One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

Chapter 174: Chapter 174



Carl stood on the shore, watching as Whitebeard and the Roger Pirates sailed further away on the sea, a faint white light flashing around him.

Whitebeard, standing proudly on the Moby Dick, was visibly stirred by this scene. He moved to the bow, flexed his arms, and his muscles began to swell with power.

In the next moment, Carl and Whitebeard unleashed their power simultaneously, the repulsive force and shockwave collided, sending enormous waves rippling across the sea.

As the waves settled, seawater erupted into the air, falling like a rainstorm around them. Amidst this watery curtain, Carl and Whitebeard held each other's gaze across the vast stretch of ocean.

Carl sneered, then gracefully turned, his Navy cloak billowing behind him. Behind him stood ranks of Navy officers and soldiers. Zephyr, supported by Borsalino, looked at Carl with pride and relief.

With a solemn expression, Carl spoke in a deep, resonant voice,

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

At these words, the Navy soldiers and officers erupted in cheers, their voices hoarse but fervent, their injuries momentarily forgotten in the rush of triumph.

Carl was not one to dwell on losses. He believed mourning was for the defeated. For the victorious, celebration and reward came first. The fallen would receive the finest support in time.

Reflecting on the war, Carl thought about how the top conflict left a bitter taste, worsened when a misguided Coby disrupted the Navy's victory, casting doubt on the Navy's triumph. Carl vowed not to let such mistakes affect morale again.

Meanwhile, aboard the retreating ships, Roger and the Whitebeard Pirates felt a heavy gloom. Roger stood silently, processing the sobering losses: seven of their comrades, including Gaban, had fallen. It was nearly a third of their group.

Roger sighed deeply, filled with a blend of sorrow and guilt. He realized he had underestimated the Navy's might, assuming they would not dare challenge both him and Whitebeard. But Carl's relentless pursuit proved otherwise. The Navy was no mere foe to play games with, it was a global force aimed squarely at pirates.

Roger was about to console his crew when a heartbreaking cry shattered the silence.

On the nearby Moby Dick, Kouzuki Toki cradled her son Momonosuke's lifeless body while leaning on a grievously injured Oden, her eyes streaming with tears.

Marco approached Whitebeard and quietly suggested, "Dad, let me try once more—maybe I can heal you."

Whitebeard's pained face softened momentarily, but he waved Marco off. "No, Marco. Go help the others."

Marco wiped a tear from his eye, nodded, and left to tend to the other wounded.

At that moment, Roger leapt onto the Moby Dick. The Whitebeard Pirates glanced at him but quickly looked away, their hearts too heavy to greet him. Their loss had been too great.

Whitebeard didn't bother with pleasantries. He retreated briefly, returning with a massive barrel of sake, which he drained in one go.

Roger approached him and asked, "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, glancing at Oden before asking, "Can… can I borrow Kouzuki Oden?"

Crack! The barrel shattered in Whitebeard's grip as he reached for his naginata, Murakumogiri, poised to strike Roger.

Roger sat cross-legged, eyes fixed on the deck, showing no intent to dodge. Murakumogiri hovered menacingly over Roger's head as Whitebeard seethed,

"Get lost."

Roger looked up, meeting Whitebeard's fierce gaze, and said something 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 powerful propaganda, Carl was declared a "legendary Navy" figure in newspapers worldwide. His feats were celebrated as the driving force behind the retreat of both the Whitebeard and Roger Pirates.

Lucia, and Ginny were all promoted to Vice Admiral, and Akainu and Borsalino were listed as candidates for Admiral. Carl's reward was extensive: billions of Belly, a bounty that Kizaru openly envied.

Though Carl cared little for material rewards, he distributed a portion to Kizaru and others, dedicating the rest to support for the families of fallen soldiers. His actions only served to heighten his reputation within the Navy.

Fleet Admiral Kong recognized Carl's growing influence and considered him as a future Navy Fleet Admiral, especially given the World Government's interest in promoting Kong to Commander-in-Chief.

Yet Carl himself felt no rush. His time would come.

After a brief stay at Navy Headquarters, Carl requested a personal speedboat from the technology division. Modeled after Ace's, it was powered by flames but designed with luxury in mind.

Excited for a solo vacation, Carl placed the speedboat in his dark Bible. Accompanied by Lucia and his loyal crew to the shore, he set the speedboat adrift in the sea.

With a graceful leap, Carl landed on the speedboat, and the flames ignited the engine. The speedboat rocketed forward, cutting through the waves and vanishing in seconds.

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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg


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