Chapter 141
**Chapter 141**
Before the king could even respond, **Spandam hung up**.
He turned to Carl, a **flattering smile** on his face.
"Saint Carl, do you think there was **anything wrong** with what I just said?"
Carl nodded with a smile.
"You said it **very well, Spandam**."
"Thank you for your **hard work** along the way."
Spandam's **face flushed red**.
His **excitement** was almost embarrassing—he couldn't even **speak**.
Something felt… **strange**.
When had Carl's **approval** started feeling more **valuable** than a **promotion**?
Spandam had spent **years** flattering the **Celestial Dragons**, groveling at their feet.
But Carl?
Carl was **different**.
Unlike the **others**, Carl had **charisma**.
And serving him…
**Made Spandam feel happy.**
Something he had **never felt before.**
Of course, Carl **had no idea** about Spandam's growing **obsession**.
He simply **waved him off**.
"You can go now."
"I'll **reward you properly** once we return."
Spandam **straightened**.
"Saint Carl— I mean, Admiral Black Dragon! It's **my duty**!"
Without hesitation, he **turned and left**.
---
As soon as Spandam was **gone**, Ginny leaned into Carl's arms, whispering,
"Brother Carl, I **like you** so much!"
Lucia, sitting on the **other side**, didn't speak—
She simply held Carl's **hand**.
Carl pulled them **both close**—but his **mind was elsewhere**.
"Don't think **too highly** of me," he muttered.
"I just don't want a bunch of **fools** ruining the world."
Ginny, nestled against him, **shook her head**.
"Brother Carl… You always say that **actions speak louder than words**."
Carl **chuckled**, pinching her **nose gently**.
"It's rare for you to **remember that**."
Ginny **giggled**.
"I remember **everything** you say!"
Lucia **smiled softly**—but deep inside, she felt a **pang of guilt**.
Because—
She was **keeping secrets** from him.
---
As **night fell**, Lucia's gaze lingered on Carl's face.
Her **lips trembled**, and she **shifted uneasily** in his arms.
Ginny **noticed immediately**.
"Lucia, are you **feeling unwell**?"
Blushing, Lucia stammered,
"N-No, it's nothing… I just feel a little… **itchy**."
Ginny's eyes **lit up**.
"Oh? Then it's **bath time**!"
She **grabbed Lucia's wrist**.
"Come on! Let's bathe together! I'll scrub your back~!"
"H-Huh?!" Lucia's **eyes widened**.
But before she could **protest**, Ginny **dragged her away**.
Carl watched them go—then quietly **returned to his room**.
He lay down, fully dressed, eyes on the ceiling.
But he had **no intention** of sleeping.
Something about **Dragon's behavior** had put him **on edge**.
He had a **feeling**—
Dragon was **planning something**.
---
Carl's instincts were **never wrong**.
Thanks to his **Vampire Fruit**, his **senses** were sharper than a human's.
Even the **faintest sound** couldn't escape him.
As **midnight approached**, he heard it—
A soft **rustling in the wind**.
Carl **smirked**.
Without a sound, he **slipped outside**, blending into the **shadows**.
His ability to **vanish into darkness**, erasing his presence completely—
Was one of his **most useful powers**.
---
In the **cabin** where the **Heavenly Tribute** was stored—
A faint breeze slipped through a **crack in the door**.
It **curled** around a figure **standing inside**.
Dragon.
The **guards outside** lay **unconscious**, taken down **silently**.
Dragon sneered as he looked at the **treasure piled high**.
"This is the **blood** I've sucked from this **corrupt world**," he muttered.
"I won't let it be **wasted** on the **rotting meat** of the World Government."
---
Dragon **wasn't planning** to quit the Navy through **official channels**.
No—
He was going to **defect**.
And to do that—
He needed **resources**.
For the past few days, he had been **planning carefully**.
After leaving the Navy, he would **establish a new organization**.
One that would **gather enough power** to overthrow the **World Government**.
For that—
He needed **money**.
A **lot** of money.
And the **Heavenly Tribute**, stolen from the **people of the world**, was **perfect**.
He had **no regrets**.
---
As Dragon raised his hand, the **wind stirred**.
He lifted the **gold**, carefully **floating** it out of the cabin.
Even the **door** was sliced **silently** with a precise **gust of wind**.
As he worked, his gaze flickered toward **Garp's quarters**.
A bitter thought crossed his mind.
I'm **sorry, Father**.
I **can't** live up to your **expectations**.
The **justice** of the Navy is **corrupt**—
Just like the **World Government**.
With that final thought, Dragon began to **merge with the wind**, preparing to **fly away**.
But just as he was about to **disappear into the night**—
A voice **cut through the darkness**.
**"Monkey D. Dragon—"**
"Where do you think you're **going**?"
---
Dragon's body **froze mid-transformation**.
His **eyes widened in shock**.
From the **shadows**, a figure **emerged**.
Carl.
Dragon's **heart pounded**.
How is this **possible**?!
When did he get **here**?!
Why didn't I **sense** him at all?!
Dragon had always prided himself on his **Observation Haki**—
Especially with the **enhanced sensitivity** of his **Wind-Wind Fruit**.
Even the slightest **disturbance in the air**—
He should have **noticed**.
And yet—
Carl had **eluded him completely**.
Carl's gaze swept over the **fallen guards**, then the **stolen treasure**.
His **golden eyes** narrowed.
A slow **smile** curled on his lips.
"It seems…"
"We have a **thief** among the **Navy**."