The sound of a soft click echoed in the quiet alleyway.
The mechanical eyes of the den den mushi shifted, its shell simulating a stern, official expression. A steady, professional voice came through the speaker: Marineford Night Watch Office.
Kane did not hesitate. He immediately pinched his nose to distort his natural voice and shouted in a high-pitched, frantic tone: Report! I am a concerned citizen of Marineford! I have to report something huge! I just saw something absolutely scandalous!
The Marine on the other end remained calm. Please proceed with your report, citizen.
I just saw two trainees from the Marine Elite Training Camp! Kane's voice became even more shrill and exaggerated as he leaned into the performance. They were entering that place called Sea Sweetheart! You know the one, the biggest adult entertainment establishment in the district! It is a house of ill repute!
Kane took a deep breath, making sure his feigned outrage sounded authentic. They were partying wildly inside! I saw them drinking top-shelf liquor and they were surrounded by women! The big one was already dead drunk. He was shouting at the top of his lungs that Marine discipline is nothing but bullshit! It is utter moral decay! They are tarnishing the reputation of the Marines in broad daylight! Well, broad moonlight!
The other end of the line fell into a sudden silence. The officer seemed stunned by the gravity of the accusation involving the prestigious Elite Training Camp.
After a few seconds, the voice returned, much sharper than before. Are you absolutely certain they are trainees from the Elite Training Camp?
I am absolutely certain! Kane replied without a hint of remorse, happily selling out both himself and Kuzan. One is a very tall, big guy with messy curly hair. The other one is an especially handsome blond kid! If you do not send someone immediately, the face of the Marines will be completely disgraced by these two! I heard that Admiral Zephyr values discipline above all else. If he finds out that his students are acting like this...
And what exactly would happen if he found out?
A cold, furious voice suddenly cut through the den den mushi. It was deep, gravelly, and vibrating with a suppressed rage that made the air feel heavy.
The smile on Kane's face froze instantly. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized that specific tone. Oh no. It was Zephyr himself. The Head Instructor was personally on duty at the Night Watch Office tonight? What were the odds of such terrible luck?
Uh... he would... he would be very pleased? Kane's mind raced at a thousand miles per hour, trying to find a way to salvage the disaster. He would be happy because his subordinates have such responsible, law-abiding citizens keeping watch over the peace of the town...
Is that so? Zephyr's voice held no emotion, which was far more terrifying than if he had been screaming. Kane could practically feel the man's murderous aura traveling through the phone line.
This concerned citizen has a voice that sounds very familiar to me, Zephyr continued. I also happen to remember what you said about that especially handsome blond kid.
Beep... beep... beep...
The connection was cut.
Kane held the now sleeping den den mushi in his hand. A single bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead and rolled down his cheek, but despite the danger, the corners of his mouth began to curl up into a wild, rebellious grin.
He had definitely overplayed his hand. He had walked right into the lion's den. But as he looked at the snail in his hand, his eyes began to glow with excitement. Now this is what I call thrilling!
The light returned to Kane's eyes with a vengeance. If Zephyr is personally coming to catch us, then the Witness Coefficient is going to be maxed out! These discipline points are probably going to break through the ceiling! This might be the biggest haul yet!
He quickly adjusted his mindset. He smoothed out his clothes and put that sorrowful, compassionate expression back on his face. He walked back into the tavern with a calm stride, acting as if he had just been out for a breath of fresh air.
He had been sitting at the bar for less than five minutes. He watched Kuzan, who looked utterly hopeless and miserable. The tall trainee was being backed into a corner by a persistent red-haired dancer, looking like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
Suddenly, the world exploded.
BOOM!
A deafening roar shook the entire building. The two solid oak doors of Sea Sweetheart, along with a massive section of the front wall, were instantly pulverized into a shower of splinters and dust. The debris shot in all directions like shrapnel.
A terrifying shockwave followed the blast, sending several large bodyguards at the entrance flying backward into the tables.
The entire venue fell into a deathly, suffocating silence. The music stopped. The laughter died. Everyone froze in place, staring in pure terror toward the gaping hole where the entrance used to be.
Amidst the swirling dust and smoke, a burly, mountain-like figure stood silhouetted against the streetlights outside. His short purple hair stood on end like the mane of an angry lion. Thick, black Armament Haki coiled around his massive arms like dark flames, emitting a pressure so heavy it was hard to breathe.
It was the Marineford Admiral, Black Arm Zephyr.
Zephyr's gaze was like a searchlight. It swept across the panicked crowd and locked precisely onto the two figures sitting by the bar. When his eyes landed on Kane, he saw the blond kid holding a drink with a dancer snuggled up beside him. There was even a trace of lingering enjoyment on Kane's face that he hadn't had enough time to mask.
Zephyr felt the blood rush to his head. His veins began to bulge. It was this bastard! It was this exact kid who had just called the office, pretended to be a ghost, and reported his own crimes over the phone!
Beside Zephyr, two more figures stepped through the ruins.
A tall, thin man wearing tinted sunglasses adjusted his glasses with a finger. A lazy, sleazy smile curled at his lips as if he were watching a funny play at the theater. Oh my, he said in a slow drawl. Instructor Zephyr is getting serious. This is so scary.
Next to him was a man with a stern, rock-like face. He wore a dark red suit and was smoking a thick cigar. He frowned so deeply at the debauched scene before him that his eyebrows almost met. He looked disgusted by the lack of absolute justice in the room.
Borsalino and Sakazuki.
The future Three Admirals were all present in one room.
Clatter.
The wine glass in Kuzan's hand slipped and hit the floor, shattering into a hundred tiny pieces. His face turned deathly pale, losing every drop of color until he looked like a ghost.
In... Instructor... Zephyr... Kuzan whispered, his voice trembling.
Kuzan knew it was over. His career, his reputation, and his life were finished.
However, amidst this incredibly tense atmosphere, a series of heavenly system notification sounds began to ring rapidly inside Kane's mind.
[Ding! Detected multiple disciplinary violations by the host!]
[Leaving camp without permission. Base Points +80!]
[Visiting and deeply participating in red-light district activities. Base Points +100!]
[Corrupting future core Marine combat power, Kuzan. Base Points +200!]
[Deceiving a Marineford Admiral. Base Points +250!]
[Total Base Points calculated: 630 points!]
[Triggered Witness Coefficient!]
[Witness: Zephyr, Admiral rank. Discipline points acquired x5!]
[Witnesses: Borsalino and Sakazuki, Future Admiral potential. Coefficient additional x3!]
[Triggered Subversion Degree Coefficient!]
[Behavior Description: Distorting the worldview of a future Admiral. This action severely impacts the traditional values of the Marines and subverts the established image of elite trainees!]
[Subversion Degree Coefficient determined: x5!]
[Final calculation in progress... coefficient stacking explosion...]
[Congratulations, host! This instance has earned a total of: 47,250 discipline points!]
[Current discipline points balance: 48,192]
Kane's heart did a metaphorical backflip. He stared at the shining five-digit number on his retinal display and felt like he was about to faint from pure happiness.
Jackpot! This was the ultimate jackpot! He had turned a potential execution into a gold mine!
Before he could even fully process his victory, a roar like a clap of thunder shattered every remaining glass in the tavern.
Kane!
Kuzan!
You two absolute bastards!
Get out here right now!