Chapter 176
### **Chapter 176**
Doflamingo feared that Carl might disappear at any moment. Without hesitation, he used his **string ability** to pull up the unconscious **Vergo, Diamante, and Pica**, dragging them behind him as he followed Carl.
Behind them, the street fell into an **eerie silence**.
Bodies lay **scattered** across the cobblestone, blood staining the ground.
The **townsfolk**, still hidden indoors, **held their breath**.
Only after a long while did they **dare to emerge**.
Whispers **filled the air**.
**"Who was that man? Even Doflamingo was afraid of him!"**
**"I couldn't see clearly, but thank goodness for him. Otherwise… who knows what Doflamingo would have done."**
**"Did he look a bit like Admiral Black Dragon to anyone else…?"**
**"Oh, stop it! Why would an Admiral be in a place like this?"**
---
As Doflamingo **continued forward**, Vergo's **eyelids fluttered**.
A low groan escaped him as **he slowly regained consciousness**.
His vision **blurred**, and he instinctively **scanned his surroundings**.
Up ahead, he saw a **familiar pink feathered coat**.
**"Dof…?"**
At the sound of Vergo's voice, **Doflamingo's face lit up** with relief.
Without breaking stride, he **withdrew the string** connecting them and motioned him closer.
**"You're awake… Good. Vergo, come here!"**
Vergo, still **groggy**, stumbled forward.
**"Doffy… what happened? I think I blacked out."**
Doflamingo's **expression darkened slightly**.
**"There's no time for that now. Quickly, help Trebol and the others!"**
Vergo wanted to **ask about the man ahead of them**, but instead, he turned to awaken **Diamante and Pica**.
Trebol, still **too weak to walk**, had to be **slung over Vergo's shoulder** as they followed Doflamingo.
The three **conscious men** stole nervous glances at **Carl's back**.
A heavy silence hung over them, the weight of **Carl's presence pressing down** like an unseen force.
**"Who… is he?"** Pica finally whispered, his deep voice filled with **awe**.
Doflamingo's steps slowed for a moment.
Then, in a **low, solemn tone**, he replied—
**"He is Saint Carl."**
---
**"What?"**
**Vergo and Diamante froze.**
Their eyes **widened in shock**.
Even **Pica let out a startled shriek**.
Carl **paused**.
Slowly, he turned his head **just enough** to glance back at them—
His **crimson-red eyes** gleaming like **dying embers**.
Pica's **entire body tensed**.
His breath **hitched**.
For a **split second**, he felt as if his **heart had stopped**.
**"It's… Saint Carl…"** he whispered, barely audible.
Now finally **getting a clear look at Carl's face**, both **Vergo and Diamante instinctively averted their gazes**.
The intensity of his **piercing stare** was **too much**.
**"Doffy…"** Diamante leaned in, his voice urgent.
**"Should we kneel?"**
---
They **all knew who Carl was**.
Doflamingo had told them before—
**"A Celestial Dragon among Celestial Dragons."**
It was a **strange title**, but it was the **simplest way** to describe Carl's **status and authority**.
And he wasn't just a Celestial Dragon.
He was a **Navy Admiral**.
The same Admiral who had recently **cornered both Whitebeard and Roger**.
Doflamingo's **Donquixote Family** had been founded **in Carl's honor**.
Though none of them had **ever met him before**—
They had **revered him as a god**.
And now—
That **god** was walking **beside them**.
---
Carl's voice finally **broke the silence**.
**"Are these all the men you have?"**
Doflamingo **answered instantly**.
**"Our family has over 300 members now, with Vergo among our three top officers. I plan to recruit more skilled allies soon."**
Carl's expression **flickered briefly** with something close to **disappointment**.
For all of Doflamingo's **ambition**, he had only gathered **three noteworthy subordinates**.
But then again—
Doflamingo was **only thirteen**.
Already, he was **well-built**, **determined**, and had **created a gang feared across the North Blue**.
For someone so **young**, it was **impressive**.
Carl's expression **softened slightly**.
His tone, for the first time, carried **a rare gentleness**.
**"Doffy, it's the quality of your subordinates that matters, not their numbers. Don't forget that."**
His gaze **shifted to Trebol**, still **draped over Vergo's shoulder**.
**Carl's eyes narrowed.**
He respected **Vergo's unwavering loyalty**.
But **Trebol**?
Carl had **little patience** for the man.
His **devotion** to Doflamingo was **undeniable**—
But his **skills were lacking**.
---
Doflamingo **hung on every word**.
Carl's **advice** was something he would **engrave into his soul**.
Then, Carl's **gaze darkened**.
**"Doffy…"**
His voice was **low**, almost **hypnotic**.
**"Do you crave power?"**
Doflamingo's **eyes blazed**.
Without hesitation, he **nodded vigorously**.
Carl's lips **curved slightly**.
With a flick of his wrist—
He produced something **from thin air**.
A **dark purple fruit** with a **cantaloupe-like texture** sat in his palm.
Its **surface gleamed**, almost as if **pulsing with power**.
**Doflamingo and his men froze.**
---
**"A… Devil Fruit?"** Vergo gasped.
Back then—
Devil Fruits were **not as common** as they would later become.
They were **rare, coveted treasures**, each one capable of **rewriting fate**.
Doflamingo **stared** at the fruit, unable to tear his eyes away.
Finally, he asked, voice filled with **hunger**—
**"Saint Carl… what is the power of this fruit?"**
Carl's **smile widened**.
**"This is the Float-Float Fruit."**
He let the words **sink in**—
Then, he added, almost casually—
**"Its last user was Shiki, the Golden Lion."**
---
**"WHAT?!"**
Doflamingo's **entire body tensed**.
His **eyes widened in disbelief**.
For a moment—
He swore the **fruit itself** radiated **a golden glow** in Carl's hands.
His heart **pounded**.
His destiny—
**Was about to change.**
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**+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg**