Chapter 171

### **Chapter 171: Chapter 171**

Zephyr was in bad shape. A **deep, narrow sword wound** stretched across his chest, and he kept coughing up blood.

But even as pain wracked his body, he **gritted his teeth and followed**.

Ahead of him, **Roger** was rushing toward **Carl**.

When Roger arrived, Carl was **cutting through the pirates like a storm**. **Corpses littered the battlefield**—some **headless**, some **cleaved in half**, others **horribly shriveled**.

A scene straight out of **purgatory**.

Even **Roger**—a man who had seen **countless battles**—paused for a brief moment, his breath hitching.

It was impossible to tell **who was a Marine** and **who was a pirate** anymore.

Carl stood **motionless** in a **pool of blood**, holding a **severed head** by its hair.

He **glanced at Roger**—then, without a word, he wrapped **Haki** around the head and **let go**.

It **shot forward like a cannonball.**

This was becoming **a habit**—just like how **Garp loved throwing cannonballs**, except Carl **preferred using heads instead**.

Roger's **instincts kicked in**.

He **swung his sword**—and the head was **cleaved in two**.

From the Whitebeard Pirates, a **wail of grief** erupted.

**"Whitey Bay!!!"**

Roger's **eyes widened**. The head he had just cut **belonged to the Ice Witch—one of Whitebeard's trusted subordinates**.

He snapped his gaze back to Carl, fury burning in his voice.

**"Are you still a Marine?! You have no humanity at all!"**

In response, **more heads** came flying—**one after another.**

**Carl hurled them like bullets.**

Roger dodged as best he could, but he couldn't avoid **cutting some down**.

By the time the gruesome assault ended, his **sword was stained red**—**with the blood of Whitebeard's crew**.

Roger **gritted his teeth in rage.**

He **charged forward**, deflecting the **onslaught of heads** with his sword.

Carl **snorted coldly** and raised **Muramasa**, its blade **wrapped in crackling Haki**.

**Boom!**

The moment their weapons **clashed**, the battlefield **erupted**.

The **ground beneath them cracked** from the sheer force of their **Haki explosion**.

Carl was **at a disadvantage**—his **right hand hadn't fully healed**, so he was **forced to fight left-handed**.

Roger **noticed this immediately**—and **pressed harder**.

His **Conqueror's Haki surged** like a tidal wave, forcing Carl **back step by step**.

Just then—

**Boom!**

Zephyr arrived, **slamming** into Roger **with everything he had left**.

The impact sent Roger **flying**, blood **spurting from his mouth**.

But the price was heavy—

Zephyr's **injuries worsened**, and he **collapsed to the ground.**

Carl **moved instantly**, catching him before he could hit the dirt.

Zephyr's face was **pale**, his breathing **ragged**.

**"Don't push yourself!"** Carl said urgently.

Zephyr gave a **weak smile** and sighed.

**"I'm holding you back, Carl..."**

**"Don't say that!"** Carl snapped. **"You saved me just now."**

Zephyr **shook his head**, still coughing.

**"Carl... if you keep using that power, it'll destroy you. Stay calm."**

His voice was hoarse but firm.

**"If something happens to you… the Navy will be in real danger."**

Carl **paused.**

He knew **Zephyr was right**.

If he **fell here**, the Navy would be **overwhelmed**—with both the **Roger Pirates** and **Whitebeard Pirates** still standing.

Around them, the **pirates closed in**.

Roger had already **regained his footing**—and was **charging forward again**.

Carl **let out a slow breath**.

Then—

**A dazzling white light burst from his body.**

**"Shinra Tensei."**

**Buzz!**

A **repulsive force exploded outward**.

The **nearby pirates** were **instantly torn apart**—their bodies **disintegrating on impact**.

Roger barely managed to hold his ground, **digging his sword into the earth** to keep from being blown away.

The battlefield was **cleared in an instant.**

Carl stood **tall**.

Behind him, Zephyr lay **motionless**—but still **alive**.

The old Marine **smiled weakly** and murmured,

**"Go, Carl… Don't worry about me."**

Carl **nodded once**—then vanished.

**In a blink—**

**Boom!**

Carl **reappeared above Roger**, his leg **crashing down like a meteor.**

Roger was **sent plummeting into the ground**.

Carl didn't hesitate—**he followed him down.**

A **battle erupted underground**—the sounds of **roars, explosions, and splitting earth** echoed throughout the island.

When they **emerged again**, the **entire battlefield** had been reduced to **ruins**.

Roger **exhaled sharply**, eyeing Carl with **undisguised seriousness**.

**"Black Dragon… your Navy has lost this battle."**

Carl's **eyes narrowed**—but he **smirked.**

**"You think so? I don't agree."**

Roger shook his head.

**"Without Garp, your Navy is lacking."**

Carl **chuckled darkly**.

**"Tired of this chase yet, Roger?"**

Roger narrowed his eyes.

**"You don't act like a Marine."**

Suddenly—

**Crackle!**

Lightning **surged** around Carl's body.

He stood **bathed in darkness**, his presence **overwhelming**.

**"The Navy isn't something a pirate like you gets to define."**

**Fwoosh!**

A **massive fireball** appeared in Carl's palm, its heat **scorching the air**.

Roger's eyes flickered with disbelief.

Even now, he couldn't **comprehend** how a **Dark-Dark Fruit user** could command **fire** so effortlessly.

Carl's **wings unfurled**.

He **launched forward**, flames **trailing behind him like a comet.**

**"Fireball!"**

Roger raised his sword—

**Boom!**

The **fireball exploded**, engulfing **both fighters** in **a sea of flames**.

And at that moment—

A **warship appeared on the horizon.**

Several figures **leaped from its deck**, racing toward the battlefield.

Meanwhile, on another part of the island—

**Boom!**

Kuma was **sent flying** by Bullet's devastating punch.

Bullet prepared to **chase him down**—

But suddenly—

**Crack!**

His **foot froze over**, while **vines wrapped around his other leg**.

Aokiji and Aramaki **stood nearby**, supporting Kuma.

Aokiji placed a hand on Kuma's wounds, **sealing them with ice**.

**"Good to fight side by side, Kuma,"** Aokiji said with a grin.

Aramaki snorted. **"Hey! Watch out, the monster's coming!"**

Bullet **roared** and charged forward—

But—

**Boom!**

A **giant golden palm descended from the sky**—

And the battlefield **shook once more.**

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