a kid where food was concerned, Carina couldn't help the fond smile on her face.
In Carina's eyes, Karl was a big boy with many faces.
In battle, he was the coolest.
Sparring words day-to-day, he was a roguish scamp.
Only at times like this was he the cutest.
Whatever the face—she liked them all best.
After exchanging Arlong's head for the bounty, their ship headed straight for the sea restaurant Baratie.
Baratie sat in the East Blue's Sambas Sea, the most famous ocean restaurant in the East Blue—beloved by the successful; even important Marines would occasionally dine there.
Accordingly, the bill was sky-high.
"Ah… two lovely ladies—welcome to the sea restaurant, Baratie…"
When their little sloop moored at Baratie's extended pier and the three stepped into the restaurant,
Sanji—working a shift as a waiter—was instantly captivated by Carina and Nami's cuteness. His right eye turned into a heart as he moved to approach.
At once, Carina and Nami instinctively hugged Karl's arms.
"…Pardon me for intruding."
Sanji snapped back to normal in a flash, shot Karl a brief look of annoyance, then bowed like a perfect gentleman to the two women.
Possessing a "chivalry" Karl didn't, Sanji loved to pursue beautiful women, but would never harass married women or those with their hearts set.
Thus Karl became the object of his hostility.
Damn show-off. Go blow up somewhere else.
Unaware that the curly-brow before him was cursing, Karl couldn't wait. "At last—we made it. Bring us your best food."
"Understood. Please be seated."
Sanji nodded, showed the three to a table, left a menu, and headed for the kitchen.
Soon, Baratie's specialties arrived, borne by Sanji.
"Mmm… delicious!"
Carina took the first bite and gave the highest praise. "The best thing I've eaten in my life."
"Thank you for the compliment, beautiful lady," Sanji replied with a satisfied smile.
For a chef, that kind of praise from a guest was the finest reward.
"Karl, dig in. I'm going to have a word with the handsome gentleman."
Carina's blue eyes flicked; she patted Karl's fidgeting hand, said just that, then took a dazed Sanji by the sleeve and walked off.
"Karl, what's Carina going to do?" Nami asked.
"I… dunno…"
Mouth stuffed, Karl mumbled, "D'n worry… Carina's strong… she'll be fine…"
"…True."
Knowing Carina was a Devil Fruit user, Nami relaxed.
As for Carina suddenly walking off with a guy, Karl felt no jealousy.
Childhood sweethearts, the two knew each other to the core. They didn't need to pretend—on the contrary, they were uninhibited, sometimes even trading lines so bold that even the daring Nami couldn't take it.
At the same time, their hearts had long been shaped for each other—trust at a hundred percent.
So, while he didn't know Carina's aim, Karl could guess she must be plotting something—for their good.
As Karl figured—
Carina led Sanji somewhere secluded and stated her purpose.
"Huh? You want to buy my seasoning recipes?"
Sanji blinked at Carina.
"Yes. My captain is a super foodie, but my cooking isn't top tier."
Carina was frank. "Could you sell me your house seasoning formulas? I promise they'll never be leaked."
"Uh…"
Faced with a pretty girl's request, Sanji couldn't bring himself to refuse, but recipes weren't a trivial matter. He looked torn.
"…You can. Give her the recipes."
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind Sanji.
"Old man…"
Sanji turned to see Zeff, who had appeared without him noticing, and stared in surprise.