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

Chasing Me Away Already?

No way. I haven't even signed in yet. Leaving? Not a chance.

That said, Karl couldn't help but feel puzzled. Why had Koshiro's attitude toward him shifted so drastically all of a sudden?

"Ahem. Koshiro-san once had a good relationship with Roger," Dragon began to explain from the side. "Although, according to him, they stopped staying in touch after Roger set sail. Still, they shared quite a bond back then. So, Karl, you should understand what Koshiro-san means, right?"

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Koshiro calmly sipped tea without so much as glancing at Karl.

Karl nodded knowingly, then gave a faint smile.

"It's fine. Koshiro-san, if you don't wish to see me, that's your choice. But before I leave, could I at least shake your hand?"

"Shake hands? What kind of trick are you trying to pull now?"

Koshiro narrowed his eyes, a look of displeasure flashing across his face.

Dragon, meanwhile, appeared visibly awkward.

The relationship between Koshiro and Karl wasn't exactly hostile, but it certainly wasn't friendly either.

"Koshiro-senpai, if you're unwilling to shake hands, how about a little sparring match instead?"

Karl awkwardly withdrew his right hand, his gaze shifting to the sword beside Koshiro—Wado Ichimonji.

That blade, Karl knew, would one day belong to Zoro. But Zoro wasn't here right now.

This wasn't the dojo of Shimotsuki Village either.

At this moment, the Wado Ichimonji was still Koshiro's personal sword.

"Hmph! My child is about to be born soon. I can't afford to spar with anyone right now. If this were the past, you wouldn't even have had the chance to stand here and talk to me!"

With a cold snort, Koshiro's mood worsened further.

Karl scratched his head awkwardly. "Ah, so that's what's going on. Congratulations on your soon-to-be-born child, senpai. I won't disturb you further. You two carry on."

Koshiro's strength was unknown, but he was at least at an admiral-level of power.

There was no need for Karl to offend someone of his caliber over a mere ability. Besides, in the future, Koshiro would be much more approachable than he seemed now.

For now, Karl decided to retreat and revisit this task later. After all, the sign-in mission wouldn't vanish once triggered—it could be completed at any time.

Still, before leaving, Karl had something to say to Koshiro.

"Koshiro-san, I have a small suggestion. I hope you'll consider it."

"A suggestion?"

Koshiro's impatience was evident, but he held himself back and listened.

Falling out with the Navy wouldn't benefit Koshiro, given that he still needed to live his life. Naturally, he couldn't openly oppose the Navy.

"If you're willing, Koshiro-senpai, you could open a kendo dojo and take in disciples.

This way, the Navy could even collaborate with your dojo, recruiting talented students directly into the Navy.

Although I haven't seen your swordsmanship yet, if it were weak, I doubt Dragon would have invited you here in the first place.

What do you think? Could you give me, Karl, this bit of face? Agreeing to this would only benefit you, with no drawbacks."

A small smile crept onto Karl's lips as he extended an olive branch to Koshiro.

If Koshiro agreed, Karl could even find a way to bring his daughter, Kuina, into the Navy, preventing the tragedy that would otherwise befall her.

Perhaps he could even recruit Zoro into the Navy, ensuring that the Straw Hat Pirates would reappear in this world under entirely different circumstances.

"Karl, are you planning to steal my people? You're well aware of the current state of the Navy and the World Government, yet you want to drag others into this mess?"

"Dragon, that's where you're wrong. I won't deny your perspective—your Revolutionary Army is a commendable path.

But reforming the Navy and World Government from within is equally crucial. If we can overthrow the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders, what's wrong with letting the Navy govern instead?"

"You've said this before, but are you certain you can become Fleet Admiral and actually reform the Navy?"

"Of course, I can't do it alone. But I can cultivate the talents I need. I'm over a decade younger than you—I have time on my side!"

Dragon fell silent at Karl's declaration. At 33, Dragon wasn't exactly young anymore.

Karl and Dragon stood at odds.

Their goals were essentially the same: to overthrow the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders, the upper echelons of the World Government.

But Dragon sought to tear the world down and rebuild it through war, while Karl aimed to reform the Navy from within and use it to pressure the World Government.

Karl's method was undoubtedly more challenging, requiring immense strength and influence to succeed.

However, if successful, it would be far more legitimate, less risky than Dragon's revolution, and would spare countless lives.

This difference in approach had been a constant source of friction between the two.

Luckily, Garp wasn't aware of their argument. Otherwise, the old man would likely smack both of them with his slipper.

"I didn't expect you to have such ambitions," Koshiro sighed, pushing up his glasses. "I had thought you were willingly working for the Celestial Dragons. But you and Dragon both have these lofty goals. Young people these days are truly remarkable."

Koshiro stood, Wado Ichimonji in hand, and moved to the courtyard.

"You wanted to spar with me, didn't you? Let's exchange a few moves, but just a few—I don't want to disturb my wife.

As for your suggestion about the dojo, I agree. But I'll only work with you personally. This has nothing to do with the Navy!"

Koshiro unsheathed the Wado Ichimonji, his aura suddenly becoming sharp and oppressive, like that of a lion about to strike.

Dragon's expression darkened.

After all his lengthy speeches, Koshiro had outright rejected him.

Yet Karl, with just a few words, had won Koshiro's approval.

The disparity between people was truly disheartening!

Karl was momentarily stunned as well, unsure why Koshiro had suddenly acknowledged him.

Then, the system's voice rang in his mind:

"System Notification: Hidden Attribute [Give Me Some Face] Activated Successfully!"

"Note: This attribute is passively triggered, unrestricted, randomly activates, and has an indefinite target and duration."

Hearing this, Karl remembered the time he defeated the Mountain Bandit King, Sig, and received a boost to his "face" value.

At the time, he thought it was just a commemorative title with no real power.

But today, this ability had unexpectedly activated, both strange and delightful.

Opening his system panel, Karl saw a new hidden attribute:

[Give Me Some Face]!

It was this ability that had just played a critical role, earning Koshiro's recognition in an instant.

Who's the real "face" person now?

Shanks?

The Face-Face Fruit?

Move over. This is my moment!

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