The air in the Hall of Power froze for a full ten seconds.
The expressions on the faces of the Five Elders were truly spectacular.
Saint Peter, the blond giant, twitched at the corner of his mouth, swallowing back the imposing words he had prepared.
The bald swordsman, Saint Nusjuro, silently loosened his grip on the hilt of the First Generation Ghost Cutter.
His eyes were closed, but his tightly furrowed brow revealed the extreme turmoil within.
"Heh… hehehehe…"
A low, hoarse laugh suddenly came from the Legal Military God, Marcus Mars, who had long white curly hair and wore a flat cap.
The laughter grew louder, eventually carrying a hint of delight.
"Interesting."
"Truly an interesting young man."
Marcus Mars gently tapped the ground with his cane. The killing intent in his eyes quietly receded, replaced by a mocking look as if observing some rare pet.
"That old stubborn fool Kong, and that bookworm Sengoku, actually raised someone like you… a 'peculiarity'."
The bald old man holding the First Generation Ghost Cutter, Saint Nusjuro, curled his lips into a sarcastic arc.
"For promotion and wealth? To make us happy, you'd dare to pluck Kong's hair?"
"Kane, do you know what you're saying? This is a great disrespect to the current Navy Fleet Admiral."
"Respect?"
Kane suddenly looked up, his eyes blazing with the fire of ambition, his tone impassioned!
"Your Excellencies! Even a Fleet Admiral is merely a housekeeper guarding your home!"
"What I respect is not any individual, but 'power'! The supreme 'order'!"
"Whoever gives me power, whoever lets me get rich, that is my dear father!"
"Fleet Admiral Kong cannot give me these things. He only sends me to capture pirates, to die, and even deducts my bonuses! But the Five Elders are different…"
Kane swallowed hard, his gaze fixed intently on the direction of the massive safe behind the Legal Military God, Marcus Mars.
That look of greed, as if he'd never seen the world, was utterly vivid.
"Just a little trickle from between your fingers would be enough for me to live ten lifetimes!"
"Hahahaha!"
This time, all five elders in the Hall of Power laughed.
It was a mocking laugh, but also a satisfied one.
They weren't afraid of subordinates being greedy; they feared subordinates having no desires!
Why was Zephyr difficult? Because he had principles.
Why was Garp difficult? Because he was incorruptible.
But this young man before them, with exceptional talent and formidable strength, was a complete vulgarian, a petty man, an opportunist!
Such a person, as long as they were kept well-fed, would be the sharpest fangs and the most obedient lapdog.
"Very good."
Marcus Mars reined in his laughter and spoke in a tone of condescension.
"It seems you are far more clever than we imagined."
"Compared to those fools filled with hot-blooded Justice, we do indeed prefer dealing with smart people."
"Kane, we will give you a chance."
The Agricultural Military God, Saint Peter, casually picked up a document from the desk and threw it onto the floor before Kane.
"This is the approval document for 'Special Inspection Authority'."
"From today onward, in addition to being a Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters, you are also our direct intelligence agent."
"We need you within the Navy to keep an eye on those who are disobedient. Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr... if anyone shows unusual movements, report directly to us, bypassing the chain of command."
"In return..."
As he spoke, he took a check from his pocket and tossed it to Kane.
"Here are one billion Berries. This is your annual operational fund and our reward for your 'loyalty.' If it's not enough, you can apply for more."
"As long as your performance satisfies us, the position of Fleet Admiral is not beyond your reach."
"One billion... all for me? No need to hand it over? And a chance... to become Fleet Admiral?"
Kane's voice trembled with ecstasy.
"As long as you handle your duties well, this is just pocket money." Saint Saturn looked at him disdainfully, the last trace of doubt in his heart vanishing.
This kind of greed couldn't be faked.
This kid was truly avaricious.
"Thank you, Five Elders!"
Kane snatched the document, his hands shaking with excitement, even bringing it to his lips to kiss it fiercely!
"I, Kane, will return immediately and keep Marine Headquarters under tight surveillance!"
"Very well." Saint Nusjuro stood up. "Remember what you said today. What we can give you, we can also take away at any time."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Kane hurriedly stored the document and stood up, but his expression suddenly became conflicted, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Is there something else?" Saint Nusjuro frowned.
"Well... esteemed ones."
Kane showed a troubled look on his face, his eyes darting toward the entrance.
"Esteemed ones, I have no problem pledging my loyalty, but... it seems someone isn't too keen on me getting close to you all."
"What do you mean?" Saint Saturn frowned.
Kane pointed outside the door, his face full of indignation.
"Just now, a sudden storm arose at sea, and the ship was rocking violently. As a Navy officer, I remained at my post. But these two officers not only failed to protect the flag symbolizing the World Government's dignity, they were leaning over the railing, vomiting uncontrollably, making a complete spectacle of themselves!"
