That was the era of the Twelve Zodiac Generals.
Now it's the Sea Circle Calendar Year 1466—still decades away from that time.
Klein rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Up until now, he hadn't even considered a codename. Now he was being forced to come up with one on the spot.
But he was a transmigrator. Even if his reading record paled in comparison to veteran web novel addicts, he was still miles ahead of the cultural level of the One Piece world, which was essentially prenatal education-tier.
In his mind floated titles like Desolate Heavenly Emperor, Lord of the Grey Mist, The Great Fool, Immortal of Compassion, Han the Runner...
One of those felt a little off from the others.
Yeeted.
"Does it have to be two characters?" Klein looked at Fleet Admiral Oharden.
Oharden stroked his beard and chuckled. "There's no real rule. It's entirely up to you."
"Stuck already?"
"Want this old man to give you a suggestion?"
Instructor Carter jumped in with a quick offer. "How about... White Tiger?"
"....." Klein's expression darkened. Do you not know that name has... questionable implications in certain worlds!?
Even this backwater pond has you driving the car... Impressive!
Carter tried again. "Not White Tiger? Then how about... Black Bull?"
"Enough!"
Klein was speechless and immediately shut it down. "I'll come up with something myself."
Best to go with something that fit the One Piece world. If he chose something too obscure or metaphysical, people in this world of fetal-level culture wouldn't understand a thing.
Oharden laughed. "No rush. I still need to report your promotion to Admiral to the World Government. You've got time."
"Mm." Klein nodded. "Then I'll give it some proper thought."
Fleet Admiral Oharden gave the order to return.
Kong spoke up with a hint of regret. "A pity. I was hoping this sparring match would give me a chance to witness your Devil Fruit powers. Truly unfortunate."
"Yeah, you didn't even use your powers, and you were still that strong. So what exactly is your ability?" Carter was full of curiosity.
Klein had eaten the Paramecia-type Scroll-Scroll Fruit, becoming a Scroll-Man—not exactly a secret anymore.
Three years ago...
There were plenty of Marines who had witnessed the S-Rank Ninjutsu: Divine Departure. Word got around fast.
Everyone knew by now.
Klein looked over at Rampaging Bear and teased, "Guess it's your fault, Mr. Lincoln, for not putting on enough pressure… It just wasn't enough to make me pull out a scroll."
Look at that!
How could that not piss someone off!?
Rampaging Bear's face was so dark it looked like it might rain. "You're the monster here, not me!"
If the One Piece world had the internet, you could bet this moment would've gone viral as:
'Too damn Versailles!'
"I heard you sealed a powerful flying slash in a scroll once. Didn't that attack seriously injure Golden Lion Shiki in one shot?" Fleet Admiral Oharden looked at Klein.
Suddenly, he felt very outdated.
His gaze was blazing with curiosity. "I imagine you've got quite a few finishing moves tucked away in those scrolls, eh?"
"It's ninjutsu~!" Klein corrected proudly.
Kong twitched. It was obviously a flying slash!!
Ninjutsu? What a load of crap!
"Fine, fine, ninjutsu." Instructor Carter chimed in, "Klein, why don't you show us something?"
"We're all curious about your powers!"
Klein smirked. "Sure thing."
"But pay up!"
The warship instantly fell into silence—like someone had cast Silence on them.
Eyes down, mouths shut, no one said a word. All of them pretending they never asked in the first place.
"Tch—" Klein sneered. "No money, no business. What're y'all crowding around for? You think ninja shows are free?"
No one even dared ask the price.
But...
Since they brought it up.
Klein looked at Kong and grinned. "Kong, interested in buying a scroll?"
"You've seen the power with your own eyes. You won't regret it! Limited time offer! Might just save your life one day!"
Kong was clearly tempted, but seeing Klein's greedy merchant grin made him pause.
Definitely wouldn't be cheap.
He asked politely, "How much for a single S-Rank Ninjutsu: Divine Departure scroll?"
Everyone turned curious eyes toward Klein.
Klein thought it over. Too expensive, and no one would buy. Too cheap, and it would feel worthless.
If the price was too low, he'd rather let them rot in his inventory than sell them cheap!
After a moment, Klein held up two and a half fingers and said, "Divine Departure—250 million Berries. I've got cheaper ones too, but they don't pack as much punch."
Weird hand gesture, but everyone was focused on the number.
"That's steep." Carter pursed his lips. "You could buy two Devil Fruits with that."
Fleet Admiral Oharden glared at him. "250 million Berries? That price is way too high—hardly anyone could afford that!"
Klein shot back immediately. "How's that expensive?"
"This is S-Rank Ninjutsu: Divine Departure we're talking about! Even Vice Admirals can't block it! Making one of these scrolls isn't easy, you know."
"If you can't afford it, maybe you should ask yourself—Have you worked hard enough!?"
"Have you been grinding to make money!?"
That shut everyone up.
Rampaging Bear flared his nostrils, snorting hot air. "We're Marines, not merchants! Where are we supposed to get that kind of money!?"
"Just because you can rake it in doesn't mean everyone else can!" Carter growled, a vein pulsing on his forehead. His glare looked like he wanted to eat Klein alive.
"Do you even value money at all!?"
If he weren't so strong...
He'd have beat the crap out of him by now.
Klein shrugged. "Now, now, that's not fair. My scrolls' power—you've seen it yourself. Unless you're fighting a top-tier powerhouse..."
"There's really no better insurance. When it's life or death, what're you gonna pick—money or survival?"
"In this life, the saddest thing is dying before you even got to enjoy your wealth."
He continued to PUA the crowd.
"Think about it—risking your life to catch pirates, scraping together Berries, only to die before you spend it. Isn't that a tragic waste?"
"Don't you agree!?"
"My scrolls could be lifesavers in a pinch!"
Klein stared directly at Kong. "Kong, tell me—if I hadn't used that scroll back then, wouldn't every Marine on that warship have been wiped out by Golden Lion Shiki?"
"Yes..." Kong answered honestly.
Rampaging Bear burst out laughing. "Wahaha! Klein's got a point! Not many pirates could survive a hit from him. His scrolls are solid insurance!"
"I don't need one," Carter shook his head. "I don't go out catching pirates anymore. Besides, I'm about to retire."
He could afford it, but saw no reason to.
Kong also shook his head. "Not for me either. I've got confidence—unless it's a top-tier opponent, I'll win on my own!"
"I'm not buying!" Oharden snorted. With that kind of money, I could spend quality time with dozens of beauties!
Switch it up daily and still have money to spare. Why the hell would I blow it on a scroll? Am I burning cash for fun?
"..."
Klein's face darkened. One after another—they weren't buying it. Clearly, sales required the right target audience.
Reminded him of that old joke about trying to sell shampoo to a bald monk.
Life had taught him yet another harsh lesson.
All that effort—wasted.
But Klein didn't give up. He pivoted strategy, relentless as ever:
"Ahem! Just because you don't need it doesn't mean your families don't!"
"You think you'll be around forever to protect your kids!?"
"Do you have any idea how painful it is for white-haired elders to bury their black-haired children!?"
"You'd better think this through—opportunities like this don't come twice!"