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

"Hmph! If none of you are willing to tell me, I'll find out for myself when I grow up!"

Little Ace, despite his young age, was quite headstrong and sharp.

Seeing Karl remain silent in response to his question, Ace became visibly upset.

Just then, Rouge, having finished tidying up, stepped out and saw the scene before her. She appeared a bit embarrassed.

Rouge knew very well that Karl was the executioner who had carried out Roger's sentence.

Yet, she held no resentment toward him. During their time together, Roger had fully prepared her for what was to come.

As a result, Rouge harbored no ill feelings toward Karl. In fact, his care over the past year had fostered a sense of gratitude in her.

"Ace, don't speak to your brother like that. It's terribly rude!"

Rouge gently scooped the little boy into her arms.

Nestled in her embrace, Ace hummed a tune of indeterminate melody before quickly falling into a deep sleep.

He was still so young. No matter how lively he seemed, he would tire easily and need plenty of rest.

Watching the now peacefully slumbering Ace, Karl couldn't help but smile warmly.

Ace was growing at an astonishing pace. In just a short time, he had already learned to walk, talk, and even sing and dance.

It was hard to imagine that this little boy would one day grow into the renowned "Fire Fist" Ace.

However, Karl had no intention of letting Ace repeat the tragic path he had walked in the original storyline.

"Let's get moving. If we delay any further, it'll be nightfall by the time we reach Loguetown," Karl said casually.

Rouge nodded silently, gently stroking the sleeping Ace in her arms.

The two walked one after the other toward the port.

But just as they were nearing their destination, Makino came sprinting toward them, breathless.

"Karl! It's terrible! CP9 has come looking for trouble!"

"CP9? That quickly?"

Hearing Makino's words, Karl frowned slightly, idly twirling one of her twin tails between his fingers as he sighed.

"Makino, take Rouge and little Ace to hide at the spot we used to play at as kids."

He turned to Rouge with an apologetic look. "Looks like we won't be leaving today."

"You don't need to apologize to me," Rouge said calmly. "This is my responsibility to bear. I'll go with Miss Makino for now. Please, be careful and avoid antagonizing CP9 too much."

"Hahaha! Don't worry. Even if I offend them, it's fine. I've got someone to take the fall for me," Karl replied with a laugh, ruffling Makino's hair.

Then, without further delay, he flew off toward the port.

Makino glanced at Karl, concern evident in her eyes, before taking Rouge's hand.

"This way, Rouge. Karl and I have a secret little hideout deep in the forest. Other than Grandpa Garp, no one knows about it!"

Leading Rouge, Makino headed into the heart of Foosha Village's forest.

Meanwhile, at the port of Foosha Village, a crowd had gathered.

Around forty CP9 agents had arrived, including their commander, who had personally come to oversee the operation.

They had gathered all the women over the age of twenty and were interrogating them.

If anyone refused to speak, the agents resorted to violence without hesitation.

Dadan, trying to protect the villagers, had been beaten to the point where she lay battered and unable to get up. Even so, she refused to beg for mercy and even tried to resist.

Makino had escaped because of her young age. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to warn Karl.

"Listen up, all of you! Any households with pregnant women or children under one year old must report to us immediately!

These individuals will be taken to Enies Lobby for interrogation and judgment!

If anyone dares to disobey, this will be your fate!"

The CP9 commander glared at the villagers with malice, cracking his whip across Dadan's body again.

Despite the pain, Dadan remained defiant, refusing to show weakness.

"Hmph! Still no one willing to speak? Looks like I've been too lenient!"

The commander pulled out a pistol, pressing it against Dadan's head as he disengaged the safety.

"If no one steps forward, this person who dared stand up to us will die right here and now!"

Dadan, looking at him with disdain, smirked through the pain.

"Hah! If you kill me, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

"What did you say?"

"You think killing a mere commoner like you will make me regret it? Don't make me laugh, you ugly thug!"

"HAHAHAHA!"

The surrounding CP9 agents burst into mocking laughter.

The commander pressed the pistol harder against Dadan's forehead.

"You've got quite the nerve. Tell me, what makes you think I'd regret putting a bullet in your head?"

"If I were you," a thunderous voice boomed across the port, "I'd stop before things get even worse and leave this place immediately!"

The commanding voice startled everyone, ringing loudly in their ears.

The villagers' faces lit up with hope, and Dadan sighed in relief, though the effort made her cough up blood.

Seeing this, Karl, hovering in mid-air, frowned and immediately swooped down.

In an instant, he struck the surrounding CP9 agents, sending them flying.

The commander, too, was kicked more than ten meters away, crashing into a tree and knocking it down.

The remaining CP9 agents gasped in shock, quickly raising their weapons and pointing them at Karl.

Ignoring them, Karl knelt beside Dadan and gently helped her up.

"Dadan, are you okay?"

"I'll live. Don't worry about me," Dadan rasped. "But Rouge and Makino…"

"They're safe," Karl assured her.

Hearing this, Dadan breathed a sigh of relief.

Karl helped her over to the villagers, who quickly stepped in to support her.

At that moment, a gunshot rang out!

Sensing the incoming bullet with his Observation Haki, Karl covered his left hand with Armament Haki and caught the bullet without even turning around.

As he opened his hand, the bullet crumbled into black dust, falling to the ground.

Turning to face the CP9 agents, his gaze grew sharp, and his expression darkened with murderous intent.

"You really have no fear of death, do you?"

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