When Klein's warship departed from the Sabaody Archipelago, the pirates who had been hiding instantly burst into tears of joy. They began celebrating wildly—feasting, drinking, and releasing days' worth of pent-up frustration in one go.
"The devil! The devil finally left!"
"If he'd stayed any longer, I might've committed seppuku from the pressure!"
"The slave pens are full, but that guy just kept capturing people! Bastard—"
"Hope the monsters of the New World take him down a peg! Let's see him act arrogant then!"
"…"
The pirates were overjoyed—until they weren't.
"SHIT!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES—"
"Dammit!! That bastard pulled a feint and came back!!"
"He's not human!!!"
"Son of a—he's treating us like it's a game of cat and mouse!!"
"..."
The pirates scattered like frightened animals, but some high-value targets had already been locked onto by Klein.
There was nothing they could do. Against an Observation Haki at level 8, these rookie pirates were like toddlers trying to babble their way through a grown-up's conversation.
Klein rounded up another batch of pirates and sold them off.
"Give it some time, let the new crops grow, and I'll be back to harvest another wave."
"Sabaody Archipelago, truly a blessed land of opportunity."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Os, Gloriosa, and Shakky once again felt the terrifying pressure that this man radiated.
Even after the Marine battleship left, not a single pirate dared to speak or even breathe too loudly.
They all shrank back like turtles in their shells or rats in a sewer, waiting silently for hours—some for days—practicing something like a 'Turtle-Breath Technique' before daring to poke their heads out.
New World.
G-14 Base.
Snowflakes fluttered down from the sky. The Sea Circle Calendar year 1463 had only just begun. It was the transitional period between spring and winter, and with G-14 located on an eastern island, the cold was bitter.
But on the battleship deck, the Marines were training vigorously—including Os, Gloriosa, and Shakky.
After witnessing Klein's overwhelming strength, they had been thoroughly motivated.
It was because they had conviction. If they were ordinary people—or enemies—they might've been crushed instead, left with no will or dreams to carry on.
Klein stared at the snow-covered G-14 Base in the distance. Although it was a rare sight, his excitement immediately deflated.
"A low-ranking branch base... add in this freezing cold... so much for the 'Beautiful New World.'"
"Damn you, Oharden, sending me to this dump. Eat shit, will you!?"
"When I get back to Marine Headquarters, I'm settling accounts with that old fart!"
He hadn't had a choice before. No strength meant no leverage.
Now he had power—he was feeling bold.
Strength was confidence.
In his previous life, money was power.
As the battleship docked, a Marine Captain came out to greet them.
"Rear Admiral Klein, welcome to G-14 Base. Base Commander Crotto is currently out at sea on a pirate suppression mission, so I'll be... the future…"
"Stop."
"I get it." Klein raised a hand to cut him off.
This guy was a chatterbox.
"Has hot water been prepared in the room?"
Before the captain could answer, the Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Bururururu—
"250th time." Os pulled out the Den Den Mushi.
"Mr. Klein, it's Fleet Admiral Oharden."
"Put him through."
"Bastard Klein! Have you reported in at G-14 yet!?"
Fleet Admiral Oharden's roar shook the Den Den Mushi, making its white mustache flutter.
Three or four months!
You could've circled the Grand Line by now, and Klein still hadn't reported to G-14.
The base commander and other high-ranking Marines had called Oharden countless times to complain.
No one knew how exhausted the Fleet Admiral was.
Having a subordinate like this—soul-crushing!
Just let it all end!
Let someone else be Fleet Admiral. He just wanted to retire in peace.
"Fleet Admiral, it's Klein. The ground I'm standing on right now is G-14 land. Satisfied?"
At those words, a heavy weight finally lifted from Oharden's chest.
Thank the heavens!
This money-grubbing bastard finally made it.
Suddenly—
Another Den Den Mushi rang—this one came from the Marine captain welcoming Klein.
Bururururu—
"Rear Admiral Klein, it's from Vice Admiral Crotto. I'll answer."
"Moshi moshi, Base Commander Cro—"
"HELP—HELP—HELP HELP HELP!!!"
The Den Den Mushi's expression twisted in agony as Crotto's urgent scream came through, leaving everyone present stunned.
Klein froze, internally complaining:
'I just got to G-14 and now this drama's unfolding?'
Oharden's Den Den Mushi shouted:
"What happened!? Was that Crotto calling for help!?"
"Probably ran into something nasty offshore. The New World is full of danger."
Klein curled his lip.
He hadn't even stepped through the base gates yet, and now this.
'A Vice Admiral—how weak can you be?'
[SYSTEM QUEST ISSUED: Please assist in rescuing Vice Admiral Crotto, commander of G-14 Base.]
[REWARD: 5 Skill Points.]
The game system chimed in. Klein raised a brow.
"Well now—guess the game's finally catching up with real-time events?"
"Quests and rewards, huh? Interesting... but not that interesting."
"Rear Admiral Klein, please—you must take me with you to support Vice Admiral Crotto!" The Marine captain pleaded with fervent eyes.
And what does that have to do with me?
But Oharden's Den Den Mushi immediately barked an urgent order:
"Klein! As your Fleet Admiral, I'm ordering you to support Vice Admiral Crotto, now!"
"..." Klein casually scratched his ear and muttered,
"Fleet Admiral, I just got here. I haven't even sat down yet. And if a Vice Admiral can't handle this enemy…"
"You want a Rear Admiral like me to go instead? Isn't that a bit much?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Behind Klein, Gloriosa, Shakky, Os, and the other Marines stood there, dumbfounded.
Sure, you hold the rank of Rear Admiral, but your strength...
Does that title even mean anything?
Oharden nearly keeled over in rage.
"You bastard! You even defeated Kong—"
"Fleet Admiral, let's not exaggerate. If the enemy's strong enough that a Vice Admiral can't beat them, then I'm not sure I can either."
Klein remained unmoved.
Over on the other Den Den Mushi, Crotto was coughing up blood.
He was on the verge of collapse.
"Hey hey hey—"
"Stop stalling! If you don't come soon… that monster's gonna kill me!!!"
The sounds of intense combat exploded through the call—blasts, screams, carnage.
The battle was fierce.
Oharden ground his teeth in fury.
"Klein, never forget—you're a Marine!!"
"Capturing pirates, rescuing comrades, protecting your superiors—these are your duties as a Marine!"
Klein's expression hardened.
"Dying's not in my job description. Every rank has its responsibilities."
"If you want me to take on high-risk missions like this, then I want... a raise."
"After all, this is a dangerous operation!"
"You know me—I don't care for much, except for sweet, sweet money. I love that green, papery scent."
He was just a Rear Admiral. Saving a Vice Admiral? That was a job for someone of the same rank—or even an Admiral.
You want me to risk my life for this?
Send anyone else and it's a suicide mission.
I'm a working man, not a sacrificial pawn.
"..." Oharden's mustache puffed in fury.
Fine, fine, FINE—
Not even listening to the Fleet Admiral's direct order now?
Damn it!!
The Marines nearby were petrified.
They were stunned speechless by Klein's audacity.
Shakky wore a playful, amused smile.
'Lord Klein really is obsessed with money—'
'Even more than beauty itself!'