The destruction of the Beasts Pirates, one of the Four Emperors' crews, by the Navy's Seven Admirals spread like a bolt of lightning across the world.
Following this event came the announcement of a new Fleet Admiral.
When people learned that the position was being filled by the former Navy Admiral, Black Dragon, it felt almost inevitable.
But the revelation of Carl's true identity left everyone dumbfounded.
Figarland Carl, a Celestial Dragon!
While most people didn't understand the significance of the Figarland name, one thing was clear: this legendary Admiral, known as the Black Dragon, was a Celestial Dragon!
Thus, he earned the title "Celestial Admiral."
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
Flags fluttered across the plaza as Marines gathered en masse, their gazes fixed on the tallest building at the center.
Today marked the inauguration—or rather, the coronation—of the new Fleet Admiral, the Celestial Admiral.
Standing atop the high platform, Carl wore a pristine white suit draped with the black-sleeved Marine cloak of justice. Even Sengoku the Buddha, the outgoing Fleet Admiral, could only stand silently behind him.
However, the one presenting the golden epaulets of the Fleet Admiral was not Sengoku. It was one of the Five Elders, Saturn.
To demonstrate their commitment to Carl, the World Government had sent one of the highest authorities on Earth to preside over the ceremony.
Sengoku stood behind Carl, his expression distant as he watched Saturn fasten the golden epaulets onto Carl's shoulders.
Compared to Carl's ceremony, Sengoku's own inauguration felt like a mere formality.
He had met the Five Elders before at Mary Geoise, and their stoic demeanor had always reminded him of emotionless machines.
Yet here, Saturn stood just a few meters away, smiling warmly at Carl. The words "satisfaction" seemed etched on his face.
Vice Admiral Tsuru gently patted Sengoku on the back and said in a low voice,
"Sengoku, perhaps Carl truly is more suited to this position. Only he can unleash the full potential of the Navy."
Sengoku nodded silently. Deep down, he knew this to be true.
Carl had unmatched support from the World Government above and unshakable prestige among the Marines below.
In every way, Sengoku admitted he could not compare.
With a sigh, he muttered,
"I really am getting old."
...
Later
Shortly after the ceremony, Carl left Marineford alone.
New World, Second Half
On the deck of the Red Force, Shanks stood at the bow with a bottle of liquor in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Staring at Carl's photo, his expression was conflicted.
Yasopp approached from behind and, upon seeing the newspaper, growled through clenched teeth,
"Black Dragon…"
Shanks took a long swig of liquor and said softly,
"He's the Celestial Admiral now."
Yasopp gripped his rifle tightly and snarled,
"A ruthless, heartless man like him becoming Fleet Admiral? This world is getting harder to understand!"
Though Shanks didn't entirely agree with Yasopp, he remained silent. In his view, the Navy and pirates were natural enemies—showing mercy to foes was foolish.
But Shanks kept these thoughts to himself, knowing Yasopp's pain. Carl had killed Yasopp's son, Usopp, and cruelly displayed his severed head as a trophy.
Shanks still remembered Yasopp's anguished cries and reckless attempt to seek revenge, which Shanks had to thwart by knocking him out with the hilt of his sword.
Nearby, Benn Beckman leaned against the railing, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He spoke in a low voice,
"It's hard to believe that an Admiral—now a Fleet Admiral—would be a Celestial Dragon."
Shanks swirled the liquor in his bottle, murmuring,
"Yes, he's truly an enigma…"
Beckman raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Shanks' unusual behavior whenever Carl was mentioned.
Thinking for a moment, Beckman added,
"With Kaido and the Beasts Pirates destroyed, it seems the World Government no longer cares about maintaining the balance."
Shanks responded calmly,
"That's because he's back. This is the Navy in its true form—just like twenty-two years ago."
Beckman's sharp eyes narrowed as he stared into Shanks',
"Does that mean we're next?"
Contrary to Beckman's expectations, Shanks immediately replied,
"No."
Beckman was startled. "Why are you so sure?"
Taking another sip, Shanks said,
"If he wanted me dead, I'd have died twenty-two years ago—more than once. Funny enough, the first time I met him, he saved my life in Edwar Sea."
This revelation stunned the crew. Yasopp frowned and asked,
"Boss, what's your connection with him?"
Shanks casually tossed the empty bottle aside and replied,
"I'd like to know that myself. It's a question that's haunted me for years."
Before anyone could respond, a teasing voice echoed from above,
"Then why haven't you asked me directly?"
The entire crew tensed, and Shanks froze as if struck by lightning. Slowly, he raised his head.
Perched on the mast, Carl sat with a faint smile, looking down at him.
The crew's faces were filled with shock and unease as Beckman muttered,
"How is this possible? When did he get there?"
For a crew of elite Haki users, including Shanks with his "observation nullification," missing Carl's presence was unthinkable.
Shanks' gaze fell on the faint, shadowy aura surrounding Carl. He realized it was this phenomenon that blocked their Observation Haki.
Yasopp, recovering from his shock, raised his rifle with hatred burning in his eyes.
Click!
With the sound of a loaded chamber, Yasopp fired several Haki-infused bullets.
To everyone's disbelief, the bullets passed harmlessly through Carl's body.
Shanks snapped back to reality and shouted,
"Stop!"
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+255 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg