Chapter 174

### **Chapter 174**

Carl stood on the shore, **watching** as the **Whitebeard and Roger Pirates** sailed farther into the distance.

A **faint white light** flickered around him.

---

Whitebeard, standing proudly at the **bow of the Moby Dick**, felt a rare sense of **unease**.

His **arms flexed**, muscles **swelling with power**—

In the next instant—

Carl and Whitebeard **unleashed their power simultaneously**.

A **repulsive force** clashed against a **devastating shockwave**—

**BOOM!!!**

The collision sent **tremendous waves** rippling across the sea.

The ocean **roared** in protest, seawater **erupting** into the sky—

Before **falling like a torrential rainstorm** around them.

Through this **watery curtain**, Carl and Whitebeard **locked eyes**—

A silent exchange of **challenges left unfinished**.

Carl **sneered**.

Then, with a final glance, he **turned away**, his **Navy cloak billowing** behind him.

Behind him stood **ranks of Navy officers and soldiers**.

Zephyr, still recovering, was supported by **Borsalino**. Despite his injuries, **his eyes shone with pride**.

Carl's expression turned solemn.

In a **deep, resonant voice**, he declared—

**"Thank you for your hard work. Victory belongs to the Navy! Justice will prevail!"**

The Navy soldiers and officers **erupted in cheers**—

Their voices **hoarse**, their **wounds forgotten** in the **rush of triumph**.

Carl wasn't one to dwell on **losses**.

**Mourning was for the defeated.**

For the **victorious**—

**Celebration and reward came first.**

The **fallen** would be honored **in time**.

---

Reflecting on the **war**, Carl's thoughts **drifted**—

To another battle. Another **boy**.

Coby.

In the **top conflict**, a **misguided Coby** had disrupted the Navy's victory—casting doubt on what should have been a **clear triumph**.

Carl swore he wouldn't let **such foolishness** affect **morale ever again**.

---

**Meanwhile—aboard the retreating ships.**

A **heavy gloom** hung over Roger's and Whitebeard's crews.

Roger stood silently, staring out at the **sea**—

Processing the **sobering truth**.

They had lost.

**Seven of their comrades had fallen—including Gaban.**

Nearly **a third** of their group.

Roger's **chest tightened** with sorrow and guilt.

He had **underestimated the Navy**.

Believed they **wouldn't dare** challenge both **him and Whitebeard**.

But **Carl had proved otherwise**.

The Navy wasn't just **an obstacle**—

It was a **global force** aimed **squarely at pirates**.

He opened his mouth to console his crew—

But before he could speak—

A **heart-wrenching cry** shattered the silence.

---

**On the Moby Dick—**

Kouzuki **Toki** was on her knees—

Her **arms wrapped around** her son, **Momonosuke's lifeless body**.

Her **tears fell endlessly** as she leaned against **a grievously injured Oden**.

The scene **was unbearable**.

Aboard the Moby Dick, Marco approached Whitebeard, voice **soft** yet urgent.

**"Dad… let me try again. Maybe I can heal you."**

Whitebeard's **pained face softened**—

But he shook his head.

**"No, Marco. Go help the others."**

Marco **bit his lip**, wiped a **tear** from his eye, and left to **tend to the wounded**.

At that moment—

**Roger leapt onto the Moby Dick.**

The Whitebeard Pirates **glanced at him**—

Then **looked away**.

Their hearts **were too heavy** to greet him.

Whitebeard didn't bother with **pleasantries**.

He disappeared briefly—

Then returned, carrying a **massive barrel of sake**.

He **drained it in one go**.

Roger hesitated—

Then approached.

**"Newgate, can we talk?"**

Whitebeard **set the empty barrel down** with a grim expression.

**"If you've got something to say, say it."**

Roger hesitated again—

Then glanced at **Oden** before speaking.

**"Can… can I borrow Kouzuki Oden?"**

**CRACK!**

The **barrel shattered** in Whitebeard's grip.

His hand **tightened** around his **naginata, Murakumogiri**—

The weapon **rose**, poised to **strike Roger down.**

Roger, however—

Simply sat cross-legged.

His eyes remained **calm**.

He didn't even **flinch**.

Murakumogiri hovered **dangerously close** to Roger's head.

Whitebeard's voice was **low and menacing**.

**"Get lost."**

Roger finally **looked up**—

And uttered words that made Whitebeard's **face turn ashen**.

**"Newgate, I'm dying."**

---

**Upon Carl's return to Marineford—**

He and his comrades were **hailed as heroes**.

Under the **World Government's propaganda**, Carl was declared a—

**"Legendary Navy Figure."**

His **feats were celebrated worldwide**.

His actions were credited as the reason **both Whitebeard and Roger retreated**.

---

**Promotions followed swiftly.**

Lucia and Ginny were promoted to **Vice Admiral**.

Akainu and Borsalino were listed as **Admiral candidates**.

Carl's reward?

**Billions of Belly.**

A bounty **so large**, even Kizaru **jokingly envied him**.

Yet, Carl **cared little for riches**.

Instead, he **distributed a portion** to Kizaru and others—

And dedicated the rest **to the families of fallen soldiers**.

His **reputation within the Navy soared.**

Even **Fleet Admiral Kong** took notice.

With the World Government considering Kong for **Commander-in-Chief**,

Carl's name was whispered as **a future Fleet Admiral**.

But Carl **felt no rush**.

**His time would come.**

---

After a short stay at **Navy Headquarters**, Carl made a **special request**.

A **personal speedboat** from the **technology division**—

Modeled after **Portgas D. Ace's**, but **enhanced with luxury**.

**Powered by flames.**

The **perfect vessel** for a solo journey.

---

Standing at the shore, Carl admired the **speedboat**, its sleek frame **gleaming under the sun**.

Lucia and his crew **gathered to see him off**.

With a graceful leap—

Carl landed on the speedboat.

The **flames roared**—

And the **engine ignited.**

The boat **rocketed forward**, cutting through the waves—

And in mere **seconds**—

Carl **vanished into the horizon.**

---

**+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg**