In the afternoon, Vane returned to his residence. Gion and the others were sitting on the grass in the garden, passing time by playing games, a card game they enjoyed when bored.

The courtyard was bright and serene, lined with flowers and trimmed hedges. As Vane stepped through the gate, Gion, who was facing that direction, looked up and smiled softly.

"Are you hungry, Vane-sama?" Kalifa asked.

"Not really," Vane said with a smile, settling beside Gion.

Esdeath narrowed her eyes slightly. "Where did you go after breakfast, Vane?"

"Just stepped out for a bit."

Vane placed several boxes in front of them.

"I picked these up at the Flower Capital. Not sure if they'll suit your tastes."

Inside the boxes were jewelry, cosmetics, and similar trinkets. Though Vane didn't fully understand their appeal, he figured the gesture would be appreciated.

He pointed to the boxes as he spoke. "This one's for Gion, that one's for Kalifa, and the last is for Esdeath."

"I like it!" Gion beamed. "I thought you didn't understand anything about gifts."

"Anything you give is perfect, Vane-sama." Kalifa accepted hers with a graceful nod.

Esdeath didn't say a word, but her smile spoke volumes.

"Thank you, Vane," Gion said softly.

As the afternoon passed and evening arrived, they had dinner together before Vane excused himself. There was still something important left to do—an investment.

Tonight's investment target was Uchiha Madara, a legendary figure from another world, known for godlike power and overwhelming force. He had once shaken the earth itself, dropping a black meteorite from the sky as casually as swatting a fly.

[Would you like to invest in Uchiha Madara from the Fourth Ninja War? Investment cost: Five Devil Fruits. Confirm your investment.]

"Confirm."

[Investment initiated: Uchiha Madara (Reincarnated State)] [Reincarnated template activated: Edo Tensei. Unlimited chakra access granted.]

Though it wasn't the Sage of Six Paths version, this reincarnated Madara was already terrifying. Infinite chakra, mastery of all jutsu, complete battlefield awareness—he was a walking natural disaster.

"How long to accelerate the investment?" Vane asked.

[Fifty years.]

"Accelerate."

[Acceleration complete.] [Investment in Uchiha Madara successful. Calculating returns…]

[You have obtained: – Uchiha Madara (Reincarnated) – All Ninjutsu Mastery – Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan – Rinnegan – Heretic Golem – Nine-Tails – Bloodline Limit: Wood Release – Unlimited Chakra]

As the information streamed through him, Vane felt the change immediately. A whole new power system had taken root in his body. Even the previous investment in Captain Yamamoto hadn't yielded a system this complete.

Standing before the mirror, he activated his eyes—the Rinnegan, the Eternal Mangekyō—and admired the overwhelming aura they exuded.

"Looks a little monstrous," he muttered, deactivating them and reverting to his original appearance. "Much better."

Still, the power was undeniable. With these new abilities, he could dominate the entire pirate world.

"Perfect investment."

He turned to leave the room. "Maybe I'll go find Gion."

Six days passed.

In that time, Wano had begun its transformation. Hiyori Kozuki had officially taken over the country and visited Vane several times to seek advice. But Vane was no politician. The complexities of governance weren't his strength.

He particularly disliked the nobility—arrogant parasites clinging to their titles. A few outspoken ones had already met their end.

Most of Wano remained impoverished, especially outside the Flower Capital. Helping the people there was a daunting challenge.

No wonder Kaido had backed Orochi. Kaido simply collected his share while leaving the dirty work to others. The former shogun had kept a tight grip on every part of Wano, brutal and effective.

"Hiyori, managing Wano is more than a title," Vane said as he sat across from her. "Have you heard of Boa Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily?"

Hiyori's eyes lit up. "The Pirate Empress? Isn't she said to be the most beautiful woman in the world?"

She leaned forward slightly, her voice tinged with playful curiosity. "Vane-sama… who's more beautiful—me or her?"

