Very Popular Carl

"Carl, can I feel your ability?"

Akainu looked at Carl with burning eyes, an invisible pressure enveloping Carl. Aokiji, standing to the side, also cast a "yearning" gaze.

Although he said nothing, his face was plastered with words.

"Uh, of course. Admiral Aokiji, would you like to try it too?"

Aokiji said with feigned surprise, "Oh? So I'm included too?"

On the surface, Carl smiled brightly, but behind the scenes... Nonsense, what if you give me a hard time behind my back later on?

Hearing Carl say this, Kizaru's expression turned somewhat aggrieved. Don't ask Carl why he knew, because Kizaru wore that exact same expression when Monica's period came around.

Except that Monica was a young married woman after all, and she could always perfectly alleviate Carl's "grievances" each time.

Yet Kizaru was merely aggrieved; there was completely no sign of him being ticked off or angry. A seasoned veteran was a seasoned veteran indeed.

With no other choice, since Carl could afford to offend no one, he simply spread his hands and condensed two golden balls of light, tossing them toward Akainu and Aokiji.

The very instant the Holy Light entered his body, Akainu closed his eyes immediately. Feeling the power of the Holy Light, his body instantly felt much lighter, and his fatigue was noticeably reduced, yet none of that was the main point.

Slowly clenching his fists and feeling his strengthened physique, Akainu couldn't help marveling inwardly—this was a long-lost feeling of growing stronger!

He grew stronger by roughly 2% or so. Perhaps his sensation wasn't entirely accurate, but the effect brought by Carl's ability was exceptionally obvious, affecting not only the body but also the mind.

Akainu abruptly opened both eyes, his sharp gaze locking straight onto Carl. This man had to become his subordinate.

On the other side, Aokiji also slowly opened his eyes. Although he did not display it as overtly as Akainu, his gaze was filled with a craving for Carl.

"Carl, become my subordinate! I guarantee that within three years, you will become a Headquarters Rear Admiral!"

"Ooh-ooh-ooh~ Sakazuki, this is different from what we discussed earlier. No way? Really? You wouldn't even try to snatch up the subordinate old man already claimed, would you?"

Kizaru puckered his little lips in surprise and started chattering away, taking the opportunity to mock Akainu for lacking integrity before curling his lip.

The general gist was that Akainu's promises were a joke and best taken with a grain of salt.

Ignoring Kizaru's passive-aggressive sarcasm, Akainu said with a calm expression, "Sorry, Borsalino, but Carl's ability is precisely what I need. With his assistance, my mission efficiency will be even higher, and I wouldn't even fear encountering the Whitebeard Pirates!"

"With your abilities being so formidable, you don't need Carl's assistance at all. You might as well let him come be my adjutant!"

Though he spoke of apologies, Kizaru showed not the slightest trace of it, making it clear he wanted to poach him outright. It's going to drive this old man crazy!

"Carl, what do you think? Don't forget, the more missions you complete, the more likely you are to accumulate military merits and advance further!"

With that, Akainu glanced sideways at Kizaru and said casually, "Borsalino, Carl can only receive the best growth environment under my command."

"Whether it's physical technique, ability development, or even swordsmanship, I will impart everything to Carl without reservation. As for you... heh~"

Truthfully, Carl was practically tempted, but upon recalling Akainu's personality from his memories, he ultimately shrank back in hesitation.

"How terrifying~ Since you put it that way, it looks like old man I have no choice but to cede Carl to you..."

Akainu's expression remained unchanged, but the joy in his gaze betrayed his current mood. However, Kizaru's tone shifted as he gently adjusted his sunglasses before speaking up.

"Oh, almost forgot... Little Carl made an agreement with the old man long ago to report to my place right after graduation, right? Little Carl!"

Splendid, now the pressure was on Carl.

Carl's expression turned solemn. He thought that if it were Aokiji, he might actually consider it, but Akainu was completely off his list of candidates.

Four words summed it up: incompatible values. Rather than clashing later on, it was better to lay all cards on the table.

Every time he held Monica during the post-nut clarity phase while listening to her gossip, he had heard plenty of rumors about Akainu.

Simply put, Akainu was far too dedicated to his job—he was either killing pirates or on his way to kill pirates. Becoming his subordinate would most likely squeeze out Carl's time for slacking off, and on that point alone, he simply couldn't accept it.

Carl's train of thought was crystal clear: slowly slack off to pad his seniority, accumulate military merits, raise his rank, and thereby boost his own strength. That was what Carl actually needed.

Some might say Carl wasn't a qualified marine, constantly plotting to slack off, but to Carl, the marines were merely a job. Nothing more.

So, I choose you, Monkey!

"Admiral Akainu, while I would love to be your subordinate, I did indeed make an agreement with Admiral Kizaru beforehand, and I am a man who keeps his word, so I am very sorry."

Having said that, Carl turned to look at a grinning, lip-puckering Kizaru: "Admiral Kizaru, once the internship period ends, I will report to you. Please rest assured."

Akainu's face darkened, and he instantly felt he was losing face. With an icy tone, he said, "Carl, don't live to regret this..."

With that, Akainu let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve as he walked away. Gazing at Akainu's departing back, Carl sighed with mixed emotions.

Did you see that, Monkey? Just to happily slack off with an old timer like you, I even went and offended Akainu.

Three years! If I don't get promoted to Rear Admiral, don't blame me for turning hostile!

"Hahaha, what a formidable younger generation! To actually reject Sakazuki without a shred of hesitation!"

"Keep it up and grow strong! You are very important to the marines!"

Aokiji chuckled with a hearty laugh, patted Carl's shoulder in encouragement, and turned to leave, never once showing any intention of wanting Carl to be his subordinate.

Both rivals having departed, Kizaru shrugged and spread his hands with a "what happened" expression.

"Little Carl, this is the phone number for my Den Den Mushi. If you encounter an opponent you can't handle during the internship, call my number directly. Of course, you can call after the internship too."

Accepting the slip of paper Kizaru handed him, Carl felt somewhat surprised. If Aokiji or Akainu had given him their phone numbers, he wouldn't have cared, but who was Kizaru?

The fastest man in the world!

If he ever got cornered by Whitebeard one day, a single phone call and Kizaru could rush over to support him in a short time. Even if they couldn't win, they could always raise their hands and surrender together! At least he'd have company, right?

"Thank you, Admiral Kizaru—no, Commander!"

Kizaru offered a lewd smile, nodded in satisfaction, and dissolved into particles of light, disappearing on the spot.

At that moment, Smoker and Zephyr walked over. Smoker's eyes were full of teasing amusement: "Who knew you kid was such a hot commodity! But that's normal, too!"

"After all, your ability is simply too useful!"

Smoker had just learned from Zephyr about Carl's ability, and even he was dying to have Carl as his subordinate, though he knew that was impossible.

Carl's strength, combined with his strategically significant ability, made him a prized commodity among the marines. There was no way it would ever fall to a mere major like him.

Besides, once Carl passed his internship, the lowest rank he would get was Major. After all, the guy was already a branch Captain to begin with, so a promotion of one rank was entirely normal. How could he possibly follow a thorn in the side like him?

"Are you still choosing to follow that guy Kizaru?" Zephyr asked, looking at Carl with a stern gaze.

"Yes, Teacher Zephyr. This is something Admiral Kizaru and I agreed upon long ago."

Zephyr sighed and said helplessly, "Since that's the case, this old man won't stop you either, but you must remember never to squander your talent for physical technique."

"Hahaha, of course. Oh right, Teacher Zephyr, is our internship just going out to catch pirates?"

Zephyr nodded. "Indeed. This old man has already selected a target—a pirate crew with a total bounty of around 60 million. With your strength, dealing with them will be more than enough, but this old man hopes you remember one thing: the marines are a collective."

A collective?

Carl's eyes lit up. Did that mean he was being told to slack off—no! To give others a chance to shine! Meaning he shouldn't make a move unless absolutely necessary, right?

He was exceptionally familiar with this game!