The deep night couldn't dispel the restless excitement burning in Kane's heart.
Returning to his luxurious private apartment reserved for Rear Admirals, Kane locked the door behind him. He poured himself a glass of red wine and collapsed onto the sofa, the corners of his mouth stretching almost to his ears as he stared at the long string of numbers displayed on his retina.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immersed his consciousness into the system.
"System, how much Violation Value is needed to advance Conqueror's Haki to 'Coating'?"
[Ding! Detected host's current Conqueror's Haki is at 'Intermediate · Intimidation' stage. Advancing to high-level application 'Conqueror's Haki Emission' requires consuming Violation Value: 600,000 points.]
"600,000? System, the initial Conqueror's Haki cost one million! Why is advancing to the top-tier 'Coating' cheaper now? Were you trying to scam me before?"
Kane couldn't help but ask.
The system's mechanical voice immediately responded, explaining without any fluctuation:
[Ding! 'Conqueror's Haki Awakening' belongs to the granting of destiny.]
[That is a qualitative change from nothing to something, defying fate to grant the host qualifications they originally didn't possess, hence the extremely high value.]
[While 'Conqueror's Haki Emission' belongs to the development of technique.]
[That is a quantitative change from one to two, an extension and application of moves based on existing foundations.]
[Buying 'fate' and buying 'technique' are fundamentally different, so the pricing naturally differs.]
"So that's how it is..."
Kane stroked his chin, accepting this explanation.
"Alright, your logic checks out."
However, before he could celebrate for long, the system's next notification poured cold water on his excitement.
[Ding! Detected host currently hasn't mastered the high-level application of Armament Haki 'Ryou (Internal Destruction)'. Conqueror's Haki Emission requires this as foundation and must be prioritized for upgrade.]
[Upgrading 'Ryou' requires consuming Violation Value: 300,000 points.]
[Confirm?]
"..."
Kane's eye twitched as he cursed at the system!
"Confirm! Max out my Armament Haki for me!"
[Infusing you with 'Armament Haki · Ryou' related techniques and muscle memory...]
Boom—!
As the system notification ended, a massive yet warm current instantly poured into him from the crown of his head.
There was no pain, instead a feeling of fullness from being filled with ultimate power.
Kane closed his eyes, his consciousness pulled into a void-like dojo. Countless insights about Haki flow flashed through his mind like slides.
From the initial explorations of Wano Country samurais, to how top-tier experts like Sengoku and Garp utilized it... the experiences, insights, failures, and successes of countless people were forcibly imprinted into his soul at this moment, becoming his own instinct.
His body trembled slightly.
Every inch of muscle, every bone, was reconstructing their understanding of "Haki" under the impact of this torrent of information.
Kane suddenly opened his eyes and slowly raised his right hand.
With a thought.
"Hum..."
A nearly imperceptible layer of transparent energy, flowing like rippling water, slowly circulated around his palm.
Kane's gaze fell upon the specialized alloy dummy in the corner of the room, used for strength testing.
It was equipment issued by headquarters for officers, with hardness comparable to steel.
He stood up and walked slowly to the dummy.
No charging up, no exaggerated stance.
He simply lifted his palm lightly and, from a short distance, pressed it gently toward the dummy's chest.
"Ryou."
Thump.
A muffled yet penetrating sound.
The alloy dummy remained motionless, its surface intact.
But the next moment, a clear palm print bulged sharply from its back!
Then—
Crack! Crack! Boom!
The entire dummy exploded from the inside, countless metal fragments scattering across the floor.
It was a destructive force that shattered from within, completely dismantling the target!
"Hah…"
Kane looked at the mess on the floor and clenched his fist with satisfaction.
The feeling of power in his hand, enough to control everything, intoxicated him slightly.
As he was now, across these seas, aside from a handful of monsters standing at the world's peak, he feared no one.
Even facing Roger or Whitebeard, he could hold his own.
Even if he couldn't win, if he truly wanted to escape, no one could stop him.
Power was secured.
Next, it was time to earn more money and accumulate more points.
Kane sat back on the sofa, took a sip of red wine, and his gaze gradually deepened.
The double-agent act, though flawlessly performed, had one fatal flaw.
That was the Five Elders.
Those five old men were shrewd beings who had lived for who knew how long.
He could deceive them once, twice, but not forever.
If he stayed in Marineford, only providing trivial information like "Vice Admiral Garp stole Fleet Admiral Sengoku's rice crackers again today," they would surely grow suspicious within three months.
Once they felt he had lost his usefulness or was toying with them…
The consequences were not something he wanted to face.
He had to leave Marineford, this cage under everyone's watchful eyes.
He needed a place far from the center of power, where the Five Elders would believe he was "being sidelined," yet where he could freely amass wealth and accumulate points wildly.
