One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Smoker, who was organizing documents, looked up towards the door and said, "Come in!"

"Cough cough~ Can you open the window, man? The whole room is filled with smoke."

Smoker chuckled. "I'm used to it. I heard you just got back from the Land of Treasures? How was it?"

"Not bad! Mission a complete success."

After saying that, Carl plopped down in a chair and looked at Smoker: "How about you? How's work going lately?"

Smoker shook his head: "So-so. After the public trial, many naval officers voluntarily submitted self-criticisms, but they were all minor issues. We probably won't be able to catch the big fish like before."

"Hahaha, isn't that great? Isn't this exactly what you wanted to see? The more idle you all are, the better the navy is right now."

Smoker smiled slightly: "That's true, but I've been thinking lately about whether we should address some of the disciplinary issues within the navy, such as the hawkish admirals who often..."

Before he could finish speaking, Karl immediately interrupted, "It's best not to get involved in this. As long as he's not colluding with pirates, it's best to leave his corruption alone."

"But these people completely disregarded the lives of civilians in order to complete their mission. What kind of navy is this? What exactly did they protect?"

"Shouldn't we do something about it?"

Carl shook his head: "They accomplished their mission, didn't they? What right do you have to criticize them?"

“This is different. Just like you said before, there are many ways to complete a mission. There must be a way that satisfies both sides. Why should we sacrifice civilian lives to kill pirates?”

“A soldier’s duty is to obey orders. I know what you’re thinking about Smoker, but that’s not something to consider right now.”

"Your mission is to ensure that there are no more corrupt officials colluding with pirates or engaging in bribery within the Navy. Don't worry about anything else for now, otherwise the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will become history."

After saying that, Carl walked out of the office. Smoker remained silent for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh.

"The task ahead is arduous and long!"

Chapter 127 An Accidental Encounter with the Shipping King

The following day, the two warships departed from Marineford.

One was Karl's original Seastone warship, and the other was a naval warship converted from the Salamander, which Karl renamed the Holy Light.

The Holy Light was a steam-powered warship with sea stone on its bottom. Other than that, it was similar to other warships. The word "Karl" was painted on its sails, clearly indicating its identity.

Carl naturally chose to move into the new ship, since men are all prone to fickleness, so the old ship was left to Nelson.

"That ship is really fast!"

Carl nodded, then turned to look at Ain. Today she was wearing a white naval uniform, a short skirt, and black stockings, giving off a kind of uniform allure. Carl couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.

In short, it's very smooth.

"This time you're going to the New World, and you might be stationed there for a long time, facing even more ferocious opponents. Are you afraid?"

Ain turned to look at Karl, pursed her lower lip, and reached out to straighten Karl's collar before saying, "With you here, I'm not afraid."

Carl smiled and said, "You trust me that much!"

"Hehe, of course! You're the man who single-handedly ventured into all the lands and defeated the head of the Dessert Stars!"

Karl gave a strange look: "It's all just those news writers talking nonsense. Katakuri didn't have much stamina to begin with, otherwise it wouldn't have been so easy to defeat him."

"That's pretty impressive, isn't it? Wait! That's... a pirate ship!"

"Let me see!"

Karl immediately ordered his men to bring him binoculars so he could observe the situation on the distant sea.

What comes into view is a huge mammoth head with long tusks on both sides, and the sails are blood red with skull patterns that resemble tusks.

"Jack! It's this guy?"

the other side.

"Boss, there's a naval warship ahead. Judging from the name, it should be Vice Admiral Karl's ship. That guy just defeated Katakuri of Big Mom. He's a real handful! Should we run away?"

Karl, that pretty-boy navy guy, I saw him when he was arrested last time.

If he remembered correctly, that pretty boy had said it was best not to run into him at sea, because if he did, he guaranteed he would die a horrible death.

Haha, I finally met him today!

Jack's eyes widened, and he slapped away the subordinate who was trying to get him to run away, roaring, "Who do you think I am? Just a lieutenant general, I could kill him in no time!"

"Hey! You guys, move your boat over here, I want to have a go at this guy!"

Before long, Jack's ship sped toward the Holy Light.

