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

"Sengoku, my dear elder, you won't regret listening to me on this."

"Blackbeard Teach is undoubtedly connected to the Rocks Pirates. How could this be a personal vendetta?"

"Ah, forget about evidence for now! Just look at his strength and his abnormal physique. That alone proves he's no ordinary person."

"And he even dared to attack the Navy. That's already grounds for issuing a bounty."

"Sengoku, stop asking for proof right now! Anyway, he's currently part of the Whitebeard Pirates. Just issue the bounty! His full name is Marshall D. Teach, alias Blackbeard. Write the bounty at around 300 million—no, at least 400 to 500 million berries to reflect his strength!"

Karl paused, then decided to raise Blackbeard's bounty further.

This way, his notoriety would spread quickly, amplifying his influence. If Teach planned to lay low, it wouldn't be so easy anymore. With a bounty of 400 to 500 million berries, Whitebeard would surely take notice.

Given Whitebeard's keen insight, he would likely realize the connection between Teach and the Rocks Pirates.

With Karl's persistent plea and charm, Sengoku finally relented, agreeing to issue a bounty for Blackbeard despite the lack of concrete evidence. However, the bounty wasn't as high as Karl suggested—it was set at a little over 100 million berries.

As Sengoku put it, there were rules he couldn't break.

Meanwhile, Shanks also ended up with a bounty of 30 million berries. Karl had naturally included Shanks in his report, but Sengoku didn't take him seriously. If not for Shanks being a former apprentice on Roger's crew, Sengoku wouldn't have bothered issuing a bounty at all.

Sengoku then ordered Karl to proceed to Enies Lobby to await further instructions.

Karl agreed casually and, after some idle chatter, hung up the Den Den Mushi.

With six days remaining until the designated rendezvous time, Karl had enough time to detour to Skypiea in search of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

Although he had no personal use for it, Karl planned to give the fruit to Kuro if it was still unclaimed. Whether they could find it depended entirely on luck.

Controlling his warship, Karl ascended toward the sky.

His abilities, extracted from the Golden Lion via his system, allowed him to attach the same powers to himself. Thus, he didn't have to worry about seawater nullifying his abilities.

After some simple reconnaissance, Karl identified the specific location of Skypiea and took off toward the sky with Kuro and Bellemere in tow.

As they ascended, Karl silently prayed for Buggy's "Conqueror's Haki of Luck" to share some of its fortune with him.

Far away in the East Blue, Buggy held a dashing selfie of Karl in his hand, his expression conflicted.

"Something feels off, like something's been drained from my body. It's so unsettling..."

"Wow! This is Skypiea? Are we really in an ocean in the sky? It's so magnificent!"

The warship had entered the White-White Sea without hindrance and continued its upward flight.

Bellemere marveled at the sight of the sky ocean, unable to believe such a phenomenon existed.

Even Kuro, usually composed, widened his eyes in disbelief.

"So Skypiea is real, not just a legend…"

"Hahaha, of course, Skypiea exists! It's only considered a legend because so few people manage to reach it.

That's also why there are all sorts of myths, like Skypieans being angels. I can't help but find these people's imagination amusing," Karl said, chuckling at his own internal commentary.

Bellemere tilted her head, full of questions.

"Karl-sama, are you saying that Skypieans aren't really angels?"

"There are no angels in this world. Skypieans are just humans with an extra pair of wings that can't even fly."

Hearing Karl's explanation, both Bellemere and Kuro were left utterly confused.

Seeing their blank expressions, Karl shook his head.

"You'll understand once we get to Skypiea. For now, hold on tight—I'm going to speed up!"

Before he finished speaking, the warship accelerated sharply, causing Kuro and Bellemere to lose their balance and nearly fall over.

Karl couldn't help but laugh at their clumsy reactions.

Soon, the warship broke through the White Sea and continued toward the upper reaches of the sky ocean.

Beyond the White Sea was yet another layer of the White-White Sea. Only by traversing this upper ocean could they reach Skypiea proper.

Bellemere and Kuro stared at the stunning sight of two oceans stacked atop one another, feeling that even falling from such heights would be worth it just to witness this.

While they were marveling at the scenery, the warship plunged into the White Sea!

After some time, Karl skillfully navigated the ship to Skypiea.

However, due to the reckless ascent, the warship had sustained damage and was now barely held together by Karl's abilities.

"So this is Skypiea? It's not quite what I imagined," Bellemere remarked, frowning in disappointment.

The surrounding sea was dark and murky, with a foreboding atmosphere. The sky above was heavy with mist.

The area was littered with shipwrecks, most of them pirate vessels, their tattered flags fluttering weakly in the wind.

"These pirate ships look like they met with disaster. Could there be some dangerous creature here?" Kuro asked nervously, his unease spreading to Bellemere.

After surveying the area, Karl shook his head in resignation.

"Relax. These pirate ships aren't from Skypiea. From what I can tell, they were caught by the Knock Up Stream and forcibly pushed here.

Judging by their condition, these ships have been here for at least a decade. It's no wonder they're so decayed."

Karl maneuvered the warship closer to the wreckage.

The trio soon spotted skeletal remains scattered across the decks of the pirate ships, likely the former crews who perished after being stranded here.

"Not bad luck. The two of you split up and see if you can find anything useful. If you find a Devil Fruit, notify me immediately via Den Den Mushi!"

"Understood!"

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