"That alone would be bad enough, but I also seemed to hear them complaining, saying things like, 'Why do the Five Elders have to summon us in this season?' and 'I really don't want to do this lousy assignment.'"
"They even said that even if I've earned your favor, it's useless—if I offend Cipher Pol Aigis Zero, all my intelligence in the future will be falsified, and they can mess with me however they want!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the two CP0 agents kneeling at the entrance jerked their heads up, their eyes wide beneath their masks.
"You're lying!" one of them screamed in terror.
The temperature in the Hall of Power plummeted.
The faces of the Five Elders instantly darkened.
They could tolerate the arrogance of high-ranking Navy officers, but they would never tolerate the slightest sign of disloyalty from their own hounds.
Boom!
An overwhelming aura erupted instantly, tearing the luxurious carpet in the hall to shreds.
Of course, the Five Elders didn't entirely believe Kane's one-sided account.
But it was a fact that those two CP0 agents had appeared in the Holy Land disheveled and covered in filth, disgracing the government.
Moreover, CP0 had indeed been growing too arrogant lately, overstepping their bounds.
Whether it was true or not, using this opportunity to discipline the Cipher Pol departments and placate this newly acquired dog was a worthwhile deal.
"Hmph."
Saint Saturn let out an icy snort, a sound that chilled to the bone.
"Two useless dogs who can't even stay steady on a ship are just a waste of food."
Saint Nusjuro stroked the hilt of his sword without even lifting his eyelids.
"Kane, since you discovered them, these two traitors will be left to your disposal."
Upon hearing this, a bloodthirsty gleam erupted in Kane's eyes.
This was exactly the sentence he had been waiting for!
"Understood! I guarantee your satisfaction!"
Kane abruptly stood up, turned, and strode toward the door.
"Kane! What do you think you're..."
Before one of them could finish speaking, Kane's figure had already transformed into a blur!
Shave!
His speed was so extreme that the Observation Haki of the two CP0 agents could only capture a vague outline!
Their hearts filled with terror, but by the time they tried to react, it was already too late.
"Finger Pistol!"
Kane's index finger was as hard as iron, coated with a layer of pitch-black Armament Haki, slicing through the air with a piercing whistle!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Almost simultaneously, his fingers, like sewing machine needles in a storm, frantically pierced the joints of the two CP0 agents' limbs!
Blood sprayed!
"Ahhh—!!!"
A shrill scream echoed through the quiet corridor.
The two who had just been the Celestial Dragons' proudest shields now lay limp on the ground like broken puppets.
Their limbs twisted at unnatural angles, blood gushing from the wounds.
They were crippled.
Their once-proud martial arts skills had been utterly destroyed by Kane using the most basic Six Styles, in a display of absolute dominance.
Kane looked down at the two writhing on the floor, his face expressionless.
He slowly raised his foot and gently stepped on the face of the CP0 agent who had vomited earlier, grinding it slightly.
'I told you, I'm someone who understands the rules.'
'And you two idiots, if I let you live and you go around saying that Rear Admiral Kane is a greedy scoundrel, wouldn't my carefully crafted righteous image collapse?'
'Only the dead can keep secrets.'
[Ding! Detected that the host framed colleagues, committed public violence, and used cruel methods!]
[Congratulations, host! Obtained Violation Value: 5,000 points!]
[Current Violation Value balance: 402,700 points!]
"Someone."
Saint Nusjuro spoke calmly.
The door opened, and several black-armored guards of the God's Knights entered.
"Dispose of those two CP0 agents."
The old man's tone was indifferent, as if he were talking about throwing away two bags of trash.
"Tell the CP chief to keep his dogs in line. If there's a next time, he won't be needed either."
"Yes!"
The guards accepted the order and left.
"Satisfied?" Marcus Mars looked at Kane.
"Satisfied! Very satisfied!"
Kane's face instantly lit up with a fawning smile.
"Your kindness is overwhelming! Kane is willing to give his all! I'll return to headquarters right away and find out even what color underwear Fleet Admiral Kong is wearing today!"
This crude and straightforward analogy made the old men twitch the corners of their mouths.
"We don't need to know that," Saint Nusjuro said coldly. "We only want useful intelligence. Go now, don't disappoint us."
"Yes!"
Kane took the approval document, bowed repeatedly, and backed out of the hall.
...
As the heavy doors slowly closed, they cut off the oppressive air of the Hall of Power.
Stepping out of Pangaea Castle, he was once again bathed in sunlight.
Kane stopped walking, pulled a pristine white handkerchief from his chest pocket, and meticulously wiped away the bloodstains on his hands.
After straightening his slightly crooked tie, he turned back and cast a deep glance at the towering power structure that pierced the clouds.
The subservience and flattery on his face instantly vanished without a trace.
Replacing them was a hint of mockery so profound it seemed bottomless.
And a terrifying arrogance that made one's heart tremble.
"A bunch of self-righteous fools."