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

[Mihawk detected. Sign-in available!]

At this time, Mihawk was still in his youth. He had yet to acquire the Black Blade Yoru, claim the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman, or earn his nickname, "Hawk-Eyes." 

Now, he was merely a rookie swordsman venturing out to sea for the first time. 

However, his gaze was already sharp and piercing, something that irritated Karl. 

"What are you staring at?" 

Mihawk: … 

"Silent, playing the mysterious master, huh?" 

Mihawk: … 

"Tsk... whatever." 

Mihawk's silence baffled Karl, who couldn't fathom his intentions. 

"If you don't speak, don't blame me for being rude!" 

In an instant, Karl unleashed a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki. 

Drawing the Sandai Kitetsu, Karl charged straight at Mihawk, forcing him to act. Mihawk responded with a swift display of his precise swordsmanship. 

*Clang!* 

The clash of their blades echoed as shockwaves rippled through the air. 

"You're strong! I want to spar with you!" Mihawk finally spoke, his tone calm yet resolute. 

Karl smirked and, without hesitation, slashed at him again. "If you want a fight, just say it! Keeping quiet might choke you to death!" 

"What a fast blade!" 

Mihawk's razor-sharp eyes locked onto Karl's movements, narrowly avoiding his strike. 

But Karl wasn't done yet! 

Having inherited Roger's swordsmanship, Karl had already reached the level of a Great Swordsman, albeit just crossing the threshold. Yet compared to Mihawk, Karl held a significant edge. 

Each of Karl's strikes landed perfectly at the weak points in Mihawk's defenses. 

This relentless assault left Mihawk tense, with no room for error or relaxation. 

Mihawk quickly realized that Karl's strength far surpassed his own, even exhibiting a monstrous physical power beyond his comprehension. 

Despite this, Mihawk found himself caught in Karl's rhythm, unable to counterattack effectively. 

The street rang with the clashing of swords as their battle sent sparks flying, the sound of metal resounding in the air. 

The surrounding townsfolk fled in panic, fearing they'd be struck by the stray sword energy. 

Only one man, Smoker, dared to stay and watch. Using his Logia Devil Fruit abilities, he avoided the worst of the residual force by transforming into smoke. 

Even so, Smoker's body was covered in cuts and bruises. 

Both Karl and Mihawk's attacks were infused with Haki, a power Smoker didn't yet understand. He could only sense how utterly outclassed he was in the face of their duel. 

"So strong! Who will win?" Smoker murmured, eyes wide as he struggled to follow their rapid movements. 

Suddenly, a gentle breeze passed by. 

A man clad in a dark green cloak appeared beside Smoker. 

"The fight is over. Karl has won," the man stated calmly. 

"Who are you?!" 

Smoker flinched at the unexpected voice. 

Just as he questioned the stranger, Karl and Mihawk's battle came to an abrupt conclusion—exactly as the man had predicted. 

Although Karl had inherited Roger's swordsmanship, it was not from Roger's prime but rather his waning days when illness had weakened him. 

When it came purely to swordsmanship, Karl barely edged out Mihawk. But Karl had additional powers to rely on. 

Mihawk was no match for him. 

As their figures blurred past one another, Mihawk stumbled, exposing a weak point. Karl seized the opportunity and delivered a strike, leaving a deep gash on Mihawk's body. 

Not stopping there, Karl pressed the attack, grabbing Mihawk's wrist with the intent to disarm him—but with another purpose in mind. 

[Mihawk signed in successfully. Swordsmanship upgraded to 'Exemplary'!]

The system's notification rang in Karl's mind. 

Simultaneously, Mihawk broke free from Karl's grip and launched a counterattack. 

Karl's lips curled into a confident smirk. His elusive swordsmanship overwhelmed Mihawk, leaving him unable to defend. 

At last, Mihawk conceded, his strength drained, as Karl pressed the Sandai Kitetsu against his neck. 

"Admitting defeat already?" 

"I am not your match. Do with me as you will." 

Mihawk, resigned, spread his arms, exposing his vitals to Karl without resistance. 

Karl rolled his eyes at Mihawk's gesture, sheathing his blade with a huff. 

"Why would I bother with you? You're not worth my trouble!" 

Mimicking Garp's carefree demeanor, Karl flicked his nose and wiped his hand on Mihawk's cloak before glancing toward Smoker. 

It was then that Karl noticed the familiar figure standing beside Smoker. 

[Monkey D. Dragon detected. Sign-in available!]

The moment he recognized Dragon, Karl rushed over and embraced him tightly. 

"It's been a while, Dragon!" 

"Can you let go of me?" 

"We're sworn brothers! What's the harm in a hug?" 

"Ugh… you're the same as always. This is why you're unbearable!" 

"Haha! It's just a hug, not a kiss. Why so uptight?" 

[Dragon signed in successfully. Navy Six Styles upgraded to 'Perfect'!]

Hearing the system notification, Karl felt a twinge of disappointment. 

What rotten luck. 

Dragon undoubtedly possessed greater powers, yet Karl had only received a minor upgrade. 

Uncomfortable with Karl's embrace, Dragon shoved him away, brushing off his clothes. 

"Karl, I'm here to talk business. Come with me!" 

"Again with this? I've told you, I'm not interested! Especially not after that cold shoulder!" 

"Even if you refuse, staying here won't work. Your ideals align with mine—I need you!" 

"And I've told you before: I have no interest. How about you join me instead? Wouldn't that be better?" 

"That's never going to happen!" 

The two men stared each other down, neither willing to yield. 

Their conversation, cryptic as ever, left Smoker utterly baffled. 

Karl and Dragon's exchange was loaded with hidden meaning, revolving around revolutionary ideals and overthrowing the Celestial Dragons—topics too dangerous to state openly. 

Smoker, catching only fragments of their discussion, misunderstood and instinctively took a step back, his cheeks reddening as he misinterpreted their words. 

Meanwhile, Mihawk, uninterested in their dialogue, quietly departed. 

Dragon stayed to share a meal with Karl before finally leaving late at night. 

As Karl returned to the base, eager for a good night's sleep, Smoker suddenly gathered his courage and shouted after him. 

"Lord Karl! I want to join the Navy!" 

~~~~~~~~~~

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