A so-called all-rounder genius!?
Kong would never have believed such a person could exist.
Even now, he still didn't believe it.
Klein…
He wasn't human!
He was a monster!!
"Hmm, indeed," Oharden stroked his beard, nodding in satisfaction, flowers blooming in his heart. "His strength is more than enough. Next… I need to teach him how to handle official duties..."
"To have him smoothly succeed me as Fleet Admiral—I've waited for years, and finally, Klein has come along!"
Drag him down with you?
No, this was grooming the next Fleet Admiral of the Marines!
On the nearby warships, the Marine officers were dumbstruck—shocked beyond words.
They stared at the sea before them, still split wide open and refusing to heal. Their jaws nearly hit the deck.
"Hiss—That sword technique? If you told me it was a C-Rank Ninjutsu, I'd say screw it—I believe you!"
"Damn! If I had sword skills like that, I'd walk pigeon-toed just to show off!!"
"Klein really is a monster. Is there any combat technique he doesn't know? How can someone be this good at everything?"
"A normal slash hits like that? Then how strong is his 'S-Rank Ninjutsu: Divine Departure'? Was he serious when he said he didn't use it because he was afraid we'd all pass out from the shock!?"
"..."
The whole group was in awe over that one casual 'normal attack.'
Swordsmanship, at its peak, couldn't be more dazzling.
Cool!
Savage!
Powerful!
I freakin' love it!!
Klein's keen ears twitched, Observation Haki quietly blooming. He listened to the admiring, boasting, and astonished voices around him.
And deep inside—he was thrilled.
'This is the life! Hahaha—keep going, I love the praise!'
"Gotta tell Gloriosa and Shakky later... let them hype me up some more!"
'I love seeing you all slack-jawed and dumbfounded—it's just so damn fun!'
His vanity was fully satisfied.
There was no tradition of flaunting wealth on the sea, but flaunting skill? Oh, there was.
Klein believed his name would soon echo throughout the entire Marine organization. Fame and honor earned through power—he'd enjoy every bit of it.
So satisfying!!
In his past life, he could never become a celebrity.
But in the world of pirates—with cheat codes activated…
Now I'm "him"!
WAHAHAHAHA—!!
Klein turned to the crowd on deck, wearing the smug smile of a man basking in glory. "So, any objections now?"
"None!" barked Instructor Carter, shaking his head. "I'll take one!"
"This favor—I give only to you!"
250 million Berries was a lot, but Carter had made good money over the last three years. He could afford it.
Besides…
Klein was about to become an Admiral. With status like that—and still so young—his future was limitless!
"Deal!"
Klein pulled out a scroll.
"This scroll is yours now. Just make sure to have the money ready later."
"And also, the profits these past years—we should settle that too!"
He wasn't worried about Carter skipping out. Not with so many eyes watching. And honestly…
Klein hoped someone tried to skip payment.
That way, he'd earn even more.
GYAHAHAHA—!!
"Klein, I want one too!" A vice admiral shouted as his ship drew near, leaping aboard the deck.
Klein grinned. "No problem. Once we're back at Marine Headquarters, get your funds ready and come find me. I'll be there for a while."
"..."
Soon, two or three more vice admirals struck deals with Klein.
Klein was delighted, walking on clouds. "Business is good! Maybe this scroll gig can expand a little... and..."
"I've got all kinds of weird weapons I pulled from the game too—could make a nice side hustle."
Klein immediately made up his mind. He'd have an in-depth talk with his secretary, Shakky, about this.
About the plan.
First, he'd enjoy some time with his secretary—and then during his post-nut clarity phase, they'd hash out the details.
Back on the Titanic, Klein's return was met with thunderous cheers.
"Ohyaji, when's the Admiral promotion ceremony!?" Kaido's eyes sparkled gold. He looked even more excited than Klein.
Everyone on board turned their eyes to Klein.
Klein smiled gently. "Fleet Admiral Oharden will arrange it. Should be soon, I think."
"Yesss—!" Kaido whooped. "First time seeing a Marine Admiral ceremony, I can't wait!"
Klein reached out to pat Kaido's oni horn.
Man, it felt so good to the touch!
Give it a few years. Once Kaido grew bigger and bulkier, those horns wouldn't be so easy to pat anymore.
"So, as the adopted son of a Marine Admiral, you'd better train hard, got it? Don't embarrass me!"
"I won't embarrass you, Ohyaji! I'll become the Marine's... the second strongest warrior!" Kaido said seriously, his little face pure and adorable.
Give it twenty or thirty years, and that cuteness would vanish. He'd become a terrifying, savage beast.
But hey—who wasn't cute as a kid?
Still...
People change in wild ways as they grow.
Good thing was, in the world of pirates, the 'flowering period' lasted long. And...
With Pure Gold, even that wasn't a problem!
"Big brother Klein, how long until the assessment?" asked Newgate.
He'd been itching to meet the Marine Academy elites.
Especially the ones Klein had name-dropped—Garp, Sengoku, and the rest.
Klein let go of the 'oni horn' and looked toward Marineford in the distance, lips curled into a smile.
"Roughly ten days or so."
"No need to rush. It's better to give them a little surprise."
Marineford Fortress – Fleet Admiral's Office
As soon as he returned, Fleet Admiral Oharden picked up the Den Den Mushi and called the World Government—specifically, the Five Elders.
"Moshi moshi, this is Oharden."
"Oharden again? Calling to resign—again? How many times have I told you, we're short-staffed! There's no suitable replacement for your position yet..."
On the other end, Saint Topman Warcury, the Legal Martial God among the Five Elders, furrowed his brows.
Again!?
How many resignation calls did this old man make every year!?
"Warcury-san, this isn't about that. I'm calling about something else—regarding Vice Admiral Klein's promotion to Admiral."
Warcury's eyes flashed with surprise. "Klein? Never heard of him. He's up for Admiral?"
He racked his brain. Still couldn't place the name.
"Yes. He's already passed the Marine's internal assessments. Both his strength and ability to capture pirates are more than qualified."
"Oh?" Warcury's expression shifted. "Oharden, send me Klein's full intel file."
"Understood."
Click.
The line cut. Warcury clasped his hands together. "It's not Kong being promoted… so Klein must be some rising star in the Marines these last few years?"
He was intrigued.
Soon after—
Knock knock.
"Lord Warcury, the intel file from Fleet Admiral Oharden."
"Enter."
Warcury opened the folder. He had just started reading when his eyes widened beneath his bald head.
"Only 22!?"
So young!?