One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

"Jango, step forward!"

Upon hearing Roman call his name, Jango's heart leapt into his throat.

An unprecedented wave of nervousness washed over him, draining the color from his face.

"H-H-Here! S-Sir, how... how do you know my name?"

Hearing Jango's stammering question, Roman mentally muttered to himself: Do you expect me to say I'm a transmigrator or something?

With that thought, the aura around Roman surged violently.

A terrifying pressure, like that of a monstrous beast, weighed down directly on their hearts.

Everyone aboard the ship instantly collapsed to their knees, trembling in fear.

The warmth on Roman's face was gone. Now expressionless, he stared down at Jango and asked coldly, "Where is Kuro of a Hundred Plans?"

Facing the White Dove Admiral himself, how could Jango dare lie? Without hesitation, he sold Kuro out.

"Sir, he's currently in Syrup Village! I—I'm willing to take you there, just please spare our lives!"

Roman didn't say much more. He simply replied, "Lead the way."

Soon, Roman and Jango arrived at Syrup Village.

At that moment, the system's mechanical voice echoed in Roman's mind:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the sign-in task. Reward acquired: Peak-Level Medical Skill. This medical skill allows the host to surpass even Gol D. Roger's personal ship doctor, Crocus. As long as there's a single breath left in someone's body, there's a very high chance they can be saved. This is a technique closest to miracles!]

Roman was very satisfied with the reward this time.

The practicality of the Peak level Medical Skill was simply too high.

You could even say—this was a god-tier life-saving technique!

However, while Roman was overjoyed, Jango was a bundle of nerves.

Walking beside Roman, he felt like there was an elephant stomping on his heart with every step.

There was simply no way to calm down.

"You know exactly where Kuro is?"

"Yes, sir! I've been to the location with the captain—no, with Kuro before. His target is that wealthy estate in the center of the island."

"Lead the way."

"Yes, sir."

Elsewhere…

Captain Kuro had disguised himself as a lowly crew member, supposedly kicked off a pirate ship for a minor mistake.

Covered in dust and looking utterly pitiful, he had managed to earn the trust of Kaya's parents and was taken in as a butler.

Gazing around the room, a flicker of ambition flashed through Kuro's cold eyes.

"Three years… Once I've fully blended into this island life, that will be your death day."

A cruel smile curled at the corners of his mouth, though it vanished the next instant, hidden beneath his facade.

Suddenly, his sharp eyes caught a shadow outside the window.

Someone had approached a tree, climbed it with ease, and knocked lightly on the second-story window.

Kaya opened it with a frown, visibly annoyed at the long-nosed man before her.

"I told you, stop bothering me. I don't like your lies."

Usopp quickly waved his hands in denial. "No, no, today's story is really important—and I swear, it's not a lie!"

"You think I'll believe that? Usopp, the village's most notorious liar?"

Usopp clenched his chest tightly, a flash of desperation in his eyes. "Kaya, I've contracted a disease… If I don't finish telling my stories, I'll die!"

Kaya, ever gentle, knew he was faking. But still, she gave a small nod. "Just one last time."

"Okay! Today's story is a tale I heard while out on the sea!"

Kaya, of course, knew his so-called 'voyages' were nothing more than childish games with the local kids.

But her gentle nature stopped her from calling him out.

"I heard that there was once a pirate who grew tired of life. So he faked his death… and started a new life. Then—"

"Usopp, you're lying again. If he killed himself, how could he start a new life?"

Usopp's eyes lit up—he had an idea.

"Easy! Let's say I'm a pirate. I hypnotize a Marine and then find someone random to take my place. Boom! Freedom!"

Kaya still didn't believe him, but her good manners kept her quiet.

Little did Usopp know, Kuro's icy gaze was watching him from the shadows beneath the tree.

A gust of cold wind blew through.

Usopp, in the middle of spinning his tale enthusiastically, barely noticed the chill.

"And so, this pirate came to an island, pretended to be a crewman, earned everyone's trust, became a butler… But no one knew, he actually planned to steal all their wealth! Luckily, a prince discovered the truth and saved everyone!"

As Usopp wrapped up his story, Kaya's face darkened.

"That's enough, Usopp! I can't believe you'd say something like this, just because you heard we hired a new butler? So you made up such an awful story. You're disgusting!"

"Usopp! I won't give you another chance!"

With that, Kaya slammed the window shut.

Usopp stood stunned.

"What butler…? I was just making stuff up! That's all!"

But the window stayed shut.

With a sigh, Usopp climbed down from the tree.

He really just wanted to chat with Kaya.

Just hearing her voice made him happy.

"Jeez man… what did I even do wrong?"

He kicked a random rock—

And then noticed a man in a black tailcoat, smiling at him.

Usopp didn't recognize him. In fact, he'd never seen this man anywhere on the island before.

"Who are you…?"

Kuro adjusted his glasses and coldly replied, "I thought my disguise was flawless. But I didn't expect you to see through it. So, for the sake of my plan—"

"Please die now."

The moment he finished speaking, Kuro equipped his Ten-Blade "Cat Claws."

The glinting steel reflected in Usopp's terrified pupils.

Only now did he understand where that chilling wind had come from…