THE ABSOLUTE HAKI IS COMPLETED

On the warship, Carl sat with his hands clasped, his sharp gaze fixed ahead.

Across the water, the Straw Hat Pirates stood on Baratie's deck, their eyes locked on him.

"So, this is the guy who's going to be the most troublesome," Carl muttered, exhaling slowly.

The warship advanced, finally coming to a stop beside Baratie.

A wooden gangplank was lowered from the deck, bridging the distance between the warship and the floating restaurant.

Carl stepped forward, his Marine cloak billowing behind him as the sea breeze swept past.

"Welcome, Mr. Marine!" Paddy, the tall and burly chef, greeted them below with a forced smile.

Carl barely acknowledged him. "Lead the way. We're here for dinner."

"Yes, sir! Please follow me~" Paddy quickly stepped ahead, gesturing for them to enter.

Hundreds of Marines marched into the restaurant, their disciplined steps contrasting with the more casual, boisterous atmosphere of the establishment.

Inside, Carl lounged in a chair, his legs crossed as he listened to Roy, who stood hesitantly beside him.

"Carl Ensign," Roy finally spoke.

"What is it?" Carl asked lazily, swirling a spoon in his fingers.

"Those people outside… they're pirates, aren't they? Shouldn't we leave guards on the warship?" Roy's voice carried a note of unease.

He had spotted the ship moored next to Baratie, the one with the small white goat figurehead. The Jolly Roger atop it was unmistakable—it was the Straw Hat Pirates' Going Merry.

Carl, however, remained unfazed.

"Relax," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "No one can steal my ship right under my nose."

His Observation Haki was more than enough to detect any potential threat. Though he hadn't reached the level of foreseeing the future, his senses weren't something ordinary people could contend with.

At that moment, Paddy returned, balancing multiple plates on his arms.

"Guests, your food is ready!" he announced enthusiastically.

Carl straightened, eager for a proper meal.

A pan-seared steak, a plate of spicy grilled fish, a bottle of fine red wine…

It was a feast.

"Delicious!" Carl exclaimed, savoring each bite.

After weeks of eating rations at sea, the food before him was like tasting heaven itself.

The only downside of his superhuman body was his increased metabolism—he required far more sustenance than the average person.

As he continued to eat, the surrounding Marines watched in silent awe, having already finished their meals.

After what felt like an eternity, Carl finally leaned back, picking his teeth with a toothpick.

"You guys are pretty good, Baratie," he remarked.

"Haha! Glad to hear it, sir!" Paddy beamed as he counted the stack of bills in his hands.

"Well then," Carl turned to Roy. "Pay him."

"Yes, sir!" Roy saluted before settling the bill.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" Paddy's grin widened. In his world, customers were gods—so long as they had money.

As the Marines exited, Carl strolled behind them at a leisurely pace.

"Hey! Marine over there!"

A voice rang out from the deck.

Carl exhaled in exasperation, flicking his toothpick away before turning. "What now?"

Standing across from him was a swordsman with green hair, three swords at his waist, and a dark green bandana tied around his left arm.

"I'm Roronoa Zoro! Strongest swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates! Report your name, Marine!"

"Hey, Zoro! Are you crazy?!" Usopp yelped, trying to grab his arm, but Luffy pulled him back.

Carl groaned, rubbing his temples. "Why do I always get stuck with swordsmen…?"

His gaze sharpened. "So, you're challenging me?"

Zoro nodded. "That's right."

Carl pointed toward a large piece of wreckage floating nearby. "Then we'll fight there."

"Fine by me." Zoro smirked, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

In a flash, Carl disappeared from Baratie's deck, reappearing on the floating debris.

"Carl Ensign! Do you need backup?" Roy called out from the warship.

"No need." Carl waved a hand. "I'll be back soon."

On Baratie's deck, Usopp's legs trembled.

"Zoro! Are you insane?! That Marine is a monster!" he whispered.

He still remembered the horrifying sight—Carl had sliced Krieg's massive flagship clean in two with a single slash.

And those Sakura petals… beneath their beauty was an overwhelming, suffocating killing intent.

"Zoro-dage! We believe in you!" Johnny and Yosaku, Zoro's devoted fanboys, cheered from the Going Merry.

Zoro wordlessly tightened his bandana over his head, crouched low, then launched himself toward the floating wreck.

His boots landed lightly on the debris, his hand gripping his swords.

Carl smirked. "Whenever you're ready."

Zoro narrowed his eyes. "You're not even drawing your sword?"

"If you were strong enough, I would," Carl replied lazily.

He almost mentioned that he wasn't even a true swordsman, but thought better of it.

Zoro was a stubborn fool. Saying so would only enrage him.

"Hmph!" Zoro's expression darkened. "You'll pay for your arrogance!"

He clenched Wado Ichimonji between his teeth, lifted his two other swords, and dashed forward.

Carl's smirk deepened.

"A frog in a well… Let me show you…"

"Just how vast the world truly is."

"Three-Sword Style—Demon Slash!"

Three blades swung down.

CLANG!

A sharp metallic ring echoed.

Zoro's pupils shrank.

A single finger had stopped all three of his swords.

On the Going Merry, Johnny and Yosaku's jaws dropped.

"Zoro-dage's Demon Slash…"

"Was completely blocked?!"

On Baratie, Zeff silently observed from the bow.

"That man… is a monster."

Luffy turned to him, puzzled. "Huh? What do you mean, old man?"

"I knew the moment he cut Krieg's ship in half with a single swing," Zeff muttered. "This Marine doesn't belong in the East Blue."

Unlike Luffy, Zeff had once sailed the Grand Line.

He had seen real monsters.

And he knew—Carl was one of them.

"Moths to a flame… a mantis against a chariot…" Zeff sighed.

On the wreckage, Zoro gritted his teeth.

He refused to accept it.

He swung again. And again.

Carl didn't even move—he merely flicked his index finger against Zoro's swords, neutralizing every strike effortlessly.

Zoro panted, his hands trembling.

"The gap between us… is this wide?" he muttered.

Carl sighed. "Are your hands shaking?"

Zoro's grip tightened.

"I… can't lose!"

He lifted his swords behind his back, preparing his next move.

"Three-Sword Style—Tiger Hunt!"

Time seemed to freeze.

Carl extended a single finger and tapped Zoro's chest.

THUD!

Zoro's eyes widened.

A moment later—

"Cough—!"

A large gush of blood spilled from his mouth.