Marine G-1 Base.
Covered in sweat, Kong stood frozen in place, murmuring dazedly,
"So the day has finally come… Did Klein really detox completely? He's held back for three years!"
Three years ago, after witnessing the power of the S-Rank Ninjutsu: Divine Departure, he had already suspected that Klein possessed the strength of an admiral.
He'd been watching closely ever since—waiting for the day Klein would apply to become a Marine Admiral.
And that wait lasted… three years!
'Do you know how I've made it through these three years!?'
Every time he trained to the point of collapse, the image of that terrifying slash from the scroll defeating Shiki would appear in his mind.
And just like that, strength would surge through his exhausted body, pushing him to keep going.
"WAHAHAHA—!"
Rampaging Bear Lincoln's eyes flashed with excitement as he burst into laughter.
"So Klein finally stepped up! I've been wanting to spar with him for ages! Time to show him what real muscle combat looks like!"
Click.
He hung up the phone without hesitation and wiped the sweat from his body with a towel—only to find Kong suddenly standing in front of him.
"WAHAHAHA—!"
"Kong, let's go! Watch how I beat the crap outta that little brat Klein!!"
With bronzed, glossy skin and bulging muscles, Lincoln didn't even bother with a shirt. He threw on the cape of justice and marched out of the training room like a meteor.
Marine Headquarters.
Upon hearing what Lincoln said, Klein didn't even flinch. He gently sipped his steaming tea and replied coolly:
"He wants to beat me? What a joke."
Three years in the East, three years in the West.
A cheater's growth can't be measured by common sense. Even a single day apart is like three autumns—that's just basic mechanics!
'Your hard work—can it compare to my boosted stat points from Deep Blue?'
"Such confidence," Oharden chuckled, stroking his white beard. "Still… I remember what happened three years ago quite clearly."
"Do your best, kid. I've got high hopes for you~"
He beamed at Klein, which made Klein's hairs stand on end. Narrowing his eyes, he muttered internally:
'What the hell is this old guy scheming now? That look in his eyes is giving me the creeps.'
For some reason, he felt a chill down his spine.
Still, Klein didn't think much of it.
'As long as it's not a chill in my rear, it's all good!'
Marshal Oharden spoke again.
"Klein, besides sparring with an admiral to prove your strength, you also need to capture a pirate with a bounty of at least 500 million berries."
"No problem. Let's pick some poor bastard to take the fall."
Klein continued sipping his tea nonchalantly.
Oharden quickly ordered his assistant to gather intel on the more active pirates at sea.
Moments later—
A curvy, uniformed Marine Rear Admiral pushed open the door. She laid several bounty posters and a stack of files on the desk.
Click-clacking across the room in heels, her seductive gait screamed borderline influencer.
If not for content moderation, TikTok would've become the world's largest H-site—or app—by now.
Seeing the scene unfold, Klein chuckled to himself:
'Yohoho~ Looks like the old man still has an eye for beauty.'
'HQ folks really know how to play.'
After the assistant left, Oharden, face completely unbothered, saw Klein's smirking face and calmly said,
"Pick one yourself."
"Makes no difference. I'll just grab the closest one."
Klein casually picked the nearest bounty poster.
If he were really feeling playful, maybe he'd have done a little "eeny-meeny-miny-moe" like in his past life.
Oharden asked,
"Lincoln won't be back for a bit. How long until Carter's assessment is done?"
"Half a month. More than enough."
Klein stood, matching the poster to a file.
"When Lincoln arrives at Marineford, make sure to let me know."
He hadn't expected to get so busy the moment he reached Marineford.
Leaving the office, Klein headed straight to Crescent Bay Port, scanning the file in his hand as he walked.
After he left, Oharden broke into a huge grin.
"Hahaha! Klein, do your best now. Whether I can retire early or not… is up to you."
"I know you're strong, but I'll still tell Lincoln to go easy. As long as the mission is complete…"
"The admiral position is as good as yours!"
A few days later—
BANG—
Marshal Oharden's office door was kicked open with brute force.
"Oharden! Where's Klein!? My fists are thirsty!!"
A massive figure, built like a wild bear, stormed into the room.
"LIN—COLN—"
The syllables hissed from between Oharden's clenched teeth.
"You're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days!!"
"If you weren't sneaking peeks at those photobooks, you wouldn't be so jumpy!"
Lincoln plopped down on the couch, leaving a crater beneath him.
"..."
Oharden's face darkened.
"What photobooks!? Don't slander me—I was reviewing paperwork!"
"Who you foolin'? Everyone in Marineford who can breathe knows…"
Lincoln curled his lip.
"I heard you even paid a premium for those pics of Gloriosa the Flame Blossom and Marine's Treasure Shakky."
BOOM—
Oharden turned beet red, nearly foaming at the mouth.
He slammed the desk furiously, sending papers flying.
SLAM!!
His eyes reddened, mustache bristling.
"Shut your trap!!"
"I'll find out who's spreading these rumors!!"
"I swear I'll settle the score!!!"
His roar echoed through the entire Marine fortress, shaking the walls three stories high.
Lincoln, covering his ears, asked,
"Anyway—where's Klein?"
"Call him out already! Time for him to witness the power of Big Muscles!"
Oharden's face clouded.
"He went out to sea to capture a pirate. I'll schedule your match once he's back."
"Gone to sea?"
Lincoln's enthusiasm deflated.
"Alright… guess I'll go back to training, then."
Once Lincoln left, Oharden clenched his fists tight, gritting his teeth.
"Damn it… If I ever find out who leaked those…"
"I'll make sure they learn exactly why the flowers are so red!"
A long while later, he finally calmed down and dialed Klein's number.
"Moshi moshi, mission done yet?"
"Already captured. On the way back—should arrive at HQ tomorrow."
Oharden's eyes widened.
'This kid works fast.'
Faster than he expected—by several days, even.
"Alright. Since that's handled, I'll go ahead and inform the other Marine officers. Be ready."
Click.
He hung up and summoned the beautiful assistant to notify the other high-ranking officers.
Marine Academy.
"Nani!?"
Instructor Carter stared wide-eyed.
"Klein actually applied to become a Marine Admiral!?"
"Hold up a sec."
He looked over at the calendar on his desk and twitched.
"Today's not April Fools, is it? Who the hell jokes about this?"
"Then again… with that kid's talent, it might not be impossible…"
"Holy crap—if he becomes an admiral, he'll outrank me in one go!"
Instructor Carter looked shaken.
"Don't tell me… the past three years he's been quietly training in secret, just to amaze everyone when he came back?"
"I really can't read that kid Klein at all!"