Amid the crowd—
When Tsuru heard that Klein would be serving as their "examiner," her heart tensed slightly, and she couldn't help but recall the day they parted three years ago.
Back then, she had told Klein:
"Hey—Klein, I'm not just gonna be anyone's adjutant. If I'm going to be one, it'll have to be for at least a Marine Vice Admiral, or better yet—an Admiral!"
Who would've thought—
In the blink of an eye, just three years later, Klein had already accomplished a dream most people wouldn't even dare to imagine.
So fast!
That moment of parting still felt like it happened just yesterday.
A smile tugged at Tsuru's lips.
"Klein as the examiner, huh? This year's evaluation is definitely going to be a lot more fun than previous years."
A few days later.
Crescent Bay Port, Marine Headquarters.
The massive port looked like the gaping maw of a colossal beast. Rows of cannons and bunkers lined its perimeter—like the fangs of a predator waiting in ambush.
As they approached the port, images from the anime's Paramount War arc involuntarily rose in Klein's mind.
That globally-watched battle had leveled Marineford, eventually leading to the G-1 base becoming the new Marine Headquarters.
By Klein's reckoning, that was still fifty years away…
And Whitebeard Newgate was currently his subordinate.
So yeah. No big deal.
Purely needless worry.
Aboard the gigantic flagship, Gloriosa's eyes sparkled.
"So this is Marineford, the Marine HQ... So many battleships…"
Shakky, puffing on her cigarette, swept her gaze over the dense rows of cannons.
From range to firepower, they could cover all of Crescent Bay with ease.
"With all these cannons around, no pirate in their right mind would charge in on a suicide run!"
Newgate stepped to the prow and gazed upon the immovable fortress that was the Marine stronghold.
"This place gathers the elite and the strongest of the Marines. Just standing here, you can feel the pressure."
As the colossal warship entered Crescent Bay, it drew the attention of nearby ships and passing soldiers alike.
On the deck—
Klein remained calm and composed. Crescent Bay? He'd seen it countless times in the anime.
And ever since he crossed over into this world, he'd been in and out of here a few times already. With all the ships going to and from, the novelty had long worn off.
He turned to Os and said,
"Os, I'll leave the other arrangements to you. I'm heading to the Fleet Admiral's office to submit my application."
At those words, everyone on deck straightened.
Their eyes gleamed with anticipation.
After giving the order, Klein leapt from the towering warship—his graceful form gliding through the air like a falcon—landing effortlessly on the ground below.
Tap—
He strode directly toward the Marine fortress. Along the way, soldiers saluted him in passing.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office—
Fleet Admiral Oharden had his legs up, flipping through the latest Swimsuit Beauty Photo Collection.
"Ugh, mink tribe women… nope, not my thing."
"Oho! This one's good! Great curves, fair skin, stunning face… practically dripping with youth!"
"..."
After enjoying himself for a bit, Oharden closed the photobook with a dreamy, spaced-out look of a man enjoying his 'me-time.'
Then he sighed longingly:
"Aaah—if only there were swimsuit photobooks of Gloriosa and Shakky…"
"That damn Klein, how can he keep them all to himself? Doesn't he know how to share?"
"No, I don't!"
Outside the office, Klein's face turned black. His voice carried through the door, startling Oharden.
The admiral quickly stuffed the photobook into a drawer and sat upright.
He wiped the corner of his mouth and cleared his throat.
"Ahem—come in!"
Creak—
Klein pushed open the door, walked in, and sat on the couch.
"Oi, Old Den, those women are mine now. Quit dreaming."
"You bastard, Klein!" Oharden's just-settled expression instantly broke.
"You do realize… you're public enemy number one on the seas right now!?"
"Don't I know it better than you?" Klein raised a hand.
"Over the last three years, more than a hundred pirate crews have attacked G-14. Slavers, perverts, even whole armies… you think I don't know?"
"In fact, I ought to thank them for personally delivering treasure to me from across the sea!"
"Thanks to their endless 'donation of heads,' I managed to get promoted to Marine Vice Admiral just by lounging in G-14 Base."
Klein genuinely appreciated those foolishly brave souls.
One after another.
He didn't even need to set sail—money, merits, and fame came right to his door.
Sitting at home while wealth rained from the sky?
Beautiful!
Honestly, it had exceeded all of Klein's expectations.
He never imagined that taking in Gloriosa and Shakky would come with such huge benefits.
"..."
Oharden looked like he had been hit by a Silence spell. He sat there in stunned speechlessness.
Damn it!
Why does every good thing fall into Klein's lap?
Did this guy awaken some kind of Conqueror's Haki luck!?
Not only did he bag two rare beauties from the seas—
Unforgivable.
Oharden's eyes burned with envy as if he were about to eat someone alive. He grumbled,
"G-14 not good enough for you? What're you doing here at Marine HQ? I don't want you around."
"I'm here for two things." Klein leaned back on the couch and raised two fingers.
"First, Instructor Carter invited me to be an examiner."
"Second, I figured I'd apply to become a Marine Admiral while I'm at it."
He said it so casually.
But those words struck Oharden like a bolt of lightning—his brain practically short-circuited.
His expression twisted.
"You… want to apply to be a Marine Admiral!?"
"Surprised?" Klein smiled slightly, wanting to savor his reaction.
But he was disappointed.
Instead of shock, Oharden burst out laughing:
"HAHAHA—Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day!?"
"Huh!?"
"Do you have any idea what I've gone through all these years!!?"
He slammed his palm on the desk, face flushed with excitement, and stared at Klein as if he were a supermodel.
"This is amazing! I didn't get to wait for Kong, but I get to have you instead!"
"This vacant Admiral seat—no one deserves it more than you, Moretti Klein!"
"..."
For some reason, Klein suddenly started reconsidering.
Why did it feel like he'd just stepped aboard a pirate ship?
"Can I take back what I just said?"
"No!" Oharden glared at him.
"I'm making arrangements right now."
"Start thinking about your Admiral codename."
Saying that, he picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed the number for Admiral Rampaging Bear.
???
Klein froze.
Why did it feel like Oharden had more faith in him becoming Admiral than he did himself?
"Moshi moshi, Lincoln here."
"Lincoln, return to Marineford—right now, immediately!"
There was a sudden spurt from the other side. The Den Den Mushi mimicked the expression and spraying action perfectly.
Oharden's face darkened.
"How many times have I told you—stop drinking that damn protein shake while answering the phone!"
The other side snapped back immediately:
"That's not some 'damn shake'—it's the source of my power!"
"Oharden, is it a Celestial Dragon attack? Or the World Government…?"
"Neither. Klein is applying to become a Marine Admiral!"
"NANI!?"
The Den Den Mushi instantly contorted its face into a look of utter shock.