One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

With the warship running at full speed, it took only moments to reach the waters near Syrup Village.

Two smaller Marine warships were seen drifting on the surface of the sea.

Roman and Kalifa used Moonwalk(Geppo) to leap onto one of the ships.

The scene was gruesome—countless Marine soldiers lay dead in pools of blood.

But what caught Roman's attention most was a man with a shattered jaw and a mechanical axe in place of an arm.

His name was Morgan, and in the not-so-distant future, he would rise to the rank of Marine Colonel.

Morgan lay lifeless in the blood, eyes wide open and staring into the sky with a terrifying expression.

But Roman could tell—he was under hypnosis.

Kalifa returned after searching both ships and whispered, "Aside from this man, there are no other survivors aboard."

Ding—Sign-in mission issued: Syrup Village. Reward: Peak level Medical Arts. Time limit: 1 day.

One day sounded short, but given the Admiral-class warship's speed, it was enough.

"It seems Kuro fled… Most likely to Syrup Village," Roman muttered, looking at the unconscious Morgan. "But before we go after him, let's heal Morgan first. Right now, he's still a promising Marine."

Indeed, Morgan had great potential. But after Jango's hypnosis, his personality drastically changed, becoming the aggressive figure known afterwards.

Roman wasn't keen to see that outcome repeat.

"But how do we help him?" Kalifa asked. "We don't know hypnosis!"

"I can't hypnotize, but when it comes to mental interference—I can handle it!"

Roman stared into Morgan's vacant eyes.

"Illusion-Illusion Devil Fruit ability—activate."

He cast a carefully constructed mental illusion straight into Morgan's mind.

This was one of the advanced applications of the Illusion-Illusion Fruit, something Roman had developed over time.

Though limited to those with weak mental resistance, it still showcased the fruit's infinite potential.

After five minutes, Morgan's dazed gaze regained clarity.

He looked at Roman and Kalifa, confused, then saw the aftermath of the blood-soaked ship around him.

Terror overtook him.

"What… what happened?! Why are they all dead?!"

He stood up, eyes filled with shock.

"It's not your fault," Roman calmly said. "Blame Kuro."

The memory came flooding back—he had been chasing Kuro, then saw a white-haired, hat-wearing man… and remembered nothing after that. It was all blank.

"Kalifa, you and Morgan each take a ship to the nearest Marine base. Leave Kuro to me. Once I'm done, I'll come pick you up."

Kalifa nodded. "Got it."

She trusted Roman's strength completely.

Soon, she and Morgan each took a ship and sailed toward the nearest base.

Meanwhile, Roman activated his fruit powers and drove his Admiral-class warship straight toward Syrup Village.

At the same time, the Black Cat Pirates, now led by Kuro, had landed at Syrup Village's shore.

Their pirate flags were hidden, avoiding any attention.

"Captain, are you really done with sailing the seas?" Jango asked.

"I'm tired of this life," Kuro replied. "I want peace and to live quietly on an island."

Looking at Jango, he continued, "Come find me three years from now. I'll be living here under a new identity."

He was "Kuro of a Hundred Plans"—a man with unmatched cunning that defied logic.

If he wanted to maintain a peaceful life, he would have to have already mapped out every step for years ahead.

Jango sighed. "Alright, Captain. I'll come back in three years."

Kuro nodded and left for the island's interior.

Once out of sight, Jango turned to the crew. "Let's go. From today onward, I am the new captain of the Black Cat Pirates!"

"Yes, Captain!"

But they hadn't sailed far before spotting something massive on the horizon.

"Captain! There's… there's a huge warship ahead!"

Jango squinted through his glasses.

He had never seen a Marine warship that enormous before.

Suddenly, realization hit.

He remembered reading about Admiral White Dove's movements—how he'd been sweeping through the seas, executing notorious pirates and imprisoning the new ones.

He was ruthless.

Without hesitation, Jango shouted, "Raise your hands! Everyone surrender now!"

He had just become the new captain, and they immediately ran into Admiral White Dove.

What terrible luck.

But surviving was what mattered.

Standing atop the deck, Roman watched the Black Cat Pirates raise their hands and shout, "We surrender!"

Even he couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

As the warship slowed to a halt, Roman looked down at the trembling pirates.

The air was heavy with tension.

Sweat trickled down Jango's forehead.

This world ran on the law of the jungle.

Roman was stronger and thus, he held their lives in his hands.

Everyone held their breath.

From a distance, Roman's voice calmly echoed—"..."