Chapter 144

**Chapter 144**

Dragon, his breath ragged and his left arm useless, darted across the blood-streaked deck, dodging Lucia's relentless attacks.

She wasn't toying with him.

Every strike aimed to **kill.**

Her sword blurred in the night, slicing through the air with lethal precision.

Dragon knew he couldn't fight back. Not like this.

He just needed to **stall for time.**

But Lucia—

Lucia had **no intention** of giving him that chance.

**SHING!**

Her blade tore through Dragon's back.

A deep, brutal slash—

**Exposing bone.**

Dragon **groaned**, staggering as pain **exploded** through his body.

His **knees buckled.**

Blood **pooled** beneath him.

Still—

He **forced himself up.**

Lucia's sword gleamed under the moonlight as she charged again.

Dragon's vision blurred.

In desperation, he summoned a **small tornado** and hurled it at her.

Lucia didn't even flinch.

A single **burst of sword energy**—

And the wind **scattered like dust.**

Her body ignited with **purple flames**, her speed increasing.

**In the blink of an eye—**

She was **right in front of him.**

Her blade raised for the **final blow.**

**"Die!"** she shouted.

Dragon **couldn't dodge.**

He funneled **everything** into his right hand, his last bit of **Haki**, forming a claw to block the strike.

**CLANG!**

For a moment—

**He stopped her blade.**

But the effort **drained him completely.**

His knees wobbled.

Lucia's blade pressed down—

**CRACK.**

His defense shattered.

Lucia prepared to strike again, her eyes filled with cold determination—

Then—

Dragon's expression **changed.**

His bloodshot eyes widened in **disbelief.**

He saw something—

Something in the distance.

And for the first time since the battle began—

His lips curled into a **desperate, ecstatic grin.**

**"Father!!!"**

---

A **black shadow** streaked across the night sky.

Moving fast.

Too fast.

Everyone turned to look.

**Carl.**

And in his grasp—

Was **Garp.**

The moment Garp's remaining soldiers saw their **fallen leader**, their will **shattered.**

Weapons clattered to the deck.

Dragon…

He **froze.**

His breath hitched.

His mind refused to **believe** what he was seeing.

Maybe it was his injuries.

Maybe he was hallucinating.

But then—

**Carl landed.**

And without a word—

**He threw Garp onto the deck.**

The **unconscious, broken body** of the Navy's greatest hero.

**"Father…"**

Dragon whispered.

His voice **trembled.**

But Garp—

Didn't move.

Dragon's hands **curled into fists.**

His teeth **clenched.**

A **roar** of agony and rage erupted from his throat.

**"Carl! I'll fight you!!!"**

His body **burned** with fury.

His wounds forgotten.

He charged at Carl **like a man possessed.**

Garp's remaining soldiers watched in **horror.**

They **knew.**

Dragon was **about to die.**

---

Carl moved **faster than lightning.**

**A red glow enveloped his hand.**

Before Dragon could even **touch him—**

Carl's fingers **closed around his throat.**

**CRACK.**

Dragon **choked**, his windpipe crushed in Carl's grip.

Carl's palm **radiated hunger**, ready to **drain** Dragon's life force.

Then—

Something **unexpected** happened.

---

**BOOM!**

A **fist** slammed into Carl's side.

The impact was **thunderous**.

Carl's body **flew backward**, skidding across the deck.

Dragon, gasping for air, **collapsed.**

And then—

**Garp stood up.**

His body creaked like **rusted metal gears.**

His movements **sluggish**, drained—

But his focus **sharp.**

He looked at his son.

For the briefest moment—

His eyes softened.

Dragon's **hair…**

Had turned **completely white.**

A sign of what Carl had stolen from him.

Garp's fists **tightened.**

And with his remaining strength—

**He grabbed Dragon.**

And **threw him into the sky.**

**"FIST BONE METEORITE!!!"**

Dragon **shot upward like a cannonball.**

Higher—

Higher—

Until he was nothing but a **streak in the night.**

---

Garp collapsed.

Panting.

Bleeding.

His body had **nothing left to give.**

His vision blurred as he watched the spot where Dragon had **disappeared.**

**"My son…"** he muttered, voice weak.

**"This… is all your father can do for you…"**

Then—

**A foot crashed onto his chest.**

**BANG!**

Carl **stomped down**, pinning Garp to the deck.

A **groan** escaped Garp's lips.

Then—

Silence.

Garp's consciousness **faded.**

Carl looked down at the fallen **legend**.

And then—

**He pressed harder.**

The deck **splintered** beneath them.

Carl raised his hand, summoning the **Dark Bible.**

A **black mist** enveloped Garp's body—

And in the next moment—

**He was sealed away.**

---

Lucia approached, guilt flashing in her eyes.

**"I'm sorry. If I had killed Dragon sooner—"**

Carl **raised a hand**, silencing her.

A small smile played on his lips.

**"It's not your fault. You did well. Garp tricked me… I didn't think the old man could still put on an act."**

Ginny stepped forward.

She had **dealt with Garp's remaining soldiers.**

**"Carl, Dragon was already half-dead. With Garp throwing him away like that, he's probably finished."**

Carl shook his head.

He didn't believe it.

Not for a second.

The **D family…**

They were **chosen** by something greater.

Especially those tied to **Luffy**.

This world's supposed **protagonist.**

And protagonists—

Didn't die **before their time.**

Carl's gaze shifted to the **Dark Bible** in his hand.

He muttered under his breath—

**"Garp… your mission has ended. Let's see if your 'D' family can truly turn the world upside down."**

As the **sun began to rise**, Carl looked to the sky.

Dark energy swirled around him, forming a **pillar of shadows** that swallowed the morning light.

**"One day…"** Carl whispered.

**"I'll make the world bow to my will."**

---

After securing the **Heavenly Tribute**, Carl **returned to Mary Geoise**.

Spandam received the tribute with **a trembling smile.**

Carl simply requested **another ship.**

And led the Navy back to **Marineford.**

---

By the time Carl's ship **docked**—

Kong, Sengoku, and several officers **waited**.

To the Navy's leadership—

Carl's mission had **cemented their power.**

When Carl stepped off the ship—

Kong led the **applause.**

But Tsuru—

She frowned.

She whispered to Sengoku—

**"Why hasn't Garp come out yet?"**

Sengoku hesitated.

**"It's Garp. He never checks in. And with his son involved… why would he?"**

Then—

The **last group** disembarked.

Five **bound soldiers**.

Escorted by Marines.

Kong and Sengoku's **eyes widened.**

Among them—

Were Garp's **personal guards.**

Realization **hit them like a tidal wave.**