One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

Soon, the news of the former Rear Admiral Dragon's defection spread, causing a global uproar. A Rear Admiral alone wouldn't have stirred such commotion, but Dragon's background was the real reason—he was the son of the legendary Navy hero, Garp.

And what Dragon attempted was beyond outrageous: he aimed to steal the Heavenly Tribute!

This caused panic among the countries that had just paid the tribute. If Dragon had succeeded, they would have to pay again, and the World Government wouldn't care about their situation. Failure to pay would result in losing their status, a consequence unacceptable to most weaker nations.

Without the World Government's protection, these countries would be easy targets for powerful pirate crews, facing destruction in minutes. In their eyes, Carl's efforts in defending the tribute saved them as well, preserving their interests.

With the news came a bounty order for Dragon, setting his price at 350 million Belly, surpassing even Gecko Moria, one of the pirate supernovas. As for Garp, accused of sheltering a criminal, he was stripped of all his positions at Navy Headquarters and sent to the infinite hell of Impel Down—as the new chief jailer.

It was said that Fleet Admiral Kong and others had to beg for Garp to even be allowed to hold that title, barely avoiding worse punishment.

Regardless, the fall from Vice Admiral to chief jailer was significant. The difference in power and prestige between the two ranks was stark. While positions in Impel Down carried authority within the prison, outside of it, they were considered insignificant compared to a Vice Admiral of Navy Headquarters.

On the day of his departure, Garp stood at the port, staring at the warship waiting to take him to Impel Down. Sengoku and Tsuru were there to see him off, along with his old subordinates led by Bogart.

Carl and his men waited by the ship as well. Although there to escort Garp, Carl's presence was mostly symbolic, a sign of the World Government's lingering distrust of Garp, fearing he might defect halfway to the prison. Only someone trusted and strong enough could oversee the journey—no one fit that description better than Carl.

Even Warcury couldn't deny Carl's reliability.

Garp looked somewhat rejuvenated, thanks to Fleet Admiral Kong's intervention, which had earned Garp back ten years of his life. Though Carl's current position allowed him to refuse such requests, granting this favor was politically beneficial. Yet, even with those ten years restored, Garp had still lost fifteen years of his life to Carl's powers, and a rematch between them would leave Garp utterly defeated.

As the warship docked, Garp glanced back at the Navy Headquarters building, a trace of nostalgia flashing in his eyes. He forced a smile, turned to Sengoku and the others, and said,

"I'm leaving now. I hope we meet again."

Their throats tightened, but they simply nodded in silence.

Garp, now a shadow of his former self, boarded the ship along with Carl's subordinates. Upon their arrival at Impel Down, Magellan, the prison's vice warden, was already waiting at the gates. As Carl and his entourage disembarked, Magellan hurried to greet them, saying respectfully,

"Welcome, Admiral Black Dragon, I'm vice warden Magellan."

Carl nodded and glanced over the group behind Magellan, noticing familiar faces like Shiryu and Hannyabal.

"Where's your chief warden?" Carl asked.

Magellan smiled awkwardly. "I'm terribly sorry, Admiral Black Dragon, the chief warden drank too much and hasn't woken up yet."

Carl raised an eyebrow. No wonder the Golden Lion escaped so easily in the future. With a drunkard as the chief warden of Impel Down, it was no surprise.

Without further comment, Carl strode past Magellan and entered the prison. The vice warden hurried to catch up. Meanwhile, Shiryu took a drag from his cigar, sneering with disdain.

Carl suddenly stopped, turned to Shiryu, and said lightly, "Put out your cigarette."

Shiryu paused, his tone defiant, "You're being a bit nosy, Admiral. This isn't Marin—"

Before Shiryu could finish, an overpowering force pulled him toward Carl. Carl grabbed his neck, lifting him off the ground with ease. The shock in the air was palpable. Magellan cursed inwardly, knowing all too well how dangerous Carl was.

Despite Shiryu's arrogance and skill, which even surpassed many officers like Momonga, compared to Carl, he was nothing. Shiryu had never truly understood the power behind the title of Admiral.

With no effort, Carl threw Shiryu to the ground and pressed his head into the floor, extinguishing his cigar into his mouth. Then, lifting him again by the collar, Carl whispered,

"Do you still think this is the time to resist?"

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+115 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg