In the Marshal's office.
After observing the scenery for a while, Sakazuki and Carol returned.
Sitting in the Marshal's seat, Sakazuki, for the first time in a long time, flipped through some documents and the current war situation. There were no significant changes. He closed them and set them aside.
"Have you discovered any special Devil Fruit users recently?"
Carol chuckled.
"Yes, quite a few."
"For some reason, in this recent period, users with rarer abilities have been appearing more frequently."
"They have all been registered."
As he spoke, he opened a drawer at his seat and took out a booklet, handing it to Sakazuki.
It was filled with densely packed names of Devil Fruit users, with rarer ones specially marked.
Sakazuki took it, glanced through it, and nodded slightly.
"Find a way to deal with these guys when you have time."
"Recycle some of the super-ability types."
"Barrier-Barrier Fruit, Magnet-Magnet Fruit, and the like."
"Keep the rest for now, no rush."
Sakazuki recalled a support request document he had just seen.
"The Kingdom of Rummel is within the New World, right?"
"I'll go take a look tonight."
Carol nodded.
"Yes."
----------
Late at night.
New World, Kingdom of Rummel.
The entire royal capital was brightly lit, yet eerily silent. All rooms were illuminated by various light sources, leaving no dark corners. Yet, the people huddled in corners, clutching their weapons, fearing something.
The cause of all this was the legend that had spread from some unknown time: 'Rummel's Sickle Wind.'
'Rummel's Sickle Wind' was named for its speed in killing, swift as the wind.
It initially spread throughout the royal capital and then throughout the entire kingdom.
Rumor had it that once night fell, a devil-like figure would traverse the entire capital, wantonly slaughtering the kingdom's prominent figures.
This spanned all walks of life. Anyone with some renown, big or small, could be targeted by 'Rummel's Sickle Wind.'
Although the kingdom had tried to connect the murdered individuals to find the killer, their relentless investigation finally revealed that it was just a madman... with no discernible motive for his killings.
It seemed he merely enjoyed the act of slaughtering famous people.
To this end, the kingdom had also sought help from the Marines, but 'Rummel's Sickle Wind' was too fast. The围剿 (wéijiao - encirclement and suppression) soldiers suffered countless casualties.
With no other recourse, they had to appeal to higher authorities for aid. However, the middle and high-ranking troops were all deployed to the front lines. With each escalation, the report eventually reached the Marshal's office...
On the highest rooftop in the royal capital.
A man with golden curly hair, strikingly handsome, dressed like a prince from a fairy tale, held a rose and inhaled it ecstatically.
"Ah~"
"This is my popularity~"
"The entire kingdom submits to my handsome visage~"
"Today, too, shall be a magnificent~"
"Hunt!"
After his moment of ecstasy, he closed his eyes, as if falling asleep...
A few breaths later, his entire body emanated a black pressure, his face contorted like a demon, his eyes gleaming with bloodthirsty light... he leaped towards the royal capital below...
Cavendish.
Originally from the Kingdom of Bourgeois, he was the prince of the Kingdom of Bourgeois.
Due to his excessively handsome face, all unmarried women in his country refused to marry, and ultimately, for the sake of the nation's development, he was exiled.
When he wandered to the Kingdom of Rummel, after his second personality, in his sleep, had murdered several prominent figures, the entire kingdom was abuzz with discussion.
Cavendish seemed to revel in the murmurs of the people, enjoying the popularity brought by his 'second personality,' finding great pleasure in it...
But tonight...
BOOM!!!
Cavendish, who had just leaped into the royal capital, was suddenly kicked flying by Carol, crashing into a wall.
Many people hiding in their rooms peeked out, their faces filled with excitement.
"Marines! It's the Marines!!!"
"That's great!!!"
"He knocked that demon flying in an instant! That devil will be killed today, won't he!"
Carol looked at Cavendish, who was embedded in the wall, and pushed away the shattered bricks to climb out. He nodded slightly.
"A mental illness, is it..."
He was somewhat disappointed, having expected some kind of special ability.
Cavendish on the rooftop earlier had been within his Observation Haki's range, but there had been nothing unusual.
However, in an instant, his aura had shifted, turning demonic...
Cavendish in his alter ego state, growled lowly, a sword appearing in his hand at some point. He stomped his foot and lunged towards Carol.
The fragmented air currents could be vaguely discerned, and the sword spun, exuding sword energy that faintly formed the shape of a bird.
Seeing the bird-shaped phantom lunging at him, Carol smiled.
"Blue Bird, is it."
He gripped his famous sword and whispered.
"One Sword Style..."
"Blue Bird!"
A shrill cry, like a bird's call, erupted as a massive blue sword energy shot out, also forming the shape of a blue bird, lifelike and almost substantial...
*Shwing—*
It pierced through.
Cavendish, in his alter ego state, stopped just before Carol. His head stiffly turned towards his chest, disbelief etched on his face. Then, his entire demeanor shifted, and the alter ego instantly vanished.
The main personality, Cavendish, returned, but it was too late. The searing pain in his chest indicated he was finished...
Before he could look up at the attacker opposite him, the world spun. He saw a familiar lower body...
His entire upper half was sliced in two at the waist, falling directly to the ground. In the fleeting moments before his consciousness faded, he saw Carol's face, watching him with indifferent eyes...
"This guy's face... is actually more handsome than mine..."
Intense unwillingness surged through his mind, but it was already futile. He plunged into darkness...
Carol slowly sheathed his sword and picked up the famous sword that Cavendish had dropped. He had no interest in investigating him further; this was merely an incidental mission.
--------
South Blue, a small island occupied by the Revolutionary Army.
The pirate crew that had once occupied the island and committed atrocities had been eliminated by the Revolutionary Army.
Everything was beginning to develop in a better direction, but it wasn't particularly friendly for the island's teenage gangs.
The constraints of order made them unable to adapt. They pondered solutions.
The leaders of four gangs gathered. These were the nascent form of the future Kid Pirates. Kid had already acquired his ability by this point, and the girl he loved, who was killed by pirates on the occupied island in the original story, was alive and well.
Including the four young leaders, the five of them hit it off and began discussing their plans to set sail...
*Swish—*
Carol appeared on a nearby tree, concealing his presence. He listened to the content of their discussion and chuckled softly.
He lay down directly on the thick tree trunk, crossing his hands behind his head. He had initially intended to deal with that one special ability user directly, but since they were already planning to set sail...
"This is quite opportune then..."