Kane sat alone in his spacious office, idly handling the pitch-black greatsword.
After a long while, he finally stored it back into his System Space with satisfaction.
"Perfect."
Promotion, wealth, and divine equipment - he had obtained them all.
He stretched his limbs, his joints cracking loudly.
"I should have a good meal to celebrate, and... find a durable punching bag to test the blade."
Kane pushed open the redwood door and headed toward Marine Headquarters' First Cafeteria in high spirits.
...
The First Cafeteria was bustling with noise during the lunch rush.
When Kane appeared carrying a mountain of luxurious food, the cafeteria's clamor momentarily died down.
Countless eyes instantly focused on him, particularly those of the female Marines, whose eyes sparkled and cheeks flushed.
"Look! It's Rear Admiral Kane!"
"Oh my god, he's even more handsome in person than in the Video Transponder Snail... that physique, I'm in!"
Kane had long grown immune to the surrounding gazes and calmly chose a window seat, ready to dig in.
A slightly nervous, clear female voice sounded beside his table.
"Um... Rear Admiral Kane, may I... sit here?"
Kane looked up.
A beautiful girl with long black hair stood there holding her tray - it was Gion.
She still wore her recruit uniform, the white shirt stretched taut by her impressive curves. Her usually spirited face was now red as a ripe apple.
A flicker of amusement shone in Kane's eyes.
A potential gold mine!
While she was still an inexperienced new recruit, this was the perfect time to build favor and cultivate a loyal subordinate.
"It's you."
Kane flashed his signature warm smile, like winter sunshine.
"Your gaze on the square earlier was quite impressive, swordswoman."
He naturally stood up and pulled out the chair opposite him for Gion.
This gentlemanly act instantly triggered envious whispers from the surrounding female Marines.
"Th-thank you!"
Gion felt overwhelmed, unsure where to put her hands and feet.
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Kane in private."
Kane's voice was smooth as jade, deeply magnetic.
He casually pushed the untouched special caramel pudding from his tray toward Gion.
"This dessert is quite good, freshly baked. Girls usually like it."
Critical hit!
Gion felt her heart skip a beat.
Not only did her idol remember her, but he was so gentle and considerate, even offering her pudding...
"This... this dessert is too precious, I can't..."
"Rather than its value," Kane propped his chin on his hand, smiling as he watched her, "I'd rather see the expression on a beautiful lady's face while she eats."
Gion's mind went blank with a buzzing sound.
A scalding heat spread from her slender neck up to her ears.
Her usual heroic and spirited demeanor vanished without a trace. She could only flusteredly avoid Kane's deep, smiling eyes, her hands fidgeting nervously under the table as she whispered softly:
"Then… then I… I won't stand on ceremony…"
But this heartwarming scene of a handsome man and a beautiful woman enjoying a peaceful moment was, in the eyes of Tokikake from a corner of the cafeteria, more unbearable than being killed outright.
Thud!!!
A rough, large hand slammed heavily onto the table, causing the pudding on the plate to tremble three times.
The cafeteria instantly fell silent.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, their eyes turning in unison toward the source of the sound.
Tokikake's face was dark, his features almost twisted into a knot. His signature sleazy top hat was tilted to one side, and he exuded the sour stench of aged vinegar fermenting.
He stared fixedly at Kane, then at Gion, whose face was flushed with shyness, feeling as though his lungs were about to explode from anger.
"Kane… Rear Admiral!!"
These words were practically squeezed out from between his teeth.
Kane leisurely swallowed a mouthful of rice, looked up, and met the gaze of this future "Chaton."
"Is there something you need, soldier?" His tone remained gentle.
"I challenge you!"
Tokikake practically roared these words, spraying saliva everywhere.
"If you lose, stay away from Gion!"
Whoosh—!
The entire room erupted in an uproar.
"Is he insane? A new recruit daring to speak to a Rear Admiral like that?"
"A challenge? Does he even know what he's saying?"
Gion abruptly stood up.
"Tokikake! What madness has gotten into you? Apologize to Rear Admiral Kane immediately!"
