MTLNOVEL Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Roger! Shake Hands, Will You?
"What's with you today, kid? You seem a little odd..."
Sengoku cast a puzzled look at Karl, who was eagerly shaking hands with everyone around.
Karl had already shaken hands with every marine present.
However, the only ones who triggered rewards from his system were Sengoku, Garp, and the three future admirals.
This left him a little disheartened.
"Where's Roger? I'd like to meet him."
"The route for transporting Roger is classified. We can't disclose it. However, once the new prison renovations are complete, you'll have your chance to see him.
"But seriously, kid, are you ready for this? In three days, you'll be executing him. Don't you have anything to say about that?"
Faced with Sengoku's questioning, Karl shrugged and replied, "What can I say? I guess I'm just flattered by the honor."
Roger was among those responsible for the destruction of Karl's hometown, yet he also fought against Rocks during the God Valley Incident.
Karl couldn't help but feel conflicted. Still, after mulling it over, he concluded it wasn't a big deal.
In the end, executing a pirate was just that—Roger was no different from any other criminal on the execution platform.
After exchanging pleasantries, Karl led Sengoku, Garp, and others to his office.
Due to his rank and seniority, Karl had to sit beside Kuzan.
Sengoku naturally took the seat in front of the desk, while Garp shamelessly sat on top of it, even pulling out his snacks.
Sengoku began laying out the plans for Roger's execution.
Karl found the whole thing dreadfully boring. If there had been a bed nearby, he would've fallen asleep instantly.
It wasn't clear how much time had passed when Sengoku finally wrapped up the meeting.
As the others left, Sengoku nudged the dozing Karl awake.
"Kid, you wanted to see Roger, right? Come with me."
Hearing this, Karl perked up instantly and followed Sengoku to the prison.
Although the prison in Loguetown was under Karl's jurisdiction, it had been temporarily taken over and fortified after Sengoku and the others arrived.
The defenses were now so tight that not even a mouse could sneak in.
Rescuing Roger from the hands of two legendary marines would be next to impossible.
After a short walk, Karl found himself standing before the deepest part of the prison, where a disheveled and somewhat dejected man sat in chains.
At the same time, a familiar system notification echoed in Karl's mind.
[Detected: Pirate King Gol D. Roger. Eligible for system sign-in!]
As soon as the system spoke, Karl quickened his pace.
He bypassed Sengoku, arriving at the cell bars, his face alight with a beaming smile as he extended his right hand.
"Roger! Shake hands, will you?"
Roger: ???
Roger looked utterly confused but obliged, reaching out his hand.
[Check-in with Pirate King Gol D. Roger successful. Reward: Swordsmanship (Mastery)!]
After ten seconds of contact, the check-in was complete.
Hearing the system's notification, Karl grinned so broadly his face practically split in two.
The only thing that dampened his mood was Roger's condition—this was the man at his weakest.
If Karl had checked in during Roger's prime, he might have gained the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Roger, still held by Karl's handshake, had no idea why this kid was grinning so much.
"Kid, are you mocking me for turning myself in? If so, I'm very disappointed in you!"
"Don't misunderstand," Karl replied, releasing Roger's hand. "I was just thinking of something else funny. It has nothing to do with your arrest.
"But let's be honest—pirates like you deserve to be caught. Especially you, Roger!
"You call yourself the Pirate King, but all you've done is boost your reputation without achieving anything substantial.
"Instead, you've inspired countless others to set sail and become pirates.
"Now, tell me, shouldn't you take responsibility for that?"
Karl let go of Roger's hand, assuming a righteous demeanor as he scolded the Pirate King.
In his previous life, before his reincarnation into the "One Piece" world, Karl had been a university student full of passion and a strong sense of justice.
He'd died saving someone from a criminal and found himself in this world, arriving just in time for the God Valley Incident.
That event had claimed his parents and village, leaving Karl with a burning hatred for pirates—a hatred tempered only by reason.
For those pirates who were more adventurers at heart, Karl was willing to let them off lightly.
After all, he didn't want to become someone like Sakazuki, who would kill anyone without hesitation.
"Kid, you've got it all wrong," Roger said, laughing heartily. "Pirates are just people who refuse to be bound by rules.
"They're dreamers chasing the freedom of the sea, brimming with passion!"
Karl rolled his eyes. "Our perspectives are too different. I'm not wasting time arguing with you."
He glanced at Sengoku, who was observing from a distance, before lowering his voice.
"Tell me, why did you specifically ask for me to execute you?
"Don't give me some nonsense about guilt. If you truly felt guilty, I'd never believe it!"
Karl unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a scar that stretched across his chest—a scar from a wound that nearly killed him.
"Two years ago, when I was with Garp, we crossed paths with you. You claimed you felt guilty, then nearly killed me.
"So don't think you can use that excuse to brush me off."
Seeing the scar, Roger awkwardly scratched his unkempt, messy hair. His tone softened.
"Well… I saw you were stubborn and thought you needed a lesson.
"But it's been years, hasn't it? You're fine now, and in three days, you'll get your revenge, won't you?"
Karl sneered. "Sure."
Stepping closer, Karl leaned in and whispered, "You're planning something, aren't you? Like spreading rumors about your treasure, giving no specifics, and letting the world scramble for it?
"I don't know what you saw at Laugh Tale, but I can guess your intent. You're sick and nearing the end, so you're using this as an opportunity to find someone to carry out your will. Am I right?"
Roger's expression shifted, his face betraying a storm of emotions.
Before Roger could respond, Karl cut him off with a smirk.
"Don't bother denying it. I get you."
Having delivered his parting shot, Karl felt immensely satisfied.
Leaving Roger stewing in frustration was the highlight of his day.
He had achieved his goal: checking in with Roger.
With that done, there was no reason to stick around.
"Sengoku, I'm heading out on patrol. Maybe I'll catch some troublemaking pirates while I'm at it.
"I've accepted the mission to execute Roger. Don't worry—I'll see it through."
Karl thumped his chest, flashed Roger a middle finger, and walked away, leaving the Pirate King fuming.
Sengoku nodded, waiting for Karl to leave before sitting down cross-legged in front of Roger's cell.
"Roger, let's continue our conversation—about your wife."
~~~~~~~~~~
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