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

"You dare attack CP9? You're the one courting death!"

"CP9 members, surround him! Don't let him escape!"

"Understood!"

The CP9 agents swiftly encircled Karl, ready to strike at any moment.

Despite the show of force, their commander hesitated to give the order to attack, aware of Karl's formidable reputation.

As Karl found himself surrounded, he chuckled softly, his expression one of disdain.

"I can't believe CP9 has gotten so lazy that you don't even bother to investigate before taking action. If you had, you'd know better than to come to Windmill Village!"

Karl's mocking tone carried a sharp edge.

Dressed casually, without his Navy uniform or warship in sight, Karl's identity and the village's significance had escaped CP9's notice.

However, the CP9 commander, accustomed to arrogance, dismissed Karl's words entirely.

"Hmph! I am a commander of CP9, an agency under the World Government. My orders carry the authority of the World Government itself!

"I don't care what this place is. The Five Elders and the World Government have issued orders, and if you dare defy them, I have the authority to deal with you commoners as I see fit!"

With a sneer, the commander leveled his pistol at Karl.

Karl shook his head at the man's arrogance. In a blur, he used Soru to appear directly in front of him.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. Hand over your superior's Den Den Mushi—I'll deal with them myself."

"You bastard...!"

The sudden proximity stunned the commander, his rage igniting.

"Everyone, attack! Kill this commoner!"

"I dare any of you to move!"

Karl's shout reverberated like thunder. Without even activating his Conqueror's Haki, his sheer presence alone paralyzed the CP9 agents in their tracks.

They could feel an insurmountable gap in power between themselves and Karl, a chasm that left them too terrified to act.

Even the commander, his legs trembling, was overwhelmed. Not even his superiors had ever instilled this level of dread.

"Com...commoner..."

The commander, his hands shaking, raised his pistol.

A single gunshot rang out, but Karl caught the bullet between his fingers, crushing it effortlessly.

"Foolish to the point of madness!"

With a single step, Karl drove the commander into the ground, creating a deep crater. The sound of breaking bones echoed ominously.

Though the strike wasn't fatal, it ensured the commander would never stand again.

"You're from Enies Lobby, aren't you?" Karl asked as he scanned the agents around him.

The CP9 agents nodded hastily, their fear palpable. None dared provoke him further, each clinging to the hope of avoiding permanent injury.

"Bring me the Den Den Mushi for your commander at Enies Lobby. Then you can take your leader and leave."

Without hesitation, the agents produced the Den Den Mushi and carried their incapacitated commander to the side.

They didn't dare leave outright—failing their mission and retreating after their leader was humiliated would spell disaster for their careers.

Karl dialed the Den Den Mushi, setting it to speaker mode.

"Hello? Is this the commander of Enies Lobby? This is Karl, Base Commander of Loguetown."

"Karl?"

The voice on the other end hesitated. Recognizing Karl's name and voice, the man furrowed his brow.

This was Spandine. He had watched Karl during the broadcast of Gol D. Roger's execution, and Karl's presence had left a lasting impression.

"Cough... I'm Spandine. How can I assist you, Mr. Karl?"

Spandine's tone turned obsequious, his cowardice reminiscent of his future son, Spandam.

The Den Den Mushi's speaker allowed everyone present to hear Spandine's servile voice. Even the incapacitated CP9 commander, still semi-conscious, was visibly shaken before passing out entirely.

Unfazed by their reactions, Karl spoke gravely.

"Spandine, do you know who governs the East Blue?"

"Of course! It's you, Mr. Karl—the East Blue is under your jurisdiction!"

Spandine's fawning tone made his spineless nature abundantly clear.

"Good. If you know that, then hear me well: get all CP9 personnel out of the East Blue. I don't care who or what you're looking for, but I will not tolerate CP9 causing trouble in my territory.

"Not even orders from the Five Elders will change this. The East Blue is under my protection, and CP members will not be allowed to run amok here!"

Karl's voice was sharp and commanding.

"Understood! I'll ensure they leave immediately and never set foot in the East Blue again. Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Karl?"

"That's all. I'll stop by Enies Lobby the next time I report to Marineford. Goodbye."

Karl ended the call and casually tossed the Den Den Mushi back to the CP9 agents.

"You heard him. Now get out!"

Not a single agent dared resist. They fled with their unconscious leader, though their sullen expressions betrayed their lingering resentment.

Karl didn't care. Their feelings were irrelevant.

After resolving the matter, Karl returned to the bar with Dadan. The crowd had dispersed, and the crisis was over—for now.

Karl knew, however, that Spandine would report this incident to the Five Elders, and the fallout would land on Sengoku's shoulders.

"Poor Sengoku," Karl muttered. "The man's a born scapegoat."

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