Chapter 79: A Test of Loyalty

**Chapter 79: A Test of Loyalty**

Because Dragon had yet to recover from his mental trauma, Garp temporarily took him away to rest.

Meanwhile, Aokiji and Aramaki followed Carl and the others back to the Naval Academy, where they were assigned to live with the other freshmen. Aramaki, Aokiji, and the absent Dragon shared a dormitory.

When they were dismissed, Carl approached Aramaki discreetly and whispered,

"Meet me at the Academy's training ground tonight."

Aramaki was momentarily startled and opened his mouth to respond, but Carl silenced him with a gesture.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before Carl turned and walked away.

—

That night, after the dormitory lights were out and Aokiji's snoring filled the room, Aramaki left a wooden clone on his bed, then transformed into vines and slipped out through the cracks in the window.

He reformed his body beneath a large tree in the training ground, looking around nervously before calling out in a hushed voice,

"Senior Carl?"

"I'm here."

Carl's voice came from above. Aramaki jerked his head up and spotted him reclining against the trunk of a thick branch.

Aramaki quickly put on a simple, friendly smile.

"Oh! So you were up there, Senior Carl. Sorry to keep you waiting—it's just that the ice idiot took forever to fall asleep..."

"Enough with the small talk."

Carl waved his hand dismissively and appeared before Aramaki in an instant.

His eyes—dark and unfathomable like two black holes—held none of the warmth of the cheerful senior he had been during the day.

Aramaki swallowed nervously, forcing a smile. "So... what did you need from me, Senior Carl?"

Carl's lips curled into a smile, but instead of putting Aramaki at ease, it sent a chill down his spine.

"Tell me—who sent you to the Naval Academy?"

Aramaki's face flickered with panic for the briefest moment, but he quickly masked it. With an innocent expression, he replied,

"I came on my own. Actually, I joined the Navy after being inspired by your achievements, Senior Carl! Kuzan is the same way."

Carl's smile deepened. His voice was soft.

"Oh? Is that so...?"

Aramaki nodded eagerly, his face full of sincerity.

*Snap!*

In a flash, Carl seized him by the throat and hoisted him into the air.

Aramaki hadn't even registered the movement before he was gasping for air, his hands clawing at Carl's wrist. His voice came out in a strangled rasp.

"I-if you keep pretending, you'll die," Carl said coldly.

His grip turned jet-black with Armament Haki, the air around his hand crackling with dark energy. In this state, Aramaki couldn't escape by turning into vines—his Devil Fruit powers were completely nullified.

Aramaki's face darkened, his breath growing weaker. But he still refused to speak.

Carl narrowed his eyes, and suddenly, a dark vortex appeared in his palm.

*Gravity.*

A crushing force pressed down on Aramaki's throat, twisting it ever so slightly.

Carl's voice remained indifferent.

"I already know the World Government sent you. You must also know my true identity. I thought you were talented—I wanted to give you a chance. But now it seems you're just a fool."

If it weren't for Carl's memories from his past life and his knowledge of Aramaki's character, he might have believed Aramaki's story. But this man was a devoted follower of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. There was no way he had joined the Navy out of admiration for Carl.

*He was planted here.*

Aramaki's vision blurred. His neck was nearly crushed. Desperate, he nodded frantically.

Immediately, Carl released him.

Aramaki collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. A few more seconds, and he would've been dead.

Once his breathing steadied, Carl crouched beside him and spoke softly.

"This is your last chance. Speak."

Aramaki didn't even consider resisting. Carl's strength and status were far beyond anything he could contend with.

More than that—Carl's words had revealed too much.

*He knows.*

If he stayed silent, Carl would kill him, and the World Government wouldn't even retaliate. The Navy might conduct a perfunctory investigation, but ultimately, nothing would come of it.

Even so, Aramaki remained loyal to the Celestial Dragons. If Carl weren't one of them, he wouldn't have talked.

But he *was.*

Aramaki took a deep breath and, with the utmost respect, bowed his head.

"Forgive me, Saint Carl… I am a member of CP0. I was sent here by Saint Warcury."

Carl raised an eyebrow.

*Warcury.*

Garling had mentioned him before—an enemy of the Figarland family, always causing trouble.

So he was the one behind this.

Carl's voice turned sharp. "What did he order you to do? Spy on me?"

Aramaki trembled, lowering his head further, afraid to meet Carl's gaze.

His silence spoke volumes.

Carl let out a cold chuckle.

"And what is the purpose?"

"Saint Warcury didn't specify," Aramaki admitted, his voice quivering. "He only ordered me to report your actions and words within the Navy."

Carl snorted. "Do you realize what you've done? You must be out of your mind."

Aramaki was already in tears. Clinging to Carl's legs, he pleaded desperately.

"Master Carl, I never wanted to take this mission! But Saint Warcury said that as a Logia user, I was the best candidate to infiltrate the Navy and get close to you!"

"Hah. He's quite the schemer."

Carl shook him off and said flatly, "Get up."

Aramaki stood, his body trembling, his face streaked with snot and tears.

But Carl's next words nearly made him collapse.

"When you accepted this mission, you signed your own death warrant."

Carl's gaze was as cold as the abyss.

"So tell me—will I do it, or will you?"