Kane's fingers lightly tapped the desk as his eyes fell upon the world map on the wall.
Finally, his finger crossed the Red Line and landed firmly on a small red dot at the entrance to the New World.
G-5 Base.
The Navy's first base in the New World.
It was the necessary path for most elite pirates entering the New World and widely recognized as the most lawless, rogue base full of scoundrels.
For the righteous Navy, it was hell.
But for Kane, who possessed the "Most Worthless Justice System"... it was practically a "Holy Land" overflowing with Violation Value!
…
Early the next morning.
The door to the Fleet Admiral Office was knocked on once again.
"Enter!"
Kong's voice remained deep and resonant, but it carried a clear note of fatigue.
Clearly, Kane's "loyal and righteous" performance the previous night had moved him so much that he lost some sleep.
Sengoku and Garp were also present.
The three top brass softened their gazes the moment Kane entered.
"Kane, how was your rest?" Kong set down his documents, forcing a kindly smile onto his face.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral! I'm well-rested!"
Kane stood at attention and saluted, then a resolute expression appeared on his face.
"Fleet Admiral! Admiral Sengoku! I have a presumptuous request!"
"Oh? Go ahead." Kong nodded. "As long as it's not too excessive, I'll approve it."
Kane took a deep breath, his voice solemn and firm.
"I request... to be transferred to the New World, G-5 Branch!"
"What?!"
"Pfft—!"
Sengoku, who was drinking tea, spat it out and stared wide-eyed at Kane. "Nonsense! That's where officers who make mistakes are exiled! You have a limitless future—why would you go there?"
"Pfft, hahaha! Kid, are you still half-asleep?" Garp laughed while picking his nose. "The bastards there are more like pirates than pirates! I can't even be bothered to look at them whenever I pass by!"
Kong frowned even more deeply. "Is it because of the Five Elders? If you're worried they'll cause trouble for you, I can still protect you here at Headquarters. But if you go to G-5..."
"It's precisely because of the Five Elders!"
Kane abruptly interrupted the Fleet Admiral.
"Fleet Admiral! The Five Elders have already set their sights on me! If I'm transferred to G-5, in their eyes, it will be a signal of 'being marginalized' and 'exiled'! This will make them more at ease with me and better protect you, Fleet Admiral, from being implicated because of me!"
"That's the first reason!"
Kane paused, his tone suddenly impassioned, his eyes blazing with the fire of Justice.
"The second, and most important reason! The G-5 Branch is a disgrace to our Navy! A stain on 'Justice'! It's practically tarnishing our Justice Coats!"
"I, Kane, as a Navy officer, how can I stand idly by!"
"I request to go to G-5! I want to rely on my own strength to reform the atmosphere there! I will turn those scumbags back into a sharp blade! I will transform that garbage dump into a true steel fortress, becoming the first edge of our Navy thrust into the heart of the New World!"
His words were forceful and resounding, filled with conviction.
The office once again fell into a deathly silence.
Fleet Admiral Kong looked at the young man before him, his deep eyes filled with complex emotions.
Touched, gratified, and... deep guilt.
Look at this noble sentiment!
For the greater good of the Navy, he willingly bears the stigma of being a "greedy villain."
Now, he even volunteers to clean up that mess that even he himself finds troublesome!
This is true dedication! This is the future of the Navy! This is the embodiment of Justice!
"Alright..."
Kong's lips trembled, finally uttering just one word.
He stepped forward, placing both hands heavily on Kane's shoulders, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Kane, the Navy... owes you too much."
"I approve your request!" Kong's voice was resolute. "Effective immediately, you are appointed as the Base Commander of G-5 Branch! You will have the highest command authority and personnel appointment and removal powers for that branch! I will grant you the highest level of material supplies!"
Kane stood at attention, saluting with an impeccably standard military salute, his voice hoarse with emotion.
"Yes! I will complete the mission!"
...
At the same time.
Holy Land, Mary Geoise, Hall of Power.
A Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agent knelt on one knee, reporting the intelligence he had just received.
"...Rear Admiral Kane has been transferred to G-5 Branch, ordered personally by Fleet Admiral Kong."
"G-5?"
Saint Nusjuro, holding the First Generation Ghost Cutter, slowly opened his eyes.
A playful smile curled at the corner of Saint Peter's lips—the golden-haired giant. "The New World... It seems he's being sidelined."
"Good," Marcus Mars, the Legal Military God, tapped his cane lightly on the ground. "A pawn craving power becomes more valuable when aggrieved."
"Our control in the New World is insufficient. Let him establish his own influence in the chaotic frontlines, securing greater benefits for us."
"Send the order: CP departments are to fully support his operations. Whatever 'achievements' he needs, we will fabricate them for him." Saint Nusjuro sheathed his blade, finalizing the matter.
"We need this nail to firmly take root in the New World as quickly as possible."