Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Kong was holding a steaming cup of coffee, enjoying the brief moment of peace while Sengoku and Garp were away.
However, this tranquility was interrupted by a sudden buruburu sound.
Kong put down his coffee cup, his expression hardening, and answered the call.
The next second.
Wuwah!
An earth-shattering wail nearly ripped the roof off the office.
Kong's ears rang, and he nearly dropped the coffee cup in his hand.
The den den mushi perfectly mimicked Kane's face, with two streams of clear tears streaming down.
Fleet Admiral... oh, my Fleet Admiral...
Kane's voice was hoarse, every word laced with heartbreaking agony.
G-5... our G-5 Branch...
It... it's gone!
What?!
Kong suddenly stood up from his seat, his massive body knocking over his chair, but he didn't notice.
Kane?! What happened to the G-5 Branch?!
It... it was torn down by someone! Along with the twelve warships at the base, everything is gone! Kane's crying grew louder, saddening the listener and moving them to tears.
The voice on the other end of the den den mushi suddenly rose eight octaves, filled with shock and fury: Torn down?! Who did it?! Which bastard pirate in the New World has such guts?! Roger? Or Whitebeard?!
Kong's heart instantly jumped into his throat.
If those two monsters were the culprits, although Kane and the others had infinite potential, they were too young. They might truly be in mortal danger!
It was the solitary red! That lunatic Patrick Redfield!
Kane's voice trembled with intense lingering fear and terror, He suddenly attacked the base! That monster is too terrifying! The four of us... the four of us barely managed to save our lives by fighting with everything we had!
The Red Count, standing nearby, began twitching uncontrollably at the corner of his mouth.
He watched the Marine Base Commander—who one second ago was boasting about robbing the whole world, and the next was crying into the den den mushi like a child—and felt his worldview shatter.
Who attacked whom?
Who was chasing this old man and hacking at him for two days and one night?!
On the other end of the phone, Kong's heart sank the moment he heard the name the solitary red.
That lone wolf monster who, by himself, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Roger and Whitebeard?
The veins bulged on Kong's hand gripping the receiver.
What are the casualties?! Are the four of you alright? That was the Red Count; it's a miracle you survived! Kong's tone was filled with anxiety.
A base can be rebuilt, and warships can be replaced.
But if those four monster prospects were lost to a legendary Great Pirate of that caliber, it would be the heaviest blow to the Marine's future!
We are severely injured... cough, cough... and the base is gone too...
But! Fleet Admiral!
Kane changed his tone, his voice becoming tragic and passionate, For Justice! we did not back down! After paying a painful price, we successfully repelled that monster! We preserved the dignity of the Marines!
Repelled him?
Kong was stunned; he even suspected he had misheard.
The four of you... made the solitary red run away?
The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, followed by heavy breathing indicative of relief.
Good! Good! Good!
Kong said good three times in a row, his tone full of the relief of surviving a disaster and heartfelt satisfaction.
As expected of the future hope of the Marines! It's good that you are safe! As long as all of you are fine, everything else is manageable!
Hearing this sentence, Kane's crying stopped abruptly.
This was the sentence he was waiting for.
But, Fleet Admiral...
Kane interrupted Kong's praise, his voice instantly turning pitiful and mournful, We are alive... but we are close to death...
Sakazuki's arm was broken... Borsalino's leg is fractured... and Kuzan, that big idiot, is still unconscious...
Beside him, Sakazuki watched expressionlessly, while Borsalino leisurely clipped his nails, and Kuzan stood yawning.
The three fell into an eerie silence.
We are currently... standing on a piece of floating ice... Kane continued to play the victim, subtly giving Gion a signal.
Gion's pretty face flushed crimson with shame, wanting to crawl into a hole, but she still cooperated perfectly, letting out a few trembling whimpers.
It's so cold... Big Brother Kane... I'm so hungry... I want to go home...
These few tearful female cries became the final straw that broke Kong's psychological defense.
Kong's heart instantly shattered.
How miserable!
These children fought desperately against a legendary Great Pirate in the New World for the sake of Justice, and now they couldn't even get a hot meal and had to wait for death in the ice and snow?
What nobility! What tragedy!
Say no more! Kane! Kong's eyes were moist. He waved his hand and roared with heroic spirit, Headquarters will never mistreat any hero! Tell me, what support do you need? Anything Headquarters has, I will send it to you immediately!
On the ice field.
The look of grief on Kane's face vanished instantly.
He raised an eyebrow at the dumbfounded Red Count, a smug, scheming merchant's smile curving his lips.
Then, he spoke into the den den mushi with an extremely earnest and troubled tone:
Fleet Admiral, supplies are secondary, the main problem is... the original G-5 foundation has been completely destroyed and cannot be rebuilt.
