Chapter 49 : Drago, You Really Can Make Trouble

Kizaru was at a loss for words.

He had come to capture Luffy, yet somehow, Luffy was thanking him. Then again, Garp had a similar personality—maybe it ran in the Monkey family.

Still, if Luffy thought he could just run away, Kizaru wasn't about to let that happen.

"Straw Hat boy, stay here. Impel Down suits you better!" Kizaru transformed into a beam of light, chasing after him.

"No way! I'm heading to the Grand Line for adventure! I'm going to be King of the Pirates! Even Grandpa can't stop me today!" Luffy grinned and made a face at Kizaru.

Just as Kizaru was about to catch him, a long black sword suddenly slashed toward him from the side.

With no choice but to stop, Kizaru raised an eyebrow at the black-haired young man standing in his path. He remembered his name—Carl. The same Carl that the entire Straw Hat crew called "teacher." The same Carl who had just effortlessly defeated two Marine Vice Admirals.

Why was someone like this with the Straw Hats?

Did the Marines mess up when determining bounties and completely overlook this guy?!

Carl smiled. "Admiral Kizaru, I can't let you get past me. You're not touching our captain."

For once, Kizaru dropped his usual lazy demeanor and spoke seriously. "Young people these days… Brother Carl, have you ever been hit by the speed of light—"

"Has Admiral Kizaru ever been struck by lightning? I heard lightning and light move at the same speed!"

Carl interrupted him mid-sentence, swinging his black sword.

The blade clashed against Kizaru's Light-Speed Kick in an instant, and the air exploded at the point of impact.

Purple-black lightning crackled violently, shockwaves tearing outward in all directions.

The harbor ground split apart!

On the sea, massive waves rose up, crashing in every direction!

In the sky, the brewing storm clouds swirled chaotically from the impact!

Kizaru's expression turned serious. "Impressive… Brother Carl, you've got real skill. Why'd you choose to be a pirate?"

Carl grinned. "Because I refuse to be a lapdog for the World Government."

Kizaru fell silent. A moment later, he formed a lightsaber in his hand and lunged at Carl, their battle resuming in full force.

Meanwhile, Hina and Ghost Spider—still stuck in the ground—watched in disbelief, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

They already knew Carl was strong, but they never expected him to be able to fight evenly against Admiral Kizaru.

Which meant… the Straw Hats had two fighters at Admiral level!

With Black Leg Sanji and Pirate Hunter Zoro also growing stronger, it was inevitable—

The Straw Hat Pirates were destined to become the next great power of the era!

"Hey! Teacher Carl, time to go!"

Luffy had already made it to the ship and was waving enthusiastically at Carl.

Carl quickly tried to retreat, but Kizaru wouldn't let up. The Admiral clung to him like a stubborn shadow.

"Admiral Kizaru, you only make a few million a month—why are you trying so hard?!" Carl complained.

His words hit Kizaru right in the heart.

For a moment, Kizaru wanted to cry. He completely agreed with Carl.

Damn it… Being an Admiral only came with a salary, yet he had to deal with ruthless pirates all the time. On top of that, Fleet Admiral Sengoku never paid overtime, and every time something happened, he was the one sent out.

He couldn't even slack off properly!

But what could he do?

Sengoku had sent him here. If he didn't put in the effort, he'd just get scolded later!

After realizing Carl's strength, Kizaru knew they wouldn't be able to capture the Straw Hats today. But to avoid getting yelled at too much, he had to at least look like he was trying. He could let Vice Admirals Huoshaoshan and Ghost Spider explain the situation later—hopefully, Sengoku would go easy on him.

Just then, the storm clouds in the sky grew darker and more violent.

Out of nowhere, a powerful gust of wind howled through Loguetown, nearly blowing houses apart.

The waves surged higher, rocking the Marine warships in the harbor so violently that sailors struggled to keep their footing.

CRASH!

The rain poured down in sheets.

In an instant, Marine gunpowder supplies were soaked, cutting off their bombardment of the Going Merry.

Kizaru glanced at the sky, sensing that this storm wasn't natural. Before he could react, a massive bolt of lightning tore through the clouds—headed straight for him.

Startled, he dodged just in time.

Carl seized the opportunity, breaking free from the fight and flying back to the Merry with his massive black sword.

"AHHH!!!"

A sudden scream rang out.

A girl in a plaid shirt was caught by the wind, flung into the air, and then crash-landed onto the Merry—fainting immediately.

Zoro's eyelid twitched. He had no idea what to say.

And right at that moment, Luffy grinned and shouted—

"Let's go, everyone! Next stop—the Grand Line!!!"

Usopp had already knocked the Rear Admiral into the sea. Hearing Luffy's shout, he immediately leaped back onto the ship, grabbed the sail ropes, and stretched the sails to their maximum.

Jango took control of the rudder, following Nami's precise instructions.

With the powerful wind at their backs, the Going Merry burst through the Marine warship blockade in an instant, sailing swiftly into the distance.

In the water, Momoo followed closely behind.

Kizaru didn't give chase. Instead, he turned his gaze toward a rooftop in the distance, where a cloaked figure flickered out of sight.

In that moment, Kizaru immediately knew who it was.

Meanwhile, Carl looked at Loguetown, which was growing smaller on the horizon. Smirking at the raging storm, he muttered—

"Heh… Dragon, you really love stirring up trouble. But aren't you worried about getting caught, acting so boldly in front of Kizaru?"

"Huh? Dragon?" Luffy blinked in confusion. "Mr. Carl, are you saying my dad made this storm? Whoa! My dad's that powerful?!"

The rest of the crew was equally shocked.

Everyone had heard of the Revolutionary Army's mysterious leader, but this was completely unexpected.

Carl nodded. "The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, is strong enough to wage war against the World Government. His power is at least on par with a Marine Admiral."

Pausing, he glanced at the sky. "And this storm? It's likely connected to Dragon's Devil Fruit ability. But Luffy, all you need to know is that your father is a big deal."

Luffy grinned, pressing his straw hat down against the wind. "Got it! If Dad's strong, that means Sabo's safer too!"

To him, Sabo mattered more than anything.

Carl didn't say much after that. This was Luffy's first time even acknowledging Dragon as his father—it was already impressive that he could say the word "Dad" so casually.

Honestly, if Ace had ever met Roger face-to-face… instead of calling him father, he'd probably just punch him.

"EH?! Luffy's dad is the leader of the Revolutionary Army?!"

The whole crew was in an uproar.

Even if someone hadn't paid much attention to world affairs, they'd at least heard of the Revolutionary Army—an organization dedicated to overthrowing the World Government. And its leader, Dragon, was officially labeled the world's most dangerous criminal.

And yet… that man was Luffy's father?!

Then, an even crazier realization hit them—

The Monkey family was involved in all three of the world's major factions.

Garp was a legendary Marine hero.Dragon was the leader of the Revolutionary Army.Luffy was a rising pirate who had just tied with a Marine Admiral.

No matter which side won in the future… the Monkey family would come out fine?!

The Straw Hats weren't big on conspiracy theories, so they didn't dwell on it too much.

But Carl… Carl had thoughts.

Still, none of that mattered now.

The important thing was—

Today, Luffy held his own against a Marine Admiral!

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