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

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Karl balanced his usual "torment" and "training" with occasional physical education sessions designed to crush the confidence of the two brothers, Ace and Luffy, showing them just how far they still had to go.

The training proved relatively successful. Ace, having been disciplined from a young age, developed an inexplicable fear of Karl. It was akin to how a student feels when facing a teacher—an instinctive dread, even when no wrongdoing occurred. He would bow his head, avoiding eye contact as if guilty of some unspoken fault.

Luffy, on the other hand, retained his carefree and straightforward nature, an obvious inheritance from Garp. No matter what Karl did, Luffy's simple-mindedness remained unshaken.

Yet, Karl did manage to alter one critical aspect: Luffy abandoned his dream of becoming the Pirate King. Instead, he set his sights on becoming the "King of the Navy." In this regard, Karl's influence was a resounding success; Luffy's ambitions had undergone a complete transformation.

Throughout this period, Karl taught them structured methods to strengthen their bodies. Garp's prior methods had involved throwing the brothers into the jungle to battle wild beasts—a method that yielded quick results but was perilously dangerous. Having experienced such extreme training himself, Karl understood its long-term negative effects.

As such, Karl overturned Garp's training regimen, introducing a systematic program based on his five years in the Navy training camp. The results were astonishing. Both Ace and Luffy demonstrated exceptional talent. No matter what Karl taught, they would fully master it within three days. Even the complex "Six Powers" techniques of the Navy were comprehensible to them, and they began practicing them. However, due to their young age and underdeveloped bodies, the techniques drained their stamina immensely.

After all, Ace was only six years old. Their physical limitations were evident, leaving Karl with one primary focus: helping them build their foundational strength.

The political education classes also became shorter over time. Karl didn't have high hopes for reshaping their minds entirely. As long as they abandoned the idea of becoming pirates, he considered it enough. Karl also made arrangements with Bell-mère to send Ace and Luffy for group training in the near future. At that time, Kuina and Zoro from Isshin Dojo, as well as Nami and Nojiko, would join them.

Thus, a simple training camp took shape. Over the course of a month, Karl personally oversaw the inaugural batch of child recruits in Loguetown. This group consisted of Ace, Luffy, Nami, Nojiko, Zoro, and Kuina—just six members, but of exceptional quality. Any one of them could be considered a rare gem in their own right.

However, not all shared the same ambitions. Nami and Nojiko had dreams unrelated to becoming stronger. Nojiko hoped to protect Loguetown, live a simple life, and plant an orange grove—a dream inspired by Bell-mère's love of oranges. Nami, as in the original story, aspired to create a complete map of the seas, focusing entirely on becoming the greatest navigator, with little interest in physical strength.

Zoro and Kuina, meanwhile, shared the dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman. Though their time in the Navy's special training wouldn't enhance their swordsmanship directly, the systematic education would greatly improve their physical abilities.

As for Ace and Luffy, their sole focus was becoming stronger. They had no other ambitions, and Karl was eager to see how they would grow in the future.

However, just as Karl settled into his role as instructor, a Den Den Mushi call from Sengoku disrupted his plans. Karl was urgently summoned to the West Blue for reinforcements!

Steel Bone Kong was locked in battle with a pirate on an uninhabited island in the West Blue. His original plan to use a trap had failed due to the pirate's extraordinary Observation Haki, capable of reading intentions. The battle had reached a stalemate, and the other Marines were powerless in such a high-level confrontation.

With Karl stationed in the East Blue, he was the closest available reinforcer. Both Garp and Borsalino were at Marineford and could not reach the battlefield in time. Sengoku's only option was to send Karl.

Without hesitation, Karl accepted the mission and departed for the West Blue. Sengoku warned him to be cautious, as the opponent was none other than the "Red Count"—Patrick Redfield!

A legend among pirates, Patrick Redfield stood shoulder-to-shoulder with figures like Roger, Whitebeard, and Shiki. Known as the "Sanguine Earl," he refused to trust others or form a crew, earning him the moniker of the "Solitary Red."

Karl was stunned by this revelation. Though he had suspected Steel Bone Kong would eventually target Patrick, he hadn't anticipated such a dangerous mission so soon. Among the great pirates of the era, Patrick was the most accessible target—unlike Whitebeard, who had a powerful crew and vast influence, making any confrontation with him costly for the Navy.

This mission was likely Steel Bone Kong's final operation as Fleet Admiral before transitioning to Commander-in-Chief of the World Government. Karl calculated that within a year, Sengoku would take over the position of Fleet Admiral. With that thought, Karl silently wished Sengoku well as he set off for the West Blue.

West Blue, in an uninhabited island.

Steel Bone Kong stood in a tense standoff with a tall, elegant man clad in a tailcoat and red cape. The man held a black umbrella, exuding the demeanor of a refined gentleman. Yet, his identity was far from noble—he was the infamous Red Count, Patrick Redfield.

Known for his obsession with red, particularly the color of blood, Patrick was a monster who had committed massacres far surpassing those of Whitebeard's and Roger's crews combined. Completely unbound by loyalty or ties, Patrick roamed the seas alone, making him an exceptionally dangerous adversary.

Steel Bone Kong's plan to apprehend him had failed, forcing a direct confrontation. Now, the battle between these two titans would determine the course of the Navy's mission.

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