Without waiting for the king's reply, Spandam hung up the phone and turned to Carl with a flattering smile.
"Saint Carl, do you think there is anything wrong with what I just said?"
Carl nodded with a smile and said, "You said it very well, Spandam. Thank you for your hard work along the way."
After receiving Carl's praise, Spandam's face turned red with excitement, and he couldn't speak for a moment. It felt strange to him. He didn't know when, but Carl's approval became more valuable to him than his own promotion.
Spandam, who had been used to flattering any Celestial Dragon, realized he had never admired anyone the way he admired Carl. Carl was different from the Celestial Dragons Spandam had encountered. In his eyes, Carl was truly charismatic, and serving him made Spandam feel... happy. This was something he had never felt before.
Carl, unaware of Spandam's growing obsession, simply waved him off,
"You go now. I'll reward you properly once we return."
Spandam stood, eager to leave, and stammered, "Saint Carl... I mean, Admiral Black Dragon! It's my duty!"
He quickly left the room, closing the door behind him without hesitation. Once Spandam had gone, Ginny, who had been sitting next to Carl, leaned into his arms, whispering,
"Brother Carl, I like you so much!"
Lucia, sitting on the other side, said nothing, simply holding Carl's hand. Carl pulled them both close, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Don't think too highly of me. I just don't want a bunch of fools to ruin the world."
Ginny, nestled against him, shook her head and softly replied,
"Brother Carl, you've always said that actions speak louder than words."
Carl chuckled, gently pinching her nose. "It's rare for you to remember that."
"I remember everything you say!" Ginny giggled, and even Lucia couldn't help but smile, though she felt a pang of guilt—after all, she had been keeping secrets from him.
As night fell, Lucia's gaze lingered on Carl's face, her lips trembling with unease. She shifted uncomfortably in Carl's arms.
"Lucia, are you feeling unwell?" Ginny asked, concerned.
Blushing, Lucia stammered, "No, it's nothing... I just feel a little... itchy."
Ginny perked up. "Oh? Then it's time for a bath! Come, let's bathe together, I'll scrub your back!"
"Huh?" Lucia was taken aback, but before she could protest, Ginny dragged her away. Once they left, Carl returned to his room, lying down with his clothes on.
Something about Dragon's behavior earlier had Carl on edge. He had a feeling that Dragon was planning something. Carl wasn't planning to sleep that night. After all, missing a night's rest was no problem for him.
Thanks to his Vampire Fruit, Carl's senses were sharper than a human's, and even the faintest sound couldn't escape him. As midnight approached, he heard the soft rustling of the wind.
Carl smirked. In an instant, he silently slipped outside and blended with the shadows. The ability to hide completely in darkness, even masking his presence, was one of the Vampire Fruit's most useful powers.
In the cabin where the Heavenly Tribute was stored, a breeze slipped through a crack in the door, entwining itself around Dragon's figure. The guards outside the door had been taken down quietly by Dragon, who sneered as he looked at the treasure piled high.
"This is the blood I've sucked from this corrupt world," Dragon muttered to himself.
"I won't let it be wasted on the rotting meat of the World Government!"
Dragon hadn't quit the Navy through the usual channels. Instead, he planned to defect by stealing the Heavenly Tribute. Over the past few days, he had thought carefully about his next steps. After leaving the Navy, he would establish a new organization, one that would gather enough power to overthrow the World Government, which he viewed as utterly corrupt.
He knew he needed an enormous amount of funds for this, and the Heavenly Tribute, stolen from the world by the Government, was perfect for his cause. He had no qualms about taking it.
As Dragon prepared to seize the treasure, a flash of excitement crossed his face. Finally, he could pursue his dream.
Dragon raised his hand, using his wind powers to lift the gold, carefully slicing the door with a gust of wind, making sure no noise was heard. One by one, he floated the treasures out of the cabin, keeping everything eerily silent. When he finished, he glanced toward Garp's quarters and thought bitterly, I'm sorry, Father. I can't live up to your expectations. The justice of the Navy has been corrupted, just like the World Government.
With renewed determination, Dragon began to transform his body into wind, ready to fly away. But just as he was about to disappear into the night, a voice pierced the darkness.
"Monkey D. Dragon, where do you think you're going?"
Dragon's transformation halted, his eyes widening in shock. Emerging from the shadows was Carl, his figure blending seamlessly with the night. Dragon's heart raced as he thought, How is this possible!? When did he get here? Why didn't I sense him at all!?
Dragon had always prided himself on his Observation Haki, especially with the enhanced sensitivity granted by his Wind-Wind Fruit. He could detect even the slightest disturbance in the air, yet Carl had managed to elude him entirely.
Carl cast a glance at the fallen guards and then at the treasure Dragon had been trying to steal. His eyes narrowed as he spoke, his voice laced with amusement,
"It seems we have a thief among the Navy..."
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+95 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg