Just as the plan to conquer Wano Country took shape in his mind, Kane hadn't even had time to pour himself a celebratory drink.
The Den Den Mushi on his desk began ringing at the worst possible moment.
Buru buru… Buru buru…
Click!
Kane had been looking forward to a rare moment of peace, and his mood soured at the interruption. Frowning with irritation, he snatched up the receiver.
"Hello? Spit it out."
There was a second of silence on the other end, followed by Fleet Admiral Kong's volcanic roar, which nearly shattered the Den Den Mushi on the spot.
"KA—NE—!!!"
"You're having a grand old time over at the G-5 Branch, aren't you?! Huh?! The whole world's in chaos because of that bastard Roger, and you, a Navy Admiral, have the nerve to laze around in your base?!"
In the week since Roger's death, Fleet Admiral Kong's hair had turned half white from stress.
The four seas were in turmoil, the Grand Line routes were congested, and the New World had descended into utter anarchy. Reports pleading for reinforcements from Navy branches were piled higher than he was tall.
And yet, Kane—one of the Navy's top combatants, who should have been out there maintaining order—was holed up in G-5 without making a peep!
"Fleet Admiral, with all due respect, that's not fair."
Kane propped his feet up on the desk, shifting into a more comfortable position, his tone dripping with the grievance of being misunderstood.
"I've been training the troops."
"Didn't I specially recruit a promising, hot-headed swordsman from Loguetown a few days ago? Right now, Sakazuki and the other two are giving him an 'intensive education in love.'"
"Sharpening the axe won't delay the chopping. It's all for the sake of nurturing the Navy's future pillars. Do you think that's easy for me?"
"Cut the crap!" Fleet Admiral Kong wasn't buying it for a second; his temper was at its peak. "Take your G-5 Branch and head to the New World immediately to wipe out those Roger Remnants taking advantage of the chaos! Show the world the Navy's might!"
"Catching a few small fry dancing in the wind doesn't count as an achievement."
Unhurried, Kane flicked the ash from his cigarette, then shifted his tone, his voice growing grave.
"Fleet Admiral, sir, calm down first. We in the Navy can't just focus on these minor troubles right in front of us. We need a broader perspective. If we're going to pull out a nail, it has to be the deepest, hardest one."
Fleet Admiral Kong clearly paused on the other end of the line, his breathing growing heavier. "…Who are you referring to?"
Kane slowly exhaled a smoke ring, lowering his voice to a near-whisper.
"Kozuki Oden."
The air on the other end of the Den Den Mushi suddenly went still.
"The man who sailed with Roger to the Final Island, 'Laugh Tale,' and is currently the only person in the world capable of reading all the Poneglyphs."
"According to my top-secret intelligence network, this man has returned to his homeland. Right now, he's in Wano Country."
Hiss—
A sharp intake of breath came clearly through the receiver.
Fleet Admiral Kong understood full well the weight of that name.
As long as Kozuki Oden lived, there remained a tremendous risk that the century-long void in history, which the World Government had desperately tried to conceal, could be exposed to the world!
This was a major concern for the Five Elders.
"Has the location been confirmed?!" Fleet Admiral Kong's voice changed pitch. "I'll immediately mobilize a fleet to blockade Wano Country!"
"Absolutely not!"
Kane's tone turned grave, decisively cutting him off, his voice suddenly rising, filled with an urgent sense of "sharing the nation's burdens."
"Admiral, think carefully! Wano Country has been isolated for centuries and is not an Affiliated Country of the World Government! If we blatantly send warships across their borders, that would be outright aggression!"
"Not only would it be unjustified, but it would also trigger uncontrollable diplomatic turmoil! If we anger those wavering neutral nations, the World Government's credibility will be completely destroyed!"
Kane paused, giving the old Fleet Admiral ample time to digest and reflect.
Then, he abruptly stood up from his chair and issued a deafening shout into the Den Den Mushi, his tone brimming with fearless spirit of sacrifice.
"So, Admiral, to avoid all these unnecessary troubles."
"I have a bold proposal."
"Let me, Kane, infiltrate Wano Country in secret under my personal authority and arrest Kozuki Oden."
"This mission is perilous, and I will bear all consequences alone."
"If... I mean if, my identity is exposed and I am unfortunately surrounded and killed by Wano's samurai, Admiral, you must immediately announce globally that I have been discharged from the Navy! Declare that this was Kane's personal act of greed-driven folly, with no connection whatsoever to Marine Headquarters or the World Government!"
These words were spoken with such resounding force, such tragic determination!
The Den Den Mushi's eyes actually welled up with large tears, clearly moved to the core by Kane's "loyalty."
On the other end of the line, Fleet Admiral Kong's voice was completely choked, filled with unmistakable emotion, self-blame, and guilt.
"Kane... you... you..."
The old man stammered "you" for a long time before finally managing to say, "I... I misjudged you just now! You damn well are the true backbone carrying Justice on your shoulders! Discharging you from the Navy? That's bullshit! You come back to me safe and sound! Be careful in everything, Marine Headquarters will always be your strongest support!"
"For Justice!"
Kane stood at attention and snapped a crisp military salute to the empty office.
Click.
The communication was cut off.
The moment he hung up the receiver, the expression of righteous determination on Kane's face receded like a tide, replaced by a cold, triumphant smirk.
A moral paragon? The Navy's backbone?
No, just an ambitious schemer looking to monopolize the Ancient Weapon and the entire nation's wealth.
He pressed the intercom, speaking succinctly.
"Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, come to my office."
Soon, three figures appeared in the office.
"I have a top-secret mission and will be away for an indefinite period," Kane glanced at the three of them. "During this time, G-5's daily operations are in your hands. Remember, not even a fly gets into our territory. Anyone who dares cause trouble, turn their ashes to dust."
"And," Kane's gaze fell on the corner, "keep a close eye on that 'newcomer' named Mihawk. He's key to an important plan of mine. If he dares to run, break his legs first, then drag him back and keep training him."
The three wore different expressions, but they all nodded in unison.
With his instructions given, Kane stood up, the coat embroidered with the word "Justice" billowing behind him.
He walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the turbulent, surging surface of the New World sea, a corner of his mouth curling into a fanatical arc.
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