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

It hurt because those women were really pinching me!

The reason I'm happy is, well, let's not talk about it.

"Lieutenant General Carl! I admire you so much!!!" "Mr. Carl! I'm your fan!"

Karl smiled and waved to the residents of Tamalisk: "Quiet down, everyone, listen to me!"

Karl's voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear it and involuntarily shut their mouths, because everyone felt that breathing had become difficult, as if a small mountain was pressing on their hearts.

That's right. In order to stabilize the situation, Karl had no choice but to use Conqueror's Haki to intimidate these civilians, because he had suffered too many losses during his "Hero's Journey"—those crazy female fans were capable of anything!

"Hello everyone, I am Vice Admiral Karl. I have important business to attend to in Alabasta, so please do not interfere with my official duties. Thank you."

Just as Karl was calming the crowd, a hooded figure in the corner stared at the eloquent Karl with an ugly expression before disappearing into the corner.

Rainfield, Crocodile's stronghold - Rain Banquet.

A tall woman slowly walked towards Crocodile's office, the sound of her high heels clicking loudly.

The office has a large desk in the center, but no one is in sight. There is only an upside-down leather chair in the middle, and a wisp of smoke occasionally rises from the side.

"Mr.0, I just received news that the naval hero Karl has arrived in Alabasta and is currently at the port of Tamalisk, but he seems to be surrounded by enthusiastic fans."

With a creak, the person sitting in the leather seat quickly stood up, looking at the woman who had spoken in astonishment: "What did you say? Naval hero Karl? What's he doing here?"

Miss.All Sunday shook her head: "I'm not sure yet, but he said he had official business to attend to when speaking to civilians."

"However, the dancing fan incident happened last week, and now the Navy hero has arrived..."

Crocodile waved his hand and said firmly, "That's impossible. The Navy will not interfere in the domestic affairs of the World Government member states. Let alone a little rebellion, even if there is a change of king, they will never care. As long as the Celestial Gold is handed over on time, that's fine."

"That might be the reason, but Karl definitely has a deeper purpose for coming here, and it's very likely that he's here for me."

"Mr. 0, so what are you going to do?"

Crocodile took a deep drag on his cigar, which then turned into dust and scattered on the ground.

"I'll remain unchanged no matter what. As long as he has no evidence, even if he's a naval hero, he can't do anything to me. After all, I'm one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! Hahaha!!!"

Miss.All Sunday nodded helplessly, turned and left, but in her heart she was thinking that if they really came looking for Crocodile, should she prepare to run away?

That's how it's been all these years, isn't it?

Chapter 196 The Imperial Capital - Albana

Alabasta, Tamarisk.

After finally managing to get rid of the enthusiastic crowd, Karl and his party were able to leave.

“Nelson, you stay here with your men. I’m going to Albana alone.”

Karl originally planned to take his naval soldiers with him to the capital of Alabasta, but now it seems that this is no longer feasible. If they have to get stuck in traffic every time they go somewhere, it will be too troublesome.

Moreover, if he goes alone, he can ride a raven, which is fast and convenient, while Nelson and the others can guard the ship.

"Yes, sir. I'll wait for you here with my men. If you need anything, just contact me via Den Den Mushi."

Carl nodded, and the raven on his shoulder quickly grew larger, lying on the ground waiting for Carl to sit on it.

"Gah~"

Alabasta truly lives up to its reputation as a superpower in the first half of the Grand Line, with a land area far exceeding that of other islands. Even riding a raven, Karl would have to fly there for ages, enduring wind and sun.

The most crucial point is that the temperature is too high. Although ravens are not afraid of heat, they do not like to fly in such high temperatures.

"Gah!"

"Stop yelling. I'll let you drink your fill when we get there. Honestly, why do you want to eat and drink as soon as you transform?"

"Caw caw caw!!!" The raven's caw attracted Karl's attention. He squinted and looked closely, and saw a dark shadow rushing towards them.

It looks like... a bird?

"Stop, he's coming for us."

"Gah?" The raven probably meant why he wasn't being attacked, but Karl already recognized who this person was, and he probably meant no harm.

The raven carried Karl to the desolate desert, and the giant falcon that had been circling in the sky also landed on the ground.

"Who are you?"

The man speaking wore an Arabic-style turban, with deep purple four-pointed star makeup around his eyes. He was tall and wore a white robe with many black four-pointed star patterns on both the robe and the turban.

Carl touched his face, thinking that he was wearing a headscarf, which was why Bell didn't recognize him. Well, he wasn't wearing one, or even the Justice Cloak; he was just wearing a white suit.

