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

"Detection complete: Kong, the Steel Bone. Ready to sign in!"

Morning.

As Karl faced Kong, the Steel Bone, sitting behind his desk, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of nervousness. However, compared to his previous encounter with the Five Elders, he was much more composed. After all, Fleet Admiral Kong was an old acquaintance, so there was no need to feel overly tense.

"Kid, the trouble you caused this time was no small matter. It almost tarnished the Navy's reputation!

If it weren't for your unique background, you'd have been dismissed long ago—well before I got the chance to lecture you!

Speaking of which, you're aware of your lineage now, aren't you?"

Fleet Admiral Kong's voice was calm but carried a stern weight as he addressed Karl from his seat.

"...Yes, I am," Karl replied softly.

Kong nodded slightly, flipping through some documents as if searching for something, remaining silent for a moment. Although he saw great potential in Karl, there wasn't much emotional attachment in his demeanor. Even knowing that Karl was the last descendant of the God Valley incident, Kong wouldn't grant him any special privileges.

The punishment had already been handed down. Scolding further wouldn't change anything. All he could do now was offer a reprimand, remind Karl to be cautious in the future, and assign him tasks like training new recruits.

"Bell-mère, Kuro, and Enel—all personally scouted by you.

They've all shown promising potential during the preliminary tests. However, I hear from Sengoku that you're planning to send Kuro into the underground world, is that correct?"

"I do intend to," Karl nodded, acknowledging Kong's inquiry.

After a moment of contemplation, Kong spoke:

"In that case, the recruit training camp isn't the right place for him. Before too many people become familiar with his face, I'll have Vice Admiral Tsuru personally oversee his development in espionage.

As for Bell-mère and Enel, their physical aptitude and potential qualify them for the elite training program.

Starting tomorrow, your assignment will be to assist Zephyr in training those rookies. During your five-year confinement, you'll follow his instructions without exception. Do you have any questions?"

"No questions, but..." Karl hesitated.

"But what?"

"Would it be possible for us to arm wrestle?"

"What kind of peculiar hobby is that?"

Kong's expression darkened at Karl's request.

Karl scratched the back of his head and grinned awkwardly. "I've always arm wrestled with Grandpa Garp. I just wanted to see how your strength compares to his, Fleet Admiral Kong."

"You're quite the schemer, aren't you? There's no way this is your only reason.

But fine, it's been a while since someone's challenged me to arm wrestling. Consider it a rare indulgence!"

With that, Kong rolled up his sleeves, readying himself.

Karl's face lit up with excitement. He had only been testing the waters, not expecting Kong to agree.

Wasting no time, Karl clasped Kong's massive hand. Instantly, he felt an overwhelming surge of power emanating from Kong, making the pressure almost unbearable.

"Ready, kid?" Kong asked with a smirk.

"Absolutely!" Karl shot back confidently.

Their gazes locked, and the contest began.

In an instant, the desk between them cracked and split down the middle. In less than a second, it was utterly destroyed. Even the floor beneath them showed visible cracks from the force of their match.

"Sign-in successful: Kong, the Steel Bone. Reward obtained: Iron-Bodied Constitution (Perfect)."

"Iron-Bodied Constitution: Your bones, muscles, and tendons will become as resilient as steel."

While Karl was thrilled with his newfound ability, he remained locked in the struggle with Kong, neither backing down.

A full minute passed, and there was still no victor. Just then, the door to the Fleet Admiral's office swung open.

"What in the world are you two doing?"

"Detection complete: Vice Admiral Tsuru. Ready to sign in!"

"Granny Tsuru?" Karl turned his head toward the unexpected visitor, distracted by the system's voice.

Taking advantage of the moment, Kong exerted all his strength, flipping Karl's arm in a swift 180-degree reversal.

"Ha-ha-ha! Kid, you've still got a long way to go!" Kong laughed triumphantly.

"Cheating during an arm wrestle? At your age? Where's your dignity, old man?" Karl shot back indignantly.

Ignoring Karl's protests, Kong shrugged, clearly unbothered. Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Tsuru surveyed the mess in the room with a resigned sigh.

"It's been a while, Granny Tsuru!" Karl brushed the dust off himself and hugged her enthusiastically, catching her off guard.

Fortunately, Karl hadn't activated his "Ladykiller Aura." Otherwise, Tsuru would have responded far less calmly.

[Note: Will be using Ladykiller Aura from now on instead of Ladies' Friend.]

"Sign-in successful: Vice Admiral Tsuru. Reward obtained: Life Return upgraded to Mastery."

Life Return? Just my luck! Karl thought, inwardly grumbling about his mediocre gains while maintaining an outwardly cheerful demeanor.

Tsuru patted Karl on the back gently, treating him like a child. After a brief moment, she pushed him away.

"I'm here to discuss classified matters with Fleet Admiral Kong. If you have no further business, I suggest you leave."

"Understood, Granny Tsuru," Karl replied, glancing back at Kong, who waved him off. With that, Karl left the office.

Karl's next destination was Zephyr's training camp, where he intended to observe how new recruits were trained.

However, their reunion was far from ordinary. The moment they saw each other, Karl and Zephyr immediately engaged in a spirited "friendly" exchange.

The outcome? Half the elite training camp was demolished.

The spectacle left the recruits, many of whom were still in awe of Karl, utterly stunned. Some fainted from sheer shock.

"Sign-in successful: Zephyr. Reward obtained: Armament Haki upgraded to Excellent."

Karl sighed. Zephyr's strength was still impressive—when his asthma wasn't acting up. Yet, his deteriorating health had significantly weakened him, eroding his power and mastery of Haki compared to his prime. Even so, Zephyr remained a formidable fighter, capable of matching Karl, who was already at admiral-level strength.

His display of power silenced many doubters among the recruits. Bell-mère and Enel, whom Karl had brought into the camp, were particularly overjoyed. Their mentor's return gave them newfound confidence, allowing them to stand tall despite the bullying they'd endured from their peers.

Interestingly, Karl noticed a remarkable change in Enel's attitude. His worldview had shifted significantly since their first encounter, thanks to Karl's political education and the Navy's disciplinary system.

Thus, time flew by.

Five years of confinement passed in the blink of an eye.

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