Time passes quickly, and a grueling week had already gone by.
The sea breeze at Marineford still smelled of salt and fish, but a subtle change had taken place within the elite training camp.
Kane's performance in every category—physical training, Rokushiki practice, and live combat—was perfect.
In several tests focused purely on speed and power, he actually showed signs of being stronger than Sakazuki and the other top recruits.
When the instructors yelled at him, he acted humble and accepted every word of criticism. His attitude was so sincere that no one could find a reason to dislike him.
To the other recruits, he was a powerful and reliable older brother who was always ready to help.
To Zephyr, he was a rare and promising talent, even if the kid had a slightly annoying habit of showing off.
However, only Kane knew how frustrating this past week had actually been.
Late at night, inside the Marine dormitory.
Kane lay flat on his hard bunk, staring at the blue holographic screen that only he could see. His expression was sour.
[Ding! Arrived one minute late for training. Disciplinary Value +1.]
[Ding! Took an extra serving of pork in the cafeteria. Disciplinary Value +2.]
[Ding! Read an adult book after lights out. Disciplinary Value +2.]
[Current Disciplinary Value: 642]
Are you kidding me?
Kane rubbed his blonde hair in frustration, shouting silently in his mind.
At this rate, how long will it take to afford the Goro Goro no Mi? By the time Luffy starts his journey, I will still be saving up for Haoshoku Haki!
His physique attribute was currently at 55 points. To increase it by just one more point, he needed 700 Disciplinary Value points.
Relying on these tiny, sneaky rules was useless. It was like trying to fill an ocean with a spoon.
I need to pull off something huge.
Kane sat up and looked out the window at the dark night, his eyes narrowing as he thought.
A plan slowly began to take shape.
If one person breaks the rules, they get sent to the brig or beaten by Zephyr.
If the violation is serious enough, they get kicked out of the military.
But what if I convince all the future top fighters of the Marines to break the rules with me?
As the saying goes, the law cannot punish everyone at once.
If I pull the future Admirals and Fleet Admiral candidates into the mud with me, what can the higher-ups do?
Even if Fleet Admiral Kong showed up, he couldn't just fire the entire future of the Marines.
Punish only me? That would look like favoritism toward the others.
Punish everyone? Then the Marines lose their best soldiers.
It is a perfect trap.
Kane rubbed his hands together and started looking for his first target.
Sakazuki was too focused on duty; dragging him down would be nearly impossible.
Borsalino was too smart; he would likely just laugh at the attempt.
That left only one person.
Kane looked at the empty bunk across from him.
Kuzan.
The future Aokiji was currently a passionate, somewhat naive young man.
He was like a raw diamond that just needed a little push from a mentor like Kane to shine in a completely different way.
Late at night on the training ground, the wind was cold.
Kuzan was shirtless, sweat pouring off his muscles as he punched a sandbag repeatedly.
Not enough. I am still not strong enough.
If I do not get stronger, how can I uphold my Burning Justice?
Kuzan, being in his early twenties, was full of the energy and ideals of a typical hero.
Suddenly, a cold bottle of juice was pressed against his face.
Who is there?
Kuzan turned his head and saw Kane, who looked particularly kind and noble in the moonlight.
You are still working this late, Kuzan. You are definitely the most hardworking person here.
Kane held two towels, offering a warm and friendly smile.
Oh, it is just you, Kane. Kuzan relaxed and took the drink, finishing half of it in one go. You are still awake too?
I cannot sleep.
Kane sighed, his smile fading into a look of deep concern.
He walked over and sat on the edge of the seawall, looking out toward the distant lights of the Sabaody Archipelago. His back looked lonely and burdened.
Kuzan, I have been thinking about something.
What is it? The simple-minded Kuzan sat down next to him.
Kane turned his blue eyes toward Kuzan. Why are we training this hard? What is the actual point?
For justice, obviously. Kuzan answered immediately. We do it to catch pirates and keep people safe.
That is a perfect answer.
Kane gave a sad smile and shook his head.
But Kuzan, have you ever actually seen the people we are protecting? Do you understand what they are going through?
Kuzan blinked. Well...
We live here at Marineford. This is a paradise. It is an ivory tower. We have the best food, clothes, and gear provided by the World Government.
Kane stood up, his voice becoming more intense and persuasive.
The books tell us that justice means killing pirates. But they do not tell us why those people became pirates in the first place.
They do not tell us about the miserable lives people lead in the places where the sun does not shine.
If you have never seen the dark, how can you truly value the light?
If you have never walked through the mud, how can you say you have the right to pull someone else out of it?
The young Kuzan was stunned by these questions.
He sat with his mouth open, feeling like his entire worldview had just been shaken.
He talked about justice every single day, but he had never seen the real hardships of the common people. Was he being a hypocrite?
Kane... Kuzan's eyes were full of a new desire for the truth. What should I do?
He is hooked.
Kane was laughing hysterically on the inside, but he kept a serious face. He put a heavy hand on Kuzan's shoulder and looked at him firmly.
Reading about the world is not the same as seeing it for yourself.
Tonight, I am taking you somewhere.
It is a place of desire and a test of human nature. It is where you can see the truth of this world most clearly.
Only by surviving a place like that can your justice grow from a boy's dream into a man's reality.
Kuzan felt his blood pumping. He gripped his fists. You mean... we are leaving the base?
It is a necessary sacrifice. Kane spoke with fake passion. For the sake of true justice, the rules do not matter.
Instructor Zephyr will understand why we did it once he hears our reasons. (In his head, Kane knew Zephyr would actually try to kill them.)
After thinking about it for half a second, Kuzan nodded with determination.
You are right, Kane. My justice is too simple. Take me there. I want to see the real world.
It worked.
A future Admiral was now part of the plan.
[Ding! Detected host's malicious act of instigation!]
[Target: Kuzan (Future Marine Admiral).]
[Nature of Act: Leading a naive comrade to the Pleasure District under the guise of justice.]
[Disciplinary Value +100!]
Hearing the notification, Kane felt a wave of satisfaction.
Good brother.
Kane put his arm around Kuzan's neck and gave him a knowing smile. Kuzan mistook it for a look of deep friendship.
Go get changed into regular clothes. Meet me at warehouse three in ten minutes.
The guards are the weakest there. We will sneak out and catch a smuggling ship to Sabaody.
Tonight, your big brother is going to show you... I mean, we are going to observe the lives of the people.
Kuzan nodded, his eyes bright with a sense of duty. Yes. We will observe the people.
As Kuzan ran off to change, Kane stood in the shadows and let out a quiet, evil laugh.
Kuzan, do not blame me.
The women in the Pleasure District are excellent teachers.
After tonight, your Disciplinary Value... I mean, your life experience, will be very high.
Kane adjusted his collar, looked at the rewards waiting for him in the system, and walked into the dark.
Justice?
Sure, we can do that later.
But first, I am going to trade your reputation for some stat points.