"Boa Hancock," Vane answered flatly.

(Bro's brutal lmao)

Hiyori blinked, surprised at the directness.

She searched his face, trying to detect a lie. There was none.

In the next room, Gion, Kalifa, and Esdeath were playing Go.

"He really told her that?" Gion chuckled as she placed a white stone.

Vane had used a special technique to let their voices carry through walls, though they couldn't hear him in return.

"You think he's the kind of guy who flirts with every girl he meets?" Esdeath grumbled.

"Definitely not," Gion replied smoothly, placing her next piece.

"So what did you do last night, Gion?" Esdeath asked with a sly grin.

Gion's expression didn't change. "Does it matter?"

"You shameless old woman! I'll crush you this round!"

Esdeath had lost 19 straight games. The losing streak was driving her mad.

"You're just jealous," Gion teased.

Esdeath turned serious. "I want to tear that blue-haired woman apart. She's been clinging to Vane lately—like I don't know what she's after."

"You mean Hiyori?" Kalifa asked.

"She's just being used," Gion added.

"I've met Hancock before," Kalifa said. "She slapped me once. I kicked her across the plaza. Didn't care how pretty she was."

"Seriously?" Gion asked.

"Yep. Two or three months ago."

"Do you have a picture of her?" Esdeath leaned in. "If she's the most beautiful woman alive, I want to judge for myself."

"Don't be so jealous," Gion laughed. "Hancock really is stunning. And powerful—top-tier Haki, deadly Devil Fruit abilities, elite combat skills. You'd need an admiral just to contain her."

"Now I'm curious."

Back with Hiyori, Vane kept his tone calm.

"Hancock built a nation of warriors. You won't lose to her, right? You're a woman too, leading a country. You have what it takes. Don't let your father, Kozuki Oden, down."

"I won't!" Hiyori straightened her back. "I'll prove it to you."

"The first step is feeding the starving people outside the Flower Capital. If you give them rice, they'll worship you. Some may even see you as divine. Then they'll fight for you."

"You're right."

"So take your time. You can do it."

"I won't let you down, Vane-sama!"

Later that day, Vane sighed as he saw Hiyori off again.

"She's a handful. Thank goodness I'm not the Shogun of this place. I'd lose my mind."

Back in the other room…

"You lost again. That's twenty losses now!" Gion said, clapping for herself.

"Kalifa, give me some applause," she added.

Kalifa sighed and clapped politely. "You're all ridiculous."

Esdeath huffed. "He's going to bring in another woman, I can feel it."

"Except you and I were chosen by Vane-sama," Kalifa replied. "You practically kidnapped Gion."

"You!"

Esdeath glared.

"Glasses girl!" she growled.

"I've told you—I don't wear glasses anymore!"

Just then, Vane walked in.

"Did Hiyori leave?" Gion asked.

"She did."

Esdeath scoffed. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed she likes you."

"I'm not interested," Vane replied casually.

Esdeath pointed at Gion. "What about her?"

"She's family. Hiyori's an outsider. Don't compare her to Gion. And stop calling her an old woman."

"Whatever," Esdeath muttered. "Gion, one more game!"

"I'm not eating tonight," Vane said. "Might not be back until tomorrow. I've got somewhere to be."

"Where?" Gion and the others asked in unison.

"Mariejois."

Gion's expression darkened. "Are you crazy?! That place is crawling with Celestial Dragons and guarded by the strongest forces in the world! If anything happens, the Navy HQ can be there in less than thirty minutes!"

"I'm going with Kaido."

"Kaido? Aren't you enemies?" Esdeath asked, stunned.

"If he's scared enough, he'll listen to me," Vane replied with a grin.

No matter what, Vane was headed to Mariejois.

It was time the Celestial Dragons learned what real fear felt like.

---

Milestones

100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter

200 Power stones = 3 Bonus Chapters

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My patreon link: patreon.com/Zphyr_