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

System Alert: "Gold Lion Shiki detected. Check-in available!"

The system's voice sounded as expected, but Karl was unable to check in at the moment.

Because Gold Lion Shiki's power was too overwhelming; it wasn't the right time to get close…

"Lord Karl, save me…"

Buggy, gripped tightly by Gold Lion Shiki, was powerless to resist. On top of that, the collision of two Conqueror's Haki auras had left him dizzy.

Had it not been for the training Buggy received on Roger's ship, where he was constantly exposed to Haki impacts in battle, he would have already been knocked unconscious by the combined force of Karl and Shiki's Conqueror's Haki.

"Hahaha, Red-Nose, you were a member of Roger's crew and now you've joined the Navy. How interesting indeed!

Karl, I see you value this Red-Nose. If you join me and help me dominate the world, I'll spare him. It's a good deal, don't you think?"

Shiki grinned maliciously. Though it sounded like a suggestion or an invitation, his tone left no room for refusal.

This was the notorious sea ruler, Gold Lion Shiki, who once fought Roger to a standstill!

Facing such a domineering and powerful opponent, Karl felt a twinge of concern, but he refused to show any weakness on the surface.

Moreover, he didn't believe that Shiki, now past his prime, could still match his peak strength.

"Gold Lion Shiki! I'm giving you one chance—release Buggy and leave the East Blue immediately!

If you do, I'll spare your life!"

Karl tightened his grip on the sword Sandai Kitetsu, ready to take action at a moment's notice.

Karl knew he couldn't afford to be careless in the face of such a formidable enemy, and the check-in mission was already on his mind.

Shiki had only recently escaped from Impel Down, and though his age had dulled his peak powers, he still maintained the strength of a Vice-Admiral.

If Karl wanted to complete the check-in, he had to stay focused and seize the right moment—he couldn't afford to make a single mistake!

"You brat, stop being so arrogant! I invited you because of your potential!

Don't think you're anything special. I saw your declaration in the papers!

Honestly, if anyone else said such things, I'd dismiss them!

But coming from you, I find it… reasonable."

This was the advantage of background and reputation.

Though Karl's fame hadn't spread far, his identity, background, and past experiences were enough to get the attention of major figures. Anyone who had been part of the God Valley battle would understand why Karl had made such a statement.

However, only a few understood him, and Karl didn't mind. What he didn't expect was that Shiki had taken an interest in him.

And now, things were starting to get complicated.

"Enough talk! If you're not leaving, then let's fight!"

With that, Karl launched himself forward in an instant, striking at Shiki's side with a powerful slash!

This blow, powered by Karl's full strength and infused with Armament Haki, sent Shiki stumbling backward.

Karl followed up with several more rapid strikes, catching Shiki off-guard while he was still recovering!

However, Shiki was quick to react, his body remaining flexible as he controlled his two legs with the wooden stumps Kokonoe and Sakura Ten, deflecting all of Karl's attacks.

But Karl noticed that Shiki's body seemed slightly stiff, and the expression on his face revealed a mix of shock and confusion.

"That's Roger's sword style! How could you possibly have his swordsmanship? Did he pass it on to you before his death?!"

"And what's with this unnatural strength of yours? You're not Garp's bastard child, are you?!"

Shiki had fought against Roger many times, so it was natural for him to notice the similarities between Karl's sword techniques and Roger's style.

While it wasn't identical, Karl's swordsmanship clearly had a 70% resemblance to Roger's, with the remaining 30% enhanced by Mihawk's techniques!

On top of that, Karl's abnormal strength overwhelmed Shiki's defenses!

"Hmph! Want to know why? Just head to the underworld and ask him yourself, Gold Lion!"

With that, Karl shouted, "Iaido—"

In a flash, Karl appeared behind Shiki, adopting the stance for an Iai draw and sheathing his sword in a single fluid motion!

A crimson line appeared across Shiki's body as Sandai Kitetsu was swiftly sheathed, leaving a deep cut in its wake.

"Lord Karl! Help me!"

Buggy, who had been hanging helplessly in Shiki's grip earlier, hadn't dared to move during their fight, fearing he would be caught in the crossfire of their overwhelming battle.

Now that it seemed Karl had the upper hand, Buggy didn't hesitate to cry out for help.

But Karl remained unfazed. He simply tightened his grip on Kitetsu.

"Buggy, wait a moment, I'll get to you soon!"

Karl's voice was stern, and he didn't dare to relax even a little.

Though he had landed a successful blow on Shiki, the sensation was all wrong. It felt like his sword had struck something as hard as iron, despite the clean cut.

At that moment, Shiki turned around and glanced at the shallow wound, then grinned wickedly.

"Although I don't know where your strange strength and Roger's swordsmanship come from…

It doesn't matter. If you join my crew, I can make you even stronger!

Back in the day, my swordsmanship rivaled Roger's. If you become one of my men, I'll make you the world's strongest swordsman!"

"Heh, I'm not interested in being the world's strongest swordsman."

Karl smirked. "If I had to choose, I'd rather become the world's strongest Navy King!"

"So, you refuse again, huh?"

"Did you say something?"

Their exchange made their stances clear.

Karl's repeated rejections had drained Shiki's patience completely.

His expression grew increasingly savage, and his Conqueror's Haki flared once more.

"Since that's the case, you're of no use, Red-Nose!"

"Die!!!"

Shiki roared, throwing Buggy aside and unleashing a wave of energy powerful enough to split the seas!

Buggy flailed in mid-air, with nowhere to escape!

He desperately kicked his legs, trying to use his Moonwalk technique to avoid the attack.

But he didn't know how to use Moonwalk!

In fact, he hadn't even mastered any of the six powers of the Navy, all because he was too lazy to train!

"Help!!!"

Buggy screamed in fear as the deadly wave of energy drew closer.

But Karl didn't care. He waited for the attack to pass through Buggy's body, then swiftly caught him in mid-air.

"It's over! I'm going to die! I don't want to die yet!"

"Buggy, snap out of it!"

Karl struck Buggy's head, forcibly waking him up.

Buggy rubbed his head, stunned, before realizing with joy that he was completely unharmed.

Then it dawned on him—he was a Chop-Chop Fruit user!

He was immune to any cutting attack!

So why was he so scared earlier?

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