Chapter 50

After drinking several bottles of premium liquor with Luo En, Karp collapsed drunkenly onto the table.

Although Luo En's face was also flushed from alcohol, his mind remained clear.

Using the excuse of going to the restroom, he slipped away from the tavern, leaving Karp behind.

"If I remember correctly, the Neptune design blueprint is now in Franky's hands."

Luo En, his face flushed, pondered silently.

He had previously had no interest in the Neptune design blueprint, but after acquiring the skill "Mechanical Mastery" and gaining a flood of mechanical knowledge in his mind, he became intrigued.

He spent a little time asking for the location of Franky's house.

He put on a fox mask bought from a roadside vendor and slipped into Franky's house like a ghost.

Franky was repairing a ship with several subordinates.

"You all, give it your all today—get this ship fixed by the day after tomorrow!"

"Yes, Brother Franky!"

Franky, bent over his work, sensed someone approaching beside him but assumed it was one of his subordinates; without turning, he reached out his hand.

"Mishi, perfect timing—hand me the wrench."

The next second.

A small knife-hand struck hard against his neck.

Franky's vision went black instantly, and he collapsed unconscious.

Luo En, wearing the fox mask, bent down, opened the switch on Franky's abdomen, and took the Neptune design blueprint.

Then he vanished without a sound.

Not a single person noticed the entire process.

When Luo En returned to the warship.

Karp had already come back.

He saw Luo En and roared at him:

"Luo En, you brat! You abandoned me alone like that—no loyalty at all!!!"

42, Navy Headquarters, Marineford (6/5 bonus chapter—requesting flowers and ratings)

"I had no money to pay, you passed out drunk, and there were several big men watching the tavern entrance—I couldn't take them to the Navy for money, so what else could I do but run?"

Luo En clasped his hands behind his head and strolled past him leisurely.

"Besides, you're Vice Admiral Karp—I knew you'd be fine."

"Then why didn't you help me find someone? Where did you go off to alone? Made me explain for ages and nearly got me locked up!"

"Huh? I thought they'd definitely recognize you, Vice Admiral Karp. Don't they know you?"

Luo En feigned surprise.

Karp gnashed his teeth in fury.

When Luo En returned to the warship cabin.

Karp's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a faint smile of relief.

The young sailors around him exchanged bewildered glances.

They completely failed to understand what the Navy hero, Vice Admiral Karp, was thinking.

Only Karp himself knew.

Karp put on his justice coat, donned his dog-head hat, crossed his arms, and stood on the warship's bow giving orders:

"Set sail for Marineford!"

The warship set course for the Navy Headquarters, Marineford.

Meanwhile, at Franky's House in Water Seven.

When Franky woke up and discovered his greatest secret—the Neptune design blueprint—was gone, he was stunned as if struck by lightning, and a deeper confusion rose in his heart.

Why did the person who knocked him out and stole the Neptune design blueprint know it was with him?

How did they know it was hidden here?

No one else was supposed to know about this.

"Could it… be some kind of Devil Fruit ability?"

Franky couldn't help but speculate.

But no matter how much he speculated, the Neptune design blueprint that could shake the world would not return.

And he didn't even know who had taken it…

…

Navy Headquarters.

Marineford.

"Did you hear?"

"What?"

"The rumored special recruit intern is supposed to arrive today."

"That one both Admiral Sakazuki and Vice Admiral Karp picked?"

"Yes."

Several navy men on the dock whispered among themselves.

"Hey, you lot—don't gossip while on duty."

A navy officer wearing a cap and smoking a cigar, smiling, spoke to them.

"Yes, Vice Admiral Kizaru!"

"Admiral Karp is back!"

Someone shouted out.

Immediately, all the marines turned to look toward the bay.

A warship slowly approached, its bow bearing a dog emblem—those who knew well recognized it as Karp's personal vessel.

Inside the headquarters building farther away.

Admiral Zhan Guo stood by the window, watching the warship draw nearer to the shore.

On a rooftop, Admiral Aokiji lay sprawled, propping his head with one hand, gazing lazily in that direction.

Suddenly he spoke to his side: "No mission today, Borsalino?"

No sooner had he spoken than golden specks of light appeared beside him, coalescing into a human form.

"Yare yare, I'm not like Sakazuki—I don't enjoy chasing pirates so much."

Wearing sunglasses, a yellow shirt, a white T-shirt, and the justice coat, Admiral Huang Yuan Borsalino stood with hands in his pockets, gazing toward the bay.

"Someone recognized by Admiral Karp... Kuza, what kind of person do you think he is?"

"Who knows."

Aokiji, wearing sunglasses and casual clothes, yawned.

At the bay, the warship docked.

Karp stepped ashore with a black-haired boy carrying a long sword and a bundle.

Almost all marines around the bay fixed their gazes on the delicate-looking black-haired boy.

"Is that him... the specially recruited intern?"

"He doesn't look any different from an ordinary kid."

"But can a normal ten-year-old remain this calm under so many stares?"

"Come to think of it... you're right."

Fire Mountain led a group of assistant marines to Karp and Luo En, and said to Karp:

"Admiral Karp, the Marshal says if you return, you must see him immediately."

"Understood."

Karp nodded, then turned to Luo En: "Follow this admiral—he'll show you where to stay. First, put your belongings down."

Luo En nodded.

Karp walked toward the headquarters building. Fire Mountain, chewing a cigar with a grin, extended his hand to Luo En: "I'm Admiral Fire Mountain of the Marine Headquarters. You must be the rumored specially recruited intern, Luo En. Welcome to Marine Headquarters."

Luo En reached out and shook his large hand.