His crew had grown once again, now with a bunch of children aboard. Was his warship really going to turn into a Marine Orphanage?
As everyone knows…
Whether it's a nursing home, orphanage, or psychiatric ward, such places are either crawling with tigers in disguise or the birthplace of future dragons and phoenixes.
In other words…
They're breeding grounds for protagonists from every world imaginable!
The kids quickly learned Klein's name—and some of his illustrious feats.
Cries of surprise echoed from the group of orphans. Gasps and wide-eyed stares filled the air, brimming with admiration and reverence. Klein's vanity was thoroughly satisfied.
"Ahhh—so good!"
Love it. Praise me more!
Soon after, using the memories he had previously scanned, Klein easily located the Devil Fruit.
He chuckled. "Is this what they call destiny's guidance?"
That's right!
The Devil Fruit in his hand was none other than the Paramecia-type: Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
"This is my first time seeing such a legendary Devil Fruit up close…" Os widened his eyes, gaze locked firmly on the fruit in Klein's hand.
A blazing desire flickered in his eyes.
After witnessing the power of Klein and Linlin, he too longed to become a Devil Fruit user.
Shakky also stared unblinkingly at the fruit. Regret tinged her beautiful eyes. "Too bad I've never seen a Devil Fruit Encyclopedia... otherwise I could identify what this one does."
"You could just ask Klein-sama, couldn't you?" Gloriosa smiled and asked.
"Paramecia-type: Tremor-Tremor Fruit!" Klein declared, eyes deep with barely concealed excitement. "A fruit that can trigger earthquakes, airquakes, tsunamis—its destructive power is terrifying!"
Back when the Gum-Gum Fruit was just a Paramecia-type, calling the Tremor-Tremor Fruit the strongest Paramecia might've been debatable.
But after the Gum-Gum Fruit was revealed to be the Mythical Zoan Nika Fruit…
There was no more room for argument.
Whitebeard paired with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit—that was the perfect combo.
If you tried to develop it in, say… vibrating toy direction? That'd just be wasting it completely!
It's often said: the stronger the user, the stronger the Devil Fruit. They elevate each other!
At least in the anime, no other Paramecia had ever outperformed the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Klein knew very well: once fully mastered, this fruit could cause tremors without even making a move.
Blackbeard shook Beehive Island with just his laughter. A young Whitebeard could summon tsunamis just by getting emotional.
"Earthquakes… tsunamis?" Shakky looked shocked. "Then this fruit really is something else."
Earthquakes and tsunamis—natural disasters of overwhelming destructive power.
Just thinking about it sent chills down the spine.
Gloriosa's eyes were now burning with ambition. "If I ate that Devil Fruit… I'd definitely become strong, right?"
Ever since she started following Klein, she'd seen his strength—and then ran into Linlin, an 8-year-old born monster.
Naturally, she didn't want to be left in the dust.
"Of course. But to unleash this Devil Fruit's full power…" Klein shook his head. "It's not something an ordinary person can pull off."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a scroll.
On it was written: Fool's Treasure.
With a faint smile on his lips, Klein opened the scroll and, in full view of everyone, placed the Paramecia-type: Tremor-Tremor Fruit inside.
Ripples shimmered across the scroll as it swallowed the fruit whole.
Everyone around looked on with curiosity, but Klein was grinning inside: That's right. Let everyone assume I hide all my treasure and valuables in this scroll from now on.
"Jieh jieh jieh jieh—"
That's precisely why he had written Fool's Treasure on the scroll.
"Onī-chan, who's the Fool?" Linlin asked, chewing thoughtfully on her finger.
Klein smiled and explained, "The Fool is the first card in the Tarot's Major Arcana. It's usually numbered 0. You could say it's like my personal codename."
"Then I want a codename too!" Linlin beamed.
Klein hadn't expected that. Stroking his chin, he said, "Then let's call you 'The World.' As long as you have a grateful heart, you'll be able to find happiness and joy in the beautiful world you create."
"I love 'The World'! I want to make my own world too…" Linlin declared without hesitation.
Newgate remained silent, but in his heart, his resolve was just as strong: I must become stronger—to protect Sphinx Island and restore its peaceful life!
In the Town
Klein had his Marine subordinates buy several sets of well-fitted clothes for each child.
LOYAL ORANGE levels spiked.
Back on the warship, the kids took baths, changed into new clothes, and had a hearty meal.
Loyalty up again!
To these orphaned boys and girls, their needs were simple.
Klein handed the kids over to Os—including Newgate—and had them train alongside the other Marines onboard.
"Klein-san, they're still children. Wouldn't it be better to train them separately?" Os asked, worried that some of the malnourished and weak kids might not handle it.
Klein smiled. "It's fine. We'll guarantee their meals here on the ship—they'll adapt quickly."
"Don't underestimate the human capacity for adaptation—"
Besides, these little ones had survived some of the harshest and most dangerous environments out there.
Their survival instincts were sharp.
"So, Klein-san, are we heading back to G-14 Base next?"
"No." Klein's fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. "We're going to Elbaf."
"Elbaf… huh? W-Wait—Elbaf???" Os's eyes bulged, his voice leaping several octaves. "The Elbaf?! The Giant Kingdom Elbaf???"
"That's right. Any problems?" Klein chuckled.
Os nodded frantically, sweat beading on his temples. "Yes! Of course there's a problem! The Giants are said to be the strongest nation in the world! Why… why are we going there?"
"Besides, King Harald has been busy forming alliances with other nations in recent years. The World Government is already unhappy with him…"
His heart pounded like a drum. Panic crept in.
"We're going," Klein said with a grin, "to recruit some Giants into the Marines. There are already Giants in the Marine ranks, aren't there? We'll just add more. And while we're at it, we can have Charlotte blend in naturally. Won't raise as many eyebrows that way."
Besides…
There was a certain someone in Elbaf—a monster born with ancient Giant blood, whose talent rivaled Linlin's.
He was also the son of the current king of Elbaf, and the World Government once tried to recruit him into the God Knights.
A baby, abandoned by his own mother the day he was born… How pitiful.
In that case… I'll be your 'father' instead!
Os nodded in agreement, though something told him Klein had more on his mind than he was letting on.
Still, for now, he had to take care of the children that had just boarded.
Actually…
Klein had another goal: to find himself a wife with wide hips, a big bust, and good childbearing potential.
"Wait—"
Klein suddenly called out, "Bring Newgate to my office!"