"So you actually know my grandpa… no wonder that punch hurt so much. Koby, let's go."
With that, Monkey D. Luffy grabbed the still-dazed Koby and jumped straight off the warship.
Luffy was honestly a little scared.
That old man hit way too hard—just like his grandpa. Better to get out of here.
"Vice Admiral Kane, is it really okay to just let him go? He said he wants to become a pirate!"
"It's fine. He's different. Besides, he doesn't even have a bounty—why bother catching him?"
Bogey froze.
No bounty?
Since when did Vice Admiral Kane care about bounties?
Watching Luffy leave, Kane muttered to himself:
"No bounty, and you want me to waste time catching him? Just a sapling, that's all."
Then he turned and asked, "How were the gains this time?"
Bogey found it even stranger.
Kane had never asked something like this before.
Still, he answered immediately:
"Report to Vice Admiral Kane! Your slash killed two pirates. The remaining thirty-eight members of the Alvida Pirates, including their captain, have all been captured. Should we escort them to the branch base?"
"That's all?" Kane suddenly asked.
Bogey blinked, confused.
"…That's all."
"What about their treasure?"
"Vice Admiral Kane… your slash sank their pirate ship."
Kane's body stiffened.
"…We lost out. Damn it, we lost out big."
"These pirates should've had at least a few million Beli on them. Even their ship could've sold for a few million. That alone would've covered my expenses just now…"
And yet—
He was the one who had cut it in half.
Kane's expression darkened.
"Vice Admiral Kane… is there a problem?" Bogey asked cautiously.
"What's their total bounty?"
Bogey grew even more confused.
"Eight million five hundred thousand Beli in total."
"…Damn it! Not even ten million?! What kind of trash pirates are these—might as well just kill—"
Kane stopped himself mid-sentence.
"…Forget it. Send them to the branch base and claim the bounty."
Even mosquito legs are still meat… sigh. Times have changed.
"But Vice Admiral Kane… we're Marines. We can't claim bounties."
Kane looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Bogey, are you stupid? Can't you find someone to act as a bounty hunter?"
Bogey suddenly understood.
But then hesitated again.
"Vice Admiral Kane… we're Marines. If we get bounty rewards, isn't that… inappropriate?"
Kane stared at him in silence.
Then decided to properly educate him.
"Bogey… I know Marines get rewards for capturing pirates. But tell me—how much does a ten-million-Beli pirate actually pay out?"
Bogey answered honestly:
"Five percent of the bounty, Vice Admiral Kane."
"Exactly. And what about bounty hunters?"
Bogey knew the difference.
But still—
They were Marines.
Justice had no price.
"I remember your family needs money, doesn't it?" Kane said casually.
"…Yes, Vice Admiral Kane."
"Then stop talking nonsense. Do as I say. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
"But—"
Kane shot him a glare.
Bogey instantly shut up.
At the same time, his heart was filled with gratitude, and tears streamed down his face.
"Vice Admiral Kane… thank you so much! Wuwu…"
Following a superior like this—
Was pure happiness.
He decided then and there—he would follow Kane for life.
"And one more thing," Kane continued, "from today onward, all pirates we capture will be handled this way. As for the treasure we seize—no need to report it. You all take ten percent. The rest is mine. Any objections?"
This was him setting the tone for the crew moving forward.
If they were going to make money—
They'd make it together.
Of course, he would take the lion's share.
After all, he'd be doing the heavy lifting.
Ninety percent was perfectly reasonable.
The Marines were stunned for a moment—
Then their faces lit up with excitement.
"Long live Vice Admiral Kane! Long live Vice Admiral Kane!"
Watching the scene, Kane smiled.
Just then—
A Marine hurried over, holding a Den Den Mushi.
"Report to Vice Admiral Kane! Fleet Admiral Sengoku is calling!"
Kane frowned slightly.
What did that old man want with him?
He took the Den Den Mushi.
"Pururururu…"
The moment it connected, a familiar voice came through.
"Moshi moshi! Kane, is that you?"
"Speak. What is it?" Kane replied casually.
"Have you confirmed your retirement application? If so, I'll officially approve it."
Kane snorted.
"Retirement? Since when did I say I was retiring? Sengoku, did you get it wrong?"
What a joke.
If he retired, he'd lose the Marine identity—and making money wouldn't be nearly as easy.
If he had heard this three hours ago, he might've abandoned the warship and left on the spot.
But now?
He felt like he could keep going… just a little longer.
On the other end, Sengoku fell silent.
A vein popped on his forehead.
"Kane… are you messing with me?!"
Sengoku was truly helpless when it came to this old man.
"Alright, alright, I'm not joking. Sengoku, I've thought it over. I can still work a few more years."
Sengoku was taken aback.
"…Did I hear that right?"
"I can't let go of the justice in my heart!" Kane said solemnly.
Sengoku fell silent again.
"Kane… there are some things neither you nor I can decide."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, I'll keep working a few more years. Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up."
"Wait."
"What now?"
"You've been reported. Can you keep a lower profile?"
Kane's gaze turned cold.
"Reported? For what? And who reported me?"
Sengoku could hear the anger in his voice.
"I don't know who reported you. Just… keep things low-key regarding that matter with the Pirate Empress. I'll handle the rest."
Kane's anger flared instantly.
"Sengoku… it was Akainu, wasn't it? That brat's never liked me. Though as an Admiral, he wouldn't do it personally… which means it was probably one of his subordinates. Just wait until I get back—I'll make him regret it."
"Kane, don't make baseless accusations! This concerns an Admiral!"
"Fine, I get it. But pass this message along to whoever reported me—"
Kane's voice turned icy.
"I'm not Zephyr. I'm not a nice guy. Don't provoke me—or deal with the consequences."
"I've bled and fought for the Marines. Without me, even you might not be alive today, Sengoku."
"I may be old—but I'm not dead. What's wrong with enjoying life a little? Tell me—what's wrong with that?!"
"Or should I end up like Zephyr? Devoted his whole life, only to be betrayed by the World Government? Damn it!"
With that—
Kane hung up the Den Den Mushi.