Chapter 185:
The boat had been sailing at high speed across the sea for some time. Tiger, who had recovered a bit of his strength, sat upright, watching Carl, who lay opposite him in a deep sleep.
Suddenly, a strange phenomenon appeared around Carl. White smoke rose from his right arm, and his sleeve began to melt under intense heat, exposing his arm, where a scarlet light flashed beneath the surface. Spirals of black lines, like living things, slowly crept along his arm.
Tiger's eyes widened as he held his breath, but as the area beneath Carl's right arm began to show signs of melting, he was forced to act. He called out to Carl, shouting his name, but there was no response—Carl remained in a deep slumber.
In a last-ditch effort, Tiger reached out to shake Carl awake, but as soon as his hand made contact, a burning sensation shot through his palm, accompanied by a sharp sizzle. Enduring the pain, he shoved Carl hard and quickly pulled his hand back. His palm was already covered in blisters, the damage looking far worse than he'd expected.
Fortunately, the force of the push managed to wake Carl. His eyes flickered open, and as he removed the Bible from his face, the scarlet glow in his right arm dissipated, returning to normal.
He raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temples as he slowly looked up at Tiger, frowning.
"You just pushed me... what happened?"
Tiger, still shaken, pointed at Carl's face. "You… your eyes…"
Carl was taken aback for a moment before silently reaching into the Bible and pulling out a small mirror. He examined his reflection and was met with a startling sight—his right eye's pupil had turned a bright gold.
A strange change, even to him.
Tiger quickly explained what had just happened, describing the heat, the black spirals, and the way Carl's body had seemingly begun to melt.
Carl raised his right arm, flexing his fingers as he observed it with a solemn expression. It seemed that these strange transformations had begun after he'd tapped into the power in his right arm during his last battle with Whitebeard.
A check-up with Vegapunk might be necessary.
Pondering this, Carl subconsciously prepared to activate Kamui, but then noticed Tiger watching him with an expectant look.
"Where are you headed next?" Carl asked. "Continuing your travels?"
Tiger shook his head. "No, I want to return to Fishman Island to rest for a while."
Fishman Island, located just below the Red Line, was conveniently along Carl's route. Though slightly fatigued and dealing with the strange changes in his eye, Carl wasn't in any hurry to cut his journey short.
"Alright," Carl said, "I can take you back."
Tiger's face lit up with gratitude. Though he had regained some strength, the thought of traveling alone after everything he had endured was daunting. He hadn't expected Carl—an Admiral—to offer him a ride, let alone after saving his life.
Tiger knelt. "Thank you so much!"
Carl waved dismissively. "No need for that. As the saying goes, a life saved…" He trailed off, grinning. "Anyway, hang on tight. I'm speeding up."
Before Tiger could brace himself, the flame behind Carl's neck surged, and the speedboat lurched forward. A thick, powerful jet of fire burst from the back, its intense heat vaporizing seawater instantly. The sheer force generated deafening sonic booms as the boat shot forward, leaving a blazing trail in its wake.
Carl, standing coolly at the bow with one foot propped up, looked entirely in control. But behind him, Tiger was clutching the boat for dear life, caught in the powerful gusts. His mouth was stretched open wide, unable to close against the sheer force of the wind rushing past.
Fortunately, Tiger's powerful physique allowed him to endure the extreme speed. Though uncomfortable at first, he adapted quickly, adjusting to the rapid pace.
The speedboat itself had been custom-built by Navy Headquarters for Carl, made from highly durable materials designed to withstand powerful propulsion. All Carl had to do was ignite it to reach incredible speeds.
In just half a day, they arrived at the edge of the Red Line. Carl stretched his arms, then turned to address Tiger, who was lying flat on the deck.
"Alright, we're—" Carl began, but was cut off as Tiger suddenly scrambled to the side of the boat and began retching.
When he finally finished, Tiger collapsed onto the deck, resembling a dried-out fish. Carl shrugged.
"The speed might've been a bit much, but you should be more comfortable in the water."
"Yes… I'll… I'll head down…" Tiger muttered weakly.
"No, I'll go with you. You'll need to show me the way."
With that, Carl stepped onto the bow, sending the boat diving into the sea, the flames reigniting even as they descended.
Once underwater, Tiger perked up immediately. But something felt off. Then, it hit him—Carl was a Devil Fruit user, and the speedboat wasn't coated!
Tiger spun around in alarm, expecting Carl to be in distress, only to find him standing calmly at the bow, unaffected. His black coat drifted slightly with the current, and his silver hair floated upward in the water. To Tiger's complete disbelief, Carl opened his mouth and spoke clearly, his voice carrying effortlessly despite being submerged.
"Don't just stare. Point me in the direction."
Tiger, still processing what he was seeing, began questioning reality itself.
Devil Fruit users weren't supposed to function underwater. They couldn't even move, let alone breathe. And yet, Carl stood there, perfectly fine, speaking as if he were still on land.
And why… why hadn't his flames gone out?
Had humans evolved to this extent?