One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

Carl glanced at the escort team moving sluggishly behind him. With a casual wave of his hand, he yanked the five bound soldiers forward, throwing them at Kong's feet.

The soldiers were barely clinging to life. Kong frowned, confusion spreading across his face.

"Carl, what happened to them?" he asked.

Carl remained calm. "They forgot they were Navy officers and chose to serve the Monkey family as personal guards."

The senior Navy officers exchanged bewildered glances. Tsuru, unable to suppress her curiosity, rose and looked Carl squarely in the eye. "

Carl, where is Garp?" she asked.

Without a word, Carl summoned the Dark-Dark Fruit's power, unleashing the Dark Bible. Garp, gray-haired and bound, appeared before them. The sight of him sent shockwaves through the room. Tsuru and Sengoku rushed to Garp's aid, but Carl stepped in, blocking their path.

Sengoku's eyes flared with anger as his body began to glow with the radiant light of Sengoku.

"Carl, move!" he commanded, his voice carrying a warning.

Carl didn't budge. Darkness surged from his body, engulfing Sengoku's golden light entirely. Lucia and Ginny, standing by Carl's side, drew their swords, ready to defend him.

For the normally calm Tsuru, this was the last straw. She brought her palms together, entering her battle stance, prepared to fight.

The tension in Marineford reached its peak. The air at the port seemed to crackle with impending violence. Kong, finally regaining his senses, barked out,

"What the hell do you all think you're doing? This is Marineford! Stand down!"

But Tsuru and Sengoku, seeing Garp in such a pitiful state, were too far gone to hear him.

Kong's fists clenched, veins popping on his forehead as he prepared to step forward. But before he could act, Garp's feeble voice broke through the chaos.

"Sengoku... Tsuru... don't be rash…"

Garp's voice, frail and weak, caused a tremor in Tsuru and Sengoku. Kong pushed his way between them, standing face to face with Carl.

"Carl, explain yourself."

Carl's gaze dropped to Garp on the ground before he replied,

"During the mission, former Rear Admiral Dragon attempted to steal the Heavenly Tribute. I tried to arrest him, but Garp didn't assist. Instead, he interfered and helped Dragon escape."

"Nani?!" The gathered Vice Admirals and soldiers gasped, staring at Garp in shock. Kong took a moment to digest the news before he stepped toward Garp, his voice low and serious.

"Garp, is this true?"

Garp remained silent, his eyes closed, his face turned away.

His silence was answer enough. Tsuru and Sengoku froze, unable to move.

After a long pause, Kong spoke again, his voice strained. "Garp, you must realize the shame this brings upon the entire Navy."

Garp's body trembled at the accusation, but he nodded weakly. Kong continued, his tone sharp.

"I know Dragon is your son, but don't forget—you are not just a father, you are a Vice Admiral. The entire Navy looks up to you. Have you forgotten the responsibility you carry?"

Kong's words grew more impassioned, and in his frustration, he grabbed Garp by the shoulders, forcing him to look at him. Garp coughed violently, the weight of his decisions bearing down on him.

Tsuru raised her hand instinctively, but Sengoku held her back. Unlike Garp, Sengoku's loyalty was always to the Navy first. He could not defend his old friend this time. Garp had crossed the line.

With a pained expression, Garp muttered, "If I hadn't helped Dragon, Carl would have killed him..."

Kong turned to Carl, who responded in a cold, measured tone.

"Dragon committed treason. He resisted arrest. As a Rear Admiral, I had every right to execute him."

Garp coughed again, his body shaking. "But you're a Navy officer... how could you do that to your comrade?"

Carl's gaze hardened. "He ceased being a comrade the moment he stole the HeavenlyTribute. He disgraced the Navy."

Garp's strength gave out, and he slumped against Kong. Tsuru, seeing his condition, urged,

"Fleet Admiral Kong, Garp needs rest. He's too weak."

Kong, though furious, couldn't bring himself to push Garp further. He ordered the medical team to take Garp to the infirmary. Carl made no move to intervene, his part in the situation was over.

Later, back in his office, Kong found no peace. The unmistakable ring of the Den Den Mushi echoed through the room, its distinct Bulu Bulu sound grating on his nerves. The World Government was calling.

Dreading the conversation, Kong picked up the receiver. An old voice, cold and commanding, greeted him.

"Kong, send Garp to Impel Down immediately."

Though Kong had expected this, it still felt like a blow to the gut. His eyes shut tight as he exhaled heavily.

"Understood," he replied, and the Den Den Mushi clicked off.

For a long while, Kong stared at the now-silent Den Den Mushi. The weight of the situation pressed down on him. Finally, he muttered,

"Garp, what were you thinking?"

Regret gnawed at him. He regretted allowing Garp to join this mission. But more than that, he despised Dragon. In Kong's eyes, Dragon was an ungrateful, disloyal fool who had dragged his father into this mess.

Carl, on the other hand, remained untouchable. As the youngest Admiral, he had brought down legends like the Golden Lion and Redfield. Carl's actions, while ruthless, had preserved the Navy's honor. How could Kong fault him?

But as the gravity of the situation settled in, one thought crossed Kong's mind: Carl had actually overpowered Garp.

That realization left him speechless.

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+95 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg