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

"Yes."

Kane sighed heavily, his handsome face filled with a helpless predicament.

"The Five Elders felt that the Navy's control over the New World was too weak, so they specially approved a 'secret fund' to allow me to build a bridgehead here that can suppress all villains."

"As you know, I'm caught in the middle, it's a difficult situation for me."

Marshal Kong believed it instantly.

Or rather, he had no choice but to believe.

Because he couldn't think of any other possibility besides this explanation.

A surge of anger rushed to the top of his head. Those damned old men were up to their old tricks again, behind the Navy's back!

But then, that anger transformed into a complex and profound sense of relief.

In any case, with the navy possessing such an impregnable fortress, the landscape of the new world will be completely rewritten!

On the other side...

Mary Geoise, between powers.

The Five Elders also learned of the major changes at Punk Hazard through CP0 intelligence.

When they questioned Kane through the Den Den Mushi, Kane adopted a tone full of grievance and loyalty.

"Five Elders, this is all the will of Admiral Kong and the Navy Headquarters."

"The Air Marshal felt that it was too risky for our G-5 to fight alone in the new world, so he launched a fundraising campaign on behalf of the Navy, which barely enabled the construction of this fortress."

"The Marshal said that all of this is to better maintain the rule of the Celestial Dragons!"

The Five Elders believed it after hearing it.

Although they felt that the navy's brutes were spending money recklessly, the result was good.

The new world has gained a nail powerful enough to crush all resistance.

And so, with his Oscar-worthy acting skills and information asymmetry, Kane perfectly deceived his superiors and subordinates, allowing this "independent kingdom," entirely under his personal control, to rightfully stand on the sea of ​​the New World.

The Navy Headquarters believed this was at the behest of the World Government.

The World Government believed this was the work of the Navy Headquarters.

No one knows that every brick and every screw in this fortress is stained with the blood and tears of the pirates of the New World.

The highest point of the fortress, the Governor's Mansion.

Kane stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at his city, and gently swirled the red wine in his glass.

Behind him stood Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino, all standing quietly.

Two years of hellish training have transformed them completely.

Sakazuki constantly radiated a scorching aura; the very air around him seemed to distort as he stood there. It was a sign that the Magma-Magma Fruit had reached its peak and was about to awaken.

Kuzan's demeanor grew increasingly cold. He yawned, and a wisp of cold air escaped from his mouth, instantly freezing the air by the window and condensing it into a dazzling display of ice flowers.

Borsalino still had that carefree attitude, but the occasional glint of shrewdness behind his glasses was chilling. His light-speed kick was so fast that even Observation Haki couldn't detect it.

They already possess the makings of great generals.

Kane turned around, looked at his three strongest trump cards, and revealed the kind of heartfelt satisfied smile that a capitalist has when he sees high-quality assets.

"Although it's just a rough draft..."

Kane took a sip of red wine, his eyes gleaming with unfathomable ambition.

"But it's barely enough to bury this old era."

Chapter 88 One Piece? Just a pawn in my script!

"Extra! Extra! Breaking news!"

Newsbirds flap their wings, scattering newspapers worthy of being recorded in history to every corner of the world like snowflakes.

The front page of the newspaper prominently featured the following headline:

"The pirate Gol D. Roger has successfully circumnavigated the world and arrived at the legendary final island, Laugh Tale!"

"The World Government has officially confirmed that Roger knew the truth about the 'Void Century'!"

"A new era has been born—One Piece!"

In an instant, the whole world was in an uproar.

On the high seas, countless pirates cheered wildly. They raised their glasses high, their eyes gleaming with a longing for freedom.

It's as if they themselves are the ones who will become the Pirate King.

At the dock of Donghai Town, young children pointed at Roger's portrait and shouted out their dreams of going on an adventure at sea.

Deep within the new world, those powerful figures who had established themselves in certain regions felt the oppression of the "King" for the first time.

