Chapter 41: Departure for Mary Geoise

Carl lowered his head in thought, weighing the risks of traveling to Mary Geoise.

As a direct descendant of the Figarland family and its eldest son, he had the right to enter Mary Geoise freely. However, his father, Darian, complicated things.

Darian had surely known of Carl's existence for years, yet he had made no move. Carl suspected it was because of Garling's intervention. As the current head of the family, Garling's presence in Mary Geoise likely kept Darian in check.

But if Carl returned now, the danger would increase dramatically.

Darian's influence within the Figarland family was considerable, and in terms of strength, Carl was still no match for him. If not for his father, Carl wouldn't have needed to come to Marineford to train. The Figarland family's resources far exceeded those of the Marines.

A wave of frustration welled up inside him, and shadows began to spread beneath his feet. Spandam, standing nearby, suddenly felt himself sinking into the darkness.

The pull of gravity made it impossible for Spandam to lift his legs. Trembling, he pleaded in a hushed voice, "S-Saint Carl! Please spare me!"

His desperate words snapped Carl out of his thoughts. The darkness had already reached Spandam's waist.

With a mere thought, Carl recalled the shadows into his body. Spandam collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

Even after Carl extended a hand to help him up, Spandam remained shaken.

"Is this Saint Carl's power? It's terrifying..."

Trying to regain his composure, Spandam asked cautiously, "Saint Carl, about Mary Geoise..."

"If Uncle Garling wants to see me, I'll go," Carl decided. "Meet me at the port tomorrow morning."

"Y-Yes!" Spandam bowed deeply before retreating into the shadows.

Carl remained still for a moment before raising his right hand, dark energy swirling around his fingers. His voice was low but resolute.

"What's coming will come sooner or later... and I won't be controlled so easily."

A vortex of darkness formed behind him, swallowing his body before disappearing into the night.

---

**The Next Morning**

Before leaving, Carl informed his closest friends that he had urgent business and would be gone for a while. He gave no details, only promising to return soon.

At the Marine School's entrance, Ginny stood by the iron bars, her eyes full of concern.

"I won't be gone for more than a week," Carl reassured her with a gentle smile. "Don't worry. I'll even bring you a gift when I come back."

Ginny nodded quietly. "Brother Carl, I'll be waiting for you."

Carl reached through the bars to ruffle her hair before leaping into the sky, using *Geppo* to dash toward the port.

Ginny watched him disappear into the distance, a shadow of worry crossing her face.

She wasn't the only one.

Earlier that morning, she had noticed something strange about Borsalino's expression when Carl mentioned leaving. Unable to shake the feeling, she pulled Borsalino aside and, after much pressing, finally got him to talk.

"I don't know the details," Borsalino admitted, "but Carl was summoned by the World Government."

Hearing this, Ginny froze.

She knew enough about Carl's past to understand the dangers of his situation. But against the might of the World Government, she felt powerless.

She had wanted to go with him, but she knew she wasn't strong enough yet. If something happened, she'd only be a burden.

For now, she could only pretend she knew nothing—to not add to Carl's worries.

As she stared blankly at the sky, a deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Don't worry, Ginny. If we don't hear from Brother Carl, I'll go to Mary Geoise myself."

Startled, she turned to see Kuma standing nearby, watching her solemnly.

"Kuma... you—"

"I heard what Borsalino said," Kuma stated.

He looked down at his palm, where the power of the *Paw-Paw Fruit* glowed faintly. His voice was steady.

"This ability was given to me by Brother Carl. Now it's time for me to use it."

---

**Mary Geoise**

After meeting Spandam at the port, Carl boarded a World Government vessel bound for Mary Geoise.

Marineford was close to the Red Line, and by mid-morning, Carl could already see the towering landmass ahead. At its peak lay the Holy Land.

Spandam, ever the sycophant, scurried to Carl's side with a deep bow.

"Saint Carl, we've arrived. Please allow me to escort you ashore."

Carl nodded, and a group of suited government agents moved in to flank him. They guided him to an elevator at the Red Line's base, which slowly ascended through the clouds.

When the doors opened at the summit, Carl was met with an unexpected sight.

A line of golden-armored guards knelt before him, their voices ringing in unison:

"Welcome, Saint Carl!"

Even Spandam was shocked.

He had visited Mary Geoise multiple times but had never seen such a grand reception.

Especially those golden-clad guards—he could tell just by looking that they were in a league far above the agents he had brought with him.

Swallowing nervously, Spandam realized one thing.

Today, he had witnessed something extraordinary.

If it weren't for Carl, he would never have seen these legendary figures in his lifetime.