“You really don’t recognize me… Never mind, I’m Vice Admiral Karl from the Navy Headquarters. I’ve come to Alabasta to have a talk with King Cobra.”

Bell gasped. He had thought the man looked so familiar! It turned out that the real naval hero had come to their country. Was he here to help them quell the rebellion?

"I'm very sorry, I didn't recognize you at first glance. I am Bell, the adjutant of the Alabasta Kingdom's guard. If you are looking for His Majesty the King, please follow me!"

"Haha, it's alright. Then I'll leave it to you to lead the way. Raven, just follow him."

"Gah!"

The raven gave Bell a defiant look, seemingly preparing to test its speed against him later, but under Karl's stern gaze, it ultimately abandoned the idea.

"That's amazing! It can understand what you're saying?"

"It's a Devil Fruit user, just like you. Plus, we've known each other for years, so we have this much in common, don't you think?"

The raven cawed, turned its head, and stroked Karl's palm to show its respect. Bell was somewhat moved by this, but said nothing. He transformed into a giant falcon, took to the sky, and led the way for Karl.

Bell flew ahead, occasionally turning back to look at the naval hero.

Carl sat motionless on the raven, a smile on his face. The desert winds and sand seemed to have no effect on him; he exuded an aura of confidence.

"He truly deserves to be called a naval hero!" Bell thought to himself.

Not long after, Karl arrived in Albana, the imperial capital of Alabasta, led by Bell.

"Lieutenant General Karl, this is the palace. I will go and inform His Majesty Cobra immediately. Please wait here for a moment."

Carl nodded: "It's alright, you can go ahead!"

......

Inside the palace, Cobra, who was in a state of utter distress because of the dancing powder incident, paced back and forth in his room, when he heard Bell's voice behind him.

"Your Majesty Cobra!"

Cobra was so engrossed in his work that the shout startled him, but when he saw it was Bell, a look of confusion crossed his face: "Bell? Why are you back so soon?"

“Your Majesty Cobra, while I was on patrol outside, I unexpectedly ran into the naval hero Karl. He said he was looking for you, so I brought him here. He is waiting for you outside now.”

Cobra gaped, his eyes wide with disbelief, and exclaimed, "Naval hero, Karl? What's he doing in Alabasta? Could he be here to help us...?"

Bell said helplessly, "At first I thought so too, but upon closer inspection, the Navy will not interfere in the internal affairs of member states. So, Your Majesty Cobra, he must have something else to discuss with you."

Kobra immediately realized that he had been grasping at straws in his desperation.

"Quickly, quickly, bring Lieutenant General Karl over here!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

In a corner to the side, a young girl with blue hair hid, a happy look on her pretty face.

"King Cobra, I am Vice Admiral Karl from the Naval Headquarters. It is an honor to meet you."

"Vice Admiral Carl, you're too kind. You're a renowned naval hero! It's an honor to meet you. Come, come, don't be shy, please have a seat."

Karl smiled slightly: "^_^, then I won't be polite."

"Oh my, Lieutenant General Karl is just as the newspapers say, handsome and dashing, making us all feel ashamed of ourselves!"

"Haha, I'm embarrassed by what King Cobra said."

Cobra laughed and quickly got to the point: "I heard from Bell that you came here specifically to see me. I wonder what it is that requires a naval hero like you to make the trip in person?"

Karl's lips curled up slightly as he turned to look at the man who looked like a woman beside him, then at Bell. Cobra instantly understood.

"Ahem, Icarus, Bell, you two can go out now!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, only Kacobra and Karl remained in the room. Karl was just about to speak when his eyes suddenly glanced at the corner. Tsk tsk, it seems a kind little guy has arrived!

Karl remained silent, watching Cobra recount the events in detail: "I wonder if King Cobra is aware of the attack on Mary Geoise a year ago?"

“Hmm?” Cobra frowned. “Well… I know, of course. I heard that Mary Geoise suffered heavy losses, which prevented this year’s World Conference from being held.”

"What, is it that you want to talk to me about something related to the destruction of Mary Geoise?"

Chapter 197 You Are the Hero

“Indeed, Your Majesty Cobra.”

Karl pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, on which were written a bunch of names that looked very noble.

"This is..."

"This is the list of world noble families who died in the attack on Mary Geoise. There were originally 18 world noble families living in Mary Geoise, but now only 15 remain."

Even so, the remaining 15 families have drastically decreased in number, and there are not many world nobles living on Mary Geoise now.