The year was 1494.
The setting was Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The sharp cries of seagulls outside the window pulled Kane from his heavy sleep.
My head feels like it is splitting open.
Kane pressed his fingers against his pulsing temples and sat up on the firm mattress.
He surveyed his surroundings, finding himself in a functional, sparse Marine dormitory.
Aside from the basic furniture of a bed, desk, and chair, the only decoration was an old Marine uniform hanging on the wall. The word Justice printed on the back seemed to stare back at him in the morning light.
A flood of foreign memories rushed into his mind like a breaking dam.
Kane was the son of a Marine Rear Admiral. His father had died a hero several years ago during the God Valley War while protecting his comrades.
Just recently, Kane had been accepted into the elite Marine Training Camp for the current year.
I have actually transmigrated into the world of One Piece.
Kane felt his pupils shrink as a nervous twitch developed at the corner of his mouth.
This was a nightmare of a starting point.
Roger was currently at the height of his power, Golden Lion Shiki had not yet suffered his legendary head injury, and Whitebeard was a prime force of nature crushing everyone in his path. Even Kaido was likely off practicing his durability in some remote corner of the world. In this era, there were no Seven Warlords to balance the scales and no Four Emperors to divide the territory. The sea was defined by nothing but raw chaos and constant violence.
And here he was, a brand new recruit who had just stepped into the barracks.
Kane suddenly noticed the mechanical clock on the wall.
The hands of the clock were pointed at eight-oh-five.
According to his new memories, today marked the opening ceremony for the elite camp led by Zephyr. The assembly was scheduled for exactly eight o'clock.
I am in deep trouble.
Being late on the first day to a ceremony hosted by Black Arm Zephyr was a disaster.
This was more than just a minor mistake; it was a direct insult to a man known for his iron discipline.
Kane scrambled into his clothes, tugged his tie into a messy knot, and missed a button in his haste. He sprinted out of the room like a man running for his life.
I have to get there now.
At Training Ground One in Marineford, a heavy sense of tension filled the air.
Hundreds of top-tier recruits from various Marine branches stood in perfect squares. They held their breath, standing with perfect posture as they looked toward the high platform.
A man stood there, built like a mountain with a shock of purple hair.
This was the current Marine Admiral and Chief Instructor, Black Arm Zephyr.
Zephyr stood with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, but his gaze remained sharp as he judged the next generation of Marines.
Listen to me, you maggots.
Zephyr spoke with a deep, echoing voice that carried across the entire field without the need for a megaphone.
From this moment forward, you have one identity: Marine.
Once you put on that uniform, you must be ready to give your life for justice.
Discipline is the foundation of our strength. Anyone who treats our rules with contempt will be personally thrown into the sea by me to feed the fish.
As Zephyr continued his speech, a small figure appeared at the edge of the training area.
Kane kept his head low and tried to sneak into the back of the formation without being noticed.
He was being far too optimistic about his chances.
His short golden hair caught the sunlight, acting like a beacon that was impossible to ignore.
The moment he stepped onto the grass, the silence was shattered.
YOU! THE BRAT WITH THE GOLDEN HAIR!
The shout sounded like a crack of thunder.
Kane stopped moving instantly.
From a hundred meters away, Zephyr pointed a finger directly at him with perfect precision.
Every head in the square turned to look at the messy, blonde kid.
In the front row, three specific sets of eyes landed on him.
A man smoking a cigar under a peaked cap frowned with visible disgust.
Next to him, a tall, thin man with an afro and shades let a small, amused smirk play on his lips.
The third man, tall with curly hair, looked at Kane with a glimmer of sympathy.
Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan. The future Three Admirals were his classmates.
Give me your name.
Zephyr spoke with a terrifying calmness that suggested a storm was coming.
Kane forced himself to walk forward. Under the pressure of hundreds of judgmental eyes, he gave the best salute he could manage.
Reporting, Chief Instructor. My name is Kane.
Kane? Zephyr narrowed his eyes. Are you the son of Rear Admiral Katt?
