Ain buried her burning face into the desk, staying silent for a long while.
"Ugh… Sister Gion, I'm not ready yet. Let me think about it a little more…"
Gion chuckled softly.
"Silly girl, I'm not forcing you. Do whatever feels right to you. Worst case, you dump that womanizing carrot and come to my ship—stay with your big sister forever, how about that?"
"Heehee… Sister Gion, you're evil," Ain teased.
"Are you trying to make me end up like you, getting chased by Vice Admiral Gion's favorite stalker—Chaton?"
The moment Chaton's name came up, Gion's face darkened instantly. She reached out and vigorously rubbed Ain's chest area.
"Don't mention him in front of me. Just hearing his name makes me sick."
She sighed.
"If only I were twenty years younger…"
Ain tilted her head.
"Why?"
Gion grinned mischievously.
"Then I'd have the confidence to compete with you young girls for Karl~ World's most handsome man, you know."
BOOOOM—
The entire base shook violently.
Both women froze at the same time and turned alert.
"Something happened?"
"An attack?"
They immediately rushed out of the office—only to bump into Karl, who had just stepped outside as well.
"What was that explosion?" Ain asked.
Karl shook his head, his expression grim.
"Not sure—but it's definitely bad news. Prepare for combat."
He then turned to Gion.
"Sorry, Sister Gion. Looks like I won't be able to play host right now."
Gion waved it off casually.
"It's fine. I had nothing planned anyway. Let's go take a look together."
"Caw—!"
The raven swooped down, gripping Shusui and Raimei, and landed on Karl's shoulder, carefully handing him the blades.
"Thanks, buddy."
Karl strapped both swords to his waist and rushed out with Ain and Gion toward the training grounds.
The area was already packed with Marines. Thick smoke still lingered.
Seeing Karl arrive, Nelson immediately reported:
"Report, sir! An unidentified object fell from the sky just now. Visibility is poor—we can't confirm what it is yet."
Karl took a slow breath.
He already knew what it was.
That oppressive, ferocious presence—
he had felt it before.
"Nelson," Karl said sharply,
"Evacuate all civilians immediately. Contact headquarters at once."
"Tell them—Kaido of the Beasts is attacking G-10 Base."
"W-What?! Kaido?! That's impossible—"
"Did you hear me?" Karl roared.
"Move! Do your job! No questions!"
"Yes, sir!"
Nelson rushed off with the troops, beginning a full evacuation.
"No doubt about it," Gion said coldly.
"It's Kaido."
Karl nodded.
"Yeah. It's him."
He slowly drew Shusui, his eyes fixed on the massive crater ahead.
"Ain—don't act recklessly. Look for an opening and use your ability if you can."
Ain nodded seriously. She knew she couldn't pierce Kaido's defense—support was all she could do.
A massive hand suddenly slammed into the ground.
The earth cracked.
The next instant, a towering black figure rose from the crater and landed heavily on the ground.
"Wororororo—!"
The laughter alone shook the air.
"So you're the brat who beat Jack yesterday?"
Karl replied calmly,
"Jack? He's still alive? Tough bastard. I thought he was dead."
"So you came for revenge?"
Kaido's mouth twitched.
"This little shit's got a sharp tongue."
"Arrogant brat," Kaido snarled.
"You don't run when you see me—and you still dare provoke me?"
From behind his back, Kaido pulled out a massive black kanabo.
"RAIMEI HAKKE!!!"
That was Kaido's version of greeting.
Karl's pupils shrank.
"Holy Light Blessing!"
"ELBAF SPEAR — WEI GUO!!!"
Golden light exploded outward as Karl swung Raven with all his strength.
BOOOOM—
Blade and club collided.
The shockwave blasted outward, flattening everything nearby.
"Worororo—!"
"Not bad, brat! But you'll need more than that!"
Kaido roared and forced his strength forward.
Karl's veins bulged as he resisted—
then—
CRASH!
He was sent flying.
Thankfully, Raven blocked part of the blow, and Iron Body absorbed the rest.
Karl rolled across the ground and stood back up, white light already repairing his injuries.
"I'm fine," he said calmly.
"This level of attack is still within tolerance."
Kaido stared at him, then burst out laughing.
"Interesting!"
"Kid—ditch the Marines and join the Beasts Pirates!"
Karl blinked.
"Really? Can I be a Calamity right away?"
"Brat, don't push your luck!!!"
Kaido raised his club again.
"Then die—KONG DONG!!!"
Just as the blow came down—
FLASH!
Gion appeared instantly, sword raised.
"Karl, you idiot—don't forget I'm here!"
Kaido scoffed.
"Hmph. Ants, all of you. Come at me together."
Karl placed a hand on Gion's shoulder.
"Sister Gion, cover me. I'll be the main attacker."
"You sure?"
Karl smiled.
"Yeah. This is my first time fighting Kaido head-on."
Kaido scratched his head irritably.
"Are you two done flirting?"
"ELBAF SPEAR — HAKOKU!!!"
A colossal slash tore through the air and engulfed Kaido completely.
He took it head-on—
Then screamed.
"AAAAARGH—!!!"
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