Kane looked at Morgan with interest.
This world was truly fascinating.
The stronger someone was—
The bigger they usually were.
Even Kane himself stood at around 2.4 meters.
But Morgan was even taller—
A full three meters.
Kane was actually quite satisfied with his own height.
Not outstanding, not short—
Just right.
But height wasn't what caught his attention.
The man in front of him carried the title of "Axe Emperor", standing alongside the so-called "Bandit King of the East Blue" as the Two Great Legends of the East Blue.
One kicked a Yonko like Shanks.
The other "chopped down" Marine hero Monkey D. Garp.
He had to admit—
The East Blue really produced talents.
That old man Garp was something else.
Standing at the peak of the Great Pirate Era himself—
Yet also raising a revolutionary, nurturing a pirate, and even producing someone like Koby, who would shine in the Marines in the future.
What a lineup.
Still—
Even if Morgan had "Emperor" in his title—
That meant nothing here.
Kane stepped forward.
Morgan's expression turned savage.
"Didn't you hear me?! Prepare a ship for me—or I'll kill him!"
The sharp edge of his axe pressed tighter against the Marine's neck, drawing blood.
The surrounding Marines hesitated, not daring to act.
"I'll give you one chance. Let him go, surrender quietly. I don't have time to waste on you."
The old man's tone was calm.
Morgan sneered.
"Old man… are you joking?"
"So none of you listen, huh…? Do I really look that lacking in authority?"
Whoosh—!
Kane vanished—
And instantly appeared in front of Morgan.
Morgan's face changed drastically.
He hadn't expected such speed.
He tried to swing his axe—
But couldn't move it at all.
Because—
Kane had already grabbed the blade with one hand.
The overwhelming strength rendered him completely immobile.
The hostage Marine was instantly freed.
"…My strength really has declined."
Kane sighed.
To Morgan—
That was pure humiliation.
"You damned old man—let go of me, or else—"
BOOM!
Morgan was sent flying.
His massive body crashed into the distant square—
Knocked unconscious instantly.
Cheers erupted among the Marines.
"Vice Admiral Kane!"
Ripper looked stunned.
So this is a Vice Admiral from Headquarters…?
This wasn't even the same level.
No wonder they were the ones who faced the monsters of the New World.
"Kane turned to Ripper."
"Captain Ripper, that's that. Keep up the good work—I'm counting on you."
Ripper was instantly fired up.
"Yes, Vice Admiral! I won't disappoint you! I will uphold justice!"
Kane nodded.
"Bogey, check if he's dead. If not, cuff him."
"Oh—and that axe of his… I don't like it. Remove it. If it won't come off—cut it off."
"We're leaving."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Inside the warship office—
Kane took a deep breath.
"10.13 billion Beli…"
This was all the liquid cash he currently had available.
"System, I want to purchase the Zoan-type Mythical Beast… Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Fire Dragon."
"Confirm purchase?"
Kane's heart pounded.
"Purchase!"
A crimson Devil Fruit appeared before him.
At the same time—
His wealth dropped instantly from over 10 billion Beli—
To just 103 million.
Aside from fixed assets—
Kane was now nearly broke.
He picked up the fruit—
And bit into it without hesitation.
"…Disgusting!"
That was his first reaction.
"Absolutely disgusting."
But this was a fruit worth 10 billion Beli.
No matter how awful it tasted—
He had to eat it.
The most expensive Devil Fruit in the world—
Bar none.
And its greatest advantage—
No need for development.
Eat it—
And instantly gain Admiral-level power.
Otherwise—
He might have hesitated.
Kane forced it down.
Then—
A surge of heat spread through his entire body.
He knew—
The Devil Fruit's power was transforming him.
It didn't take long—
Before the changes stabilized.
A strange feeling filled him.
Compared to before—
His strength had undergone a qualitative leap.
At his peak before—
He had only been close to Admiral level.
Able to exchange blows—
But never truly compete.
If an Admiral got serious—
He'd lose quickly.
And over the years—
Aging and lack of training had weakened him significantly.
But now—
Though his body was still old—
His power had broken through to a whole new level.
Kane couldn't hold back anymore.
He stepped to the window—
And leapt out.
Geppo!
His figure shot upward rapidly—
Breaking into the sky.
Soon—
He stood high above the clouds.
Pure white clouds surrounded him.
His mood soared.
"Let's see just how strong this fruit really is…"
The next moment—
Flames erupted from his body.
A terrifying heatwave exploded outward—
Vaporizing the surrounding clouds instantly.
Within a thousand meters—
Nothing remained.
Scales began forming on his body.
His arms transformed into dragon claws—
Then his entire body began to expand.
Flaming wings spread from his back.
Kane unleashed the power without restraint—
His body growing larger and larger.
Until—
He became a massive flaming dragon.
Over 100 meters long—
Still expanding—
Until he reached 500 meters.
A colossal, overwhelming presence.
"So… 500 meters is the limit?"
He thought.
This form could shrink and grow at will—
From something like a compact form—
To this massive size.
Larger size meant greater power—
But less agility.
He shrank slightly—
To around 100 meters.
The flames faded—
Revealing his true form.
A Western-style fire dragon.
Kane examined himself.
Though it wasn't like Kaido's dragon form—
It was still incredibly domineering.
It even resembled the Fire Dragon King from Fairy Tail.
"As expected of a Mythical Zoan…"
"It can enter a flame state like a Logia…"
"With the defense and vitality of a Zoan…"
"And the destructive power of a Paramecia…"
A god-tier fruit—
Truly lived up to its name.
The next moment—
Kane roared.
A deafening dragon's roar echoed across the sea—
Scattering the clouds.
His flaming wings beat—
And his body vanished.
When he reappeared—
He was already kilometers away.
Terrifying speed.
Kane didn't stop—
He grew even more excited.
For fifty years—
Since arriving in this world—
He had lived cautiously every day.
And now—
He finally had the power to let loose.
How could he not be thrilled?
Flames surged again—
Wrapping his entire body.
As he sped forward—
A trail of fire hundreds of meters long followed behind him.
He skimmed across the sea—
The force of his movement carving a path through the water.
The ocean split—
Then instantly evaporated under the intense heat.
Feeling the exhilaration of flight—
Kane turned upward—
Soaring into the sky like a pillar of flame.
In just moments—
He crossed hundreds of kilometers.
Then—
A massive slash rose from below—
Tearing through the clouds—
And instantly split his flaming body in two.
"…Elementalized in advance?"
A man holding a massive black blade muttered.