With his wings flapping, Carl rose into the air and looked down at Dragon below.
Dragon stared at Carl's pair of black bat wings, his throat tightened, and he murmured,
"Are you a demon?"
Carl smiled slightly, as if to respond to Dragon's description. A cloud of blood filled the air behind him, making him appear like a villain shrouded in darkness.
In an instant, Carl flapped his wings and turned into a stream of blood, appearing right before Dragon. This speed was far beyond Dragon's imagination. Before he could react, Carl's hand had already wrapped around his neck, rendering him powerless.
Dragon tried using Haki, but it had no effect. Carl merely smiled, seemingly enjoying the sensation as though it were nothing more than a massage. His lips curled, revealing a sharp fang that pierced into Dragon's neck.
In just moments, Dragon's consciousness faded. His eyes were blank, and his mind clouded with darkness. With a thud, Dragon collapsed, his vacant eyes staring into the distance as if he had already died.
Carl crouched down, gently closing Dragon's eyes. He then waved to the referee, who approached him with clear hesitation. Carl turned to him with a grin, saying softly,
"Carry Dragon away—he's only sleeping."
Everyone around let out a sigh of relief, believing Dragon had simply been unconscious. Soon, medical staff came and placed him on a stretcher. As they were about to carry him away, Dragon's body suddenly trembled, his fists clenched as he shouted,
"No! The world shouldn't be like this!!!"
The medical staff, startled, paused. The crowd wondered what Dragon had done to provoke this.
The referee rushed over and checked, discovering Dragon was still unconscious—merely talking in his sleep. After wiping his forehead nervously, the referee waved for them to continue. Dragon was finally carried away, marking the end of his assessment and the first to be disqualified.
Carl glanced over at Aokiji and Aramaki, who stood on the sidelines. As soon as they saw Carl's lips move, the ground beneath them exploded with a loud bang. Before they could react, Carl had them both restrained, hovering in the air.
Aramaki quickly admitted defeat, while Aokiji, realizing resistance was futile, calmed down. As they were lowered to the ground, Carl smiled and said,
"The three of you have performed well—you've passed the assessment."
Aokiji scratched his head sheepishly.
"But Admiral Carl, we're nowhere near your level…"
"That's enough, Kuzan. You've done well, and Zephyr is proud of you."
Kuzan paused in surprise, turning to see Zephyr descending from the high platform with a smile. When he reached the group, Zephyr looked at Carl with deep emotion, saying,
"Carl, you've made it tough on these guys."
Zephyr, who had watched the entire battle, could hardly believe his eyes. Carl had become so powerful, especially with his vampiric abilities on full display, that even Zephyr felt a twinge of fear. It was clear now—Carl had surpassed him, and in less than two years.
This kind of growth was astonishing, making even the most talented look average by comparison. Yet, Zephyr had no idea that, years later, a young pirate named Luffy would rise, challenging the Four Emperors by the age of nineteen. He would be the true monster in this era.
Zephyr encouraged Aramaki and Aokiji with a few more words, before Kong announced the results of the assessment from the high platform. The graduates received their ranks. All three were promoted to Rear Admirals.
Aramaki and Aokiji went up to claim their Navy cloaks, while Dragon's was entrusted to Garp, who was to pass it on once Dragon woke up. Though Dragon had earned the rank of Vice Admiral, Garp seemed disinterested. He silently took the cloak and left.
At the Navy Headquarters hospital, Dragon lay on a white bed, his expression fierce, the bedsheets torn by his tense grip. The doctors and nurses stood outside, too afraid to enter as the room was filled with swirling air currents, walls marked by wind blades.
If Aramaki were here, he would have jokingly asked Dragon if he was giving birth.
Garp was equally shocked when he arrived. Ignoring the chaotic winds in the room, he approached Dragon's bed. Dragon, with sweat covering his forehead, muttered words, but the only one clear enough was "revolution."
Garp's usual cheerful expression faded. Frowning, he wiped the sweat from Dragon's brow and whispered in his ear,
"Dragon, what's wrong?"
Dragon did not respond, his murmurs growing louder. Garp knew this couldn't continue. Some of the things Dragon was saying were dangerously close to breaking taboos.
"Iron Fist of Love!"
In a flash, Garp struck Dragon in the stomach with his hardened fist. The bed cracked under the force, and Dragon's eyes snapped open in shock. Garp's punch sent him between the two halves of the broken bed.
Dragon blinked, disoriented, and then a new resolve lit up in his eyes. He stood up as if nothing had happened, glanced at Garp, and spoke softly,
"Dad, I want to leave the Navy."
"Nani?!"
Garp grabbed Dragon by the collar, pulling him close.
"What did you just say?! Say it again!"
Turning towards the door, Garp glared, and the medical staff quickly scattered, leaving the room for father and son.
Dragon, his expression cold, waited until they were alone before speaking again,
"I said, I want to leave the Navy. The Navy's justice doesn't suit me."
Bang!
Garp's fist sent Dragon flying into the wall, though Garp had held back, otherwise Dragon would've flown out of the building entirely. Even so, Dragon remained defiant, staring back at Garp, unafraid.
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+95 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg