Vane wanted to make new investments. While his current skills were formidable, he craved something more—something terrifying and absolute. Power beyond comparison.

He still had four Devil Fruits left in his possession, and he knew exactly what to do with them. If he could find the right candidates—ones with overwhelming power, charisma, and lethal potential—he could change the world.

Morning came, cool and bright. Though he hadn't slept, Vane was brimming with energy, as if rest were a suggestion rather than a necessity.

(Should I include R-18? Even if it's a little, cos this Chinese authors be too scared to write Smuts)

Gion, having also stayed up through the night, gave him a soft look. There was a smile on her lips—a quiet, knowing one.

Before either could speak, Kalifa's voice rang from outside.

"Time to eat!"

Gion jumped slightly, then quickly straightened her clothes and composure. No one could suspect anything had happened the night before.

At breakfast, Esdeath kept shooting glances at Gion, her gaze slightly sharp and curious. Something felt off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Gion, you're looking really pretty today," Esdeath commented, feigning nonchalance.

"Really? I've always been the most beautiful woman in Navy Headquarters," Gion replied confidently.

She wasn't wrong—her charm and presence were undeniable.

Esdeath scoffed. "Please, your looks are average at best."

"You're one to talk," Gion shot back.

"I'm still better than you."

As the two women bickered, the room slowly filled with casual chatter. Vane, however, remained quiet, deep in thought.

Suddenly, the familiar system prompt rang in his mind.

[Detected: characters from the Naruto world during the Fourth Great Ninja War—Senju Tsunade and Uchiha Madara. Please pick an investment.]

Uchiha Madara and Tsunade Senju?

The choice was obvious. In the Naruto world, few were more terrifying or revered than Uchiha Madara.

Wood Release. Rinnegan. Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

During the war, Madara existed in three overwhelming forms: Edo Tensei, true resurrection, and Six Paths Sage Mode. In any world—including this one—he was god-tier.

"Invest in Uchiha Madara," Vane said without hesitation.

[Investment requires five Devil Fruits. Proceed?]

Five?

He had only four left. That was a problem.

Vane hadn't expected the system to demand five Fruits for Madara, but thinking on it, it made sense. That level of power came at a high price.

"Where can I get another Devil Fruit…" he muttered.

They weren't exactly lying around. Rare, valuable, and dangerous—especially the high-tier ones.

[Invest in Uchiha Madara?]

"Wait."

He had until the end of the day. That was enough time. The opportunity might not return, so he couldn't waste it.

He tapped a finger against the table, thinking.

Then it hit him—Kaido of the Beasts.

The Beasts Pirates were close by. If any crew had spare Devil Fruits lying around, it was them. They practically hoarded Zoans like candy. It was common knowledge that Kaido's people relied almost exclusively on animal-type Fruits, while treating Logia and Paramecia types like trash.

If they didn't have at least one extra, it'd be shocking.

"Kaido's crew is ridiculous," Vane muttered.

Still, the idea gave him hope.

He resumed eating. Gion, seated beside him, gently placed more food on his plate even while chatting with Esdeath.

Without noticing, Vane's rice was soon buried under extra side dishes.

Gion was completely integrated into this strange, makeshift household. Though part of her still remembered her duties as a Navy soldier, those thoughts were growing fainter by the day.

Something had shifted after last night.

Bonds had formed, and with them, her sense of justice had changed. After all, the Navy didn't have a monopoly on morality, and pirates weren't always evil. The world wasn't that simple.

Sure, pirates committed atrocities. Civilians often feared them more than the Celestial Dragons. Roger, to many, was a legend—but to the average citizen, he was the spark that ignited the Age of Pirates, flooding the world with chaos.

Vane and his companions were different. They weren't tyrants. They didn't raid villages or slaughter innocents. Vane, once a commoner himself, had no intention of becoming a butcher.

Instead, he wanted to transform Wano. To turn it into a thriving, open economy—one that could join the global stage. Establish a fair tax system. Introduce technology and trade.

But it would take time.

In his mind, Wano could become like Sabaody, the Golden City, or Water 7—minus the corruption. Anyone who dared to repeat the sins of Sabaody's dark side would be dragged into the streets and executed.

First step—connect Wano to the world.

"Eat more, Vane. You're too thin," Gion said gently.

"Don't be picky," she added with a smile.

Esdeath arched a brow. "Why are you so nice to him today? You're acting weird."

"I've always taken care of him. I even sewed his clothes yesterday. What do you ever do? Besides shouting about world domination?"

"You—!"

Esdeath fell silent.

"Eat your food," Vane said, cutting off their brewing argument.

The mood returned to calm. Everyone resumed eating.

After the meal, Vane got ready to leave.

He needed one more Devil Fruit. He had a hunch the Beasts Pirates would have one—and he intended to take it.

Gion noticed him heading for the door as she hung laundry outside.

"Going somewhere?" she asked.

"Ghost Island," he said casually.

"You're going after Kaido's crew?"

"Yeah."

"Don't start a fight."

"They won't dare."

Vane left the house, heading toward Onigashima, just south of the Flower Capital.

He needed that Fruit.

For Madara's investment.

---

Ooh yeah, Incase you're wondering why he was pathetically weak for someone with Yamamoto's abilities since his flames could incinerate Kaido without much effort.

His system is called 'Investment'

And the earlier chapters said things about ages and devil fruits bla bla bla

Imagine Yamamoto lived for a thousand years (I know he lived longer)

The MC only invested in like 100 years (an example), unless he completes the investment on the character, just like he did with Esdeath, he won't have all their powers nor be able to Summon them.

_

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