Klein opened the Haki Trial interface and began enhancing his Haki.
Thanks to the New Year's Beast treasure chest, he had pulled quite a few Haki Material Packs.
Little red dots appeared over the icons for Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, and Observation Haki.
At a glance, Klein could tell—those were upgrade indicators.
[Skill Upgrade Successful: Conqueror's Haki LV.5 → LV.6][Skill Upgrade Successful: Armament Haki LV.3 → LV.4][Skill Upgrade Successful: Armament Haki LV.4 → LV.5][Skill Upgrade Successful: Observation Haki LV.3 → LV.4][Skill Upgrade Successful: Observation Haki LV.4 → LV.5]
Balance!
In one word: balance!
This hexagon was so perfect it would make any follower of the "Balance Cult" weep with joy.
All three forms of Haki were now level 5!
"All at level 5 now... I wonder when I'll unlock advanced techniques like Haki Infusion, Ryuo, and Future Sight for each one."
"Not to mention that badass Observation Killer move!"
Klein was absolutely drooling over those top-tier techniques, his heart filled with burning desire.
That was the mark of a true powerhouse.
A peak pirate!
The pinnacle!
After all, he'd already drawn the legendary gold mentor—Gol D. Roger.
Assuming nothing unexpected happened…
Within a month or two, he should unlock Roger's exclusive skill:
Divine Evasion!
The only issue was—Klein hadn't yet mastered Haki Infusion, so even if he could use Divine Evasion, its visuals and power wouldn't be anywhere near satisfying.
Of course, he understood. His three types of Haki were only at level 5—far from top-tier.
That's how games worked…
The higher you leveled, the more absurd the resource cost.
Early on, you'd get rapid upgrades and feel amazing.
It let you taste the joy of gaming.
Then, once you were hooked, progress started slowing down—just like his current character level.
Now it took ten, fifteen days just to level up once!
And it would only get worse from here.
"What it all comes down to is money. With money, you can keep growing strong at a high pace. Without money…"
"You're stuck grinding hours upon hours."
Klein's desire to graduate only grew stronger.
Just a few more days!
Then he could leave Marine Headquarters Marineford and finally cut loose!
Next, he opened his game panel to see exactly what 700 million Berries (actually around 300 million) had bought him.
[Game Character ID: Imu's Dad★★][VIP Level: 5][Character Level: 62][Attributes: ...][Swordsmanship Level: 71][Weapon Equipped: First Generation Kitetsu][Unequipped Weapons: Bloodsucker, Wado Ichimonji, Hassaikai, Slingshot, Giant Sawblade "Peak-Splitter," Crossblade, Sniper Rifle Qianlu][Devil Fruit Slots: Paramecia · Chop-Chop Fruit (LV.3), Logia · Darkness Fruit (LV.1)][Unequipped Fruits: Smoke-Smoke Fruit, Mythical Zoan · Pegasus Form, Inspire Fruit][Talent Slots: Equipped: SSS Talent "Flashback Overdrive" (LV.1), Diamond Body (LV.1)][Unequipped Talents: Triple Lifespan, Underwater Breathing, Tenfold Arm Strength, Diamond Skeleton, Sleeplessness][Mentor: Currently Equipped: Gol D. Roger][Unequipped Mentors: ...][Skills:]• Basic Attack★: LV.5• Thunder Destruction Blade: LV.2• Oden's Two-Sword Style: LV.3• Demon Aura: Nine Sword Style · Asura: LV.2• Rokushiki: Tekkai★ LV.7, Kami-e LV.5, Shave LV.5, Rankyaku LV.5, Geppo LV.4, Shigan LV.6• Iron Fist: LV.5• Okama Kenpo: LV.8• Hasshoken: LV.2• Dragon Claw Fist: LV.3• Six-Sword Style: LV.3• King's Fist: LV.4• Demonic Flame Kick: LV.6• Ramen Fist: LV.10 (Secret Technique Unlockable)• Haki: Conqueror's Haki LV.6, Armament Haki LV.5, Observation Haki LV.5• Active Pets: Baboon King (Black Wukong, LV.41), Lord of the Coast (One-Armed King, LV.4)• Inactive Pets: Kung Fu Dugong★ (ID: Twin-Shell Turtle), Ucy (Bull), Speedy Duck, Camel, Moo Moo
Looking at his game panel, Klein was overwhelmed with satisfaction.
That was pure money at work!
Especially with the recent Spring Festival event—just 200 million more Berries, and he'd be maxed!
A true whale god of the pay-to-win world.
'With my heaven-defying genius, demonic talent, unparalleled aptitude, and deep pockets…'
Kaching!
Klein grinned to himself."Swordsmanship, martial arts, Haki, Devil Fruits… you could say I'm developing in all directions."
"This 'Hexagon Warrior' is finally taking shape!"
Then he thought of the upcoming test with Kong.
Sure, he had a ton of skills…But only a handful were true mainstays:
Rokushiki, Basic Attacks, Iron Fist, Demonic Flame Kick, and Haki.
"I wonder if I can beat Kong without revealing my Devil Fruit abilities. He's a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, after all."
If he could use them, Klein would be confident in winning.But since they were off-limits…
He'd just have to try his best.
Elsewhere
Preprepreprep!
Kacha!Click.
"Moshi moshi, this is Kong."
"Kong, this is Instructor Carter."Carter was lounging in his chair at home, feet crossed on the table.
"I'm calling to give you a heads-up. A few months back, I taught Klein how to train the two basic types of Haki. Just… keep that in mind during the test."
If Klein had heard this, he'd be cursing Carter to the heavens—
How shameless could he get?!
Ratting him out to Kong like that.
'Have you no honor?!'
"Two types of Haki, huh?" Kong chuckled."Instructor Carter, even after a few months, he's probably just barely got the hang of it."
"Do you really think he has a chance against me?"
"Of course not!" Carter replied firmly. "I trust your strength without question."
"But that kid—he still has no idea how vast the sea really is!"
"So…"
"Kong, I need you to crush him. Completely.Show him what a real powerhouse looks like!"
Kong froze for a moment, conflicted."Instructor… is that really okay?"
"Won't that shake Klein's confidence?"
Knowing Kong's upright nature, Carter urged,"Don't worry. A little setback never hurt anyone."
"Wouldn't you agree?"
"Go all out. Defeat him soundly.Let him see the gap between him and the real world.Only then will he be driven to push himself even harder!"
"As his instructor, this is for his own good.I just hope he'll understand one day."
"…Understood."Kong's expression turned serious."I too want to see Klein grow into a pillar of the Marines."
Then—
Carter casually asked, "Oh, and how's your training in Demonic Flame Kick going?"
There was a sly, crafty smile at the corner of his lips—barely noticeable… but definitely there.