Pirate: I'm an admiral now, what's wrong with taking a little extra money?

finally.

Marshal Kong let out a long breath, picked up his pen again, and signed a top-secret document with fluid movements, as if he had practiced it countless times.

"The complaint from Judge... Sengoku, you handle it."

Sora's voice was deep and resonant, carrying an undeniable authority: "Reply to the World Government: Due to an uncontrollable storm at sea, most of the stolen money fell into the deep sea and could not be retrieved. The Navy, after many perilous attempts, only managed to recover five billion Berries, which has all been turned over."

"As for Germa's losses..."

Kong raised his head and gave Kane a deep look. "Since it's a shipwreck, then it's fate. Rejected."

"Hahaha! I knew you wouldn't be willing to part with that money!"

Karp finally couldn't help but burst into laughter, slapping the sofa so hard it made a loud thud, tears streaming down his face. "Kane, kid! Well done! I've been fed up with those guys for ages!! With this 10 billion left, maybe my donut budget can get a raise?"

"Get out, Garp!"

Kong glared at Garp, then straightened his face, regaining his marshal's dignity, and looked at Kane and the other three.

"Although... you brought back important 'supplies,' you disregarded military discipline and used despicable methods!"

"They caused such a commotion in Beihai, almost triggering a diplomatic dispute. If they don't punish them, I can't explain it to the entire army!!"

Kong slammed his hand on the table. "Kane, Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan!"

"To!"

"You will all be confined for half a month! And six months' salary will be deducted!"

"You'd better reflect on what 'justice' really means while you're in solitary confinement! Especially you, Kane, write me a 100,000-word self-criticism! Not a single punctuation mark is missing!"

"Yes!"

The four of them bowed in unison, turned and left, their steps light as if they were going on vacation.

……

North Sea, Germa Kingdom.

Judge, still lying in his hospital bed, tremblingly accepted the final ruling document from the World Government's CP0.

He opened it with high hopes, expecting to see news of the navy being severely punished and the huge sum of money being recovered.

However, the document only contained a cold, impersonal sentence:

[Upon investigation, the claim of "60 billion in losses" made by your country could not be verified due to an unforeseen maritime storm. The Navy's operation was in accordance with the Justice Enforcement Act, resulting in the recovery and return of 5 billion berries.]

Therefore, this five billion Baileys will be directly deducted from your country's celestial gold reserves for the next three years. All other unreasonable demands are rejected.

"Five...five billion?"

Judge stared at the number, his eyes wide open.

That's 65 billion!

How did it end up as 5 billion to offset the Heavenly Gold?

What about the remaining 60 billion?

"puff--!!"

Just as Judge had begun to recover from his injuries, he spat out another spurt of blood, rolled his eyes, and fainted once more.

Chapter 32 Solitary Confinement? No, this is the Mahjong Masters Tournament!

Naval Headquarters, three underground floors, solitary confinement cells.

The heavy alloy door slammed shut, completely shutting out the noise from the outside world.

Although named a solitary confinement cell, this place, used to detain high-ranking military officers, is excessively luxurious in its facilities, except for the lack of windows and freedom.

It features a private bathroom, soft beds, and even a spacious common area.

"Ah, finally I can go to sleep." Kuzan pulled off his eye mask, flopped onto the bed, and fell asleep instantly.

Borsalino strolled leisurely to the cabinet in the corner, skillfully retrieved a tea set, and hummed:

"Yay! A 15-day paid vacation! It would be perfect with a newspaper too! That scary Air Marshal, he won't let us read the news!"

Sakazuki took off his hat, sat on the sofa, and his tense body finally relaxed.

He looked at his hands, seemingly still savoring the feeling of lying to the marshal.

I didn't feel the guilt I had imagined.

On the contrary, there is a kind of... exhilaration after breaking free of shackles?

"Stop spacing out, Sakazuki."

Kane grinned and came closer, pulling out a brand-new deck of cards from his pocket and slicing them with a clatter.

"Now that the marshal has given us a fifteen-day paid leave, how can we not have some fun?"

"Come on, let me teach you a new game today, called 'Dou Dizhu' (Landlord). The loser has to go to the Sabaody Archipelago... for a massage!"

