At the banquet.
Now that 150 million Berries were in his pocket, Klein wore a truly satisfied smile. He'd spent most of his recent time collecting sons instead of focusing on making money.
With such a large windfall, his in-game expenses would be covered for a good while.
Of course…
Selling photos of Gloriosa and Shakky was no small side income either.
Loki, Charlotte Linlin, Whitebeard Newgate, and the others were all eating without restraint, stacking plates like mountains.
But Vice Admiral Krotos was anything but relaxed. He sat as if on pins and needles, harboring questions he didn't dare ask.
'That's actually Linlin, right? People can change, but Homies don't lie!'
Still…
Why in the world would Linlin become a man?
He cast a sidelong glance at Linlin and Loki—his eyelids twitching nonstop. It looked more like a brawl than a feast.
Their enormous frames made even his own above-average Marine physique seem like that of a toddler next to Loki.
"Four years old?"
"You're telling me that's four?!"
Ridiculous!
He had thought eight-year-old Linlin was already a super monster, but clearly, someone even more monstrous existed.
Four years old...
My God!
"Vice Admiral Krotos, what are you spacing out about?" Klein asked.
"N-nothing at all."
Vice Admiral Krotos wiped sweat from his brow, clearly nervous.
"We're all 'K-surnames' here, all brothers. Come on, cheers!" Klein raised his glass with a grin. "I'll be counting on you from now on."
'Count on me?'
I'm terrified!
Cold sweat poured down Krotos' back. This guy was a Rear Admiral, yet stronger than most Vice Admirals—and his subordinates were monsters!
Having subordinates like these was seriously stressful!
"Klein, with your strength, you'll be a Vice Admiral in no time. No need to be so polite—let's just call each other brothers."
"Alright then, I'll just call you my little brother from now on." Klein didn't hesitate in the slightest.
Vice Admiral Krotos froze, cup suspended mid-air.
He couldn't say yes. He couldn't say no.
Being a decent human is hard!!
'I'm at least twenty years older than you. You calling me "little bro" and acting like my big bro—how is that remotely appropriate?'
The banquet ended.
Life returned to its usual rhythm. Klein's days were filled with commanding women and children, eating and sleeping, gaming, and just generally living the dream.
He was totally immersed in a life of comfort and tenderness.
In the blink of an eye, three years passed, and the timeline advanced to the year 1466 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
Marine Base G-14, forest behind the mountain.
"Oh-nii-chaaaan~!"
On a deck chair shaded by a parasol halfway up the mountain, Klein pulled off his sunglasses. "Oh, it's Kaido."
Only three years old, the round-faced Kaido, sporting a pair of horns on his head, ran over from afar and was promptly subjected to Klein's head pats and cheek pinches.
A full session of adorable harassment.
Petting Kaido was at least a hundred times more satisfying than petting a cat!
'At ten, my son is this cute, huh?'
Kaido looked at him with big, eager eyes and asked in a deep toddler voice:
"Oyaji, when are you going to teach me Rokushiki!?"
Buying Kaido had only cost Klein ten million Berries—an absolute steal for the future strongest creature, and "Gold Medal Instructor"Emperor Kaido.
At three years old, Kaido wasn't yet the strongest warrior of the Vodka Kingdom, so he came cheap.
Despite being only three, he was already over two meters tall—comparable to Klein's own height.
"Your task now is to eat more and play more. No need to rush—you're just three. Other kids are still learning to walk. Why are you trying to grind already? Are you a gamer?" Klein said sagely, sipping his drink.
Kaido's little face scrunched up in visible disappointment. "But Oyaji, Loki is already fighting Linlin to a draw at just seven! He can even destroy mountains! I want to be that strong too!"
As he spoke—
BOOOOM—
A distant mountain peak collapsed, the earth quaked, and smoke and dust shot skyward.
Klein rolled his eyes.
'He's only three. Other kids are probably still nursing, wetting the bed, running around in open-crotch pants with their butts out—meanwhile you want to power up already? These Pirate World monsters grow up too damn fast.'
Compared to our dear Pirate KingLuffy, who was still crawling at age three…
He didn't even set sail until his teens!
And here Kaido was, already wanting to train in Rokushiki at age three?