"This guy is charging at us. Everyone, prepare for battle."

"Sir, shall we fire?"

Carl stroked his chin: "Notify Nelson that once they are within firing range, both ships will begin firing simultaneously."

"Yes!"

Karl looked at Jack's ship with great interest, thinking to himself that this kid was really reckless; there weren't many pirates as brave as him anymore.

That's true. In the future, he would dare to approach a ship that has gathered Sengoku, Tsuru, and Fujitora. He is just a vice admiral, so what is there that he wouldn't dare to approach?

“Aion, if they want to board their ship later, you come with me to their ship and fight on their ship.”

Ain nodded: "I understand. You know that guy?"

"Yes! One of the top members of the Beasts Pirates, Jack the Drought, an Ancient Zoan-type, in mammoth form, with thick skin and tough flesh."

"Oh... in that case, he probably isn't very fast! Uh, not very agile?"

As Jack's ship drew closer and closer, nearing the range of artillery fire, Karl drew his Autumn Water and Thunderstorm swords, cracking his neck: "Indeed, to be precise, he has no other merits besides being durable."

"fire!!!"

Bang bang bang!

The two warships fired their cannons simultaneously, sending a hail of shells flying into the sky and hurtling towards Jack's ship.

Suddenly, a huge mammoth appeared on Jack's ship, swinging its long trunk to intercept cannonballs and even throwing them at Carl's ship.

"What are you all standing there for? Open fire!"

Bang bang bang!

The pirates quickly launched a counterattack, sending countless cannonballs flying into the sky and crashing around the Holy Light, but none of them managed to hit the warship.

Because Karl's Flying Slash is no joke.

"That's enough, Ain, let's go!"

Ain nodded, and his figure disappeared from the spot along with Karl, using Moonwalk to rush towards Jack's ship.

"Boss, two marines are flying towards us!"

"I can see it! You don't need to tell me!"

Just as Jack finished yelling at his men, Carl and Ian arrived on the ship's deck. Carl looked at Jack with a smile: "Hey, isn't this Drought Jack? Long time no see!"

"Hmph, pretty boy, you've got some nerve, daring to come aboard my ship. Perfect, saves me trouble! Men, kill him!"

Bang bang bang! Several pirate henchmen with flamboyant, punk-style hair immediately raised their guns and aimed at Karl and Ain.

Bang bang bang bang~

Countless bullets shot out, and Karl slowly stretched out his hand, exuding domineering aura, forming an invisible barrier that blocked all the bullets.

“Aion, those henchmen are yours to take care of. Leave no one alive.”

With a whoosh, the short sword sprang from Ain's sleeves, and her figure vanished instantly, reappearing in front of a pirate henchman, killing him with a single blow.

"Jack, looks like your luck isn't so great! You've run into me so soon. What did I tell you?"

"Hmph! Pretty boy, don't think I'm afraid of you. I'm Jack the Drought!!!"

Mammoth Jack charged at Carl, attempting to knock him away, but Carl easily dodged Jack's attack with a shave and slashed him with his sword.

"Ouch!! That hurts so much!"

Jack immediately transformed back into human form. Although he was reckless, he wasn't stupid. The mammoth form was too cumbersome. To deal with a guy like Karl who was agile, he had to fight him in human form to have a chance of winning.

"I heard you have a bounty of 600 million now. I bet 500 million of that is ivory! Hey, how come we've stumbled upon a business opportunity?"

"Look, your ivory is so valuable, and it can grow back even after it's cut off. How about we work together?"

"You provide the ivory, I'll sell it for money, and we'll split it 30/70, so everyone makes a profit. What do you think?"

Enraged, Jack drew two ivory-bladed scimitars from his shoulder and slashed viciously at Carl, roaring, "Die!!!"

shave.

Carl dodged Jack's attack, looked up at Jack, and gripped the Autumn Rain Sword tightly with both hands: "Dual Sword Style: Raven Feather"

boom!

Carl stomped his left foot on the ground, leaving a footprint on the deck. Carl's figure vanished instantly, leaving only two streaks of light, one purple and one red, that spread behind Jack.

Jack stood there, stunned, looking down at his chest.

Sizzle~ Blood bursts out...