One Piece: Signing In as a Pirate Begins with Roger's Execution

"Klahadore, are you saying the Bear King was defeated?"

"What? That's impossible! The Navy in the East Blue managed to defeat him? Astonishing!"

"Also, you're saying Marine Hero Garp is in Loguetown?!"

Admiral Crete raised an eyebrow in mild surprise upon hearing Klahadore's report.

He knew very well that the Bear King's strength wasn't to be underestimated. His Devil Fruit powers rendered his body as hard as steel. Under normal circumstances, no standard marine could defeat him. However, despite this surprising turn of events, Admiral Crete didn't seem too concerned.

After all, with his own strength, he could also defeat the Bear King—though it might take him a bit of effort.

What truly caught his attention was the news that Garp was currently in Loguetown.

"Admiral, should we proceed with our plans against this Navy officer?"

Klahadore adjusted his glasses, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

He deliberately omitted details about Karl in his report, instead mentioning only trivial matters. Klahadore needed an escape plan—a way to ensure his safety if things went south.

Admiral Crete closed his eyes in thought, responding to a different question entirely: "Has the Golden Dragon returned yet?"

"The Golden Dragon is still out searching for Woonan's treasure. It doesn't seem like he'll be back anytime soon."

"That fool. He's obsessed with gold and keeps rambling about pure gold that grants immortality.

"Ha! A brat who hasn't even set foot in the Grand Line dares to spout such nonsense. Ridiculous.

"You, on the other hand, Klahadore, are much better. Even though you've only recently joined me, your loyalty and strategies have been invaluable.

"If it weren't for your advice to lay low for a while, we might have already been captured by those admirals from Navy HQ."

Admiral Crete sighed, a trace of lingering fear in his expression.

During Roger's public execution, the East Blue swarmed with elite marines. Admiral Crete, though dominant in the East Blue, would be a mere pawn in the Grand Line.

Especially when faced with Navy HQ officers—he'd tuck his tail between his legs and hide. It was only after they had withdrawn that he dared to resurface.

"Admiral, you're too kind. Serving you is my greatest honor," Klahadore replied with a slight bow.

"You may leave now. I'll observe for a couple of days. Once Garp leaves Loguetown, I'll personally deal with him!"

"As you command…"

Klahadore adjusted his glasses again, his eyes flashing with a sinister glint as he turned to leave the flagship and returned to his small vessel.

"To encounter something like this in my first year as a pirate… It seems the pirate life is harder than I imagined.

"As for Admiral Crete, what a fool. A few simple schemes, and he's completely fallen for me. Too easy."

Klahadore muttered to himself, unable to suppress a chuckle.

Though he was still young—only thirteen or fourteen—his intelligence was far beyond his years. Coupled with physical abilities that surpassed most pirates and marines, Klahadore thrived under Admiral Crete's banner.

"Karl… the Marine Hero Garp… Admirals Sengoku and Zephyr's adopted son…

"This is someone we cannot handle. Admiral Crete's days are numbered.

"Now I have two choices: escape immediately before I get a bounty and disappear without a trace, or collaborate with Karl to take down Admiral Crete and aim for greater opportunities."

Adjusting his glasses again, Klahadore's eyes gleamed with ruthless determination.

Moments later, he stepped out of his cabin and issued an order to one of Admiral Crete's men:

"Set course for Loguetown!"

Meanwhile...

Karl and Garp were sparring.

Or rather, they were just brawling.

Neither used Haki; they simply traded punches to each other's stomachs until one of them dropped.

"Ha ha ha! Kid, you've improved! You used to drop after ten punches. Now you've taken over a hundred and you're still standing. That's my boy!"

Karl, wobbly-legged and unfocused, felt like he was dying inside.

He knew better than anyone that Garp's punches were not something a normal person could endure.

Having been pummeled like this since childhood, Karl had built up some resistance. Even so, he was completely drained. His punches had no strength left.

Seeing Karl's sorry state, Garp finally relented, laying him flat on the ground to rest.

"Do you two… always do this?"

Rouge, who had been watching the entire time, was terrified. If she didn't know better, she'd have called for help.

"Ha ha ha! This is my way of training! To become strong, you need a body that can take a beating!

"That way, no matter the enemy, you can fight back—or at least run away!"

Garp's words made Rouge shudder, her face pale.

She touched her stomach and swallowed hard, regretting her decision to entrust her child's care to these two.

'My child… I'm sorry.'

Rouge lamented internally but had no choice. She had to trust Karl and Garp, or she'd face both the Navy and CP9's pursuit.

"Don't worry, Rouge. Your child will be in good hands with me and the old man," Karl reassured, though his words lacked confidence.

At least he could guarantee one thing: the child wouldn't die under their care.

Rouge nodded reluctantly, her hands resting on her stomach, her expression still full of despair.

"Sir Karl, Sir Garp! Smoker is at it again with the Seastone."

Belle-mère entered with a salute, her tone helpless.

Hearing this, Karl shook his head in exasperation. 

"That idiot. Instead of honing his Devil Fruit abilities or training in the Six Powers, he's obsessed with Seastone weapons. What is he even thinking?"

After dealing with the Bear King, Karl had learned that Smoker had injured himself and passed out while experimenting with Seastone.

Karl thought Smoker would stop after recovering. But no—he was still at it.

Shaking his head, Karl made his way to the naval forge.

Smoker was deep in discussion with the blacksmith, casually handling Seastone despite being a Devil Fruit user.

The blacksmith's gaze had turned strange.

"Smoker, get over here!" Karl bellowed.

Startled, Smoker dropped the Seastone onto his own foot.

Instantly drained of strength, Smoker collapsed, meeting Karl's gaze with an awkward smile from the ground.

~~~~~~~

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