Marine Headquarters, Marineford. Fleet Admiral's Office.
Staring at the now-silent Den Den Mushi, Sengoku fell into silence.
In the end, he let out a bitter smile.
"That old bastard… I didn't even say anything about you. Just told you to keep a low profile, and you start throwing around 'Fleet Admiral Sengoku'—who are you showing off to? Damn it… do you have any idea how many messes I've cleaned up for you over the years?"
Sengoku muttered to himself, full of complaints.
One Garp, one Kane—
Neither of them ever gave him peace of mind.
Especially Kane.
But the complaints were only momentary. Soon, Sengoku's expression turned serious again.
In truth, he didn't know who had reported Kane either.
Someone had simply sent him a photo—of Kane together with the Pirate Empress.
Clearly—
Someone in the Marines had grown dissatisfied with Kane.
And that… required attention.
Kane might have grown lazy in recent years, but he was the kind of person whose actions could affect the entire organization.
Meanwhile—
After hanging up, Kane also fell into thought.
But unlike before, there was no real anger in his expression.
The anger earlier had only been for Sengoku to see—
To make sure he understood Kane's bottom line.
As for that talk about "justice"?
That was just to confuse Sengoku.
In this damn world, talking about justice without strength was laughable.
Survival—
That was the only truth.
As for blaming Akainu?
Just a guess.
Plenty of people in the Marines had long been unhappy with him.
They thought he was slacking off, tarnishing the Marine image, ignoring discipline.
But Kane wasn't Zephyr.
He wouldn't end up isolated.
The way he spoke to Sengoku just now—
That was earned with his life.
Otherwise, how could he have lived so comfortably these past decades?
To put it bluntly—
He was relying on seniority.
But even that required capital.
Among the older generation of Marines, many owed him their lives.
The kind of bonds forged in blood.
Still—
Kane understood clearly.
Sengoku was a man of principles.
Just look at what happened with Zephyr.
So far, Kane hadn't crossed any real lines—
That was why Sengoku still covered for him.
But what he planned to do next…
Wouldn't be so easy to smooth over.
Sigh… favors run out eventually.
At the end of the day—
In this world, only strength mattered.
Absolute strength could suppress everything.
Just as Kane was thinking about how to make money—
"Report to Vice Admiral Kane! A female pirate wants to see you. She claims to have important information!"
Bogey's voice came from outside.
Kane paused.
"Important information? Don't you know how to interrogate her yourselves?"
There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
Just a pirate—and they had to bother him?
What kind of incompetence was this?
"But she also said… she's willing to offer one hundred million Beli to you, Vice Admiral."
Kane's eyes lit up instantly.
One hundred million Beli—
That was no small amount in the East Blue.
"Bring her in. I'll interrogate her personally."
His tone changed immediately.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Kane!"
Bogey left at once.
Soon, a girl in shackles was brought in.
"Alright, you can leave."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
When Kane saw her, he froze.
He knew her.
Wasn't this Nami?
She didn't yet have the fully developed figure she would two years later, but she was already taking shape.
Back in the day…
He had quite a few "collections."
"…What am I even thinking?"
Kane shook his head, feeling like he was becoming less and less serious.
Was this the side effect of letting himself go?
"You said you're offering one hundred million Beli?"
Nami felt uneasy.
She didn't know whether this was the right choice—
But it was an opportunity.
She had clearly seen Kane's strength earlier.
And among all the Marines she had encountered, he held the highest rank.
More importantly—
From her probing, she had figured out his habits.
Overall, he seemed like a just Marine.
But the most important thing—
He loved money.
She was certain of it.
"Yes, Vice Admiral. I have one hundred million Beli. As long as you agree to one request, I'll tell you where my treasure is hidden."
Kane smiled faintly.
"Aren't you mistaken about something? You're just a pirate I've captured. Your money is already mine. What negotiation is there?"
"I'm not a pirate! I haven't joined any pirate crew. And if you don't agree, I won't tell you anything."
Nami spoke firmly.
"Have you thought this through? Refusing me won't end well. And what about that mark on your arm?"
Kane sneered.
Nami instinctively clutched her shoulder, despair flickering in her eyes.
"Marines are all the same… I shouldn't have hoped."
"But today, I'm in a good mood. For the sake of one hundred million, I'll hear you out."
Nami froze.
She had gambled correctly.
He really did love money.
So—
She told him everything about Arlong.
Her story was tragic.
But to Kane—
Who had lived in this world for fifty years—
It was nothing special.
He had seen far worse.
In this pirate world—
There was no "most tragic."
Only worse.
So his expression didn't change at all.
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Nami gritted her teeth and played her final card.
"Vice Admiral… over the years, the Arlong Pirates have amassed more than one billion Beli."
"Say no more."
Nami blinked, confused.
"Bogey!"
"Vice Admiral, you called?"
"Remove the cuffs from this beautiful young lady. What are you doing? She's not a pirate—she's providing information. As Marines, how can we stand by while pirates harm civilians? I've decided—we're going to eliminate the Arlong Pirates!"
Kane's voice was impassioned, radiating justice.
"As expected of Vice Admiral Kane!"
Bogey was filled with admiration.
He immediately removed Nami's shackles.
"By the way, where is your village?" Kane suddenly asked, unable to recall it for a moment.
Still dazed, Nami answered instinctively:
"Cocoyasi Village."
"Bogey, did you hear that? Cocoyasi Village! We move immediately. Every day we delay is another day the people suffer. Marine justice does not allow us to be late!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral! I'll have them set full speed ahead!"
Bogey rushed off, leaving behind a stunned Nami.
Kane turned to her with a righteous expression.
"Miss Nami, we're heading to Cocoyasi Village at once. Evil pirates will face the judgment of justice!"
Nami didn't know what to say anymore.
"…But a friendly reminder—if there isn't one billion Beli, the consequences will be serious."
Kane added with a smile.
Looking at his smiling face, Nami finally came back to her senses.
But there was no joy.
She knew very well—
He was only doing this for money.
And that "one billion" was just her estimate.
But now—
There was no turning back.
"At worst, I'll just owe him… but if he can save the village, that's enough."
Nami made her decision.
"For now, stay on the ship. We'll arrive soon."
Kane said casually.