Sakazuki frowned, instinctively wanting to reprimand this decadent behavior: "Nonsense! This is a solitary confinement cell..."

"Hey, don't be so serious." Kane shoved the cards into his hand. "Think about it, we've put in a lot of effort, even if we didn't achieve anything great. What's wrong with relaxing a little?"

“And…” Kane suddenly leaned close to his ear, lowered his voice, and said in a provocative tone, “Don’t you want to win Borsalino’s money? I’ve been wanting to get rid of him for a long time.”

Sakazuki whirled around and saw Borsalino holding a teacup, a sly, half-smiling expression on his face through his sunglasses: "Hey~ Sakazuki, if you're worried about losing money, I can give you a three-card handicap~"

boom!

Sakazuki's forehead veins bulged instantly, and the power of his Magma-Magma Fruit nearly went out of control and burned through the sofa.

"Deal the cards!!!"

……

Ten minutes later.

A roar that sounded inhuman came from the solitary confinement cell.

"Rob the landlord!!!"

Sakazuki's face turned bright red, the veins on his neck bulged, and he slammed his right hand on the table.

"Super double!!" Kane grinned like a cunning fox. "Sakazuki, all's fair in love and war, I've seen through your hand!"

"Bullshit!" Sakazuki gritted his teeth. "Three twos! With a pair of points! I don't believe you can beat me in one hit!"

“I can’t afford it,” Borsalino calmly took a sip of tea.

"A royal flush!" Kane slammed two cards at Sakazuki's face, grinning arrogantly. "Too bad for you, Sakazuki, you've hit a low road! Pay up! This hand is quadrupled! No credit!"

Seeing the measly little card left in Kane's hand, Sakazuki trembled with rage, and black smoke even rose from his head.

"You bastard! Kane! Did you peek at my cards?!"

"Slander! This is slander! This is my precise control of the battle!"

[Ding! The host has led three future generals in gambling, severely damaging the morale of the army!]

[Discipline Points Earned: 3000!]

[Special Achievement Triggered: Naval Sparrow God. Bonus Reward: Disciplinary Value +500!]

Awesome! So awesome!

Not only are they winning money from the future marshal, but they're also racking up points! Kane looked at the furious Akainu and thought that this future iron-blooded marshal had never been so adorable.

Outside the door, two marines on guard duty looked at each other, trembling with fear, as they listened to the wailing and howling coming from inside.

"This...is this how the new monsters at headquarters train?"

"They're probably conducting some kind of mental combat training... It's terrifying."

……

Time slips through our fingers like sand, fleeting and swift.

Kane turned this fifteen-day confinement into the "First Marineford Mahjong Championship".

From Dou Dizhu to Zha Jin Hua, from Texas Hold'em to Mahjong.

The relationship between the four people became extremely delicate and intense at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This is a kind of "revolutionary friendship" formed by sharing spoils, going to jail together, posting IOUs together, and cursing superiors together.

Until the morning of the fifteenth day.

“A pair of 3s.” Sakazuki’s face was covered with dense strips of white paper. His expression was serious as he carefully played two cards.

He suffered the worst losses these past few days, and the "foot-washing debt" he owes is estimated to wipe out his salary for the next three years.

"No." Borsalino pushed up his sunglasses; his face was clean, clearly the biggest winner.

"Pass." Kuzan yawned, holding his last card, ready to strike.

"Let's see who dares to take it!" Lava seemed to be rising from Sakazuki's body. He had a lot of bombs in his hand and was determined to win. This 3-on-1 was just a test!

Kane smirked, just about to unleash four 2s to end Sakazuki's fantasy.

Just then—

boom----!!!

A deafening explosion rang out.

The alloy door, half a meter thick, was blasted open from the outside by a jet-black iron fist!

"Bang!"

The twisted and deformed door flew past Sakazuki's scalp and slammed into the wall, shaking the entire third basement level.

Sakazuki's hand trembled, and a hand of exceptional cards was scattered all over the floor.

"Who?!"

The four instantly switched into battle mode, and the previously lazy atmosphere vanished.

The smoke and dust cleared.

A burly, bear-like figure stood in the doorway. He wore a coat with only the word "Justice" on it, his black hair was streaked with silver, his face was full of flesh, and he grinned arrogantly.