Night fell, and the clamor of Marineford gradually quieted down.
In Rear Admiral Kane's private office, only a warm yellow desk lamp remained lit.
He had undone the top two buttons of his Navy Uniform and lounged lazily on the leather sofa, swirling a glass of premium red wine from the North Blue. The crimson liquid traced ambiguous arcs along the glass.
He was waiting for someone.
Tap, tap, tap.
A series of soft, almost timid knocks sounded at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a slender, graceful figure slipped inside, immediately locking it behind her.
Gion's face, usually radiating heroic charm, was now filled with anxiety and unease, her eyes slightly red-rimmed.
"Brother Kane..."
Her voice trembled slightly, "Outside... everyone is saying that you offended the Five Elders and are being exiled to G-5? Is it true?"
Over the past two days, rumors about "The Navy Supernova's Fall" and "Rear Admiral Kane Leaving Headquarters in Tears" had spread throughout the base.
Naturally, Kane himself had played no small part in fueling these rumors.
The script of a tragic hero always yielded unexpected results.
Gion was clearly deeply affected. In her heart, Kane was an invincible hero, the future light of the Navy, who shouldn't be exiled to such a chaotic frontier.
Kane set down his wine glass and beckoned to her, his face wearing that gentle smile capable of melting away all unease.
"Silly girl, come here."
Gion obediently walked over to him, like a kitten waiting for its owner's comfort.
"Don't listen to the nonsense those people are spreading outside." Kane took her hand and had her sit on his lap. "For me, it's just a change of scenery to uphold Justice."
He didn't explain further, shifting the topic as his gaze fell upon Kumbhira at Gion's waist.
"Let me see if you've been slacking off on your 'homework' these past few days."
The familiar line instantly flushed Gion's cheeks with crimson.
She obediently closed her eyes and tilted her head up slightly.
[Ding! Detected that the host is exploiting their position to engage in workplace misconduct, verbal coercion, and physical contact with a female subordinate!]
[Verdict: Although this is a consensual interaction, it severely corrupts the Navy's strict hierarchical relationships!]
[Violation Value +20...+15...+30...]
'Mute the notifications.'
Kane silently commanded in his mind before lowering his head to kiss her trembling lips.
After an hour-long "late-night lesson," Kane's Violation Value account had increased by over three thousand points.
The gentleness on his face faded, replaced by a seriousness tinged with gravity and reluctance.
"I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning."
These words acted like a bucket of cold water, instantly snapping Gion out of her sweet reverie.
Her eyes reddened, tears welling up.
"Then... then I'll go with you!"
Gion tightly gripped Kane's sleeve, her gaze unwavering.
"I'm your adjutant! This sword was a gift from you! Where the sword is, I am! Where you are, I'll be!"
"But it's dangerous there, full of ruthless Pirates, and even our colleagues are scum."
"As long as Brother Kane is there, I'm not afraid of anything!"
Looking at the girl's expression of fearless determination—as if she were ready to elope with him—Kane felt a surge of delight.
If he left her behind, wouldn't his point-grinding machine shut down? And how could he abandon the joy of nurturing a future Admiral halfway?
"Silly girl."
Kane "emotionally" pulled her into his embrace.
"Since you're so insistent... go pack your things. Rest well tonight. We'll be at sea for a long time starting tomorrow."
Holding the soft, fragrant future Momousagi in his arms, Kane sighed with genuine feeling.
This was the life.
...
The next morning.
Marineford, Pier 1.
The sea wind whistled, and seagulls circled overhead.
A brand-new, specialized warship—larger than a typical Vice Admiral's flagship by a third—was quietly docked in the harbor.
Its prow was carved into a massive seagull with wings spread, bathed in a storm. The ship's lines were cold and sharp, exuding an overwhelming presence.
This was the Storm, Fleet Admiral Kong's specially authorized flagship for Kane.
Though the pier was crowded, it was eerily quiet.
The Navy soldiers seeing them off had formed a semicircle around the periphery, none daring to approach the small core area.
The aura radiating from the three men standing at the gangway was simply too intimidating.
"How terrifying~ Is this Kane's warship?" Borsalino, dressed in his signature yellow-striped suit and Justice Coat, looked up at the ship with his hands in his pockets. Though his words suggested fear, his expression beneath the sunglasses was relaxed, even bored, as he idly kicked pebbles with the tip of his shoe.
Beside him, Kuzan leaned lazily against a massive mooring post. He casually tossed a few ice spheres—condensed from the air's moisture—in his hand, each catch accompanied by a teeth-chilling freeze.
"Yare yare... This is too slow." Kuzan yawned widely, his eyes full of resentment. "If we don't set off soon, the limited-edition bicycle I just got is going to rust..."
But the most intimidating of all was the man in the dark red suit.
Sakazuki.
He pulled his cap low, arms crossed over his chest, resembling a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"Too slow." Sakazuki glanced at his wristwatch, voice simmering with anger. "That bastard is making all of us wait for him alone? Is this his style?"
"Don't be so impatient, Sakazuki," Borsalino drawled. "Kane is the main character, and the main character always makes a grand entrance~"
No sooner had he spoken.
"Tap, tap, tap."
A rhythmic sound of leather boots striking the ground echoed from the end of the passageway.
The crowd instantly parted, clearing a wide path.
Kane had arrived.
He wore a voluminous Justice Coat over a tailored pure-black suit, the collar open to reveal his collarbone. A cigar dangled from his lips, his hands tucked into his pockets.
His pace was unhurried, yet each step seemed to sync with the onlookers' heartbeats.
Alone, his flamboyant and arrogant presence overshadowed the combined auras of the three Logia Type monsters on the pier.
Half a step behind him was Gion, her hand resting on Kumbhira's hilt.
Her posture was heroic, her eyes fixed on Kane's back with unconcealed admiration and a resolve to follow him to the death.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Kane walked up to Sakazuki and blew a thick white smoke ring directly into the magma man's face.
But there wasn't the slightest hint of apology on his face—instead, he wore an expression that begged for a punch.
"After all, I took some extra time packing up the finest tea leaves from Fleet Admiral Kong's office."
A vein throbbed on Sakazuki's forehead, and black smoke curled from his fist, but in the end, he just snorted coldly and restrained himself.
"All aboard!"
Without another word, Kane waved his hand and was the first to step onto the gangway.
The sea wind howled, whipping his Justice Coat behind him.
Gion followed closely.
Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan exchanged glances, each quirking a corner of their mouths before falling in step behind Kane, taking their positions.
Four Logia Types.
One promising Great Swordsman.
This was probably the most luxurious, extravagant, and unreasonable Rear Admiral team in Navy history.
"Listen up! Hoist the sails!"
Kane's voice cut through the sea wind and the ship's whistle.
"Destination—G-5 Branch!"
"Let those reckless scum in the New World get a real taste of what the hell Justice means!"
The Storm's whistle let out a long blast as it slowly departed from the harbor.
This day.
The year 1495 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
The foundational team later known as the "Worst Generation Navy," led by Kane, officially stepped onto the stage of history.
And the nightmare for the New World had only just begun.