Chapter 34: Carl Returns

### ****

*Buzz!*

In anger, Gion unleashed a powerful slash of pink sword energy, far stronger than before. At almost the same moment, Ginny pulled the trigger, and a dark bullet shot out from the muzzle of her gun.

But the moment she fired, Ginny's body suddenly lost all strength. She collapsed, falling to the ground, completely drained.

However, unlike before, the bullet that **Kompira** had effortlessly cut through earlier now held its ground, clashing with Gion's sword energy. The two attacks locked in a fierce stalemate.

Gion's sharp eyes fixated on the spinning bullet. Her expression turned serious as she muttered,

**"The bullet is wrapped in Haki? I didn't expect you to awaken it."**

She glanced at Ginny, who lay slumped on the ground, exhausted. Shaking her head, she sighed,

**"It seems you've only just awakened your Haki. No wonder you're struggling to control it. But Haki at this level isn't enough to block my attack."**

The moment she finished speaking, Ginny's bullet finally reached its limit. It trembled violently before shattering into pieces.

Without the bullet to stop it, the sword energy surged forward, racing toward Ginny.

Momonga and the others couldn't hold back any longer. If Ginny took that hit, she'd suffer **severe injuries**—they couldn't let that happen. Not when they had to face Carl afterward.

But **catching up in time was impossible**.

Ginny, trembling, tried to lift her pistol again. Even if all she could fire was an ordinary bullet, she refused to surrender.

But it was **too late**.

Before she could pull the trigger, Gion's sword energy was already upon her. The dazzling light made her squeeze her eyes shut. Countless thoughts raced through her mind.

*"I still lost... This is so embarrassing..."*

*"I train so hard… Brother Carl always praises me!"*

*"If I had a little more time, I wouldn't lose to this woman!"*

*"If this hits me, it's going to hurt, right? Woohoo… I'm actually really scared of pain!"*

Then—silence.

Ginny's eyes snapped open.

A **tall figure** stood before her. The sunlight was blocked, casting her in shadow, yet she felt nothing but **warmth**.

Because this **dark figure** was her **Brother Carl**.

Carl had returned.

A **bright and beautiful smile** spread across Ginny's slightly pale face. In a soft voice, she called out,

**"Brother Carl!"**

Carl stood with one hand raised, fingers curled as if he had just caught something. A metallic light shimmered on his darkened hand.

At Ginny's call, he turned his head toward her, smiling—a smile Ginny knew all too well.

But the moment he saw her **bloodied hands** and **pale face**, his expression darkened.

From the corners of his eyes, **dense black energy** began to radiate.

Ginny, seeing him, **forgot all her pain and exhaustion**. She jumped up, wrapping her arms around Carl's waist from behind.

**"Brother Carl! You're finally back! I missed you so much!"** she said happily.

Carl gently stroked her soft pink hair and spoke in a warm voice,

**"I've only been gone for less than a month. Looks like my Ginny was impatient, huh? Why didn't you call?"**

**"The Den Den Mushi is ugly! I like seeing you in person!"**

Carl chuckled. **"Alright, alright. Calm down first. Now, tell me—what's with the woman over there?"**

Ginny nodded obediently, briefly explaining the situation. She didn't badmouth Gion, despite her defeat, simply stating that she had come to **challenge** them.

Carl listened quietly. When Ginny finished, he simply said,

**"I see."**

Then, without warning, he leaned down and **kissed Ginny's forehead**.

Ginny **froze on the spot**, as if turned to stone.

Carl smiled and pinched her soft, pretty cheek. But when he turned to face Gion, the warmth in his expression vanished.

His eyes—**dark and fathomless**—seemed to devour all light.

Gion stood there, her sword still raised, her face blank with shock.

Her mind replayed the **impossible** moment she had just witnessed—her sword energy, just inches away from striking Ginny, had been **completely crushed** by Carl's bare hand.

And now, meeting his gaze, she felt a **chill** rush through her entire body.

Subconsciously, she gripped her sword tighter, speaking cautiously.

**"You must be Carl. Vice Admiral Tsuru was right—you really are strong."**

Carl didn't respond.

With his hands in his pockets, he took **slow, deliberate steps** toward her.

Watching him, Momonga's sharp instincts screamed **danger**.

*Something's wrong.*

Carl's **mood** was **wrong**.

And that meant **Gion was in serious danger**.

Momonga wasn't the type to be blinded by beauty—he wasn't worried about Gion. He was **worried about Carl**.

Gion was **Vice Admiral Tsuru's sister**. Whether by **blood or bond**, their relationship was **deep**.

Momonga had **absolute faith** in Carl's strength. And that was precisely why he was afraid.

If Carl **seriously injured or killed Gion**, even **Vice Admiral Tsuru's patience** would run out.

If that happened… **even Zephyr-sensei might not be able to protect Carl.**

And speaking of Zephyr—

*Why did Carl return alone?*

*Where is Teacher Zephyr?*

*Does he even know that this situation is about to turn into a disaster?*

Momonga felt an unbearable weight on his chest. His fellow officers were frozen in shock, doing **nothing**.

*Cursing them inwardly, he turned and ran toward the office building.*

He needed to **make a call—fast.**

But on the battlefield, no one noticed Momonga's departure.

Gion, watching Carl approach, **instinctively swung another sword slash** at him.

But Carl simply **waved his hand**—and the attack shattered into nothing, like dust in the wind.

He didn't **speed up**, yet the pressure he exuded only grew heavier.

Gion **retreated**, putting distance between them—fifty meters, then a hundred.

But before she could even take a proper breath—

Carl was **already standing in front of her.**

He leaned forward slightly, his dark gaze locking onto hers.

They were **so close**, she could feel his breath.

Gion tried to move back **again**—

But she couldn't.

Carl's **presence alone** held her in place, like a **magnet drawing her in.**

His voice was calm, yet carried an overwhelming weight.

**"You seem very confident in your strength. You wanted to challenge me, didn't you?"**

His eyes narrowed.

**"Go ahead. I'm right here. Make your move."**

Gion's hands trembled.

But she refused to back down.

Gritting her teeth, she gripped **Kompira** tightly and swung with **all her might.**

The golden blade **passed through Carl's body—**

—**and sliced through empty air.**