You trying to make everyone else look bad?!
"Ahem..." Klein pulled out a scroll and shoved a bag of rice crackers into Kaido's arms. "Eat more. This is your growth phase. I'll teach you in a few years."
Kaido pouted, sulking, "...Then when can I catch up to them? Even Os has learned Rokushiki and mastered two types of Haki."
"You're three. What's the rush?" Klein scolded. "Your job as a kid is to eat, sleep, and play."
He reached over and forcibly sat Kaido down. "Now sit and enjoy tea and rice crackers with me."
Crunch—
Crunch—
The crackers were authentically delicious.
'Seriously, why grind this young?'
Klein had lived a past life. He knew there were places where middle schoolers already had morning and evening self-study sessions.
But that was for teens—Kaido here was only three!
Even if he looked more mature...
The age doesn't lie.
"I'm gonna be the strongest warrior. Crunch—" Kaido mumbled.
He looked longingly toward the distance, where the towering Loki swung fists the size of trucks.
A tempest roared with each blow.
BOOM—
"Shave!" Charlotte Linlin dodged gracefully. "Fist of Love!"
Her pale fist slammed into Loki's abdomen, launching him into a mountainside.
Crash! Boulders tumbled.
Loki burst out of the rubble like a furious beast, completely unfazed by the punch.
"Hasshoken!"
Ripples of air visibly pulsed from his massive fist.
He also coated his arm in Armament Haki, reflecting a cold metallic glint.
"Wow, he's already mastered Hasshoken from Klein's training? As expected of the Giant Prince Loki!" Linlin beamed, her fist turning black.
"Fistbone: Impact!"
BOOM!
Their fists collided, black and red lightning crackling into a mesh of pure destruction.
The force blasted the surrounding stone to dust.
Loki grinned. "Linlin, your Fist of Love's not bad either. I heard Dad's been teaching you swordplay—why don't you show me sometime?"
"MOM MOM" Linlin laughed. "Hey, Klein told me not to rely too much on my Devil Fruit powers. Otherwise, you'd be toast already!"
Her Homies joined in.
Red Dog barked, "That's right! If we joined the fight, we'd have beaten you already!"
Yellow Monkey (Flash) chimed in: "Exactly! You might be big, but you'll never be a match for Mama!"
Ice Soul (Freeze) added: "If we stepped in, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"....."
This bunch of special Homies were scarier than Grey Wolf's Weather Cubes.
Loki's expression darkened. He huffed arrogantly:
"Hmph! Once I'm older, Dad will give me my Hammer. Then I'll force you to draw your sword!"
"I'll solo all of you!"
The Homies growled and gnashed their teeth.
"Take this!"
BANG BANG BANG—
BANG BANG BANG—
Coated in Armament Haki, their black fists clashed with sparks flying.
Like two massive iron hammers pounding one another.
Watching their sparring and training, Kaido's eyes burned with admiration. His young face radiated longing.
"They're so strong... I want to train with them, spar with them."
"What's the rush? You'll be just as strong one day. You're my son, after all!" Klein raised his hand, forming a barrier of Haki to block the shockwaves.
Klein smiled. "Believe in yourself. Or don't. But you'd better not doubt my judgment!"
"My son Kaido has the makings of an Admiral!"
I've read the script.
You're one of the future Yonko!
Do you even realize how many transmigrators either end up as your son or your son-in-law!?
Originally, Kaido almost got sold to the Marines—he only escaped by a fluke.
His first bounty was a whopping 70 million Berries—higher than Linlin's!
Briing Briing Briing—
The Den Den Mushi rang. Klein pulled it out.
"Moshi moshi, Klein speaking."
"Klein, sashiburidara~ It's Instructor Carter."
That familiar yet distant voice startled Klein.
He chuckled. "Hey, Teacher Carter, sashiburidara~"
"What's the occasion for the call?"
"Of course there's a reason. Interested in coming back to Marine HQ to serve as an examiner for the school?"
"Oh?" Klein raised a brow, smirking with wicked delight.
"That's the Carter-sensei I know—still as pervy—"
"No, I mean understanding as ever!"
"This request... I accept. It's about time I paid a visit to Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr, see how much progress they've made these past few years."