Instructor Carter couldn't help but drift into memories—memories of Klein slacking off during school, always scheming to make money instead.
Training?
Please. Not once had he ever seen Klein take it seriously.
But when it came to money—oh, he was dead serious.
In the entire Marine academy, he was undoubtedly the "Number One Money Grubber!"
"He… How is he getting stronger just by lying down? What kind of monster is this?" Carter muttered sourly.
He'd never encountered a recruit this bizarre. Even legends like Sengoku and Garp had raw talent, sure—but they also trained harder than anyone else.
That's how they shot ahead of the pack, untouchable at the top.
But Klein…
Carter just couldn't wrap his head around it. "It's like a sick joke. The gap between people is wider than the gap between minnows and Sea Kings."
"But if he wants to become a Marine Admiral… he still has to pass that gatekeeper: Rampaging Bear Lincoln."
"Don't tell me… he's really going to become the youngest admiral in Marine history?"
Carter's feelings grew more complicated by the second. You know what they say—it hurts when your brother suffers, but it hurts more when he pulls up in a luxury carriage.
Even though Klein was his student, if that brat became an admiral within just a few years and outranked him…
Well—it would sting. A lot.
Two Days Later
On a deserted island near Marineford.
Over a dozen Marine warships floated on the sea's surface. Among them was one absolute colossus, overshadowing all the others.
"Holy crap, is that thing made out of Treasure Tree Adam?! Who the hell is that rich!?"
"That ship must've cost billions! I'm not gonna beat around the bush—I want to be friends with whoever owns that!"
"Pah! What a wasteful, extravagant display. That's not what being a Marine is about—justice is what matters!"
"That ship's nuts. Even an admiral's flagship looks like a toy next to it!"
"······"
The sails of the massive warship bore the Marine emblem—a seagull holding scales. But if Klein became an admiral, he'd be allowed to redesign his sails or even write his own name on them.
In canon, Admiral Fujitora had (One Life) written on his sails.
On the deck…
Klein lightly leapt down from his warship, landing smoothly on Fleet Admiral Oharden's ship.
"You little punk, how much did you rake in while you were out at sea?" Instructor Carter stared at him, dead serious.
Just the cost of that warship alone was enough to make jaws drop.
"I've just been playing around these last three years. Didn't make much money," Klein replied with an utterly straight face.
And he was telling the truth.
Carter shot him a look that screamed not buying it. "Cut the crap. I know you're hiding it. You definitely made a fortune."
"..." Klein spread his arms. Even telling the truth didn't help. "Instructor Carter, I think there's been a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
Carter let out a dry chuckle. "Let me give you an example—can a dog stop eating crap? Can pirates stop robbing people?"
He stared at Klein like he was peering straight into his soul, as if to say: Don't you dare lie to me, old man sees all!
The unspoken question was clear:
Can you stop being greedy?
"Fine!" Klein threw up his hands and admitted it. "You got me. I've hidden all my treasure. When I die, whoever finds it can have it."
What, can't a man enjoy both money and beautiful women?
I'm just a regular guy, okay?
It's not like I'm some monk who can draw his sword with zero desires.
Carter's eyes lit up like headlights on high beam… then instantly dimmed. He cursed inwardly:
"Damn it. By the time Klein kicks the bucket, the grass on my grave'll be two meters tall!"
His treasure…
It made his heart itch like crazy. Like something was crawling out of his chest.
Damn it all.
Carter's mood hit rock bottom. He started calculating in his head:
"That brat already has at least ten billion in treasure… and he's only 22. That's like a quarter of his life…"
"Decades left…"
"Hundreds of billions? Even more!?"
On the deck, Fleet Admiral Oharden stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a garish pink suit, eyebrows furrowed.
His panda eyes betrayed his exhaustion.
Who the hell leaked that he liked reading racy photo books!?
He hadn't been able to sleep for two days straight.
If he didn't find the bastard who spread that rumor, he wouldn't be able to rest in peace!!
Meanwhile, on other warships…
A group of Marine officers gathered together, gossiping.
"Klein's only been out at sea for three years. He went from rear admiral to vice admiral, and now he's up for admiral. Don't you think he's Oharden's illegitimate kid?"
"...Three years!? I've been a vice admiral for thirty years, and I haven't moved an inch! That kid's God's favorite, I swear."
"Bro, thirty years ago, you couldn't even take one punch from Fleet Admiral Oharden. Maybe it's your fault for being weak."
"Klein's only 22. Is he really admiral-level? You know an admiral has to crush us all in power!"
"All of us combined couldn't take one of their serious attacks…"
"A Marine admiral represents our top strength. The face of the Marines! If he doesn't have the power and gets killed by a pirate, we'll be a laughingstock."
"······"
The Marine officers chattered noisily among themselves.
Back on the flagship…
Klein's face was frozen in that classic 'wtf' expression. They're spreading rumors that he's an illegitimate child now!?
He glanced at Fleet Admiral Oharden, who was turning black in the face.
Suddenly, Oharden spun around and barked toward the chattering officers dozens of meters away:
"You idiots think I can't hear you running your mouths!?"
"Why don't you just grab a loudspeaker while you're at it!?"
"If I had a son like Klein, I'd laugh myself awake in my sleep!"
"·····"
Oharden unleashed two days' worth of pent-up fury in one giant AOE verbal nuke, indiscriminately scorching the innocent.
"....." Klein was left speechless.
"Wahahahaha—!!" came a booming laugh from one of the nearby ships. On the prow, Rampaging Bear Lincoln stood behind the deck cannon, laughing his lungs out.
"Klein! I've spent decades forging this steel-hard body. You think you can handle it!?"
"Mr. Lincoln," Klein said, his voice calm and his eyes unreadable. "Have you ever heard a certain saying?"
Boom!
Lincoln shot through the air like a cannonball, landing with a bang on the deck. His massive, four-meter-tall frame towered over Klein like a black bear.
"I only believe in my muscles!" he declared, flexing his biceps—towering mounds of steel-forged might.
"..." Klein blinked.
Wait, what? That's not your line.
I had a setup, man!
I had dialogue!
Now you've killed the momentum and left me hanging!
Thankfully, Carter stepped in to smooth things over: "Klein, what were you going to say?"
"The young punch harder!" Klein narrowed his eyes, quietly activating his in-game talents.
Diamond Skin + Iron Balloon + Diamond Bones… that combo should do the trick, right?
Is this too much? A little disrespectful to his elders?
Who cares!
He said it himself—his muscles are steel. He should be able to take a hit or two, right!?
Rampaging Bear Lincoln burst into laughter again. "Wahahahaha—what, you gonna use your tiny fists to tap on my chest!?"
"I told you three years ago, Klein—you've gotta work on those muscles!"
"And now, after all this time, I still say the same thing—your muscles are puny. Keep working!"
He gave Klein a once-over, then shook his head in mock disapproval.
Whatever pressure Klein had felt instantly vanished.
To hell with respecting your elders!
Right now…
I just want to teach him a damn lesson!