Time is the most relentless and powerful force in the entire world. It possesses the quiet strength to turn the vast, rolling emerald oceans into fertile mulberry fields over the passing ages. In the same way, it can take a forgotten, deserted island and transform it into a man-eating beast made of cold, reinforced steel. Two years passed by quietly, slipping away as the world continued to turn.
During these two years, the New World underwent earth-shaking changes that left the old powers trembling. The most eye-catching development of all was none other than the legendary pirate known as the solitary red, Patrick Redfield. By now, he had been crowned with a terrifying new title: the Crimson Reaper. He moved across the Grand Line like a ghost, appearing and disappearing without a trace. He made a habit of specifically visiting those filthy rich great pirates and greedy kings who sat on piles of stolen gold.
Without exception, every single person he visited would end up losing their entire fortune. They all seemed to voluntarily donate their life savings to a mysterious organization known as the Construction Foundation. According to incomplete statistics gathered by those who watched the shadows, this legend had reappeared in the world only to rob... no, he was merely recruiting funds. In two years, he had taken from dozens of top-tier pirate groups and powerful kingdoms. The total amount of money he collected reached an immeasurable, terrifying figure that defied calculation.
The entire New World turned pale at the mere mention of the name Red. Countless great pirates decided that they would rather provoke the World Government itself than see that damned red umbrella appearing on the horizon. And this immeasurable, terrifying sum of money eventually flowed to one specific place. It all went to Punk Hazard.
That once-deserted island had completely changed its appearance. A majestic and ferocious steel fortress now rose from the ground, dominating the landscape. It looked like a massive steel beast perched on the sea, guarding the throat of the New World like a silent predator. The towering alloy city walls were not just strong; they were covered with a thick layer of Sea Stone. This was enough to make any Devil Fruit user hesitate before even thinking about an attack.
On top of the walls, dense arrays of giant batteries gleamed with a cold metallic luster. Their long barrels pointed outward toward the sea, looking as if they were ready to blow any invading enemy to pieces at any given moment. Inside the fortress, everything a military force could need was available: deep-water ports, massive training grounds, advanced research centers, and comfortable living quarters. This was no longer just a Marine branch. This was an independent Marineford.
When Fleet Admiral Kong first took a warship to inspect the place, he was stunned on the spot. He stood on the deck, looking at the fortress before him. It was even more exaggerated and imposing than the Marine headquarters at Marineford. He rubbed his eyes several times, thinking he must be experiencing a hallucination brought on by the sea air.
Cain... this... what exactly is going on here? Fleet Admiral Kong pointed at the massive fortress, his voice trembling with a mix of shock and confusion. The headquarters only approved ten billion Beri for you to start this project! How could you possibly build something of this scale with that amount?
Admiral, please lower your voice, Kane replied smoothly.
Kane wore a pure white Justice mantle that was spotless and crisp. He had a sincere, almost innocent smile on his face as he looked at his superior. He looked like the picture of a perfect, loyal officer.
This is all thanks to the generous support of the World Government, Kane said.
The World Government? Fleet Admiral Kong was taken aback, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Yes, Kane said.
Kane sighed heavily, his handsome face filling with the visible strain of a man who had been forced into a difficult corner. He looked as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The Gorosei felt that the Marine control over the New World was far too weak. Because of that, they specially approved a secret fund for me. They wanted me to establish a bridgehead here that could suppress all these petty criminals once and for all. You also know how things are, Admiral. Being caught in the middle of two powers like this, it is very hard for me to manage.
Fleet Admiral Kong believed it instantly. Or rather, he felt he could only choose to believe it. Because other than this explanation, he could not think of any other earthly possibility for how such a fortress could exist. A sudden surge of anger rushed to his head. He thought to himself that those damn old men in the Holy Land were making moves behind the back of the Marine leadership again. But immediately after that, his anger turned into a complex sense of relief. Regardless of the politics, with the Marine possessing such an indestructible fortress, the landscape of the New World would be completely rewritten.
On the other side of the world, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Room of Authority was quiet. The Gorosei had also learned of the dramatic changes at Punk Hazard through secret CP0 intelligence reports. When they questioned Kane via a secure den den mushi, Kane adopted a tone that was full of grievance and unwavering loyalty.
Lords of the Gorosei, this was all the intention of Fleet Admiral Kong and the Marine headquarters, Kane explained.
Kane continued his performance with a steady voice. Fleet Admiral Kong felt that relying solely on our G-5 unit to fight alone in the New World was too risky for the organization. Because of that, he initiated a massive donation drive on behalf of the entire Marine force. We barely managed to complete this fortress with those funds. The Admiral said this is all to better maintain the rule of you, the Celestial Dragons!
After hearing this explanation, the Gorosei also believed it. Although they felt the Marine brutes were being a bit spendthrift with their resources, they felt the result was undeniably good. The New World now had a permanent nail driven into it, a base capable of crushing all resistance to their divine rule.
Just like that, Kane relied on his Oscar-level acting skills and the massive information gap between the two powers. He perfectly deceived both sides. This allowed his independent kingdom, which was completely under his personal control, to stand legitimately upon the seas of the New World. Marineford thought the base was built at the behest of the World Government. The World Government thought it was the masterpiece of Marineford. No one knew that every single brick and every individual screw of this fortress was stained with the blood and tears of the pirates of the New World.
At the highest point of the fortress, inside the Governor's Mansion, the air was still. Kane stood before a giant floor-to-ceiling window. He was overlooking the city below that belonged entirely to him. He slowly and gently swirled the red wine in his glass, watching the liquid catch the light.
Behind him, Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino stood quietly in the shadows. Two years of hellish special training under Kane's direction had completely transformed them. A scorching, violent aura radiated from Sakazuki at all times now. Just by standing there, the surrounding air became distorted and wavy from the heat. That was a clear sign that his Magma-Magma Fruit had been developed to its absolute limit and was incredibly close to awakening.
Kuzan's temperament had become increasingly cold and detached. He leaned against a wall and yawned, and a trace of white frost escaped from his mouth. It instantly froze the air by the window, condensing into a brilliant, sharp ice flower that sparkled in the light. Borsalino still had that same nonchalant, lazy look on his face. However, the sharp glint that occasionally flashed behind his yellow lenses was heart-stopping. His Light Speed Kick was already so fast that even the most advanced Observation Haki had extreme difficulty capturing his movements.
They already possessed the power and the presence of a prototype Admiral. Kane turned around and looked at these three strongest trump cards of his. He revealed a heartfelt smile of pure satisfaction. It was the look of a cold capitalist seeing high-quality assets finally ready to yield a profit.
Although it is just a rough prototype for now, Kane said.
Kane took a slow sip of his red wine. His eyes flashed with a bottomless, dark ambition that seemed to swallow the light in the room.
But it is barely enough to finally bury this old, rotting era.
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