As soon as the words fell, the warship shook violently once more, then began spinning and swaying erratically at high speed!
"Ugh—!"
One Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agent couldn't take it anymore, tearing off his mask and vomiting over the railing until he was disoriented.
The other agent, face pale, gripped the ship's rail tightly, fighting back the churning in his stomach while staring at Kane with shock and suspicion.
This was no ordinary storm!
As top agents of the World Government, what terrible sea conditions hadn't they witnessed? But this turbulence completely defied the laws of physics, as if an invisible hand was maliciously toying with the vessel!
Kane stood firm as a mountain, not even his shoulder cloak showing the slightest shift.
He shrugged innocently.
Did they think the power of the Storm Fruit was only good for fighting? Precisely controlling the ocean currents and air pressure around the warship was almost too easy.
Kane cheerfully watched the two top agents' miserable state. Half an hour later, the warship finally docked at the port beneath the Red Line after one last violent lurch.
The two CP0 agents helped each other disembark, their white suits—symbols of supreme authority—now stained with vomit, their arrogant aura completely gone.
In contrast, Kane appeared refreshed, his cloak draped over his shoulders without a single wrinkle.
They boarded the bubble pod, ascended through the clouds, and arrived at the summit of the world—the Holy Land Mariejois.
When setting foot on this land hailed as the "Dwelling of the Gods," all they saw were roads paved with white jade, with Pangaea Castle standing dreamlike in the distance.
Every flower in the gardens bloomed perfectly, the air filled with the scent of expensive spices, and even the sunlight seemed filtered—soft and holy.
It was beautiful.
A beauty built upon the flesh and blood of commoners worldwide.
On the roads, they occasionally spotted a few Celestial Dragons dressed in bloated spacesuit-like outfits, riding on the backs of slaves wearing collars with numb expressions, leisurely "strolling."
Kane's gaze swept over the slaves used as mounts, over the decorative golden pistols—purely for show—hanging from the Celestial Dragons' waists, and only one thought crossed his mind.
'If I were to unleash a maximum power Thunderclap in a place like this...'
The Violation Value would probably crash the system, wouldn't it?
Once this thought emerged, he couldn't suppress it. Kane's eyes instantly burned with intensity.
The two CP0 agents, who had just recovered, keenly sensed his change in mood, mistaking it for awe at the Holy Land's majesty, and sneered inwardly.
Country bumpkin, already terrified?
They passed through long corridors and stopped before massive doors carved with the World Government emblem.
"Go in. The Five Elders are waiting for you inside."
"Remember what we told you."
Kane ignored their warnings, merely straightening his tall collar one last time, perfectly concealing that burning intensity.
He pushed open the heavy doors and stepped through.
...
Hall of Power.
The atmosphere here was completely different from the sunny world outside.
Heavy curtains blocked out the daylight, with only a few dim beams of light falling upon the carpet. The air seemed to have frozen solid.
The two CP0 agents who had escorted him knelt at the doorway the moment they entered, foreheads pressed to the floor, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Kane walked alone to the center of the room.
Five figures, either seated or standing, each in a different posture, yet all without exception radiated the terrifying pressure of those at the top of the food chain.
Especially the bald old man holding the First Generation Ghost Cutter (Saint Nusjuro). Even through his glasses, Kane could feel a sharp gaze sweeping over him.
"Kane."
The Legal Military God, Marcus Mars, sat in the center of the sofa, hands resting on his cane, his voice aged yet authoritative.
"Why do you not kneel before us?"
Boom—!
The moment his words fell, an invisible wave of Conqueror's Haki, mixed with the oppressive aura of those long accustomed to power, surged toward Kane like a tsunami!
The CP0 agents at the doorway trembled, pressing their heads even lower to the ground.
This was the Five Elders' show of force!
They intended to break this young genius's pride first, then bestow a few favors, turning him into an obedient lapdog.
However.
Standing at the center of that terrifying pressure, Kane suddenly blinked.
The next second.
"Thud!"
Kane dropped heavily to one knee on the polished, mirror-like floor, his movements crisp and decisive, carrying a sense of... impatient devotion.
He clasped his fists together, the steadfast and stern expression befitting the "Marine Hero" instantly melting away.
In its place was an excitement akin to reuniting with a long-lost father, coupled with undisguised opportunism and sycophancy.
"Five Elders!!!"
Kane's voice boomed loudly, the tail end trembling with excessive emotion.
"This humble officer... this humble officer was simply overwhelmed by the radiant brilliance of the five great ones, as dazzling as the sun, moon, and stars!"
"For a moment, I forgot the proper etiquette for meeting deities. This humble officer... truly deserves death!"
The Five Elders: "..."
The CP0 agents kneeling at the doorway: "..."
The vast Hall of Power fell into a brief silence.
The Agricultural Military God, Saint Peter, furrowed his brow and cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back on track.
"Ahem... Kane, we watched your speech at the award ceremony."
"You said you wanted to be a torch? To be the only light?"
"It's good for young people to have ambition, but Justice is something..."
Before Saint Peter could finish, Kane's impassioned voice cut him off.
"That was just a speech, my lords! It was written for those dumb soldiers down below!"
Kane raised his head, his face etched with "sincerity," his eyes gleaming with undisguised greed.
"If I don't package myself as noble and righteous, if I don't shout a few passionate slogans, how can I trick those lowly grunts into rushing to their deaths on the front lines? How can I establish my authority?"
"As for Justice..."
Kane's lips curled into an extremely disdainful sneer.
"Five Elders, you are all wise men. How much is Justice worth per pound?"
The Five Elders: "..."
"I don't know how much Justice is worth, and I don't want to know!"
Kane grew more and more animated as he spoke, as if he had finally found kindred spirits, launching into a frenzied rant:
"What have I been working myself to the bone for at Marine Headquarters, acting like a saint every day? What's it all for? Isn't it just for promotions and wealth?!"
"What protecting civilians, what Navy dignity—that's all bullshit! Can any of that be converted into Berry? Can it get me into the Holy Land?"
By the end, Kane's eyes were gleaming, staring fixedly at the Five Elders with a naked gaze, as if looking at five golden mountains.
"So, esteemed ones, spare me all those roundabout tests."
"Just be direct—tell me what dirty work needs doing? And then... how much can you offer?"
"As long as the price is right, forget Justice—if you want me to pluck Fleet Admiral Kong's hair right now to entertain you all, I won't hesitate one bit!"
The air in the Hall of Power froze completely.
These five rulers of the world, who had lived through countless ages and witnessed innumerable heroes and tyrants, collectively fell into silence.
They had imagined Kane might be a stubborn thorn like Garp, immovable in his ways.
They had also considered he might be a rigid idealist like Zephyr, spouting lofty principles.
They had prepared countless follow-up strategies—
intimidation, temptation, discipline, division...
They had even drafted plans to use his death to discipline the Navy, should they decide to eliminate him.
But never...
Never had they imagined...
This guy would turn out to be such a pure, transcendent... opportunist?!
Where was the soul of the Navy here?
This was practically a born lackey for the World Government!
This... this damn...
He didn't even bother pretending?!
[Ding! Detected that the host has publicly desecrated, belittled, and insulted the concept of 'Justice' at the world's highest seat of power, subverting the Navy's core values!]
[Congratulations, host! Obtained Violation Value: 100,000 points!]
[Current Violation Value balance: 397,700 points!]
Kane maintained his greedy and humble smile on the surface while roaring internally:
'Full marks for this acting performance!'
'Come on, old men, hurry and corrupt me with your filthy money and power! I can't wait!'
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