Karl stroked his chin as he observed the recruits training in the distance, trying to spot any familiar faces.
Hey—turns out there really was one.
Isn't that… Smoker's subordinate?
What was her name again—Kuina? No, that's wrong… Tashigi!
"Hey, look! Vice Admiral White Crow is looking this way!"
"Could it be that he's picking a subordinate? I heard that—"
Among the crowd, Tashigi's heart skipped a beat. She quickly adjusted her glasses, trying to make herself look dependable.
Unfortunately, the result only made her look a little… silly.
"How about that one?" Karl asked casually.
"The girl with glasses."
Zephyr followed his gaze and nodded slightly.
"Good eye. She's not even twenty yet. Skilled with the sword, but her fundamentals are weak, and her personality has some… quirks."
"But if she's trained properly, she might become someone capable of standing on her own."
"Then it's her," Karl said decisively.
"Ain, when they graduate, remember to take her with you."
Ain gave Tashigi a once-over and nodded. She seemed decent enough—if Karl approved, that was more than enough.
"Alright," Zephyr replied.
"I'll notify the others when the time comes."
Karl grinned.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Instructor Zephyr. We won't disturb you any longer."
Two Days LaterAn Unnamed Island
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Advisor Tsuru, the three Admirals, two Admiral Candidates, and Karl—who was about to officially step into that same category—all gathered on this deserted island.
Karl's objective was simple:
Challenge an Admiral.
And prove that he possessed the strength worthy of becoming an Admiral Candidate.
The three Admirals were the challengers—or more accurately, the judges.
To be honest, they were all curious whom Karl would choose.
All except one.
Kizaru silently prayed.
Please don't pick me… please don't pick me…
We're all old acquaintances—surely he won't bully this old man…
If he wants to fight someone, let him go bother Sakazuki or Kuzan.
Everyone else was here purely as witnesses.
In other words—front-row spectators.
On the island, Sengoku patted Karl on the shoulder.
"Are you ready?"
Karl smiled lightly.
"Of course. I'm just struggling to decide which Admiral to choose."
Sengoku chuckled.
"That's something I can't help you with. It's your decision."
Akainu glanced at Aokiji and Kizaru, then stepped forward, fixing his sharp gaze on Karl.
"I'll do it."
"To be honest, I've been curious about your strength for a long time."
"When we first met, you were barely worth mentioning… yet in just a few years, you've grown to this extent."
"And you even awakened Conqueror's Haki…"
"I'm genuinely curious."
Karl's smile faded.
When dealing with Akainu, joking around was pointless.
It was better to match his severity head-on.
"In that case," Karl said calmly,
"I'll trouble Admiral Akainu to spar with me."
"Let's see whether my strength meets your expectations."
For once, Akainu showed a faint smile.
"Just what I hoped for."
Sengoku nodded.
"I'll say this only once—you are comrades. No matter what, keep it controlled."
"Let's go. We'll observe from offshore."
The group boarded a warship and pulled back to roughly two hundred meters from the island, watching from a safe distance.
The Battle Begins
Clang.
Karl gripped Raven and Shusui, his gaze fixed on Akainu.
Golden holy light gathered in his palm.
"Holy Light Blessing!"
A surge of power washed through his body.
I'm buffed—let's go!
Akainu eyed the blades approvingly.
"Fine swords. Before obtaining the Magma Fruit, I was a swordsman as well."
"But later I realized—magma is far more lethal."
"Be careful, Karl. I won't hold back just because you're injured."
Karl remained expressionless.
"Nor will I."
"Weapon Blessing."
Golden light flowed over Shusui and Raven, leaving radiant trails with each slight movement.
"Hmph—arrogant."
Akainu had no patience for chatter. His left arm transformed into magma as he lunged forward.
"Two-Sword Style · Crow Feather!"
Shua—
Karl vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of Akainu—no, in front of his blade.
Both swords plunged into the magma—
Clang!
They were stopped.
"Heh. Your Haki is impressive," Akainu began,
"but unfortunately—"
Before he could finish, Karl's foot slammed into his abdomen.
The force sent Akainu flying backward.
"Admiral Akainu," Karl called out,
"don't underestimate me."
Akainu's face darkened.
"That won't happen again."
"Hellhound!"
A massive magma arm shot forward, stretching unnaturally.
Karl crossed his blades, one above, one below.
"Two-Sword Style · Heaven and Earth Reversal!"
A golden and black flying slash crossed in an "X" formation, tearing through magma like paper and heading straight for Akainu.
"Damn it!"
Akainu instantly solidified his arm and withdrew, diving sideways to evade the attack.
Karl didn't let up.
He stomped the ground, launching himself skyward, gripping Shusui and Raven tightly.
"Two-Sword Style · Gale and Downpour!"
Shua—shua—shua—
Nearly a hundred flying slashes burst forth.
Gold and black alternated.
Sword energy rained down like a storm.
On the warship, Kizaru puckered his lips.
"So scary~"
Tokikake sucked in a breath.
So this is Karl's real strength…
He held back last time.
They weren't even on the same level anymore.
Gion silently rejoiced that she hadn't fought him—no one could withstand that kind of density.
Even the world's greatest swordsman might not fare much better.
Tsuru sighed in awe.
"What terrifying swordsmanship… The strongest swordsman in the Marines may very well be Karl."
On the island, Akainu stared up at the falling sword rain, stunned.
How am I supposed to dodge this?!
There was only one option.
Endure it.
Akainu chose a slightly less dense area and released his Armament Haki outward as a shield.
Moments later—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Hundreds of slashes slammed into the island, detonating in succession.
When the dust settled, the island was reduced to a battlefield of craters and scars—no intact ground remained.
Akainu emerged, covered in dust, breathing heavily.
Then—
His figure vanished.
"Hound of Crimson Lotus!!!"
A magma hound surged skyward, jaws blazing, the air igniting around it.
Karl showed no fear.
He sheathed Shusui, gripped Raven with both hands.
Black-red lightning of Conqueror's Haki intertwined with golden holy light along the blade.
"One-Sword Style — Ultimate Art…"
"Holy Light Judgment!!!"
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