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

『Detected Demon Heir, Douglas Barrett. Sign-in available!』

The system's voice rang out the moment Karl encountered Barrett.

However, Karl didn't focus on Barrett.

Because the current Buggy absolutely reeked!

A strong, nauseating stench wafted from Buggy, reaching Karl's nostrils.

Instinctively, Karl took two steps back before using the powers of his Float-Float Fruit to disperse the smell around Buggy.

Buggy, drenched and soaked, was blown by a strong gust of wind, freezing him in place.

He stood there, staring blankly at Karl, then gave a silly grin.

"Lord Karl, you're here! Hehe... I don't have to die now, hehe... Hehe... Hehe..."

"You're disgusting! Shut up already!"

Karl frowned, signaling the nearby Navy soldiers to take Buggy away.

Buggy was so revolting at that moment that Karl didn't want to say a word to him.

"It seems you're the Navy officer Karl. I've heard you've been quite the talk of the town lately. Now's the perfect time for us to have a little fun!"

"Hahahaha! The strongest punch!"

Barrett suddenly broke through the thick mist, jumping out of a deep pit and charging toward Karl!

Although he still had doubts about Buggy, thinking he was hiding his true strength, Barrett, upon seeing a stronger foe in front of him, had lost interest in Buggy.

His punch, covered in Armament Haki, was immensely powerful!

Facing this strike, Karl didn't hold back. He also coated his sword, Kitetsu, with Armament Haki and braced himself to clash with Barrett's punch head-on!

Boom!

The collision between the two created a tremendous explosion!

Everything around Karl and Barrett was instantly set off!

The shockwave from the impact caused the ground beneath them to crack open, as if it might explode entirely in the next moment!

"Hahahaha, this feels great! I've been chased by that old geezer Garp for so long; it's been so frustrating! Finally, I've found an opponent worth my time—this is so much fun!"

Barrett roared, and with his other fist, coated in Armament Haki, he aimed for Karl's face!

Karl didn't back down. He stepped back, dodging Barrett's swift punch, then countered with a slash!

The black glint of his blade flashed across Barrett's body, leaving a visible blood mark on him!

However, Barrett's reaction was incredibly fast, and he immediately covered the struck area with Armament Haki, nullifying Karl's attack.

"This is really refreshing! If it were that bastard Garp, I probably would've been knocked out already!"

Barrett grinned, looking at the wound on his chest.

From his tone, Karl could tell that Barrett's grudge against Garp was incredibly deep.

But that was understandable. Even Roger, when being pursued by Garp, had a grudge so intense it almost became tangible.

Even the Roger Pirates couldn't shake Garp off and were constantly harassed by him.

Let alone someone with lesser strength than Roger, like Barrett, who was suffering so much from Garp's pursuit.

Thinking of this, Karl couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Barrett.

After all, not everyone gets to be personally hunted by the legendary Navy hero, Garp.

"Douglas Barrett, stop resisting. You've been completely surrounded by the Navy. There's nowhere for you to escape!"

Karl's voice was stern. "If you surrender now, the Navy might show leniency!"

While Karl wanted to kill Barrett to complete his extra sign-in task, the mission from Admiral Kong was to capture him alive. The goal was simple: prevent the Devil Fruit that Barrett possesses from falling into the wrong hands and creating another Barrett!

Karl had previously captured the escaped Golden Lion, but that was an unsanctioned kill due to an unexpected battle, and at the time, Karl didn't know the details of the mission.

This time, however, Karl had received clear orders.

For his image within the Navy, Karl couldn't go against his superiors, at least not before becoming a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral.

Though, truth be told, Karl had been quite rebellious even now...

"You Navy brat, surrounded me with this trash? What a joke!"

Barrett spat in disdain, his face showing pure contempt.

In the blink of an eye, Barrett rushed in front of Karl, delivering a merciless punch!

With overwhelming force, Barrett sent Karl flying!

But Karl, using his Float-Float Fruit abilities, suspended himself in mid-air. When Barrett came charging again, Karl grabbed his arm with his free hand!

"Kid, get your filthy hands off me!"

Barrett, caught by Karl, was furious. He continued to attack Karl, but Karl didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip, locking down Barrett's arm.

Though Barrett reeked even worse than Buggy, Karl endured it—for the sake of completing the sign-in task.

As Barrett retaliated, Karl raised Kitetsu to block Barrett's next attack, the two of them locked in a fierce struggle!

Karl's monstrous strength began to show. In a battle of pure power, Barrett found himself gradually at a disadvantage.

What's more, Karl's left hand was still squeezing Barrett's arm so hard that blood was starting to flow.

Muscle tissue even began to show signs of necrosis!

Seeing this, Barrett was taken aback. He hadn't expected Karl to be stronger than him!

"Get the hell off me!!"

With a furious roar, Barrett unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, creating a massive burst of power that sent a strong gust of wind.

He erupted with even greater strength, forcing Karl to release his grip!

Ten seconds had passed, and Karl, ignoring Barrett's Conqueror's Haki, discarded the piece of muscle he'd torn from Barrett's arm. He flashed a confident smile.

『Sign-in with Demon Heir, Douglas Barrett successful. Gained "Body Enhancement (Excellent)" ability!』

『Body Enhancement (Excellent): Body density increased threefold!』

Body density increased threefold?

Hearing the system prompt, Karl was momentarily stunned, unsure of what this meant.

The "Body Enhancement" ability sounded impressive, but Karl didn't understand how the increase in body density would help him.

It was a vague enhancement, and Karl couldn't pinpoint how it would benefit him.

But before he could dwell on it…

Barrett seized the opportunity, covering his fists with Armament Haki, and charged at Karl's face!

"Watch my strongest punch!!!"

With a furious shout, two fists the size of sandbags appeared right in front of Karl.

Karl had no time to defend. He quickly coated his body with Armament Haki to minimize the damage from Barrett's attack.

With a deafening roar, Karl was blasted into the air like a cannonball!

But Karl quickly regained control using his Devil Fruit powers, halting his momentum mid-air.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he canceled the Armament Haki from his body and nodded as if he had figured something out.

"I see now!"

"The increase in body density doesn't boost strength or speed, but it makes the muscles tighter and significantly increases durability.

This reminds me of those superheroes in movies back in my past life. Their body density was usually three or four times that of an ordinary person, or even more!"

---------------------------------

If you want to support me and read advance chapters, please visit:

[No Spaces] — patreon.com / madbot635