Chapter 145

**Chapter 145**

Carl barely glanced at the sluggish escort team behind him.

With a **casual flick of his hand—**

**Five bound soldiers** were **yanked forward** and thrown at Kong's feet.

They hit the ground **hard**, groaning, barely clinging to life.

Kong frowned.

Confusion spread across his face as he stared at the battered men.

**"Carl, what happened to them?"**

Carl's expression remained unreadable.

**"They forgot they were Navy officers,"** he said coolly. **"And chose to serve the Monkey family instead."**

A ripple of murmurs spread through the senior officers.

Tsuru's sharp eyes flickered with suspicion.

She stood.

Steady. Unshaken.

And met Carl's gaze head-on.

**"Carl…"** Her voice was quiet, but it cut through the murmurs like a blade. **"Where is Garp?"**

Carl didn't answer.

Instead—

**Darkness erupted from his body.**

**The Dark Bible opened.**

And from its swirling void—

A **gray-haired**, shackled figure **emerged**.

**Garp.**

The moment they saw him—

**The entire room shook.**

Gasps filled the air.

**Tsuru and Sengoku moved instantly.**

But—

Carl **stepped forward.**

**Blocking their path.**

Sengoku's fists clenched. His breath sharpened.

His **body began to glow—**

Radiant. Golden.

**"Carl, move!"**

His voice rumbled with a warning.

Carl didn't move.

Instead—

**Darkness surged.**

A deep, suffocating void **swallowed** Sengoku's golden glow.

Lucia and Ginny, standing at Carl's side, **drew their swords**.

Ready.

For the first time—

**Tsuru's calm shattered.**

Her palms **came together**.

Her battle stance **locked in place**.

The air around Marineford **crackled**.

**Violence was seconds away.**

Then—

**"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"**

Kong's roar **shook** the floor beneath them.

**"This is Marineford! Stand down!"**

But—

**Sengoku and Tsuru weren't listening.**

Not when Garp—

**Their friend.**

Their comrade.

Was lying there, barely breathing.

Kong's fists clenched.

Veins bulged on his forehead.

**He was about to act—**

But then—

A weak, feeble voice **cut through the storm.**

**"Sengoku… Tsuru… don't be rash…"**

**Garp.**

His voice, though faint, **stopped them cold.**

The rage in their eyes **flickered**.

Kong took the chance.

He pushed forward, stepping between them, his gaze locking onto Carl's.

**"Carl. Explain."**

Carl's eyes dropped to Garp, then back up.

**"During the mission, Rear Admiral Dragon attempted to steal the Heavenly Tribute,"** Carl said, his tone calm. **"I tried to arrest him. But Garp… didn't assist."**

Silence.

Carl continued.

**"Instead, he interfered. He helped Dragon escape."**

**"NANI?!"**

The gathered Vice Admirals and officers **froze**.

Shock spread across their faces like wildfire.

Kong's sharp gaze turned to Garp.

His voice dropped.

**"Is this true?"**

Garp…

Didn't answer.

Didn't move.

His face turned away.

His **silence** was answer enough.

Tsuru's breath caught.

Sengoku's fists trembled.

The room felt like it was **suffocating.**

After what felt like an eternity, Kong spoke again.

**"Garp… do you understand what this means?"**

Garp's body **trembled.**

He didn't lift his head.

But he **nodded.**

Kong exhaled sharply.

**"You must realize the shame this brings upon the Navy."**

Garp didn't argue.

He didn't fight.

Tsuru and Sengoku could barely believe their eyes.

Kong's voice hardened.

**"I know Dragon is your son. But you are more than just a father—you are a Vice Admiral. The entire Navy looks up to you. Have you forgotten your duty?"**

Garp's shoulders shook.

Kong, frustrated, **grabbed him by the shoulders.**

**"ANSWER ME, GARP!"**

Garp coughed violently.

His body was too weak to endure this much longer.

Tsuru **raised a hand**, as if to stop Kong—

But Sengoku held her back.

His eyes…

Held no resistance.

No fight.

Because unlike Garp—

**Sengoku's loyalty had always been to the Navy first.**

And this time—

He **couldn't defend his old friend.**

Garp had **crossed the line.**

Then—

Garp muttered something.

His voice weak.

But **clear.**

**"If I hadn't helped Dragon… Carl would have killed him."**

Silence.

All eyes turned to Carl.

Kong's gaze sharpened.

Carl's response was **cold.**

**"Dragon committed treason."**

**"He resisted arrest."**

**"I had every right to execute him."**

Garp coughed.

His body trembled.

His voice barely held together.

**"But you're a Navy officer… how could you do that to your comrade?"**

Carl's gaze **hardened.**

**"He stopped being a comrade the moment he stole from the World Government."**

**"He disgraced the Navy."**

Garp's strength finally **gave out.**

He slumped against Kong.

Tsuru, her eyes burning with emotion, **pleaded.**

**"Fleet Admiral Kong, Garp needs rest. He's too weak."**

Kong's jaw clenched.

His rage simmered—

But he **sighed.**

**"Take him to the infirmary."**

Carl didn't intervene.

His part in this was **done.**

---

**Later.**

Kong sat in his office, his mind in turmoil.

Then—

**Bulu Bulu Bulu.**

The **Den Den Mushi** rang.

Kong inhaled sharply, bracing himself.

He picked up.

A **cold, commanding voice** spoke.

**"Kong. Send Garp to Impel Down. Immediately."**

Kong's eyes **shut tight.**

He had **expected this.**

But it still…

Felt like a gut punch.

His voice was hollow when he responded.

**"Understood."**

**Click.**

The call ended.

Kong sat there.

Staring.

The silence in his office felt **heavier than ever.**

After a long moment, he muttered—

**"Garp… what were you thinking?"**

Regret gnawed at him.

He regretted ever allowing Garp to join this mission.

But more than anything—

He **despised** Dragon.

That **ungrateful, disloyal fool.**

Dragon had **dragged his father down with him.**

And Carl…

Carl had emerged **untouchable.**

The youngest Admiral.

The man who had defeated **Golden Lion**. **Redfield**.

And now—

**Garp.**

Kong exhaled.

One **chilling** thought crossed his mind.

**"Carl actually overpowered Garp."**

That realization **left him speechless.**