Some were indignant, while others had high hopes.

The kings and nobles of the member states were trembling with fear.

They couldn't sleep all night, knowing that the birth of the "Pirate King" meant a violent upheaval in the world order.

The power they hold will face an unprecedented challenge.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

The air seemed to freeze inside the marshal's office.

Steel Bone Kong slammed his fist on the table, shattering the sturdy desk into pieces instantly.

"Damn it! He actually did it!" Marshal Kong was furious. His veins bulged, showing his rage.

Sengoku, standing to the side, had a grim expression and a furrowed brow: "The appearance of a 'Pirate King' is a devastating blow to the World Government's prestige."

"Next, the ocean will completely spiral out of control, triggering an unprecedented chaos!"

"We must arrest Roger at all costs!" Kong's voice boomed like thunder.

He issued the highest order: "Mobilize all admirals! We must not hesitate to launch the 'Buster Call'! We must not allow this era to be shaken by a single pirate!"

The entire Naval Headquarters instantly went into overdrive.

All naval personnel, regardless of rank, are required to cancel leave and enter a state of maximum combat readiness.

The atmosphere on the sea suddenly became tense.

However, in this suffocating atmosphere, there is one place that seems out of place.

Punk Hazard.

The open-air balcony of the Governor's Palace.

Kane was leisurely sipping his black tea.

Warm sunshine and gentle sea breeze. This place feels less like the New World and more like a resort.

"Brother Kane, headquarters has sent an urgent combat readiness notice!" Gion, dressed in her naval uniform, hurried along. Her face was filled with anxiety.

"Shouldn't we also take immediate action and go to provide support?" Gion looked at Kane, her eyes filled with concern for her comrade's safety and a sense of responsibility as a member of the Navy.

"What are you doing?" Kane took a sip of tea, not even lifting his eyelids.

"If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Our mission, G-5, is to guard the gates to the new world, not to clean up headquarters' messes."

“But…that’s the Pirate King!” Gion’s tone was still filled with shock and hostility.

"The Pirate King?" Kane laughed.

It was a knowing, serene smile.

He slowly got up and walked to the edge of the balcony.

His gaze was deep, looking down at the steel city that was beginning to take shape below.

Punk Hazard, this once deserted island, is now his independent kingdom.

It stands at the entrance to the new world, exuding a cold, steely aura.

“Gion, remember this,” Kane’s voice was deep and powerful, “what determines the outcome of a war is never the name of a person, but the strength that truly controls the situation.”

"Roger is indeed very strong now. He may have the title of 'Pirate King,' but he is just one person and one pirate crew."

He paused.

His tone carried an indescribable confidence: "And we, G-5, possess an indestructible steel fortress."

"Three young men who are about to become the Navy's top combat force."

"A legendary powerhouse that I subdued."

"And...enough wealth to buy several countries."

Kane turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over Gion. Her eyes still held a hint of confusion.

Not far away, Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino were also waiting for orders.

The three appeared calm on the surface, but their eyes gleamed with defiance and a fighting spirit against the title of "Pirate King."

“Roger’s era will soon be over.” Kane’s lips curled into a playful smile. “And our era has only just begun.”

The three Sakazukis looked thoughtful.

Although they were resentful and angry about the birth of the "Pirate King," after two years of hellish training and Kane's daily "earnest teachings," they were no longer impulsive young boys.

They learned to think.

They learned to trust Kane's judgment and his extraordinary strategic vision.

"So we're just going to... wait here like this?" Sakazuki asked, still somewhat unwilling.

"Of course not." A mysterious smile appeared on Kane's lips.

“Bring Redfield back. The fundraising campaign is temporarily over.”

"Get Stussy's intelligence network running at full capacity. I need to know every move of the Roger Pirates, down to how many meals they eat each day."

"And the three of you..." Kane's gaze swept over the three future admirals, "Don't let your guard down, your strength is far from enough."