[Answering Host: Of course.]
[Regardless of how it is coated or released, the current Conqueror's Haki is essentially still a physical extension of "spirit" and "will."]
A cold blue light screen flickered in the darkness, the system's emotionless mechanical voice now carrying a hint of temptation.
[The next upgrade will enter—the Divine Domain.]
The text on the light screen began to shift, becoming somewhat obscure and difficult to understand, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.
[Those who enter this domain no longer merely intimidate and destroy but wield the authority to interfere with reality and distort rules.]
[Reference case: Sun God Nika, the Nika Power that transforms "imagination" into "reality."]
Kane's fingers holding the cigar paused slightly, a flicker of understanding flashing in his eyes.
Just as he thought.
As he had guessed.
The pinnacle of this world was never the brutes like the Four Emperors or Admirals who relied on fists.
It was those who toyed with rules, beings almost akin to "gods."
That eight-hundred-year-old monster Imu definitely held more than just the Ancient Weapons.
At that level, sheer physical strength was no longer enough. It was about who had the bigger cheat and whose rules were more unreasonable.
"What do I need to do?"
Kane exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice calm, but the flame of ambition burning deep in his eyes grew even fiercer.
Since he was already here, what was the point if he didn't aim to be the strongest?
The system panel flickered, listing three breathtaking paths of advancement.
[To break through to the Divine Domain, one of the following conditions must be met:]
[Path A·Money Power (Recommended): Consume 10,000,000 Violation Value, and the system will directly elevate you, a painless ascension.]
[Path B·Archaeologist: Seek out and come into contact with the core essences of the three "Ancient Weapons (Pluton/Poseidon/Uranus)" and analyze their rule-based power.]
[Path C·Great Adventurer: Reach the Final Island "Laugh Tale," come into contact with the "Great Treasure" left behind by Joy Boy, and achieve a resonance of will spanning eight hundred years.]
After reading these three options, Kane fell silent.
The office was deathly quiet, with only the embers of the cigar glowing and fading.
Three minutes later.
He crushed the cigar butt into the pure gold ashtray, letting out a suppressed, cold sneer.
"Ten million? Why don't you just rob me?"
Kane was both amused and exasperated.
He had gone to great lengths, tricking Roger, making Rayleigh cry, and playing the entire World Government and Marine Headquarters for fools, barely managing to accumulate just over a million.
And now the system demanded ten million?
This amount was barely enough for a tenth of a down payment?
If he chose Path A, at this rate of earning points, he'd have to beat up each of the Five Elders one by one and blow up the Holy Land Mariejois in the process to even come close.
"As for Paths B and C..."
Kane sneered again, leaning back into his chair.
Shirahoshi, the Poseidon, was probably still just a liquid right now, maybe even still waiting in line inside her father's body; Pluton was buried deep beneath Wano Country; and Uranus was most likely in Imu's hands.
None of them were easy to deal with.
As for Laugh Tale?
That riddle-loving Roger would never spill the beans, even in death.
"This is forcing my hand."
Kane rubbed his throbbing temples, but the corners of his mouth gradually lifted into a dangerous, crazed curve.
"It seems that trying to play it safe as an Admiral won't build a future."
"If I want to touch the realm of the gods, I have to flip this world's table completely."
"I need to stir things up."
"Make some big waves."
But isn't that just perfect?
Right up my alley!
Once he realized this, the frustration in Kane's heart vanished entirely.
The road must be taken step by step.
Since the ten-million milestone was temporarily out of reach, he might as well spend the remaining "pocket change" he had on hand to boost his troublemaking abilities.
After all, as a Navy scoundrel with a fine gambling habit, seeing tens of thousands of points sitting idle in his account without spending them was more unbearable than death itself.
"System, bring up the [Lottery Wheel]."
Kane rubbed his hands together, his face lighting up with the fanatical devotion unique to gamblers.
Buzz—!
The blue screen on his retina instantly transformed, and an enormous, neon-glowing wheel materialized before him.
The wheel was densely engraved with various rewards from across the multiverse.
[Giant of Light Transformation Device]
[Rumble-Rumble Fruit]
[Gate of Babylon (Fate)]
[Eight Gates Released Formation]
Countless rewards flashed before his eyes.
Of course, there was also the [Thank You for Your Patronage] section, occupying 20% of the wheel's area.
Kane glanced at his remaining Violation Value balance: 809,500 points.
This kind of neither-here-nor-there number was the most annoying.
"Going all-in is a form of wisdom, and even more so, a virtue."
Kane waved his hand grandly, brimming with boldness.
"Invest five hundred thousand Violation Value! Give me a ten-draw!!"
[Command received. Violation Value deducted: 500,000 points.]
[Gambler Mode activated... Good luck.]
The wheel spun rapidly, trailing dazzling streams of light as the pointer jumped wildly.
First draw.
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: A lifetime supply of top-tier Cuban cigars (System Special Edition · Unlimited Refills).]
"..." A finely crafted cigar case materialized in Kane's hand, and his eye twitched. "Alright, fine. It's useless, but at least I'll save on tobacco money from now on. That's reasonable enough."
The wheel spun again.
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: Item · Momo Must Die Experience Card (Deals 10,000% true damage to Kozuki Momonosuke upon use).]
"Good stuff! Saving that for later!" Kane's eyes lit up.
[Ding! Thank you for your patronage.]
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: Blueprint · Adam Tree Improved Keel Structure Blueprint.]
"Not bad. G-5's warships will be able to ram into the Red Line from now on."
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: Premium Named Sword x5.]
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: Complete Vivre Card Production Technology.]
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: Charm Fruit (Makes you just a little bit more handsome in this looks-obsessed world).]
...
A series of notification chimes rang out, mostly consisting of practical but unspectacular items or purely amusing novelties.
As the ten-draw neared its end, Kane's heartbeat gradually quickened.
Five hundred thousand points! That was hard-earned money he'd gotten from selling the Pirate King!
"Give me something solid, System-bro!"
As if hearing his plea.
The final spin, and the roulette emitted an unprecedented roar!
The originally multicolored light suddenly converged, transforming into a bizarre, profound, and ominous blood-red pillar that exploded directly within Kane's consciousness!
[Ding!!!]
[Great success! Dimensional Barrier shattered!]
[Congratulations, host, for obtaining the strongest mental-type ultimate technique from another dimension—]
[Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan·Kotoamatsukami!]
[Note: This ability originates from the supreme Pupil Technique of Uchiha Shisui in "Naruto."]
[Effect: Can directly invade the target's mental world without detection, permanently altering their will. Whether the target is a strong-willed powerhouse or a Celestial Dragon with overwhelming authority, once affected, they will obey your every word and firmly believe this is their "true heart."]
[Limitation (System Modification): No need for a decade-long cooldown; can consume 100,000 Violation Value to offset one year of cooldown time. Cannot alter the will of [Divine Domain] powerhouses (such as Imu), but can cause a momentary blank in their consciousness.]
Clatter.
The cigar Kane had just taken out fell onto the desk.
He froze in place, his pupils contracting violently.
Kotoamatsukami?
It was actually the so-called "strongest genjutsu," Kotoamatsukami?!
"This isn't just a skill..."
Kane slowly closed his eyes.
A cold, obscure, yet terrifyingly powerful ocular power surged into his optic nerves like a tide.
When he opened his eyes again.
Deep within his night-like pupils, a fleeting, eerie crimson flashed, and the complex, deadly four-bladed shuriken pattern faintly emerged.
The light in the office seemed to be instantly drained, and the air temperature plummeted.
An invisible mental pressure swept out, colder than Conqueror's Haki, striking directly at the soul.
"This thing..."
"It's practically tailor-made for a 'Navy of Justice' like me."
For an ambitious schemer determined to navigate between the Navy, Pirates, and the World Government to extract the greatest benefits, pure destructive power was far less elegant and efficient than "control."
How uncivilized is all that fighting and killing?
With this, many previously unthinkable maneuvers could now be put on the agenda.
For example... making Fleet Admiral Kong willingly step down, convinced it was for the Navy's future?
Or perhaps, making the "Loan Shark King" who controls the world's economy willingly hand over the keys to his treasury?
Even...
Kane's gaze passed through the window, looking toward the distant summit of the Red Line, that lofty Holy Land.
If one of the Five Elders were to suddenly have a "crisis of conscience" at a critical moment, supporting the Navy's independence from the World Government... just imagining that scene was enough to make him tremble with excitement.
"Heh... hehehehahaha!"
In the dim room, the newly appointed Admiral covered his forehead, letting out a low, delighted laugh.
This five hundred thousand was more than worth it.
It was an absolute steal!
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