Dragon tensed up and said in a deep voice,
"Thief? Carl, then let me ask you, what is the difference between the World Government that collects the so-called Heavenly Tribute and a robber?"
Carl smiled slightly, a strange red light flashing in his eyes. In the next second, he appeared in front of Dragon, and his blood-soaked claws reached for Dragon's heart.
Dragon didn't expect Carl to strike so suddenly, and Carl's speed was too fast. Although he instinctively dodged, his shoulder blade was still pierced by Carl's attack.
Puff!
Blood gushed out, and Dragon covered his left shoulder, trying to retreat, but Carl pulled him back. This time, Carl pressed his palm, emitting a dark vortex, directly onto Dragon's head.
Dragon's pupils shrank. He dug his feet into the deck to slow his movement toward Carl, wrapping his hands with Armament Haki to protect his head. He knew too well the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit vortex—like a meat grinder, capable of turning his head to paste.
In that moment, Dragon realized what Carl was after all along—his life!
Crack, crack!
Under the force of gravity, Dragon's bones made grinding sounds. If not for his Armament Haki, his hands would've been crushed. Even so, Dragon wasn't in an ideal position—his Haki was rapidly depleting, and Carl still had a free hand.
Carl's other hand, shrouded in darkness, aimed at Dragon again. Desperate, Dragon knew he had to use his last move, one he wished to avoid unless absolutely necessary. He roared with all his might:
"Father, save me!!!"
As soon as the words escaped his mouth, a figure shot out from the cabin like a cannonball, accompanied by a booming roar.
"Carl, stop it!!!"
Carl raised an eyebrow, diverting the hand that was ready to pierce Dragon's heart to block a black iron fist instead.
The collision sent a shockwave rippling across the ship. Cracks splintered the deck, and the entire vessel began to shake violently.
The sudden movement woke those still asleep. Except for the guard who Dragon had knocked unconscious, everyone—Spandam and the others—rushed out of their rooms.
Spandam was dumbfounded. Before him stood Carl, holding Dragon with one hand while blocking Garp, who was still in pajamas but furious, with the other. Before Spandam could react, Lucia rushed at Garp with a sword, and Ginny fired two pistols at him without hesitation.
As Spandam snapped out of his daze, he shouted at the navy and suited men behind him:
"What are you standing around for? Help Admiral Black Dragon!"
The suited men obeyed, rushing toward Garp. Most of the navy soldiers followed suit, while a few aimed their weapons at Carl. These were Garp's people.
Garp's face darkened. Ignoring Lucia and the others, he glanced at Dragon's bloodied shoulder, then turned and glared at Carl.
"Carl! Don't push it!"
Carl, however, dismissed him for the moment, giving instructions to Lucia and the others.
"Lucia, stay and guard Dragon. Ginny, handle Garp's men."
After issuing his commands, Carl threw Dragon aside and immediately transformed into his hybrid state. His massive black bat wings spread wide as he shot out of the ship with Garp, leaving the others behind.
Despite being built sturdily, the ship was no match for the combined forces of Carl and Garp.
As the two disappeared into the night, Dragon, gravely wounded, faced Lucia again, his pain worsening.
Meanwhile, Ginny led the suited men and navy soldiers into battle against Garp's men. Even Spandam, a notorious weakling in combat, fired shots from behind using a flintlock rifle.
Several kilometers away from the ship, Carl and Garp clashed fiercely above the sea.
Carl hovered, a blaze of flame burning behind him, bright against the dark sky. His demon sword Muramasa swirled, releasing waves of dark energy. Garp, using Geppo, avoided the attacks while throwing powerful punches at Carl.
Each time they collided, waves exploded on the sea below. After one particularly intense clash, they separated momentarily, glaring at each other in mid-air.
Garp's face remained furious as he demanded,
"You wanted to kill Dragon, didn't you? What crime did he commit?"
Carl responded coldly,
"He stole the Heavenly Tribute, a crime punishable by death."
Garp's face paled, his voice rising in anger.
"What? What are you talking about?!"
"I saw it with my own eyes. Didn't you notice the gold on the ground earlier?"
When Carl had captured Dragon, his ability had failed, and the gold had fallen from Dragon's possession. Garp, too focused on saving his son, hadn't noticed. After hearing Carl's words, he recalled the scene, muttering to himself,
"Impossible, why would Dragon do this?"
Carl sneered, shaking his head.
"Garp, you're a disgrace as a father. Didn't you see that Dragon wanted to defect?"
Garp gritted his teeth, fists clenched.
"What makes you think Dragon wants to defect?"
Carl, losing interest in the conversation, said coolly,
"My eyes."
With that, the flames behind Carl suddenly extinguished, and he rushed at Garp with a burst of speed. Garp felt a sharp pain in his abdomen as Carl's attack struck, sending him crashing into the sea.
Hovering above the water, Carl glanced at the now-calm surface. Just as he was about to return to the ship, the sea exploded once more, and Garp shot out, eyes bloodshot, aiming another attack at Carl.
"You're too arrogant, boy!!!"
Seeing Garp rushing in again, Carl frowned, flames igniting behind him once more. He used his body to block Garp's punch, feeling the powerful impact ripple through his internal organs.
However, Garp's face filled with horror. From his perspective, Carl had barely flinched after taking the full force of his punch—far less than Garp had anticipated.
Carl wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled,
"That actually hurt."
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+95 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg