One Piece: Only for Me

### Chapter 163

Kong wasted no time in calling Carl after learning he was on "vacation."

At that moment, Carl was still in bed, with Stussy curled up in his arms.

Drowsy and content, she murmured sleepily,

"Master… sleep a little longer~"

Kong, who had been in a rush, froze for a moment upon hearing the unfamiliar female voice.

Carl coughed awkwardly and motioned for Stussy to be quiet before answering,

"Fleet Admiral Kong, what do you need?"

Kong quickly shook off his momentary distraction and relayed the urgent situation regarding Roger's pirate crew. He demanded Carl return to Headquarters immediately.

Carl agreed—but didn't commit to leaving right away. He simply said he had some matters to take care of and would return tomorrow.

Given his speed, traveling from Mary Geoise to Headquarters would take mere moments. There was no need to hurry.

After ending the call, Carl reflected on what Kong had told him.

If his memory served him correctly, Roger did have an important meeting with Whitebeard around this time. The result? Roger kneeling before Whitebeard and persuading Oden to join him.

However, this seemed to be happening earlier than he recalled, leaving Carl uncertain if events would unfold the same way.

His actions had already influenced the world. The butterfly effect was in motion.

Carl had encountered both Whitebeard and Roger before. He had even fought Whitebeard—though, at the time, he had been far from being a match for him.

Just dealing with Oden had been a challenge. Carl, alongside Borsalino and Akainu, had barely managed to wound him during his first Sulong transformation.

That was nearly three years ago.

Now, in less than three years, Carl had reached a level where he could stand toe-to-toe with both Whitebeard and Roger.

As for Oden? Carl no longer considered him a threat.

Thinking of Oden led him to another thought—Momonosuke.

By now, the brat should be around three years old…

—

**Grand Line – The Moby Dick**

On the deck of the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, Whitebeard laughed heartily as he drank with his crew.

Seated between Oden and Toki was a child in samurai garb, his small body dwarfed by the massive chair he sat on.

Kozuki Momonosuke.

At less than a meter tall, he was comically small compared to his towering father. The crew had even crafted a special chair just for him.

Marco, chewing on something, looked over and shouted,

"Dad, Roger's coming all of a sudden. Should we prepare for anything?"

Compared to three years ago, Marco had matured—but his carefree nature remained.

Whitebeard grinned, raising a barrel of sake.

"Gurararara! Prepare for what? The drinks? That's Roger's job, not ours!"

His booming laughter made Momonosuke cover his ears in annoyance.

Seeing this, Toki picked him up, holding him in her arms. Momonosuke immediately snuggled against her, looking satisfied.

A moment later, his attention shifted to one of the female pirates in the group—Whitey Bay.

With a babyish smile, he said sweetly,

"Sister Whitey Bay, give me a hug~"

Whitey Bay chuckled and stood up to scoop him into her arms.

(T/N: "Ice Witch" Whitey Bay was once a member of the Whitebeard Pirates before forming her own crew, which later became one of Whitebeard's subordinate forces.)

Watching from the side, Oden reached out his remaining right hand and ruffled Momonosuke's hair affectionately.

Unfortunately, he underestimated his own strength—Momonosuke's eyes rolled back as he nearly passed out.

Whitey Bay smirked and sat back down, while Toki shot Oden a disapproving look.

Oden only laughed and turned to Whitebeard.

"Whitebeard, if Roger's coming so openly, the Navy's bound to take notice."

Whitebeard remained indifferent.

"Even Garp was sent to Impel Down. That just shows how rotten the Navy and the World Government are. No need to waste our breath on them."

Oden's expression darkened as he touched his empty sleeve. His voice was low.

"I can't help but worry about that Navy guy… Carl."

The entire crew fell silent at the mention of the name.

Then, a young man—one who looked older than his years—spoke with a sharp glint in his eye.

His tone was filled with hatred.

"If he shows up this time, we'll settle things with him. That bastard must die!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Oden looked pleased.

"Well said, Teach. You've got the right spirit!"

Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard—slammed his fist on the table, his expression dark.

"Carl's a monster. He… he killed so many of our crewmates! We can't let him live!"

But inside, Teach's thoughts were far more sinister.

Carl had eaten the **Dark-Dark Fruit**—the Devil Fruit Teach had coveted for years.

More than anyone, Teach wanted Carl dead. Only then would he have the chance to claim the fruit for himself.

Thatch, who was seated nearby, let out a small sigh as he spoke to the others.

"Teach is really dedicated. His whole room is covered with Carl's pictures… he's been stabbing them with a sword every day for the past three years."

Whitebeard, however, eyed Teach with suspicion.

Back when they had first met Carl, Teach had barely known him.

So why was his hatred so intense?

But Whitebeard let the matter drop.

For now.

Oden, on the other hand, didn't care about Teach's reasons—his own hatred was personal.

Carl had killed his most loyal retainers, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi.

And Carl had nearly killed him.

This grudge could never be forgiven.

His fists clenched as he recalled Carl's face.

—

Just then, a pirate rushed into the cabin, shouting,

"Dad! Roger's ship is approaching!"

Even before the words finished, a powerful **Conqueror's Haki** swept across the Moby Dick.

Many of the weaker crew members **collapsed instantly.**

Footsteps echoed from the deck.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

And then—

Roger walked in, grinning.

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes.

"Roger… is this how you greet a friend?"

Roger looked at the fallen pirates and let out a laugh.

"Sorry, went a bit overboard."