Chapter 187: Midnight Sparring: Unleashing Power in the Training Arena

After dinner, Karl handed Krell all the Devil Fruits that weren’t Zoan Mythical or Logia types, telling him to store them in the warehouse. When any of his subordinates rack up enough contribution points, they can redeem one right away.

Although night had already fallen, the training arena still blazed with lights. Karl was about to put Borsalino and the others’ strength to the test.

The arena had already been restored to perfect condition.

“Yasakani no Magatama!”

Standing at one end of the field, Borsalino wasted no time unleashing a wide-area attack.

He wanted to catch Lord Karl off guard and force him into making a mistake.

“Gravity Blade—Fierce Tiger!” A streak of purple sword energy sliced through the smoke and shot straight at Karl.

Though smoke billowed everywhere, Issho used his Observation Haki to lock onto Karl’s location.

“Shadow Bats!”

Moria’s Observation Haki wasn’t nearly as sharp. To compensate, he sent out swarms of shadow bats to help track Karl’s movements.

“Advanced Conqueror’s Haki—Tailwind Slash!”

Karl, facing Borsalino and the others, didn’t hold back like he would with his children.

He wrapped his Halberd with Advanced Conqueror’s Haki, and with each swing, afterimages filled the air.

“Light Sword!”

Clang!

Zzzzt!

But even Borsalino suffered his first setback here.

“Yo-ho, you actually blocked it!” Karl hadn’t used his full strength, yet this blow would overwhelm any Vice Admiral.

He hadn’t expected Borsalino to actually withstand it.

“Kowai ne!”

“Lord Karl’s strength is seriously off the charts!”

Borsalino felt the pressure pulsing through his Light Sword. He sucked in a sharp breath.

Even knowing Karl wouldn’t go all out, Borsalino could only barely block what looked like an ordinary strike.

“Gravity Blade!”

A surge of purple sword energy slashed past from the side.

Borsalino thought it was his chance at rescue, only to see Lord Karl raise his left hand, clad in Armament Haki, easily catching the slash.

Before Borsalino’s stunned eyes, Karl squeezed. The sword aura instantly shattered in his palm.

“Whoosh!” Sakazuki swept in from the side with a whip kick.

Bang!

Karl blocked with his left hand, flashing a big toothy grin. As Sakazuki’s face twisted in fear, Karl grabbed his leg and tossed him—hard—over his shoulder.

Crash after crash sounded as Sakazuki tumbled backward, finally leaving a human-shaped dent on the far wall.

Karl piled more force into his right hand, wanting to see just how much pressure Borsalino could withstand.

Feeling the weight on his sword mounting, Borsalino hurriedly turned into a burst of light and vanished.

“I might lose in power, but at least my speed lets me escape—barely.”

Suspended midair, Borsalino mumbled to himself, relief plain on his face.

“Relying only on Devil Fruit powers isn’t good enough.”

“A real powerhouse needs both Haki and pure combat skills.”

A voice sounded behind him. Borsalino hadn’t even finished being shocked before Karl’s right hand chopped down like a blade, aiming for his shoulder. He didn’t even have time to turn intangible.

In the next instant, Borsalino was smashed into the ground, his legs buried in the floor with only his neck sticking out.

Then Karl dropped from the sky, aiming straight for Borsalino’s head.

Borsalino sensed impending doom and instantly scattered into motes of light, dodging away just in time.

Boom! Karl landed with a thunderous crash.

“Ice Time Capsule!”

Karl had barely landed before Kuzan’s attack struck.

Ice engulfed him, turning him into an instant ice sculpture.

“Fish-Man Karate!”

“Sandstorm!”

“Crushing Fist!”

“…”

As soon as Karl was frozen, a rain of attacks descended from all sides, as though they meant to bury him completely.

Clang!!!

But just as all those attacks landed, a huge golden bell shimmered into view around the ice—the shield created by Karl’s Golden Light Spell.

Crack!

In a flash, the ice exploded. Karl stepped out from within the golden bell, not a scratch on him, not even a crease in his clothes.

“Not bad, not bad.” Karl grinned wide.

No wonder these guys were famed geniuses in the original story. They’re not even adults, yet some can already fight at a Rear Admiral’s level.

All the more reason he was glad to have gathered them early and helped them grow fast.

“I think that’s enough fighting for now.”

Seeing the red gleam in Karl’s eyes, Kuma was the first to back down—no way did he want to experience human shot-put.

Getting beaten by Lord Karl wasn’t exactly shameful, but the flashing camera on the sidelines had caught every humiliating moment.

Jennifer: “…”

“Yeah, time to scram!”

Aramaki, who’d gotten launched by the Halberd the moment things started, was now desperate to avoid Karl after seeing his real power.

There’s misery—and then there’s outright seeking abuse.

“It’s not what you think that matters, it’s what I say.” Karl didn’t bother wasting breath. He shouldered his Halberd and charged in again.

Tonight, he wouldn’t stop until he’d run these juniors totally ragged.

Bang!

“Ah!”

“Kowai ne!”

“Don’t think flying high will keep you out of reach.”

“No!”

Boom…

“Brutal. Absolutely savage. Who can take this?”

Katakuri watched from the sidelines, heart pounding.

He’d already thought their fight with Karl was rough, but now, seeing this, it almost felt gentle by comparison.

They’re even using Advanced Conqueror’s Haki now. If that hit them directly, it’d hurt like hell.

“Let’s move. Time to go.”

Perospero, clutching a giant lollipop, gave it an awkward lick and stiffly turned to leave.

No way did he want to risk his father dragging him in for more. One round was enough.

Just because they’d eaten dinner didn’t mean they wanted to work it off right now.

The other brothers and sisters scrambled to escape, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Krell, Davis, and the others hadn’t come to watch. Once or twice might be amusing, but seeing ‘father beats sons’ over and over just lost its charm.

The next morning, Karl woke refreshed and clear-headed.

That heated spar left him feeling invigorated—all the stress he picked up in God Valley had melted away.

Rolling over, he stroked the white rabbit in his arms and chuckled softly. After all, he’d come to the One Piece World, he might as well enjoy some comfort.

He flipped over and leaned down. Linlin, lying next to him, jolted awake at his sudden move.

After all, they hadn’t fallen asleep until the early hours.

“You beast, you’re going to ruin the fields~”

“No way!”

…

By the time they actually walked out the door, it was already noon.

“Go find Krell for me. Tell him I’ll be waiting in the conference room.”

Karl ordered the maid as he stepped outside.

Blushing, she bowed deeply. “Yes, Lord Karl!”

The maid’s heart pounded. In her mind, Karl’s strength hadn’t waned one bit.

She’d been standing outside the door all night. No matter how soundproofed the room, she still caught hints of what went on inside.