"God-slaying?"
Enel narrowed his eyes.
Karl's voice remained calm.
"That's right. Down in the world below, there exists a group who call themselves the descendants of the Creator."
He briefly explained.
Eight hundred years ago, twenty kingdoms united to form the World Government. Nineteen royal families relocated to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, claiming themselves as the "descendants of the creators."
They were known as the Celestial Dragons.
They ruled from above.
Enjoyed every privilege.
Considered themselves gods.
Enel's lips curled in disdain.
"Then they're just mortals."
"Insignificant insects. How dare they call themselves gods?"
Karl smiled faintly.
Hooked.
But Enel quickly regained clarity.
"Wait."
"The World Government… that's above the Marines, isn't it?"
"So you want to use me as a weapon?"
Karl chuckled.
"Right now? Yes. I don't have the power to oppose them directly."
"I've disliked them for a long time."
"So let the 'God of Skypiea' test their strength for me."
He leaned closer.
"Or are you… just a mortal too?"
Enel's expression darkened.
If he refused—
Karl would likely kill him.
If he accepted—
He would become a criminal hunted by the Marines.
Either way, danger.
Karl slowly drew Shusui, its black blade gleaming coldly.
"My patience is limited."
"If you're no longer useful…"
"Then you have no reason to remain alive."
Enel clenched his teeth.
"If death is inevitable, why would I obey you?"
Karl immediately understood.
It wasn't refusal.
It was hesitation.
So he changed tone instantly—smiling warmly.
"You underestimate yourself."
"The Goro Goro no Mi grants you unparalleled speed."
"Across the entire sea, few can match you."
"If you choose to leave, no one can stop you."
Enel's ego visibly recovered.
Yes.
If he hadn't been careless—
Karl would never have captured him.
Karl pressed on.
"That's exactly why I used Seastone."
"If you escaped, I'd never catch you again."
Enel lifted his chin.
"Hmph. Naturally."
"So your mission is simple."
"Cause chaos at Mary Geoise."
"You don't need to win fights."
"If you encounter someone stronger—leave."
"Can you accept that?"
The blade pressed lightly against Enel's neck.
Cold.
Sharp.
After a long silence—
Enel exhaled.
"I accept."
"Release me, and I'll erase Mary Geoise from this world."
Erase?
Karl inwardly raised a brow.
If Enel could fry a few Celestial Dragons, that alone would be impressive.
Annihilation?
Ambitious.
Still—
Good enough.
"Excellent choice."
"But… as insurance."
"I need to do something small to you."
Enel stared.
"Do I look like I have a choice?"
Karl turned his back.
From his system space, he took out:
A bottle of cola.
Added… a generous portion of wasabi.
Shook thoroughly.
Poured a capful.
He turned back with a beaming smile.
"Come."
"Enel. Drink."
Enel stared at the black, bubbling substance.
Suspicion radiated from every pore.
"What is it?"
Karl waved casually.
"It won't hurt you."
"I simply need reassurance."
Enel was certain.
Poison.
But refusal meant death.
"…Fine."
Karl gave a thumbs-up to Hancock.
"See? A smart man."
Hancock struggled desperately to maintain composure.
She had seen the entire preparation.
One more second and she would burst out laughing.
She discreetly pinched her thigh to keep from breaking.
Enel closed his eyes and opened his mouth.
Karl poured the mixture in.
"…Ghk—!"
First sweetness.
Then—
Violent, brain-searing spiciness.
It shot straight to the skull.
Tears flowed instantly.
Nose ran uncontrollably.
He coughed violently.
"Water! Give me water!"
Karl shook his head gravely.
"Impossible."
"Water would dilute the… toxicity."
"…I mean, the effect."
There it was.
Slip of the tongue.
Enel glared furiously.
After ten excruciating minutes, he finally stabilized.
"…Can you release me now?"
Karl checked his watch.
"No."
"Three hours."
"What?!"
"We agreed!"
Karl smiled serenely.
"It needs time to absorb fully."
"You're a Logia."
"If I release you now, you'll simply elementalize."
"That would waste everything."
Enel clenched his fists.
This Marine.
Too calculating.
Too sinister.
Karl clapped his hands lightly.
"Since we have time, let's discuss a few things."
Enel turned his head away coldly.
I refuse to converse with scheming mortals.
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