Sakazuki and I have discussed it. Kane glanced at Sakazuki, whose fist was already clenched, his eyes full of threat, We have decided to establish the new G-5 Branch on an uninhabited deserted island one hundred nautical miles further into the New World from the original site.
Deserted island? Kong paused, Which island?
Punk Hazard.
Kane uttered the name, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
It has no magnetic field, a hidden location, better strategic depth, and is more suitable as our Marine stronghold in the New World!
Kong pondered for a moment and nodded: Since this is the result of your careful consideration, I approve. It's a deserted island anyway, so it doesn't involve territorial disputes with Affiliated Nations.
However, Fleet Admiral...
The time for the reveal had arrived.
Kane took a deep breath, his tone becoming somewhat awkward and embarrassed.
Starting a base from scratch on a deserted island, and one that can defend against a monster like the Red Count... the cost... might be slightly, just a little bit large.
Slightly large? Kong was wary, How much do you need?
As you know, we need to build walls that can withstand the Red Count's full power, purchase the most advanced surveillance equipment, build warm dormitories for the soldiers... Oh, and we also need to build a deep-water port to facilitate support from Headquarters at any time...
Kane counted off the items on his fingers, one by one, and finally tentatively proposed the number.
One hundred billion Berries... do you think that's enough?
Pfft!
Kong, who had just picked up his coffee to calm his nerves, spat it out, splashing important documents on his desk.
The face mimicked by the den den mushi had eyes wider than brass bells, and its mouth hung open, unable to close for a long time.
Kong's roar pierced the office, making the glass in the entire building buzz.
One hundred billion?! Why don't you just rob someone?! Do you know how much the total annual military budget for Marineford is?! Are you trying to build the G-5 Branch, or are you trying to build another Pangu City next to Mary Geoise?!
But, Fleet Admiral, this is for the long-term development of Justice! Kane's tone was full of grievance.
You bastard! Kong completely lost it, pointing at the den den mushi and cursing, I think you've gone mad with greed! Ten billion at most! Not one Berry more!
Ten billion? Fleet Admiral, ten billion isn't even enough to lay a proper foundation! Are you asking my soldiers to live in tents? Kane immediately started playing the victim, Then forget pirates, a gust of wind in the New World will blow our new base away!
Fifty billion! That's the absolute limit!
Eighty billion! No less, for the sake of Justice's reputation!
Kane, you scoundrel! Are you bargaining with me?!
I'm going to file a complaint! I'm going to the Gorosei! I'm going to tell the whole world that a marine hero is bleeding and crying!
You wouldn't dare! One hundred billion! If you say another word, you get nothing!
Done! Thank you, Fleet Admiral! You are generous! May you enjoy good health!
Kane spoke at a terrifying speed, shouting into the den den mushi as if afraid Kong would go back on his word.
Also, besides the money, we need independent material procurement rights, personnel appointment rights, and... absolute jurisdiction over the Punk Hazard Sea Area! Since you didn't give enough money, some policy support should be fine, right?
Kong on the other end was so angry he was deprived of oxygen and just wanted to hang up on this scoundrel immediately.
Fine, fine, fine! You get everything! As long as you don't tear the sky down, do whatever you want on that damned island! Just make sure you hold the gate to the New World for me!
Click.
The phone was roughly hung up.
Kane sighed in relief, tossed the den den mushi to the already petrified Gion, and flashed a triumphant smile.
Done.
He turned around and looked at the group of spectators behind him, all with varying expressions.
One hundred billion in official appropriation, plus a series of policy supports.
Kane snapped his fingers and pointed towards the empty sea ahead, as if a magnificent fortress already stood there.
Add that to the fifty billion private funds we have, plus the donations from caring individuals that will continuously flow in in the future.
His gaze subtly swept over the Red Count.
It's enough.
We will establish a true Justice Fortress on Punk Hazard, one that even the World Government won't dare interfere with easily.
[Ding! Detected Host maliciously extorting the Marine Supreme Commander using false information!]
[Verdict: Extremely shameless! Insulting a superior! The Art of Deception has been utilized to the extreme!]
[Discipline Points Gained: 50,000 points!]
[Current Discipline Points Balance: 551,800!]
Listening to the wonderful system prompt, Kane was in high spirits.
Borsalino, stop clipping your nails.
Kuzan, freeze the sea solid, we're starting to move.
Sakazuki, stop frowning. This money includes your share of the broken arm fee.
Kane laughed and was the first to stride toward the unknown distance.
The Red Count looked at that back, and though he was still severely injured and weak, his eyes showed a light called anticipation for the first time.
This Marine... might truly bring some different surprises to this stagnant sea.
What an... interesting bastard.
The Red Count, leaning on his broken umbrella handle, staggered after him.
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