c15 The Navy Headquarters!
A sunny day.
After less than ten days, the fleet led by Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel finally returned to Marineford—the Navy Headquarters from the East Blue.
"The personnel responsible for escorting Ace and Luffy should proceed to Impel Down for the handover
the rest of the convoy will return to the barracks and disband, awaiting the next mission.
As for you, Carl, accompany me with the corpse of the Golden Lion!"
Upon their arrival at Marineford, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's demeanor turned stern.
He was no longer as easygoing as he had been aboard the ship after all, as a Vice Admiral, Flying Squirrel had to uphold a certain standard of authority.
While out at sea with familiar soldiers, he didn't need to display excessive formality but within the headquarters, discipline and prestige were essential.
Without proper command presence, a Vice Admiral risks losing respect even from loyal subordinates!
Carl trailed behind Flying Squirrel, taking in the view of Marineford with wide-eyed curiosity.
In his previous life, he had only glimpsed the full scale of Marineford during the Marineford War the conflict where Whitebeard clashed with the Marines to rescue Ace.
Although the headquarters appeared grand in the anime, it couldn't compare to seeing it with one's own eyes.
They walked from the harbor toward the central Marineford compound.
As they passed, Carl observed the armory, the vast training grounds, and the Marine boot camp each area sparked his curiosity, but he had more urgent business, so he resisted the urge to explore.
"Haha, so this is the new recruit Carl you mentioned over the Den Den Mushi? He's built like a boulder and with the powers of the Float-Float Fruit, no less. That's quite the asset!"
A cigar-smoking man in a dark brown suit and Marine trench coat approached them with a friendly grin.
The man's casual demeanor and warm tone immediately gave Carl a favorable first impression despite his high rank, he didn't exude arrogance, only quiet confidence.
And the big beard on his chin is so distinctive that people can't help but want to grab a handful.
"Carl, this is Vice Admiral Momonga, nicknamed Huoshaoshan he's one of the strongest among the senior Vice Admirals, even stronger than me."
"Really?"
Hearing what Flying Squirrel said, Carl's spirit was lifted and then he cheekily blinked at Huoshaoshan.
"How about a fight?"
"Hahahaha! You're a bold one, kid but I'll pass, someone else has already called dibs on you.
Now, just hand over the Golden Lion's body I'll take care of the formalities for you."
Carl nodded at Huoshaoshan's words then deactivated his Devil Fruit ability and gently set the sealed coffin onto the ground.
Huoshaoshan didn't hesitate he effortlessly lifted the heavy coffin with one arm and walked off in another direction.
At this moment, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel's expression grew noticeably more serious.
"Sure enough, what's meant to happen will always happen you can't escape fate."
"Lieutenant General, what are you talking about?"
Carl scratched his head he hadn't quite caught what Flying Squirrel muttered under his breath.
"It's nothing just keep following me."
"Oh!"
Carl nodded casually and continued trailing Flying Squirrel into the main Navy Headquarters complex.
As soon as they stepped inside, Carl could feel the shift in atmosphere dozens of eyes immediately turned toward him.
Some were filled with envy, some with jealousy but most were simply curious.
Everyone wanted a look at the "lucky recruit" who'd killed the infamous Golden Lion Shiki and acquired the legendary Float-Float Fruit.
Word had already spread throughout Marineford Carl now possessed the same Devil Fruit Shiki once used to command floating islands.
It was impossible to keep such power under wraps not in a place like this.
That's why everyone was speculating how a rookie had managed to achieve such an insane feat—some even joked he must've stepped in a mountain of luck.
Carl's Observation Haki had reached a refined level—he could clearly sense the various emotions radiating from the crowd around him.
But he wasn't fazed in fact, after being rescued and raised in Boyn Archipelago five years ago, he'd long gotten used to being stared at.
So, he simply flashed a big smile, baring his perfect white teeth and greeted those around him with casual waves.
Regardless of whether their feelings were hostile or friendly—Carl responded with warm politeness and calm confidence.
His attitude left many stunned momentarily—then quietly looking away with a hint of embarrassment.
That unexpected grace improved Carl's image in the minds of many Marines stationed in the entrance hall.
Were it not for Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel walking ahead several of them might've come up to introduce themselves.
Carl also kept greeting people along the way—his eyes scanning the area for familiar faces.
He quickly recognized several figures he'd seen in his previous life including Koby, and various unnamed but prominent Marines.
But among everyone present, the most formidable aura belonged to Captain Smoker recently reassigned from Loguetown to Marineford.
Smoker had just descended a staircase as Carl spotted him.
Carl smiled and waved but Smoker simply huffed through his nose and looked away without acknowledgment.
Seeing this, Flying Squirrel sighed heavily.
"There's no need to push it—Marines have all kinds of personalities. Just focus on building bonds with those you believe are worth your trust."
"I get that but I don't want anyone to think my new life started on bad terms, right?"
Carl's seemingly light response caught Flying Squirrel off guard—he paused briefly, then let out a small smile and shook his head.
"You're right. If you fall out with too many people no matter how far you rise, even as an Admiral people will always talk behind your back…"
Carl's words had clearly reminded him of Admiral Akainu Sakazuki, known for his brutal sense of justice and lack of camaraderie.
"Here we are this is the office of the Fleet Admiral."
After a short walk, Flying Squirrel stopped in front of a large door with the Navy emblem.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's Flying Squirrel—I've brought Recruit Carl as requested!"
"Come in!"
With the Fleet Admiral's approval, Flying Squirrel opened the door and ushered Carl into the office.
"So spacious!"
Carl's eyes lit up at the sight the Fleet Admiral's office was much grander than what was shown in the manga panels!
You could easily gather fifty or sixty people in here for a meeting and still have room to spare.
Then, scanning the room, Carl realized that aside from himself, Flying Squirrel, and Sengoku several other top-ranking figures were present.
"Ahem, let me introduce you these three are the Admirals of the Navy.
From left to right, they are Admiral Aokiji (Kuzan), Admiral Akainu (Sakazuki), and Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino)."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku coughed slightly before gesturing toward each of them.
Carl bowed and greeted them respectfully but only Kuzan and Borsalino offered polite nods in return.
Sakazuki sat motionless—arms crossed, eyes closed, stone-faced.
"And this is Vice Admiral Tsuru our Navy's Chief of Staff."
"Greetings, Vice Admiral Tsuru."
Carl bowed again Vice Admiral Tsuru gave a faint nod in acknowledgment as Sengoku turned to the final person.
"And here stands the Navy's hero Vice Admiral Garp."
"Ka—Vice Admiral Garp?!"
"H-Hello…"
Carl greeted him sheepishly trying not to let his nerves show.
Garp nonchalantly picked his nose, wiped it on his pants, then stood and stepped toward Carl.
"You're the brat who personally captured both my grandsons Ace and Luffy and delivered them here?"
"Recruit you've got guts, I'll give you that!"
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