Carl chuckled at Drug Peclo's words.
Of course, thanks to the mask he wore, no one could tell he was laughing.
Garrett's face lit up with interest at the comment. She turned her gaze toward Stussy, curious about how she would react.
However, Stussy's reaction surprised Garrett.
Instead of showing any anger at Drug Peclo's blatant attempt to steal Carl from her, Stussy laughed softly. She glanced at Carl beside her and said,
"Drug Peclo, your taste is excellent, but you're being a bit rude, don't you think?"
Drug Peclo, unfazed, replied,
"Stussy, my business isn't exactly about etiquette. A man like him is wasted on you. You should hand him over to me instead!"
Grinning, Drug Peclo looked at Carl and asked,
"What do you think, kid? Interested?"
Carl didn't bother to respond. Instead, Stussy suddenly leaned into him, resting against his chest with a pitiful expression.
"Zero, you won't leave me, will you?" she asked.
Carl silently nodded.
Drug Peclo scoffed at the display and sneered,
"Spineless. Guess I misjudged you."
Stussy raised her head from Carl's chest, her beautiful face now cold as ice.
Narrowing her eyes at Drug Peclo, she said coldly,
"You're pushing your luck, Drug Peclo."
Drug Peclo rested a hand on his scythe and sneered,
"And what of it? Are you going to send your women to gang up on me?"
The words were utterly offensive. Both Garrett and Poire frowned, especially Garrett. Stussy was her guest, and Drug Peclo's behavior was an insult to her and the Charlotte Family.
Garrett raised a hand clad in a crimson glove. A transparent liquid formed in her palm as she said sternly,
"Drug Peclo! Watch your words. Everyone here today is a guest of the Charlotte Family. If anyone dares to cause trouble, they'll face the consequences of opposing us. You know what that means, don't you?"
Drug Peclo's face froze at her words. The Charlotte Family's influence in the New World needed no elaboration, especially here in their territory.
He forced an awkward smile and said,
"My apologies, Miss Garrett. That was rude of me."
Garrett shook her head and replied,
"You owe your apology to Miss Stussy. She's the one you offended."
Drug Peclo swallowed his anger and begrudgingly apologized to Stussy before turning to leave.
However, just as he was about to step away, a black-gloved hand landed heavily on his shoulder.
Drug Peclo froze and turned his head sharply to see a white, expressionless mask.
"Leaving so soon?"
Garrett's eyes widened in shock as she realized Carl had moved. His speed was terrifying—she hadn't even noticed him leave her side.
All eyes in the dining hall turned to the scene. Drug Peclo scoffed and tried to shake off Carl's hand with a burst of strength.
But the hand on his shoulder felt as immovable as a mountain. No matter how much strength he used, it didn't budge.
The spectators, far from ordinary individuals themselves, quickly realized something was amiss.
Drug Peclo had been overpowered.
Morgans, Lu Feld, and the other Underworld Emperors exchanged amused glances. Drug Peclo's arrogance had long irked them.
Now, seeing him embarrassed like this was a delightful sight.
Drug Peclo's face contorted in anger. Black Haki enveloped his shoulder as he prepared to retaliate.
Crack!
The sound of a bone breaking echoed through the room. Garrett stared, wide-eyed, at Carl's hand, which had driven deep into Drug Peclo's shoulder. Even his Armament Haki seemed fragile in comparison.
Pain shot through Drug Peclo's shattered shoulder, but before he could scream, another crack sounded.
No one saw how Carl moved, but suddenly, Drug Peclo's jaw hung slack, and saliva dribbled from his mouth.
The gathered Underworld figures, initially there to mock Drug Peclo, were now stunned.
Stussy's subordinate had crushed Drug Peclo as though he were a child.
Drug Peclo, once considered the strongest among them in individual strength, was utterly humiliated.
Carl leaned close to Drug Peclo's ear and whispered,
"It's dinner time. Loud noise is inappropriate, don't you think?"
Drug Peclo nodded frantically, fear etched across his face.
Carl released his grip, pulling his bloodied hand free from Drug Peclo's mangled shoulder.
Drug Peclo shuddered in pain but dared not make a sound. No one pitied him. All attention was now on Carl, the true star of the banquet.
Unbothered by the stares, Carl removed his blood-stained glove and casually stuffed it into Drug Peclo's mouth.
The move made several guests twitch uncomfortably.
Drug Peclo fled the hall, clutching his shoulder in disgrace.
Carl returned to his seat, his masked face expressionless.
Garrett gazed at him in awe and murmured,
"So, you're this strong…"
For a moment, she imagined what her strongest brother, Katakuri, might say about Carl's abilities.
At another table, five figures bearing the insignia of "66" sat together.
A wild-haired, golden-helmeted man at the head of the table watched Carl's back and muttered to himself,
"Where on Earth did Stussy find someone like that?"
-----------
+255 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg