Chapter 80: A Shift in Allegiance
**Chapter 80: A Shift in Allegiance**
"Master Carl, please forgive me! I can leave the Navy immediately!"
Aramaki fell to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground in desperation.
Carl tilted his head slightly. "Do you think leaving the Navy will make Warcury forgive you?"
Aramaki trembled, his body practically glued to the ground. "N-no... he won't..."
Carl nodded. "So what's your plan? Hide forever? Become a pirate?"
"No!" Aramaki shouted with conviction. "I will never be a pirate! Pirates are the lowest kind of trash!"
Carl raised an eyebrow. *Even now, he's still clinging to that mindset?*
It was almost amusing how deeply the World Government had conditioned Aramaki. Even when his own life was at risk, his hatred for pirates remained absolute.
Carl stuffed his hands into his pockets, his tone casual. "Didn't realize you were so principled. Fine—I can forgive your offense."
Aramaki's head shot up, his face filled with disbelief.
Carl smirked. "But from now on, you'll work for me. That means you serve the Figarland family."
Aramaki's mouth opened slightly, his mind racing. "...You want me to betray Saint Warcury?"
"Betray?" Carl chuckled. "We're both Celestial Dragons. It doesn't matter which one of us you work for. Or... are you saying my Figarland family is beneath the Five Elders?"
Darkness pulsed from Carl's body, a heavy force pulling Aramaki forward.
"N-no! That's not what I meant!" Aramaki panicked, his forehead nearly touching Carl's boots. "I-I am willing to be loyal to you!"
Carl's smirk widened. *Good.*
As a CP0 agent, Aramaki knew exactly how powerful the Figarland family was. The Five Elders alone couldn't compare. The Figarland name was synonymous with military might.
More importantly, the family controlled the **Knights of God**—the elite enforcers of the Celestial Dragons.
If he had to pick a master, the Figarlands were the safest bet.
But Warcury was still a dangerous figure. Aramaki hesitated. "But Saint Carl… Saint Warcury—"
Carl interrupted. "That's not your concern. From now on, you answer only to the Figarland family. Even one of the Five Elders wouldn't dare touch you."
Aramaki gritted his teeth, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a **Den Den Mushi** with a red birthmark on its forehead.
Holding it in both hands, he presented it to Carl.
Carl's gaze lingered on the device before nodding in satisfaction.
*This must be how he reported to Warcury.* The fact that Aramaki handed it over without hesitation was proof of his sincerity.
A tendril of darkness slithered up Aramaki's arm, wrapping around the Den Den Mushi. It vanished into the void, reappearing in Carl's grasp—now transformed into a **Bible.**
Satisfied, Carl leaned down and patted Aramaki's shoulder. "Alright, Junior Aramaki. Go get some sleep. We have training tomorrow."
Aramaki nodded rapidly before dissolving into vines and slipping away into the night.
—
Once alone, Carl retrieved another **Den Den Mushi** from his coat.
After a few rings, the device's eyes opened, and a deep, authoritative voice spoke.
"You're calling at this hour. What kind of trouble are you in?"
Carl smiled. "Uncle Garling, someone is targeting our family..."
—
**Mary Geoise – Topman Family Residence**
A squad of **gold-armored guards** marched to the entrance of the **Topman Estate.**
Two men in suits stood at the gate. When they saw the approaching guards, their faces darkened. One of them stepped forward.
"Excuse me, but—"
Before he could finish, **Carlos**—the lead guard—drove his foot into the man's chest, launching him backward.
The other guard froze, his neck stiffly turning toward his unconscious companion.
Carlos didn't spare him a glance. With a sharp gesture, his men split into two teams and spread out.
From behind them, **Saint Garling Figarland** stepped forward, his black robe billowing as he approached.
Beside him walked a short man wearing a **gold-trimmed crown** and holding a **long flintlock rifle.** He bore golden ornaments similar to Garling's.
As he casually wiped his gun, the crowned man smirked. "Your guards have quite the attitude, Garling. My family's men wouldn't dare act so boldly."
Garling barely spared him a glance. "Why are you even here?"
The man chuckled. "Oh, you know. Just borrowing your reputation to make things difficult for Warcury. The old bastard is always opposing the **Knights of God.**"
Garling ignored him and continued toward the mansion.
Before long, a group of suited men arrived—led by **Saint Warcury.**
Warcury's expression was sour as he glared at Garling. "Saint Garling, what is the meaning of this? You storm my home and attack my men?"
Garling stepped forward, his gaze full of contempt.
*Boom!*
A surge of **red Haki** exploded outward.
Over half of Warcury's men dropped instantly, collapsing to the ground in unconscious heaps.
The remaining ones—clearly elites—managed to stay standing, but their knees trembled under the overwhelming force.
Warcury's face darkened. He took a deep breath—and suddenly, his **body swelled.**
Four **massive fangs** extended from his mouth as he entered his **human-beast form.**
"You're overstepping, Garling!" Warcury snarled. "Do you think no one in the Holy Land can control you?"
*Click.*
The crowned man beside Garling calmly **cocked his rifle,** aiming it at Warcury.
His playful smirk disappeared. "Garling, are we doing this?"
Garling said nothing—then vanished.
*Boom!*
Warcury barely had time to react before Garling appeared right in front of him.
With a sharp exhale, Warcury **clapped his hands together**—instantly condensing the surrounding moisture into a **high-pressure water cannon.**
*Bang!*
A single **black bullet** shot forward, **dispersing** the water cannon instantly.
Warcury's eyes widened in shock—before Garling's **leg, wrapped in red and black lightning,** smashed into his jaw.
*BOOM!*
Warcury's body **rocketed backward,** tearing through several buildings before finally crashing into the ground.
Garling slowly lowered his leg, still standing in the same spot.
The remaining guards **froze in terror.**