Since the dream of becoming a branch leader has been crushed, it's time to set a new goal.
Within two and a half years, I'll become a Marine Admiral!
Klein thought for a moment. "Fleet Admiral, how about assigning me to the first half of the Grand Line? I believe with my strength, I can easily hold one of the seven sea routes!"
"I'll become an impenetrable fortress that pirates absolutely cannot break through!"
A branch in the first half of the Grand Line would be ideal. And if it's near Skypiea, even better. If not, a little detour is fine too.
After all, I can fly.
By then, I'll just switch my Devil Fruit ability to something like the Smoke-Smoke Fruit or maybe the Flame-Flame Fruit, and soaring to the sky shoulder-to-shoulder with the sun won't be a problem at all.
Skypiea? Piece of cake!
"..." Oharden could see it clearly—this brat just didn't want to go to the New World.
You already defeated Kong, and now you want to mess around with weaklings? What's the fun in that?
Shouldn't the strong crave battle with the strong?
Yes!
If Klein had heard that, he would've answered without hesitation—"Yes!"
Going to smurf on newbies with an alt account is peak joy!
Massacring left and right—pure chaos!
You don't want to go to the New World? Fine, I'll just send you there anyway.
"Klein, typically the more outstanding graduates from the Marine Academy are appointed as Marine Captains. But given your exceptional performance..."
"I'm promoting you directly to the rank of Marine Rear Admiral!"
Holy crap.
Straight to general-rank officer! Even if it's the lowest among generals, it's still a general.
Still a high-ranking officer!
Klein saluted with a smile creeping up his lips. "Thank you, Fleet Admiral. Loyal orange!*"
[*TN: "忠橙" is a pun on "忠诚" (loyalty), replacing the second character with "orange," often used as a quirky salute in fanfics.]
"You'll be stationed at Marine GL-14."
G-14?
Klein let out a sigh of relief. That obviously sounds like a lower-ranked base—not like those G1–G5 posts in the New World.
Nice!
He couldn't help asking, "Fleet Admiral, what's the monthly salary for a Marine Rear Admiral?"
"..." Oharden was speechless. You're a general-level officer now—who even asks about salary anymore??
The Marines are the world government's public face. No way they'd shortchange a general.
Scratching his head, Oharden muttered, "I think it's a few hundred thousand or maybe a million Berries per month…"
A few hundred thousand?
That's several million a year. Not bad at all.
With that, Klein, feeling extremely pleased, headed to the logistics department to claim his equipment.
He also had a few custom suits made.
Suit + Justice cloak—that's the true standard for generals!
Klein chose black and white suits. He remembered vividly that when Golden Lion charged Marineford alone…
Garp and Sengoku were both wearing black suits, like the "suit gangsters" of the Marines.
So cool!
But white suits were nice too. Good for mixing it up.
Moretti Klein
Finally, Klein ran over to Instructor Carter and collected the 100 million Berries reward. His mood improved even more.
He deposited the money into the bank. Seeing his balance rise to over 300 million Berries made him feel like he was flying.
This time...
Massive profit!!
Promotion, raise—life's peak moment!
He even started walking with a bit of a swagger.
If not now, when would you float on air?
Feeling elated, he couldn't help but recall a verse from his past life:
"Spring breeze brings success, hooves racing; flowers of Chang'an all seen in a day."
Probably the other applicants who passed the exam felt the same.
Two or three days later.
At Crescent Bay Port, Marine Headquarters.
It had been a year. Last time he was here, it was for enrollment at the Marine Academy.
This time...
He was setting sail.
Back then, he wore plain, local clothing from the Four Seas.
Now, he was dressed in a custom high-end suit, draped in a Justice cloak, exuding confidence.
He arrived a boy...
And left, still a boy.
But this time, with a big metal case in his hands.
Inside were all the IOUs written over the past year by Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr, all in their own handwriting.
How could Klein possibly leave without those?
Someday...
These would be exhibit A in court!
Docked before him was a mid-sized Marine warship, probably several dozen meters long.
But compared to the other ships nearby, it looked like a toy boat.
At that moment...
All the memories from the Marine Academy flashed through Klein's mind like a slideshow.
He couldn't help but sigh:
"My dream used to be just becoming a branch leader, a Marine Captain. But now..."
He looked down at his tailored suit and the insignia on his shoulder.
Starting off as a Marine Rear Admiral!
It all felt like a dream, and he couldn't help but exclaim:
"Hacks are awesome! Otherwise, I'd have to grind for years in the academy..."
"Go through all kinds of evaluations, and still maybe not even make Captain."
Just as he was about to board the ship's gangway—
Footsteps suddenly echoed behind him.
He turned and saw many familiar faces. A soft smile formed on his lips as warmth filled his heart.
Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru, even the Marine Four Flowers, and several cadets from his training sessions had come to see him off.
Garp rushed over, beaming. "Bro, we came to see you off!"
"..."
Klein's face darkened. What kind of send-off is that?
See you off? You mean see you off and disappear halfway?
"Love Iron Fist!"
BONK—
Without hesitation, Klein slammed his fist on Garp's head, leaving a huge red bump. But instead of getting angry, Garp just laughed: "Hehehe—Won't get many more beatings from bro now, huh?"
What a punchable bastard!
But why... why did seeing Garp grinning like a fool with his white teeth showing...
Make my nose sting so much?
Bastard.
Klein raised his hand and patted Garp's shoulder firmly.
He spoke with heartfelt weight: "Train that Iron Fist well. Someday, make the name of Iron Fist resound across the seas!"
Thump thump thump—
Garp thumped his muscular chest. "Bro, I won't let you down. Losing to you is fine. But losing to anyone else..."
"That's absolutely unacceptable!"
Good. That's the spirit!
Sengoku looked at Klein with a complicated expression. When Klein's gaze landed on him, Sengoku hesitated—then finally opened his mouth:
"Bro!"
That's all he said, but Klein's smile widened.
He opened the metal case and took out a Marine officer's cap. Yes, his own officer cap.
He placed it squarely on Sengoku's head, covering up that afro explosion he usually wore. Now it wasn't so obvious.
Klein beamed. "Then I'll leave this hat in your care!"
Yes.
He was recreating that iconic scene—Shanks giving the straw hat to Luffy, which was originally from Captain Roger.
Can't I pay homage too?
He continued: "Sengoku, bro would never lie to his little brothers. One day, you'll become a Marine Admiral!"
"When the time comes and the promise is fulfilled, give that hat back to me!"
"....." Sengoku pressed the cap on his head, pulling the brim down. His eyes stung with mist. He lowered his head, biting his lip—
Trying hard not to cry.
That guy...
Klein, that bastard...
And then, he heard Klein's expectant voice once again:
"Well, while I'm away—look after my other two little brothers, alright?"
Klein patted his shoulder.
"Bro, I'm not their brother, you know... But I'll do my best," Sengoku muttered through gritted teeth.
Hearing that bro made Klein smile knowingly.
Then he turned to look at Zephyr, who was already bawling.