The public trial came to an end.
Reporters returned to their offices brimming with excitement, busy drafting articles. The crowds dispersed contentedly—heading home, finding their families. The Marines' sincerity had been clearly demonstrated, and for the common people, that was enough.
Across the world, the reaction was much the same.
After all, the Marines' handling of this PR crisis had been nearly flawless. The scandal had barely broken before every corrupt Marine was arrested; then, almost immediately, the Marine Integrity Commission was established to prevent a repeat.
What more could people ask for?
They would never know, however, that the entire affair had been carefully orchestrated—more precisely, jointly designed by Karl and Sengoku.
Fleet Admiral's Office
"Karl—congratulations. From today onward, you are a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters."
Karl broke into a wide grin, happily tucking the appointment letter into his coat. At the same time, the system's notification chimed in his mind.
Ding!
Congratulations to the host. Rank upgraded from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral.
Daily mission rewards updated to: 8 Chosen Attribute Enhancement Cards + Random Rewards ×5 (storable).
Rare reward probability increased to 8%.
Karl frowned for a moment, then relaxed, smiling as he bid Sengoku farewell.
Once outside Marine Headquarters, he asked with some puzzlement,
"Only eight cards for Vice Admiral daily rewards? Then does that mean Admirals get nine, and Fleet Admiral gets ten?"
"Not quite," the system replied.
"Admiral Candidate: 9 cards. Admiral: rewards converted to 1 Advanced Chosen Attribute Enhancement Card."
…Well played.
Karl decided not to complain further.
"System, what's the current bonus for Heart-Stealing Arsonist?"
"Calculating… please wait."
"Calculation complete. Current bonuses:
Stamina: +53.421%
Stamina Recovery Speed: +106.842%"
Karl smiled faintly.
Worth it. Today wasn't a waste.
"Kid, are you ready?"
The sudden voice made Karl jump. He turned around irritably.
"Can you stop appearing behind me out of nowhere, you old man? You'll scare someone to death!"
Kizaru flashed a sleazy grin, completely unfazed by being called an old man.
"Kowaii~"
"Enough with the 'kowai.' Are we leaving now?"
Kizaru nodded.
"More or less. The tea party starts the day after tomorrow. If you leave now, you'll still make it."
"The day after tomorrow?! Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
Kizaru lazily picked at his fingernails.
"That bird of yours can fly, can't it? Besides, you can't exactly sail a warship straight into Totto Land."
Karl was left speechless.
"…Then what about you?"
"I'll stay at Marine Headquarters and wait for your updates," Kizaru said matter-of-factly. "If anything happens, notify me immediately."
You've changed, Monkey.
Weren't we supposed to slack off together?
"So I'm… going to Totto Land alone?"
Kizaru nodded, flashing that all-too-familiar sunflower smile.
"Relax. Big Mom invited plenty of guests—she won't care about you."
After sizing Karl up, he clicked his tongue.
"Wait. You should disguise yourself a bit. Sigh… can't help it. You're dazzling—just like me."
Karl: ???
"This is the rendezvous point. Once you arrive, someone will escort you into Totto Land. Oh—and give me a piece of your Vivre Card."
"My Vivre Card? What for?"
"How else would I know where you are?" Kizaru replied as if it were obvious.
"If Big Mom and Shanks gang up on you, how am I supposed to save you?"
…Thank you so much. I'm deeply moved.
With no choice, Karl took out his Vivre Card—already missing three corners—and tore off the last remaining corner, handing it to Kizaru.
"Alright. Pack up and head out soon," Kizaru said. "I'm off to have some tea."
With that, he vanished without a trace, leaving Karl grinding his teeth.
Just wait.
Once I become an Admiral, no one's ordering me around anymore!
Ahem—Sengoku, sit down. This has nothing to do with you.
The Next Day
News of the public trial spread across the world. Those who hadn't watched the broadcast finally learned what the Marines had done—and applauded enthusiastically.
Only days ago, people had been criticizing the Marines nonstop. Now, it was all praise—decisive action, firm stance, real courage.
Public opinion was truly a powerful thing.
The Marines were still the same Marines—yet their prestige had not fallen, but risen instead.
As the Director of the Integrity Commission, Smoker swiftly issued related policies and began recruiting personnel, pushing the Commission into full operation. Though exhausted, he was happier than ever.
New World · The Red Force
Benn Beckman looked toward Totto Land in the distance, exhaling a slow puff of smoke, then turned to glance at the carefree Shanks.
"Hey, idiot captain. You really plan to attend that tea party in Totto Land?"
Shanks downed a bottle of rum. Through his drunken haze, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Why not~? I'm curious what kind of fun Totto Land has to offer!"
Beckman shook his head helplessly.
"I really don't know what to do with you…"
Bang!
Lucky Roux slung an arm around Beckman's shoulders, chewing on meat as he spoke with his mouth full.
"What's there to fear? We're the Red-Haired Pirates! Even if Big Mom tries something, we're not scared! Right, Shanks?!"
"Hahahaha! Well said! Come—cheers!"
Beckman smiled faintly but didn't join the drinking. Instead, he gazed into the distance.
There were currently three sea emperors ruling the New World—Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido. They'd already clashed with Whitebeard and Kaido, yet the Big Mom Pirates had remained oddly quiet.
Then, not long ago, Big Mom's tea party invitation arrived.
Her intentions were obvious to anyone.
In the New World, who didn't know what Big Mom's invitations really meant?
Perhaps they no longer had a way out.
After all, they were already the pirate crew closest to standing among the sea emperors.
So even if it was a Hongmen Banquet, they had to attend—only then could they push forward and help Shanks become the fourth Emperor of the Sea.
High Above the Sea
A massive black raven glided through the sky. Karl sat on its back, eyes closed.
In truth, he was using Shadow Vision to share the raven's sight, savoring the thrill of soaring through the heavens.
"Just a bit more—we're almost there!"
"Gaa! Gaa-gaa!" (Hungry!)
"Don't worry, you'll get plenty. Once we reach Totto Land, I'll let you eat your fill."
"Gaa!" (Really?)
After another hour of flight, Totto Land finally came into view. Karl instructed the raven to descend at the rendezvous point—
Liquor Island, an island themed around spirits, located southwest of Whole Cake Island.
According to intelligence, the island was governed by the Liquor Minister Zuccotto. Karl's arrival drew no attention—he was already disguised.
The disguise was simple: a mask covering half his face.
As for clothing, he wore a medieval noble-style outfit, looking like a prince headed to a masquerade. In Totto Land, such attire was hardly unusual.
"The contact point is Moxina Tavern—window seat. A broken rose as the signal…"
Karl stroked his chin.
Pretty rigorous.
Could this be CP's handiwork?
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