One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Disguised as Howard East, Roman followed closely behind Stussy as they made their way deeper into Whole Cake Island.

Stussy checked Roman up and down and chuckled behind her hand.

"White Dove, I heard your personality isn't like this at all."

Roman replied with a light smile,

"I just wanted to mess with Katakuri a little."

"Still, your Devil Fruit ability is incredible. If you joined CP0, you'd definitely be their strongest agent!"

"No thanks. I think being an admiral suits me just fine,"

Roman said, gently patting the big, round belly created by his illusion.

Stussy didn't respond again—she had spotted the media tycoon, Morgans, from afar.

Roman, meanwhile, began strolling casually around Whole Cake Island, quietly surveying the terrain and the distribution of Big Mom's forces.

In the Skies Above…

Roman's real body remained aboard Noah's Ark, cloaked and surrounded by fierce gales.

[Ding! Check-in mission issued: Whole Cake Island — Reward: Perfect Eight Inner Gates Formation! Time limit: 3 days!]

Hearing the electronic voice in his mind, Roman smiled faintly.

"It's finally here! I've been looking forward to the perfect version of the Eight Inner Gates for so long!"

He stretched lazily—this sense of getting stronger just by being strong felt amazing.

Three days later, the Tea Party officially began.

Though Big Mom had yet to appear from her palace, her forces had already filled the venue.

Even the three Sweet Commanders were now standing before the crowd.

"I heard Big Mom invited that mysterious man, but I don't see him."

"Maybe he was scared off?"

"Or maybe he just didn't feel like showing up?"

"I'm dying to know what he actually looks like!"

As the crowd whispered and speculated, Roman leisurely approached the waters near Whole Cake Island.

The closer he got to his Phantom Illusion clone, the less stamina it cost him to maintain.

Over the past three days, Roman had used the illusion to fully understand the terrain and defensive layout of Whole Cake Island.

Suddenly, a massive shadow fell from the sky.

Everyone on the island looked up.

The clear, sunny sky had been replaced by the looming presence of a colossal ship—Noah's Ark.

Panic swept through the crowd.

"Whose ship is that?"

"I've never heard of it!"

"A flying ship—is it Golden Lion Shiki?!"

"Don't be stupid—Shiki was defeated by that mysterious guy!"

"I heard that mysterious man has abilities just like Shiki's!"

"I thought his powers were related to raging flames?"

"Didn't he also use a sword?"

"With all that combined, he's terrifying!"

"Did Big Mom really invite someone like that?!"

"I can't believe it… he actually came!!"

People buzzed with excitement and unease.

They were desperate to see the face of this "mysterious man."

But more than anything, they were curious—just how powerful was he?

Noah's Ark slowly descended from the sky, stirring massive waves as it touched the ocean.

Cloaked, Roman floated down from the ship using the Rooster Talisman.

Countless figures in the criminal underworld witnessed the scene.

From a distance, Stussy muttered to herself—or perhaps to Morgans beside her—

"I have a feeling his arrival won't end well. This might spark a real storm."

Morgans shook his head.

"This is one of the Four Emperors' base. Surrounded by Big Mom's forces, no matter how strong he is, he can't win a war of attrition."

"Then… want to make a bet?" Stussy smiled slyly.

"Oh? What are the stakes?"

Morgans rubbed his wings together like hands, his expression crafty. He really did look like an oversized, scheming news-bird.

"Five Devil Fruits. We bet on whether or not the mysterious man will cause a disturbance on Whole Cake Island. Dare to wager?"

Morgans gave it serious thought.

Even if he had great power himself, he'd never dare stir trouble here. The risk was just too high.

Finally, he nodded.

"Fine. Five Devil Fruits, it is."

As he agreed, Stussy's smile grew more enchanting.

The moment Roman touched down on the island—

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained: Perfect — Eight Inner Gates Formation. The Eight Gates are: Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death. Each gate, once opened, grants immense power. Opening the final gate—Death Gate—will not cost your life. This is the perfect form of the Eight Inner Gates!]

As the message rang out, knowledge of how to open each gate suddenly filled Roman's mind.

Under his cloak, a strange smile crept onto his face.

Just then, Katakuri stepped in front of him.

"Please show your invitation."

Roman didn't even respond with words. He merely turned his head slightly.

In an instant, a crushing aura surged forth—Conqueror's Haki that overwhelmed even Katakuri.

It was like facing a wild beast countless times stronger.

Katakuri froze, stunned by the sheer pressure.

Only after Roman casually walked past him and into the heart of the island did Katakuri snap out of it.

His pupils trembled as he murmured,

"S-So strong!"

Even though Roman had only unleashed his Conqueror's Haki on Katakuri, others nearby were seasoned enough to sense it too.

The overwhelming might shook everyone to the core.

Roman didn't care for their reactions.

To those who were kind, he could be kind.

But this place was full of people with blood on their hands.

In such an environment, the more aloof you were, the more they respected you.

After all, this was a world where only the strong survive.

But just then, another wave of Conqueror's Haki surged—this one from inside the palace…