Outside the captain's cabin, the heavy mahogany doors remained tightly shut.
This was the private domain of Chief Instructor Zephyr; normally, no one dared to enter this restricted area except for the orderlies responsible for cleaning.
But at this moment, Kane was squatting low at the door, a thin wire held firmly in his hand, his expression as focused as if he were disarming a live bomb.
"Ey, Brother Kane, breaking into a superior's lounge... that is a crime that will have you rotting in a solitary cell for a long time."
Borsalino leaned against the shadows of the corridor, his long hands stuffed deep into his pockets.
Although he said "how scary," his body was honestly performing the role of a lookout, his eyes warily scanning the top of the stairs for any approaching officers.
"How can a scholar's actions be called breaking in? Classmate Borsalino, watch your phrasing."
Kane didn't look back, his fingers deftly twisting the wire inside the mechanism, creating a faint, rhythmic scratching sound inside the keyhole.
"We are performing a necessary logistics replenishment for the mission."
"Click."
A soft, crisp sound echoed through the hallway as the latch finally sprang open.
The corners of Kane's mouth curled up into a smirk. He tucked away his tools and pushed the door open, his movements smooth and natural, as if he were returning to his own backyard.
If he were not a Marine, this level of skill would make him a master locksmith at the very least.
He skillfully pulled open the bottom drawer of the desk, rummaging through the contents while lecturing the future Admiral behind him:
"Think about it, Borsalino. We are about to perform high-intensity physical labor under the scorching sun. If we do not supplement a bit of sugar and hydration, what happens if we faint while scrubbing the deck?"
"Once you faint, you cannot complete the mission; failing to complete the mission means letting down Teacher Zephyr's expectations. Not only that, but you would also be wasting the Headquarters' precious medical resources."
Kane's fingers brushed against a cold metal object, and his eyes lit up in the dim light.
"Instead of causing such serious consequences, it is better to draw a little from the superior's inventory in advance and convert it into labor motivation."
[Ding! Illegally breaking in and stealing a superior's private supplies.]
[Discipline Points +300!]
Listening to the wonderful notification sound, Kane pulled an exquisite carved iron box and a package wrapped in gold foil from the deepest part of the drawer.
"Ho, Teacher Zephyr really knows how to enjoy himself. Royal Snow Black Tea, a North Blue specialty—I heard the annual yield is only a few dozen pounds. And this..."
Kane took a deep breath, a look of pure intoxication appearing on his face. "Top-tier handmade cigars from Sandy Island. Tsk tsk, this is the kind of good stuff you cannot buy even with money."
He stood up and unceremoniously tossed the priceless tin of tea to Borsalino at the door.
"Catch! It looks like our afternoon tea is sorted out."
Borsalino caught it instinctively. Looking down at the label, his tea-colored sunglasses instantly reflected the afternoon light.
"Ey. This is good stuff indeed. Last time I was in Teacher Zephyr's office, I smelled this aroma... I wanted to ask for a cup back then, but Teacher scolded me instead."
Ten minutes later, on the warship's deck.
It was supposed to be a scene of bustling, sweat-drenched labor and harsh discipline.
However, at this moment, the vibe had completely shifted into something else entirely.
The waterproof tarp originally meant to cover the cannons had been dismantled by Kane and repurposed into two tropical-style parasols.
Under the makeshift umbrellas, two lounge chairs swiped from the soldiers' barracks were placed side-by-side. Their positioning was extremely calculated, sitting exactly in the only shaded spot on the deck where they could avoid the sun while enjoying the sea breeze blowing through.
Between the two lounge chairs stood a simple small stove. The copper kettle on top was gurgling with steam, and the rich aroma of black tea, accompanied by a hint of milk swiped from the kitchen, wafted through the air. Beside it sat a plate of senbei from who-knows-where.
Kane wore a pair of swiped sunglasses, sinking into his lounge chair with that expensive cigar between his fingers. His posture was three times more arrogant than a Celestial Dragon's.
"Whew—"
He blew out a thick smoke ring, watching it slowly dissipate in the sea breeze, and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Now this is living."
Kane comfortably shook his legs and turned to look at the man beside him.
"Only by resting well can one work well. Borsalino, how are you feeling?"
Borsalino held his teacup, slumped in the lounge chair. On that face with its lewd smile, a serene expression now emerged.
"Mmm. Subarashii."
He took a sip of the hot tea, feeling the sweet aftertaste of the top-tier black tea, and let out an exclamation from the depths of his soul.
"This mellow texture, paired with this cool sea breeze... it truly brings peace to one's body and mind. Brother Kane, you really are a genius."
"Naturally."
Kane picked up a piece of senbei and took a crunching bite, his expression turning serious.
"Borsalino, you have to understand that the salary the World Government pays us only buys our time; it does not buy our lives."
"Since it is a purchase of time, as long as we appear at our posts during working hours, we have fulfilled the contract. As for risking our lives?"
Kane chuckled, flicked his cigar ash, and his gaze became deep and sharp:
"That costs extra!"
Boom!
A bolt of lightning seemed to strike within Borsalino's mind.
His sunglasses slid down slightly, revealing those signature dead-fish eyes, which were now wide open as if a door to a New World had been flung wide.
"Extra... cost?"
"Exactly!"
Striking while the iron was hot, Kane continued to instill this poisonous workplace chicken soup from another dimension.
"For a few hundred Berries a month, why are you playing with your life? That is something for the Admirals and the Fleet Admiral to worry about. We only need to provide the level of Justice that matches our salary."
"With the salary in place, Roger is toast; with insufficient pay, health is wealth!"
Borsalino was completely stunned.
The teacup stopped at his lips, the steam from the tea fogging up his sunglasses and blurring his vision.
Previously, when he slacked off, he would feel a hint of guilt, wondering if he was being too passive or if he was failing the word Justice on his back.
Until today.
Kane's words, though they sounded rebellious, were—when he thought about it—the absolute truth!
"Sou desu ne."
Borsalino nodded slowly, the curve of his mouth gradually widening until it became an extremely lewd yet joy-filled smile.
It was the smile of someone who had finally found their true direction in life.
"Brother Kane, you really are a philosopher. I have attained enlightenment."
He raised his teacup and clinked it against Kane's with a crisp sound.
[Ding! Deeply distorted a future Admiral's worldview; successfully implanted the Slacking ideological core!]
[Judgment: Extremely subversive! This move will result in the future Marine losing a hot-blooded Admiral and gaining a Clock-puncher!]
[Discipline Points +2,000!]