Kong picked up the one billion berries check from the desk and forced it back into Tatsuki's jacket pocket, even carefully patting it to make sure it was secure.
"Tatsuki, listen to me." Kong said solemnly, his tone serious and earnest.
"Since we're acting, we must go all the way. If this money suddenly appears in the Marines' official accounts, the Gorosei will immediately know you're lying to them."
"At that time, not only will your life be in danger, but the Marines will also be put in a difficult position."
Sengoku nodded, his voice heavy. "The Fleet Admiral is right. This is a hot potato, it can only rot in your hands."
"So..."
Kong paused, his eyes carrying an unquestionable indulgence. "Keep this money for yourself. Use it as your mission funds, or as compensation for your mental distress."
"Whether you use it for drinking, getting stronger, or even going to the Pleasure District to have fun... as long as your heart is still with the Marines, you decide how to spend this money. That's an order."
Tatsuki was stunned.
Holy crap?
Isn't the script going a bit too smoothly?
I originally just wanted to pocket ninety percent of it legitimately and leave ten percent as a gesture.
In the end, you old man are telling me to swallow it all?
And you're forcing me to swallow it with such emotion and firmness?
"Fleet Admiral..." Tatsuki's eyes were filled with tears, his lips trembling.
"This... how can I accept this? This is a billion. It's enough to build several top-tier warships."
"Take it!" Kong roared unquestioningly. "What? Do you want to disobey orders? This is for the mission!"
"Yes!"
Tatsuki snapped his back straight and gave a standard, impeccable military salute, shouting so loudly that the glass windows vibrated, "For Justice! For the Marines!"
"I, Tatsuki, am willing to bear the infamy of being a 'corrupt official'! Even if I am doomed, I will not hesitate! I accept this money with tears in my eyes!"
"Good! This is a pillar of the Marines!" Sengoku nodded approvingly.
"Come to my place for a drink tonight! Bring all those bottles of good wine you have!" Garp laughed and slapped Tatsuki on the back.
The office was filled with a tragic, hot-blooded, and touching atmosphere of familial devotion.
—
Two hours later.
Tatsuki walked out of the headquarters building and stood in the cool night breeze.
The tragic and desperate expression he had just now had vanished.
He reached out and touched the warm check in his chest pocket, the corners of his lips turning up bit by bit until they formed a wicked smile.
'On the Gorosei's side, I'm a greedy and obedient lapdog.'
'On Fleet Admiral Kong's side, I'm a loyal man enduring humiliation.'
'Eating from both sides, taking from both sides. Both sides have to coax me and even praise me for doing a great job.'
Tatsuki hummed an unknown little tune, his mood reaching a peak of joy.
'This is what you call the house taking it all.'
'One billion Berries... Tsk tsk, the tea leaves Borsalino wants, the limited edition bicycle Kuzan wants, and those cigars that closet-pervert Sakazuki likes...'
'It's also time to start building my own crew.'
Just then, that cold mechanical voice in his mind rang out like heavenly music.
[Ding! Detected that the host has deceived the world's highest authority, deceived the Marines' supreme commander, incited conflict between the Marines and the World Government's top brass, and intensified internal contradictions.]
[This behavior is extremely subversive and has an incredibly profound impact!]
[Comprehensive evaluation complete, rewards being calculated...]
[Congratulations to the host! Obtained Violation Points: 150,000!]
[Violation Points: 552,700]
—
The night was deep, but it couldn't dispel the burning excitement in Tatsuki's heart.
Returning to the luxury apartment belonging to a Rear Admiral, Tatsuki locked the door behind him. He poured himself a glass of red wine, then slumped onto the sofa, looking at the long string of numbers on his retina, his grin almost reaching his ears.
Without the slightest hesitation, his consciousness sank into the system.
'System, how many Violation Points does it take to upgrade Conqueror's Haki to Advanced level?'
[Ding! Detected that the host's current Conqueror's Haki is at the Intermediate stage. To advance to the Advanced Level, you need to consume Violation Points: 600,000.]
'600,000? System, it required a million points to unlock beginner Conqueror's Haki. Why is it cheaper to upgrade to advanced level now? You weren't trying to scam me before, were you?' Tatsuki couldn't help but ask.
The system's mechanical voice sounded immediately, explaining without any emotion.
[Ding! 'Conqueror's Haki Awakening' is the endowment of destiny.]
[That is a qualitative change from nothing to something, a fate-defying act that grants the host a talent they did not originally possess. Therefore, its value is extremely high.]
[On the other hand, Advanced Conqueror's Haki is the development of technique. That is a quantitative change from one to two, an extension and application of moves based on an existing foundation.]
[Buying 'Life' and buying 'Technique' are fundamentally different. Naturally, the pricing is different.]
"I see..."
Tatsuki rubbed his chin, accepting this explanation.
However, before he could be happy for long, the system's next prompt was like a bucket of cold water poured over him.
[Ding! Detected that the host has not yet mastered the high-level application of Armament Haki, Internal Destruction. Conqueror's Haki Infusion requires this as a foundation and must be upgraded first.]
[Upgrading to Advanced Armament Haki requires consuming Violation Points: 300,000.]
[Confirm?]
"..."
Tatsuki's eye twitched as he unleashed a torrent of abuse at the system.
'Confirm. Upgrade Armament.'
[Instilling Armament Haki related techniques and muscle memory for you...]
Boom!
As the system prompt finished, a massive and warm current instantly poured in from the top of his head. There was no pain, but rather a sense of fullness from being filled with ultimate power.
Tatsuki closed his eyes, his consciousness pulled into a void dojo, where countless insights about the flow of Haki flashed by like a slideshow.
From the initial explorations of the Wano Country samurai to how top powerhouses like Sengoku and Garp used it... the experiences, insights, failures, and successes of countless people were forcibly branded into his soul at this moment, becoming his own instinct.
His body trembled slightly. Every inch of muscle, every bone, was reconstructing its understanding of "Haki" under the impact of this flood of information.