The next day, the News Coo carried a shocking headline across the seas:
"Vice Admiral White Crow Karl to Be Awarded the Title of Marine Hero."
This time it wasn't rumors or speculation.
It was an official report.
Naturally, the world was shaken.
"Unbelievable! Vice Admiral White Crow is really becoming a Marine Hero!"
"Yeah! The newspapers kept saying he was qualified, but I never thought the Navy would actually grant it!"
"That makes him the second Marine Hero in history!"
Still, many people weren't that surprised.
After days of nonstop media coverage, some already felt Karl was practically a Marine Hero.
Then someone noticed another detail.
"Wait! Look at this!"
"The ceremony will be broadcast live worldwide in four days!"
"What?! Let me see that!"
The Moby Dick
On the deck of the massive ship, Edward Newgate silently read the newspaper.
His brow furrowed slightly.
The kid who cut off his own arm on this very ship years ago…
Was about to become a Marine Hero?
Did he deserve it?
After a moment of thought—
Maybe he actually did.
Whitebeard remembered clearly how Monkey D. Garp had become a Marine Hero.
Back then, he was still young.
One day, Rocks D. Xebec told them something.
The Celestial Dragons had discovered an object in God Valley.
An object powerful enough to threaten the world.
Rocks, who dreamed of becoming the King of the World, naturally couldn't ignore it.
So the Rocks Pirates sailed for God Valley.
But when they arrived—
The Marines were there.
And so was Gol D. Roger.
For reasons unknown, Roger clearly didn't want Rocks to obtain that object.
So Roger and Garp joined forces.
Together they defeated Rocks.
The Rocks Pirates collapsed.
And the Celestial Dragons obtained the mysterious object.
Later—
The Marines erased Roger's role entirely.
They also erased the existence of that object.
The newspapers repeated only one story:
Garp single-handedly stopped the Rocks Pirates.
And thus—
Garp became the Marine Hero.
Whitebeard had already left the crew and formed the Whitebeard Pirates at that time.
He had scoffed at the propaganda.
But over time—
He grew used to it.
Now whenever he read the news, he believed only half of it.
"Die, Whitebeard!"
Suddenly, a black-haired young man rushed forward with a massive axe.
Without even looking—
Whitebeard casually waved his arm.
BOOM!
The attacker was blasted across the deck.
The young man slammed onto the planks, grimacing in pain.
Whitebeard lowered the newspaper.
"You think you can kill me?"
"You're still far from it."
The young man clenched his fists.
Portgas D. Ace.
Flames burst from his body as he lunged again.
Nearby, Marco folded his arms and watched with amusement.
He nudged Thatch.
"How many more days until he becomes family?"
Thatch scratched his head.
"He's been doing this for half a month."
"I'd say… three more days."
Marco smiled.
"So confident?"
Thatch nodded thoughtfully.
"Because he's the same kind of person as us."
Marco chuckled softly.
"Yeah…"
Amazon Lily
"Dear, you're finally here."
Karl gently touched the cheek of Boa Hancock.
He looked toward the fleet ahead.
"Your people are already on the ships?"
Hancock shook her head.
"Only half of them."
"I'll bring half to Sky Island first."
"Once everything stabilizes, we'll bring the rest."
Karl nodded approvingly.
"That's a good plan."
"Then let's go."
Sky Island – Heaven's Gate
The biggest advantage of this route was simple:
No diving required.
Other entrances required passing through the dangerous White-White Sea, but Heaven's Gate connected directly to the Blue Sea.
Gan Fall had been waiting.
When he saw Karl riding Raven, he hurried forward.
"Mr. Karl!"
"Is Lady Hancock bringing her people today?"
"Yes."
Karl nodded.
"They're waiting below."
"Did you prepare the balloon octopus and jet dials?"
Gan Fall gestured quickly.
"They're all ready!"
Karl inspected them briefly.
"Good."
"I'll go bring them up."
"Prepare manpower to receive them."
Gan Fall immediately mounted his sky horse and left.
Karl flew back down.
The Ascension Plan
"Look! Is that brother-in-law?"
Hancock narrowed her eyes.
"Yes."
"That's him."
Karl landed.
"Ready?"
"Of course!"
Karl took out a tube-like device and blew into it.
A balloon octopus shot into the sky.
It rapidly inflated and grabbed hold of the Kuja ship.
Karl explained:
"Hancock."
"Distribute these Jet Dials to your warriors."
"When I count down, activate them all together."
His method was simple:
Balloon Octopus → hot air balloon
Jet Dials → propulsion
The octopus converted the wind into upward force, preventing the ship from being pushed downward.
Soon each Kuja warrior held at least three Jet Dials.
After a brief practice, they were ready.
Karl smiled.
"You should give the order."
"You're the empress."
Hancock nodded.
She planted her feet firmly and struck a commanding pose.
Her voice rang out across the deck.
"Kuja warriors!"
The soldiers responded in perfect unison.
"Yes, Empress!"
Hancock raised her arm.
"Prepare for liftoff!"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"Launch!"
WHOOSH!
Dozens of Jet Dials activated simultaneously.
A powerful blast of wind surged upward.
The ship dipped briefly—
Then bounced.
Slowly…
It lifted off the ocean.
Hancock stared in amazement.
"Dear!"
"Our ship is flying!"
Karl grinned.
"Told you it would work."
"Now things will be much easier."
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