Chapter 103: A Candlelit Welcome on Cake Island

After several hours Karl and Charlotte Linlin finally arrived at Cake Island.

They stood and looked out over the island before them.

“Ma ma ma ma!”

“This time, no one should be coming to bother us, right?”

Karl hesitated a bit. After all, no one could predict when Rocks might summon them back.

“It shouldn’t happen this time.”

Karl quickly offered reassurance.

“Come on let’s go see our daughters first.”

Now that Charlotte Linlin’s craving illness had been cured she felt especially close to the kids. Even her temper was much better these days.

On the way, he told the Fishmen building on the island to go and find Krell for him.

He dropped Charlotte Linlin off at the nursery and took a look himself, finding their three daughters awake after the commotion of their arrival.

Afterwards, a group of servants sent by Krell arrived to look after them.

“Mama!”

Perospero and the other children hadn’t seen their mother in a long time either, so they ran excitedly to the nursery to play.

While they often came to visit their little sisters even when on the island, today felt different with their mother present.

After all, kids will be kids, and playing is part of their nature.

Witnessing this scene, Karl quietly headed out and found Ledfield resting on the shore.

He walked over to Ledfield.

Ledfield spotted the unfamiliar face on the island. When he tried to use his mind-reading ability though, he hit a wall.

His expression turned heavy as he considered the man before him.

“You must be Karl?”

“That’s right I’m Karl.”

Karl regarded Ledfield intently.

Who would believe it?

This man alone was said to be on par with both Whitebeard and Roger—a top-tier powerhouse.

A true admiral-class fighter, he was at his peak the moment he set sail.

In the original story, he exhausted himself in battle then was captured and sent to Impel Down only after being sieged by Garp and Sengoku.

If not for that, his legend might have continued to grow.

“Interested in a chat?”

Karl secretly hoped to recruit Ledfield to his cause—of course he wanted to try.

“Naturally!”

Ledfield was curious about Karl’s approach to leadership.

“This island is managed pretty well. Mind sharing your secrets?”

At that, Karl sat beside him and gazed out over the sea.

“Honestly, I don’t really have some magic method.”

That was hardly the answer Ledfield had hoped for.

“Would you mind elaborating a bit?”

Karl nodded and began in a calm voice.

“You might laugh, but as long as people do things for me, I make sure things are fair in return. No one has to worry about going hungry.”

“It’s never truly fair under my leadership, but at least no one gets bullied or oppressed.”

“Let’s be honest, if your belly’s full and there’s something to look forward to, who would choose the life of a pirate?”

Ledfield mulled over Karl’s words, turning each point over in his mind.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard someone say things like that.”

“But I have to admit, you’ve got a point.”

“Still, in all my years sailing these seas, I’ve seen a lot of…”

Karl knew what bothered Ledfield—in the original story, Ledfield had the power to read others’ minds.

But with the System, Ledfield probably couldn’t read his thoughts. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have so many questions.

“It’s because this world’s rotten to its core.”

“I want to change things. Want to join me?”

He issued a heartfelt invitation and looked at Ledfield with anticipation.

Instead of replying, Ledfield posed another question.

“What does your ideal world look like?”

This time, Karl took a long pause, thinking it through.

“Fairness, justice—everyone with a full stomach, no more oppression or abuse, no more slavery or human trafficking, no masks to hide behind. Just a place where everyone can live in peace, work with the sunrise, rest with the sunset—the beautiful world I picture in my mind.”

Ledfield couldn’t deny his words had struck a chord, but he wanted to test Karl’s strength to see if he could make that dream a reality.

“If you don’t mind, show me what you’ve got.”

Hearing this, Karl knew things were pretty much settled.

“Of course. Anytime you’re ready.”

Ledfield rose to his feet, gripping his sword with steady hands, his gaze fixed straight ahead brimming with confidence.

“Here I come!”

Before Karl even finished speaking, he charged in like a howling storm.

His speed was staggering, leaving afterimages in the air.

His fists clenched tight and coated in Armament Haki—his arms hard as stone.

In the very next second, Karl’s fist collided with Ledfield’s sword.

A huge thunderous roar ripped across all of Cake Island like a shock of lightning splitting the silent sky.

The impact of their clash unleashed a powerful shockwave ripping up trees and sending dust flying.

Thankfully, their battle was by the shore, so the island itself didn’t take damage—but the sheer force of it drew everyone’s attention.

Krell was the first to arrive, glancing at Notty beside him.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing, Lord Karl and that Ledfield guy are going at it on the shore.”

Charlotte Linlin had already gotten a heads up from Karl. She wasn’t worried but still hurried out of the room toward the coast.

Right in the thick of battle, Ledfield felt the devastating force behind Karl’s fist and couldn’t help but feel a jolt of shock.

Still, instead of faltering, his fighting spirit only burned brighter.

“Arrgh!!!”

He let out a thunderous shout.

A dazzling flash burst from his sword—a silver lightning bolt blazing through the air.

Karl wasn’t about to be outdone. His fist wrapped tight in Armament Haki, he struck at Ledfield like a storm unleashed.

The force of his punches sent ripples through the air—every strike packed raw power.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

Dust swept up along the coast as the two figures flashed in and out of view.

Ledfield’s sword was like a silver serpent—always targeting Karl’s weak points at the perfect moment.

But Karl gave no ground, fighting on pure instinct and going toe to toe with Ledfield.

Seeing the ground split and shatter under them, Karl knew it couldn’t keep going like this.

“Arrgh!!!”

A sharp light flashed in his eyes. He let out a mighty roar.

His fist, now crackling with Conqueror’s Haki, slammed into the sword with a deafening blast.

Ledfield felt a tidal wave of power surge through him—he was hurled backward, blood spraying from his lips midair.

Even so, he twisted his body and landed steadily, wiping away the blood from his mouth.

He realized if Karl had used that power from the start, defeat would have come much sooner.

He strode forward, took a deep breath, and offered his right hand to Karl.

“If you still need people, I think I’m your guy.”

A smile broke onto Karl’s face as he reached out and gripped Ledfield’s hand tightly.

“Of course—welcome aboard.”

Ledfield grinned, teasing, “If you fail to deliver, don’t blame me if I walk out.”

Karl paused for an instant, still holding his hand.

“If I ever change my mind, you’re free to leave whenever you want.”

They dropped their hands.

“Welcome to the crew. I’m Lux D. Karl.”

“I’m Baroric Ledfield.”

Pleased to have Ledfield join, Karl led them back into the heart of the island.

“Hahaha! We have to throw a feast to celebrate your joining us!”

Ledfield trailed behind, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“A feast, huh? It’s been so long since I went to one of those.”

Karl laughed boisterously from up ahead.

“Hahaha—get used to it, you’ll be partying so much you’ll get sick of it!”

“Hahaha, you’re probably right about that!”

Karl spotted Krell nearby.

“Krell, get the feast started!”

“We’re celebrating Ledfield’s arrival!”

Krell turned to Karl, but before he could say anything, the Fishmen around them burst into cheers.

“Yeah, time for a feast!”

Krell beamed with delight.

“Sounds good. They could use the break.”

“Wrap up your work, everyone, we’ll meet tonight!”

“Long live Lord Karl!”

News of the feast spread fast, reaching every corner of the island by nightfall.

Whole crowds of Fishmen poured onto Cake Island.

“Ma ma ma ma!”

Linlin laughed joyfully at the sight of another mighty warrior joining their ranks.