c7 : Captured!
In Carl's eyes, all pirates are actually the same no matter their fame, bounty, or so-called dreams.
Even pirates like Luffy who sail under the banner of "adventurers" and claim to pursue freedom are to put it bluntly, a group of elements that disrupt public order.
Although they've done a lot of good things such as toppling tyrants like Crocodile in Alabasta or defeating Enel in Skypiea Carl's impression of them was initially much higher.
But a pirate is a pirate and for ordinary pirates, Carl will choose to kill directly.
But for a pirate like Luffy, who has defeated warlords like Doflamingo and even challenged Big Mom at Whole Cake Island although Carl would also attack him
He would be merciful and would not kill him directly perhaps as a nod to the lives Luffy helped save in places like Dressrosa and Fish-Man Island.
If not, his attack just now would not throw the Thousand Sunny into the sea but disintegrate it outright, a clear display of lethal intent.
There is no doubt that the Piao Piao no Mi possesses such ability after all, the legendary Shiki the Golden Lion used it to lift entire fleets and islands into the sky.
The Golden Lion's infamy was well-earned because he had such terrifying capital.
Carl's physical strength is limited—so he naturally needs to use good steel on the blade and save his best efforts for true threats.
It's just that the next scene did not occur to him he hadn't anticipated it at all.
The Thousand Sunny didn't know what method to use but it righted itself midair and landed upright on the sea.
Everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates did not suffer serious injuries—miraculously enduring despite the surprise attack.
Even the Devil Fruit users like Luffy, Robin, and Brook are still intact at this time but temporarily weakened from the impact and exposure.
Obviously, they already have a certain way to deal with the ability of the Piao Piao no Mi—perhaps due to knowledge passed down from Nami's navigation skills or Franky's engineering upgrades.
"Damn it, I must shoot you away!!!"
Luffy was a little unwilling he jumped up and wanted to fight Carl to the death, fists clenched and aura surging.
But Usopp stopped him—firing a net shot that tangled Luffy momentarily.
"Don't be impulsive, Luffy—there is a Navy ship approaching us from behind.
There isn't enough time to fight if we stay, we'll be completely surrounded when the Navy arrives!"
Hearing Usopp's words, everyone realized the danger—there really was a Navy battleship closing in fast.
"Damn it—I really want to beat this bastard!"
Luffy was still unwilling but was restrained by everyone around him.
"Luffy, you must not be impulsive otherwise all of us will be captured!"
"That's right—Franky, quickly activate the Coup de Burst for escape!"
"No problem leave it to me!!!"
"Super!!!"
Franky roared, slamming his fist on the control panel he had successfully recharged the Fenglai Cannon, the Sunny's escape engine, and it would fire in the next second!
But Carl took the lead vanishing with a blur and appearing beside Luffy in an instant using his sky-walking technique.
Zoro and Sanji stood in front of Luffy but were swatted aside by Carl's force-enhanced slaps, without any chance to react or counter!
"Asshole! I'll send you flying!!!"
"Gear Second!"
"Jet Gatling"
Luffy activated Gear Second and unleashed one of his strongest moves a furious Jet Gatling, fists pounding at lightning speed.
But Carl just glanced at him contemptuously his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) saw through every attack trajectory.
Seeing that, Carl effortlessly dodged his movements fluid, sharp, and economical.
"I won't waste time anymore just come with me!"
In an instant, Carl appeared before Luffy—his armament-hardened fist slamming into Luffy's head with overwhelming force!
The tyrannical blow caused stars to explode in front of Luffy's eyes his Gear Second fizzled out instantly.
"Franky, hurry up!"
"Got it—Super's coming!!!!"
At the moment the Coup de Burst fired Carl grabbed Luffy by the neck and threw him out without hesitation.
He soared into the air quietly watching the Thousand Sunny accelerate and vanish beyond the horizon.
He could even hear someone Nami or Chopper, perhaps screaming Luffy's name in anguish.
All the people in the Straw Hat Pirate Group were not Carl's opponents and could only be ravaged or restrained by his superior technique.
This feeling made Carl feel comfortable—it confirmed his status as an elite in the new age.
At the same time the system sound also rang in due course.
'Ding! The live capture of Luffy has been completed. Congratulations to the host for raising all attributes by two levels!'
Hearing these words, Carl smiled he hovered just above the ocean, picked up the unconscious Luffy, and flew toward the approaching warship.
After a short flight, he arrived on the warship.and threw Luffy at the feet of Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel without hesitation.
"Lord Vice Admiral am I very good? This is the great pirate Monkey D. Luffy, current bounty over 1.5 billion.
And when I killed the Golden Lion—he revealed to me that this guy had once injured him badly in a skirmish over an ancient weapon!"
Such a powerful pirate was captured by me can I make an exception to obtain a military rank?"
Carl spoke confidently without so much as a change in expression and then cheekily requested a military rank, as if it were an afterthought.
This situation caused the surrounding Marines to open their eyes wide—they were stunned speechless, as if they'd just seen a ghost.
They couldn't comprehend Carl's thought process at all especially after he captured someone as dangerous and influential as Monkey D. Luffy.
Especially Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel he found himself in a dilemma as he looked at Carl's innocent smile and the unconscious Luffy.
He knew Luffy's identity all too well—from being the son of Revolutionary Dragon, to being the one who invaded Enies Lobby and punched a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody.
If Luffy were just another pirate—he wouldn't hesitate for a second in how to process him.
But Luffy is a ticking time bomb and keeping him in custody would inevitably bring political consequences from both the World Government and Garp.
"Forget it, I don't have the energy to lecture you what's done is done, and what's done can't be undone.
Carl, I'll report your accomplishments truthfully but you need to brace yourself for what's coming from Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Why?"
Carl tilted his head and blinked innocently.pretending complete ignorance, eyes wide with mock confusion.
Seeing Carl's clueless expression—the Flying Squirrel couldn't help but sigh deeply, unsure whether to laugh or worry.
In his eyes, Carl was exceptionally gifted a combat prodigy who might one day rival Marine monsters like Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan.
But right now, Carl was still just a young man from a backwater island in the South Blue who had barely encountered the world's harsh truths.
Naturally, he didn't understand who Luffy really was.or what political firestorm was coming his way so the Flying Squirrel refrained from blaming him harshly.
"Never mind that now you just need to understand this much: be careful when you meet Senior Garp."
"Oh! I see then may I go rest now?"
Carl blinked again, grinning as he tilted his head.
The Flying Squirrel waved his hand dismissively clearly annoyed but without the will to scold.
After Carl walked away, the Vice Admiral looked down at Luffy—unconscious at his feet and rubbed his temples with a visible headache.
He placed sea prism stone cuffs on Luffy's wrists—neutralizing his Devil Fruit powers and picked up the Den Den Mushi to call Marine HQ.
"Hello? This is Flying Squirrel. I need to report a major development directly to the Fleet Admiral."
"Yes, Marshal Sengoku—I have important intel regarding the new Marine recruit Carl."
"He's captured another pirate... yes, a big one this time. But there's a catch
He captured Straw Hat Luffy!"
"Yes, that Straw Hat—Monkey D. Luffy, son of Dragon the Revolutionary, the one who broke through Impel Down and led the war at Marineford!"
"He's currently secured aboard my ship—I'll deliver him to Marineford at top speed, but the moment he arrives, you'll need to decide how to handle it."
The Flying Squirrel listened carefully to the reply—then nodded without speaking further, face tense as he processed the instructions.
After a few more exchanges, he hung up the Den Den Mushi—wiping cold sweat from his forehead and showing a bitter smile.
"Carl, you reckless genius... you really know how to stir up a hornet's nest."
The Flying Squirrel shook his head but he didn't realize what was happening above.
High in the sky a News Coo, one of the World Economy Newspaper's messenger birds, flapped away quickly with a camera strapped to its neck.
At the same moment inside the Fleet Admiral's office at Marine HQ—Sengoku was laughing uproariously, slapping his knee.
Vice Admiral Garp, on the other hand, looked absolutely devastated—his expression sour as he paced the floor in circles.
The roles had seemingly reversed Sengoku now played the jester while Garp had become the straight man.
"Keh keh keh Garp, your grandson got himself captured! What's your mood right now?"
"Hmph! That brat named Carl—he's the one who did it, right?"
"Yes—Karl. A prodigy from South Blue newly recruited, but already showing promise beyond expectations."
"This brat! I'm going to train him myself when he gets here!"
"Ha! That's a fancy way to say you want revenge!"
"Sengoku! Don't joke around I'm only thinking about the future of the Navy!"
"Hahahahaha! And do you expect me to believe that?"
"Damn it!!!"
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