Yes, sir. Kane stood as straight as possible, his voice echoing.
Good.
Zephyr suddenly roared at the top of his lungs.
Is this how you respect the legacy your father died for? By showing up late? By wearing a uniform so sloppy you cannot even tie your tie correctly?
Are you trying to make a joke out of the word Justice?
The sheer volume of the voice made Kane's ears ring.
Being shamed publicly by a legendary Admiral in front of everyone made Kane's face flush with heat. He wished he knew the Moonwalk technique just so he could fly away and hide.
Then, a prompt appeared.
[Ding! Host disciplinary violation detected. The most scummy justice system officially activated!]
[Violation assessment in progress...]
[Late for assembly. Base Points +1.]
[Improper uniform. Base Points +1.]
[Total Base Points: 2.]
[Witness Coefficient triggered!]
[Witness: Zephyr (Marine Admiral level). Violation Points multiplied by 5!]
[Witness: Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan (Future Admiral potential). Violation Points multiplied by 3!]
[Final Calculation: Congratulations, Host has gained 30 Violation Points!]
Kane was momentarily paralyzed.
A system? My advantage has finally arrived.
A blue holographic screen appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.
[most scummy justice system]
[Host: Kane]
[Violation Points: 30]
[Enhancement], [Lottery], [Storage Space], [Shop (Locked)]
The layout was simple, and Kane understood the logic immediately.
Breaking the rules was the key to gaining power.
The higher the status of the person witnessing the act, the bigger the payout.
Being late in front of an Admiral and three future Admirals had caused the rewards to stack up instantly.
Kane felt his pulse quicken.
He looked back up at the platform where the Chief Instructor stood radiating pure anger.
To Kane, Zephyr was no longer just a terrifying Admiral.
He was a golden source of experience points with a giant multiplier floating over his head.
An Admiral was just the beginning.
What would happen if I ignored Fleet Admiral Kong to his face?
What would happen if I insulted the World Government while the Gorosei were watching?
What if I actually struck a Celestial Dragon?
The rewards would be beyond imagination.
I am not just going to be a top Marine.
I am going to be the absolute ruler of these seas.
Kane!
Zephyr grew even angrier when he saw that Kane was not looking sorry, but instead had a strange gleam in his eyes and a smirk on his face.
It looks like you have something to say about my lecture.
No, sir! Reporting, Chief Instructor!
Kane snapped back to attention, adopting a look of perfect sincerity and deep regret.
I am disgusted by my own behavior. Your words have opened my eyes. It hurts me deeply to know I have failed to live up to my father's name.
He spoke with such conviction and looked so innocent that he seemed ready to offer his life in apology.
A vein popped on Zephyr's forehead.
[Ding! Detected host's extreme hypocrisy, causing Zephyr minor physical discomfort. Additional Violation Points +50!]
Zephyr let out a cold snort, deciding not to waste any more time.
The ceremony is over. Everyone will begin fitness testing immediately. A 500 kg weighted run, 10 laps around Marineford. The bottom ten finishers will be expelled on the spot.
The recruits responded with a collective roar of agreement.
Zephyr turned his gaze back to Kane, his eyes cold.
You will carry 1,000 kg. I want to see if your strength matches your lack of discipline.
Kane put on a look of absolute despair for the benefit of the crowd, but his mind was racing.
System, give me an enhancement.
[Select enhancement path: Physique, Martial Arts, Devil Fruit...]
Physique.
[Spent 50 Violation Points. Physique +1.]
[Current Physique: 49]
The moment the transaction finished, a wave of warmth spread from his chest to his limbs.
Kane felt his muscles tighten and strengthen, becoming far more durable in seconds.
The lingering fatigue from his arrival vanished completely.
This single boost was worth more than months of intense training from his previous life.
He let out a slow, controlled breath, feeling the raw power flowing through his veins. A real, confident smile appeared on his face.
You shouldn't count me out just yet, Instructor Zephyr.