Kane watched the Marines move with practiced efficiency and couldn't help but smile.
"Not bad. You're getting more and more standardized."
"This is exactly the kind of efficiency I want."
Of course—
This was still just the first half of the Grand Line.
If it were pirates from the New World—
This level wouldn't amount to much.
Those monsters were far more vicious.
Because of what had just happened—
When Bogey questioned them—
The members of the Whale Pirate Crew cooperated completely.
That allowed Bogey to quickly compile the results.
"Well?"
"How's the haul this time?"
Kane asked from his office.
"Reporting, Vice Admiral!"
"The Whale Pirate Crew has a total of 134 members, three ships."
"Among them, ten have bounties over 10 million Beli."
"The highest is the captain, with a bounty of 50 million Beli."
"Combined with the treasure on their ships—"
"This operation is expected to bring in over 500 million Beli."
Bogey's expression was filled with excitement.
Five hundred million Beli—
That meant their cut would be around fifty million.
Kane nodded calmly.
"Not bad."
"Vice Admiral, should we return?"
"The warship is already packed with prisoners."
"And our supplies are running low."
"Mm. Then we return."
"This haul is enough."
"Oh, right—where's the nearest Marine base?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
"The nearest base is G18."
"Good. Then head there."
"Let's deal with these damned pirates first."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Watching Bogey leave—
Kane was in a great mood.
Pirates in the Grand Line—
Really were generous.
In just half a month—
He had already captured over six pirate crews.
Direct profits alone—
Exceeded 2 billion Beli.
Including bounties—
The total would likely surpass 3 billion Beli.
And that didn't even include—
The pirate ships he had seized.
Over this period—
He had confiscated more than 100 ships.
All of them—
Stored in his system space.
Because of that—
He even spent money to upgrade—
To a mid-level storage space.
Ten thousand meters in length and width—
More than enough to hold everything.
Even the worst ship—
Was worth several million Beli.
The better ones—
Nearly 100 million Beli each.
Another massive profit.
But the cost—
Made Kane's heart ache.
The upgrade alone—
Cost 300 million Beli.
And the daily fee—
Jumped from 10,000—
To 1 million Beli.
"Daylight robbery…"
Even so—
Kane's total funds—
Had now exceeded **5 billion Beli** again.
Only halfway to 10 billion.
Facts proved one thing—
If Kane wanted money—
He could get it fast.
As the saying goes—
As long as your thinking doesn't collapse—
There are always more solutions than problems.
#Three Days Later
Kane's warship left G18 Base.
This time—
He handed over all prisoners—
Including Morgan and Captain Kuro's remnants—
To the base.
They would be transferred to:
Impel Down
Originally—
Sengoku wanted Kane to escort them personally.
But Kane chose to delay.
Because—
He still wanted to make one more sweep before going back.
Sengoku could only sigh helplessly.
But now—
The benefits of Kane revealing his strength—
Became clear.
At least—
The higher-ups wouldn't push him too hard.
At that moment—
Bogey reported again.
"Vice Admiral!"
"Headquarters has sent information about the Straw Hat crew."
"Oh?"
"Let me hear it."
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
"The Straw Hat crew has left Drum Island."
"Their next destination—"
"Is the Kingdom of Alabasta."
"They are expected to arrive within a week."
Kane's eyes lit up.
On these seas—
Aside from CP intelligence—
The Marines had the most complete information network.
From the moment he entered the Grand Line—
Kane had already set his sights—
On Alabasta.
Because—
A major event was about to unfold there.
That's why—
He had Bogey keep an eye on the Straw Hats.
And now—
The information he wanted—
Finally arrived.
"Good."
"Bogey—"
"Farming is over."
"It's time to catch a big fish."
Bogey understood the last part—
But still frowned.
Because—
The Straw Hat crew's bounty—
Was laughably low.
Only Monkey D. Luffy even had one.
Not even comparable—
To the Whale Pirates they just captured.
"Vice Admiral…"
"The Straw Hat's bounty isn't much…"
Kane smirked.
"The big fish I'm talking about—"
"Isn't Straw Hat."
"Though…"
"Taking them along the way isn't a bad idea."
"After this incident—"
"Their bounties will rise again."
Bogey grew even more confused.
"Stop overthinking."
"Full speed ahead."
"You'll understand when we get there."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Watching him leave—
Kane smiled.
The "big fish" he meant—
Was never Luffy.
That kid—
Was still just a fry.
The real target—
Was his brother:
Portgas D. Ace
"Fire Fist Ace."
The son of Gol D. Roger.
A pirate worth 550 million Beli.
A true heavyweight.
Of course—
Kane didn't care about the bounty.
If Ace hadn't left the New World—
He wouldn't even have this chance.
Because—
Yonko crews rarely moved alone.
This—
Was practically money falling from the sky.
Since the Straw Hats left Drum Island—
That meant—
Ace had already entered Alabasta.
If luck was on his side—
He could run into him directly.
"I wonder…"
"How much ransom Whitebeard would pay…"
"As the Pirate King's son…"
"He's worth at least 10 billion… right?"
And beyond that—
There was:
Baroque Works
Operating across Alabasta—
For so long—
They must have amassed enormous wealth.
And the Kingdom of Alabasta itself.
If he helped them suppress the rebellion—
And eliminate Baroque Works—
Wouldn't they show some gratitude?
A few billion Beli—
Wasn't too much to ask.
Adding it all together—
If things went smoothly—
He could earn:
10–20 billion Beli.
Now that—
Was real money.
Compared to that—
The past half-month—
Was nothing more than—
"Grinding mobs."
Sure—
Grinding had decent returns.
But how could it compare—
To slaying a dragon?
Of course—
The risk was much higher.
But higher risk—
Meant higher reward.
Kane smiled faintly—
Looking out at the vast blue sea.
"Whitebeard…"
"Remnant of the old era…"
"And me—"
"An old soldier of that same era…"
"…it's about time we had a proper exchange."
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