"I'm not mad!" Tokikake stubbornly held his ground, jealousy distorting his face. "Even though you're a superior officer, I, Tokikake, refuse to accept it! I don't believe a nineteen-year-old can be that strong! It must all be hype from Vice Admiral Garp and the others!"
Kane smiled.
He set down his utensils, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and slowly rose to his feet.
At two meters and sixty centimeters, Tokikake wasn't short, but standing before Kane, who was around three meters and thirty centimeters tall with perfectly defined muscles, his presence was instantly crushed into dust.
"Challenge me?" Kane looked down at Tokikake from his superior height, his smile turning playful. "Are you sure?"
Despite the gentle smile, Tokikake felt a chill run down his spine, causing him to involuntarily take half a step back.
But the words were already out, and with hundreds of eyes fixed on him, he had no choice but to brace himself and press on.
"O-of course! Do you dare accept? Or are you just a fraud with an empty reputation…"
"Sure."
Kane cut him off decisively.
The room fell silent once again.
No one had expected Kane to actually agree to such an unreasonable and provocative challenge from a new recruit.
Gion's pretty face paled with anger. She bit her lip apologetically and said to Kane, "I'm sorry, Rear Admiral Kane, for making you witness such a farce. He's just a fool! He's not worth you lowering yourself to take action!"
"No, I think he's quite brave," Kane waved his hand dismissively, his gaze settling on Tokikake. "Since it's a challenge, shouldn't there be a wager?"
Tokikake was taken aback. "A wager?"
"That's right," Kane's smile grew even more "kind." "How about this? Let's make the stakes higher. If I lose, I'll give you my position as Rear Admiral. How does that sound?"
Hiss—!
The sound of sharp intakes of breath echoed throughout the room.
Betting his position as Rear Admiral?
Tokikake's face instantly flushed a deep purplish-red, utterly stunned by the enormous stakes. How could he possibly dare to claim a Rear Admiral's position?!
"No... I don't want your rank!"
"Oh? What a pity." Kane wore an expression of "regret," then swiftly changed tack with a more "friendly" proposal.
"How about this—the loser puts on women's clothing and runs ten laps around Marineford. Dare to try?"
"Pfft—!"
A Marine at the nearby table, who had been drinking soup, spat it out in shock.
Wo... women's clothing?
Ten laps around headquarters?
Everyone's expressions turned vividly dramatic, their gazes toward Tokikake filled with sympathy and... anticipation?
This spectacle was far more entertaining than any mere challenge!
Gion's face reddened too. She stole a glance at Kane, her mind wandering: Rear Admiral Kane in women's clothing... No, no! What am I thinking?! There's no way he'd lose!
Tokikake was completely trapped.
He felt as if hundreds of eyes in the cafeteria were spotlighting him like searchlights, roasting him over flames.
Agree? Losing would mean social suicide.
Refuse? He'd face social death right now, despised by everyone and unable to hold his head up in front of Gion.
"You... you..."
"What? Too scared?" Kane's voice drifted over lazily. "Without even this much resolve, how do you expect to pursue Miss Gion?"
"Who says I'm scared!"
Pushed to the brink, Tokikake roared his agreement.
"Fine! It's a bet! I'm not afraid of you!"
"Excellent!"
Kane stepped forward with a laugh, giving Tokikake's stiff shoulder a heavy pat.
"Such spirit! See you at the training ground at 2 p.m."
"Oh, and one more thing," Kane leaned close to his ear, whispering so only the two could hear, "Remember to pick out a well-fitting dress in advance. I'm looking forward to your performance."
With that, he didn't spare Tokikake another glance, picked up his tray, and strolled away amid the crowd's mix of awe and excitement.
Perfect timing to test out Tensa, Zangetsu.
He'd originally considered practicing with Bogard, but this free punching bag delivered right to his doorstep—why waste the opportunity?
[Ding! Detected host abusing authority, openly bullying a new recruit, creating a negative influence!]
[Congratulations, host! Obtained Violation Value: 500 points!]
Kane's steps paused slightly, a smirk curling his lips.
Not much, but even a mosquito's worth of meat is still meat.
Most importantly...
This was going to be absolutely hilarious!
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