Chapter 142

**Chapter 142**

Dragon tensed. His voice was deep and unwavering.

**"Thief? Carl, let me ask you—what's the difference between the World Government, which collects this so-called Heavenly Tribute, and a common robber?"**

Carl smiled slightly. A **strange red light** flickered in his eyes.

Then—

He **vanished.**

In the next second, he reappeared **right in front of Dragon**, blood-soaked claws reaching straight for his **heart**.

Dragon's pupils shrank.

**Too fast!**

Carl's sudden attack caught him **off guard**. Instinctively, Dragon tried to dodge, but—

**Rip!**

Pain exploded in his shoulder as **Carl's claws pierced through flesh and bone.**

**Puff!**

Blood **gushed out**.

Dragon clutched his **left shoulder**, staggering back.

But Carl **didn't let go**.

A dark **vortex** formed in his palm—

And before Dragon could react, Carl pressed it **onto his head**.

**"Damn it—!"**

Dragon's feet **dug into the deck**, trying to resist the pull.

His **hands darkened**, coated in **Armament Haki**, as he protected his head.

He knew—

**If he got caught in that vortex, he was dead.**

Carl's **Dark-Dark Fruit** was **a meat grinder**—

It wouldn't just pull him in.

**It would crush him.**

**Crack, crack!**

The ship groaned under the weight of Carl's **gravity.**

Dragon's **bones creaked**.

His Haki was **depleting fast**.

And Carl?

Carl still had a **free hand.**

That **hand**, shrouded in darkness, moved to **strike again**—

**Dragon had no choice.**

He used the one move he had **sworn never to use.**

With all his strength, he **roared**—

**"Father, save me!!!"**

---

**BOOM!**

A figure **exploded** from the cabin.

Like a **cannonball**, it shot toward them, a booming voice following.

**"CARL, STOP IT!!!"**

Carl raised an eyebrow.

His hand, which had been **aiming for Dragon's heart**, instead **blocked a fist of black iron.**

**BANG!**

A shockwave erupted.

The deck **cracked**, the entire **ship trembled**.

Inside the ship, the commotion **woke everyone**.

Except for the **unconscious guards**, the **entire crew**—Spandam and all—**rushed outside**.

Spandam **froze.**

Before him—

Carl was **holding Dragon with one hand**—

**Blocking Vice Admiral Garp with the other.**

**"This… this is insane!"**

Before Spandam could react—

**Lucia charged.**

Sword raised, she **slashed at Garp.**

At the same time—

**Bang! Bang!**

Ginny fired two shots, aiming straight for his **chest.**

---

Spandam snapped out of his daze.

He **screamed at the navy soldiers and agents behind him**—

**"What are you waiting for?! Help Admiral Black Dragon!"**

The **suited CP agents** obeyed immediately, charging at Garp.

Most of the **navy soldiers** followed.

But a few—

Aimed their weapons at **Carl** instead.

These were **Garp's men.**

Garp's **face darkened.**

Ignoring Lucia's attack, he glanced at **Dragon's bloodied shoulder**—

Then turned his gaze to **Carl.**

**"Carl! Don't push it!"**

Carl barely acknowledged him.

His voice was calm—

**"Lucia, stay and guard Dragon. Ginny, handle Garp's men."**

Then—

He **threw Dragon aside.**

And in the same instant—

Carl's **body transformed.**

His **wings spread wide**—**black as night.**

His **golden eyes burned.**

Without hesitation—

Carl **grabbed Garp**—

And the two of them **vanished into the sky.**

---

The ship **shook violently**, but Carl and Garp were **gone.**

Dragon, now **wounded and bleeding**, faced Lucia again.

His pain **intensified.**

Meanwhile—

Ginny, leading the **CP agents**, fought against **Garp's men**.

Even Spandam—

A **notorious coward**—

Started **firing from behind** with his flintlock.

---

**Several kilometers away—**

Carl and Garp **clashed above the sea.**

Carl **hovered**, flames **blazing** behind him.

In his hand—

His demon sword, **Muramasa**, released **waves of dark energy.**

Garp, using **Geppo**, dodged Carl's attacks, countering with **earth-shattering punches.**

Every collision **shook the ocean below.**

Each time their fists met—

**Explosions of water erupted.**

Then—

They **separated.**

Hovering in mid-air—

Staring at each other.

---

Garp's **expression was furious.**

**"You wanted to kill Dragon, didn't you?!"**

**"What crime did he commit?!"**

Carl's voice was **cold.**

**"He stole the Heavenly Tribute."**

**"That's a crime punishable by death."**

Garp's face **paled.**

**"What?!"**

Carl's golden eyes **glowed.**

**"I saw it with my own eyes."**

"Didn't you see the **gold on the deck earlier?**"

Garp **froze.**

When Carl had **attacked Dragon**, the **gold had fallen to the ground.**

He had been so **focused on saving Dragon**—

He hadn't noticed.

Now—

Carl's words **sank in.**

**"Impossible… Why would Dragon do this?"**

Carl sneered.

**"Garp, you're a disgrace as a father."**

**"Didn't you see? Dragon wants to defect."**

Garp's **teeth clenched.**

**"What makes you think that?!"**

Carl's **smile faded.**

His voice was calm—

**"My eyes."**

Then—

The flames behind Carl **vanished.**

And in a **flash**—

He **rushed at Garp.**

**"Hmph—!"**

Garp **felt it before he saw it.**

A sharp **pain in his abdomen**—

Carl's attack **slammed into him**.

And—

**BOOM!**

Garp **plummeted into the sea.**

---

Carl **hovered above the water.**

Watching.

Waiting.

The surface was **still.**

For a moment—

It seemed **over.**

Then—

**CRASH!**

The ocean **exploded**.

And from the waves—

Garp **shot out.**

**Eyes bloodshot.**

**Fists raised.**

**"YOU'RE TOO ARROGANT, BOY!!!"**

Carl frowned.

Then—

**He smiled.**

Flames **ignited** behind him once more.

Garp's fist **slammed** into Carl's body—

And for the first time—

Carl felt it.

A sharp **shockwave** rippling through his **internal organs.**

Garp grinned.

But then—

His grin **faded.**

Because—

Carl **barely flinched.**

He **wiped blood** from his lip.

And smirked.

**"That actually hurt."**