Behind them, the Marines who had not passed out and were still kneeling on the deck were in almost the exact same state as Tashigi.
They had no idea what had just happened.
They couldn’t understand the situation before them, nor why their legs had suddenly given out beneath them.
Their bodies trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat had unknowingly soaked their backs.
They wanted to stand, but their legs refused to obey.
“W-What’s wrong with me?
Why can’t I stand up?!” “Me too!
And…
I have this feeling of dread.
I’m…
scared!” “W-What happened?!
Why did I suddenly fall to my knees?!” “Was it because of that gust of wind just now?
Was it because of him?” As they spoke, the Marines all turned their gazes toward Carnes, who stood not far away.
Feeling the abnormal condition of their own bodies, every Marine wore an expression of utter disbelief.
At that moment, Smoker slowly climbed back to his feet.
He raised his head and stared at Carnes, his eyes trembling violently.
“What was that feeling just now…?” “Could he be a Devil Fruit user too?
No…
that’s not it!” “That was…
Haki?
Was that Haki?!” “Who is this guy?
He’s so young, yet he’s already mastered Haki?!” There was obvious shock in Smoker’s eyes.
He had heard his teacher, the former Marine Admiral Zephyr, mention Haki before.
But this was the first time he had ever encountered it himself.
Could Haki really possess such terrifying power?
With a single burst, it had rendered hundreds of Marines aboard the warship completely unable to fight.
“So…
this is Haki…?” Smoker unconsciously muttered the words aloud.
Hearing that, Carnes turned his gaze toward him.
A smile appeared on his face as he chuckled softly.
“So it’s you.
No wonder you seemed a little familiar.” Smoker froze.
He had no idea what Carnes meant.
Of course, the familiarity Carnes referred to wasn’t because they had met before.
This was their first encounter.
The reason he found Smoker familiar was because, having knowledge of the future of this world, he knew of this person.
However, after remaining in this world for so many years, many of his memories had become blurry, preventing him from recognizing Smoker immediately.
“We didn’t come here to fight or kill anyone,” Carnes said with a polite smile.
“We only came to say hello.” Smoker blinked.
“S-Say hello?” Carnes nodded.
“That’s right.
Just a greeting.” “Allow me to introduce myself.” “I am Carnes, Captain of the Pale Emperor Pirates.” “And this is my subordinate, Demiurge.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain Smoker.” Upon hearing Carnes’ introduction, the Marines instinctively shifted their gazes toward Demiurge standing beside him.
The image of Demiurge effortlessly tearing through the Marine formation flashed through their minds.
Large beads of sweat immediately formed on their foreheads.
Smoker and Tashigi both swallowed hard.
“He’s…
the captain?!” “No way…” “That guy called Demiurge is already this powerful, and he’s not even the captain?!” “Doesn’t that mean Carnes is even stronger than Demiurge?!” With those thoughts in mind, both Smoker and Tashigi subconsciously looked back at Carnes.
Then they remembered the terrifying ability he had displayed moments earlier.
A power that had incapacitated every Marine aboard the warship in an instant.
The two of them shuddered involuntarily, fear appearing on their faces.
Seeing their reactions, Carnes looked slightly puzzled.
“You know who I am?” But the moment he asked, he couldn’t help but laugh.
How could they possibly know him?
The World Government had long erased people like him from history.
Aside from those old-timers who had personally experienced that era, who else would recognize him?
And if those old-timers never spoke of it, then no one would ever know.
“Looks like I asked a rather strange question.” Carnes muttered to himself before slowly walking toward Smoker.
“Originally, I planned to leave after saying hello.” “But now, I’d like to ask you for a small favor.” Smoker gritted his teeth and looked up angrily.
“Are you kidding me?!
Do you really think a Marine Captain like me would help a pirate with anything?!” Carnes paid no attention to his hostility and continued smiling.
“If you ever happen to meet Garp, give him my regards.” “Tell him to enjoy his current freedom while he still can.” “I’ll be coming to find him…
definitely.” “Oh, right.” “If you run into that old man Sengoku, the same message applies.
Pass it along to him as well.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AniForge_058 Enjoying the story?
Every stone means a lot.
Thank you!