["Pirate Bane!! The Marine's Greatest Prodigy Klein Instantly Defeats Supernova Powell!"]
Beneath the bold, jet-black headline was a striking photo of Klein—one hand slamming Powell's head into the ground with effortless dominance.
It gave off the same vibe as a one-handed basketball grab.
"Nice shot. Hope the editor-in-chief gives the photographer a drumstick," Klein muttered with a satisfied smirk.
Amused, he finished reading the article that lavished praise upon him. His ego was thoroughly fed, basking in the vanity of it all.
He rubbed his chin. "Still, the whole 'Pirate Bane' thing… it's not the catchiest title."
But then he thought of titles like Whitebeard, Red-Haired, Big Mom, or Buggy the Clown.
He immediately let it go.
Way better than something like "Black-Hair" or "Ponytail."
"'Pirate Bane' isn't half bad, honestly. In a world where everyone's apparently named before birth, I shouldn't be too picky—"
Klein chuckled. One day, once he took over the newspapers himself, he could name himself whatever he wanted.
Something classier, of course.
'The Marine Godfather'? 'The Strongest Human Weapon'? 'The Living Legend of the Marines'? …
As long as he controlled public opinion and had the feats to back it up, getting a top-tier title would be a piece of cake.
He carefully folded the newspaper. "That makes it the second article about me—definitely worth saving."
"It's one of the essential pieces in the 'Fool's Treasure.'"
After putting it away, he looked over to Os and the Marines on deck, then leapt to the bow of the warship, leaving only his back to them.
"Alright, boys—time to go clean up some pirates!"
"FOR JUSTICE!" the Marine soldiers shouted in unison, blood boiling.
Instructor Carter stood with his hands clasped behind his back, holding a copy of the newspaper, wearing a proud smile.
"Before today's training, I've got an announcement for you!"
The students all looked toward him curiously.
Instructor Carter's voice boomed, "Klein—the Marine's greatest prodigy and early graduate—has already made a name for himself on the high seas! Just yesterday, he captured the 65 million bounty supernova 'Natural-Born Powerhouse' Powell!"
"He's been dubbed by the press as… the Pirate Bane!"
"No surprise there—he's the finest student I've ever trained. He should be your role model!"
He opened up the paper, instantly drawing every student's attention.
Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr—the tallest in the crowd—stared at the photo in stunned silence.
"My bro's only been out to sea for a day or two, and he's already captured a 65 million bounty pirate. That's my bro!" Garp laughed proudly.
Sengoku's expression darkened, eyes narrowing. "Klein… he's already making waves. The gap between us is only getting wider…"
He didn't even know when he himself would graduate.
With Klein's talent, he'd probably already be a Vice Admiral at Marine HQ, minimum.
That kind of soul-crushing gap… could make someone give up hope entirely.
Zephyr looked overjoyed, beaming, "My bro's a hero! He saved that girl from the pirates. I knew it—he may love money, but he's got justice in his heart!"
"My bro is a good guy!"
"He just… he just really likes money. But he'd never do anything evil."
A few students nearby nodded. "Yeah, Klein captured over a thousand pirates in one go. He really deserves the title Pirate Bane!"
"Man, I wish I could graduate already. Then I could be out there catching pirates like Klein!"
"To be given a nickname as soon as you head to sea… that's something every Marine dreams of." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥
But a title isn't so easily accepted by others. It takes strength, feats, and fame to truly earn it.
And once you have it, fame naturally brings the hatred of pirates. If you can't withstand their challenges, that fame becomes a double-edged sword.
Tsuru looked at the newspaper, her deep blue eyes full of yearning. "Someday, I'll be in the papers too. Praised. Respected. I'll become a Marine others look up to!"
Once the excitement died down, Instructor Carter grinned.
"Hey—you all saw it. Klein was in your same class, and now he's out there conquering the seas!"
"What excuse do any of you have not to try your hardest!?"
"Today's training—DOUBLE!"
The students instantly burst with wild energy, like they'd been injected with adrenaline.
"He's from our class—we can't fall behind!"
"Whoever embarrasses our class is the lowest-ranking Marine!!"
On the deck of a Marine battleship stood Kong, shirtless, muscles glistening with sweat like molten brass. Beads of perspiration slid down his skin, forming a puddle the size of a washbasin on the deck.
He was upside down, head to the ground, feet to the sky, holding a barbell on his feet weighing hundreds—maybe even thousands—of tons, balancing only on two fingers.
"Wahahahaha! A real man trains !" Rampaging Bear laughed. "Kong, today's paper has news about Klein."
Kong froze. His eyes lit up. "Admiral Lincoln, bring the paper over here!"
The paper was placed beneath him, and as he bobbed up and down in training, he lifted his head and read the article.
"Ah—no wonder he beat me. He's making waves the moment he sets sail."
"But those enemies? Just the beginning for him."
"Klein… that guy's name will echo across the seas. Before I see him again, I've got to keep pushing… keep getting stronger!!"
Heavy beads of sweat splashed onto the deck.
He believed—hard work would never betray him.
Fleet Admiral's Office
"..." Fleet Admiral Oharden stared wide-eyed at the intel in his hands, blood vessels in his eyes bulging.
"He sold the pirates as slaves???"
Over a thousand of them—just sold like that!?
You're a Marine, not a pirate!
Good thing it wasn't reported, or the Marines' reputation…
Would've gone up in smoke!
"That brat!!!" Oharden roared, veins bulging, grabbing his Den Den Mushi and immediately calling Klein.
Brring brring brring—
The moment the line connected, he exploded:
"YOU BASTARD! Tell Klein to get his ass to the New World! And if he pulls this crap again, I'll revoke his Marine status!!"
"Who told him he could sell pirates!?"
"Get him on the line!!"
"Fleet Admiral, Rear Admiral Klein is currently busy capturing pirates. I'll make sure to relay your message."
The call ended. Oharden slammed into his chair, grinding his teeth.
"Klein… How much money have you made already? Most people couldn't spend that in ten lifetimes. And now you're selling pirates!?"
"What do people think of us now? That we don't pay you? That we starve you? That a Marine is selling pirates!?"
"What kind of poverty trauma did you suffer in your last life!?"
"How broke do you have to be!?"
He slapped his desk. Just the last market scheme Klein ran had made him five to six hundred million Berries.
Not to mention all the money he earned back at the academy. The kid's fortune probably exceeded 99% of Marine HQ.
What the hell was he planning—buying a whole country!?
Oharden couldn't make sense of it.
"Gehahahaha—" Golden Lion Shiki sneered, biting down hard on his cigar. "Pirate Bane? What a load of crap. Come to the New World if you've got balls. Bullying rookies in Paradise doesn't mean jack."
"I'll show you what a real pirate looks like!"
In the dimly lit office, the base commander sat in smoke, puffing on a cigar.
Staring at the newspaper with a cold expression, he muttered, "Klein… skipping base check-in to go hunt pirates in Sabaody..."
"Completely ignoring Marine protocol!"
"Bad news—bad news—!"
"Dammit!" Rear Admiral Ayer slammed the door open so hard it nearly came off the hinges. His face was dark as a storm.
"How many times do I have to say it!? Don't disturb me when I'm enjoying myself!!"