That's my money!

After Nami had left, Kahn found himself in a good mood.

Upon receiving the information from the system earlier, he had been contemplating various ways to amass wealth. Catching pirates remained the fastest and most lucrative option available to him.

Kahn was now considering setting sail directly for the New World. There were numerous pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries, which would allow him to accumulate the money needed to purchase Devil Fruits quickly.

However, the unexpected revelation from the small Arlong Pirates had provided him with a significant surprise.

While reaching the New World would take some time, dealing with the Arlong Pirates would be swift. His current liquidity amounted to around 8.5 billion Berries, earned through nearly a decade of hard work within the bounds of reasonable rules.

Adding the expected one billion from the Arlong Pirates and the almost 100 million Berries from Nami, he was closing in on 9.6 billion.

Kahn realized that he was only 400 million short of directly buying a Devil Fruit. Considering the rapid accumulation of funds through sweeping the East Blue Sea, this gap could be closed swiftly.

Additionally, the system's operation required him to maintain a significant amount of money at all times for safety.

According to the system, consuming a Devil Fruit would grant him the strength of a general, increasing his chances of survival in the New World.

In this world, strength was directly proportional to earning potential. As a general, he would have the power necessary to protect himself and expedite wealth accumulation. Kahn recognized that enhancing his strength would enable him to navigate this world more effectively.

By accumulating wealth, reinforcing his personal power, and exploiting opportunities, Kahn aimed to reach the pinnacle of success within this world.

He was no longer interested in changing the course of history; he had grown weary of revenge and the darkness that came with it. Kahn had realized that history was cyclical, and no matter the outcome, humanity would continue to suffer in various ways.

Kahn recognized the futility of attempting to reshape the world entirely. Instead, his focus shifted to living life on his own terms.

He had experienced enough hardship and was determined to enjoy a more carefree existence. The dreams of liberating the world had given way to the pragmatism of accumulating wealth.

"Enough of these thoughts. It's time to focus on making money," Kahn decided, shaking off his contemplation.

Five days later, Kahn's warship arrived near Cocoyasi Village. During this time, he had gained a deeper understanding of the system and its requirements for maintaining funds. The urgency for wealth had intensified.

Upon their arrival, Pochi informed Kahn about the presence of a warship from the 16th branch of the East Blue Sea stationed in the port. This was the same warship they had encountered three days earlier.

Kahn was intrigued by this unexpected development. Nami quickly offered an explanation, confirming that the East Blue Sea branch was allied with the Arlong Pirates.

Despite Nami's warning, Kahn's thoughts took a different direction. He pondered the extent of Colonel Trash Mouse's greed and how much profit he could yield from this situation.

Kahn decided to confront the situation head-on. He ordered the boat to be brought over and ventured to shore with a group of marines. As they approached, they were met with a shocked group of sailors from the East Blue Sea branch.

Kahn inquired about Colonel Mouse's whereabouts and the ongoing situation.

He learned that Colonel Mouse was searching for stolen goods, particularly those belonging to Nami. As the conversation unfolded, Nami arrived on the scene, prompting a tense standoff between her and Colonel Mouse.

An unexpected voice interrupted the confrontation.

Kahn stepped forward, addressing the situation directly. He confronted Colonel Mouse, asserting his authority and questioning the legitimacy of the operation. He saw this as an opportunity to benefit himself financially.

Nami was taken aback by Kahn's appearance and his stance on the matter. Kahn's amusement stemmed from the fact that Colonel Mouse was willing to brazenly defy his orders.

He found it amusing that Colonel Mouse was challenging his authority and even questioning the validity of his orders.

As the altercation escalated, Kahn found himself in a good mood. The sight of nearly 100 million Berries in front of him was exhilarating. The thought of taking advantage of the situation to enrich himself brought a smirk to his face.

Though Colonel Mouse was bewildered by Kahn's unexpected arrival, he recognized the military rank and understood the significance of Kahn's presence. Nami's demeanor shifted from anxiety to relief as Kahn asserted his authority and confronted Colonel Mouse.

Kahn's subsequent actions left a strong impression on all present. With a single slap, he sent Colonel Mouse flying. The impact of Kahn's blow was evident on Colonel Mouse's face, as his nose began to bleed, and he struggled to regain his bearings.

In the midst of the chaos, Nami saw Kahn's intervention as a glimmer of hope. She watched as Kahn defended her claims and took charge of the situation.

With the altercation settled, Kahn approached Nami and the chest of treasures. As he eyed the bounty of nearly 100 million Berries, Kahn felt a sense of accomplishment. He had successfully asserted his authority and reclaimed the stolen goods.

Colonel Mouse's initial smugness had vanished, replaced by astonishment and discomfort. He realized that his defiance had led to his current predicament, facing a powerful lieutenant general who was not to be trifled with.

Nami's relief was palpable as she recognized that Kahn had come to her aid. She was grateful that her gamble had paid off and that she had found an unexpected ally in Kahn.

As the events unfolded, Kahn's sly smile grew wider.

He had taken advantage of the situation to secure both justice and a significant financial gain. The confrontation had served as a reminder that his authority was not to be underestimated, even by those within the Navy.

With his immediate goals accomplished, Kahn's thoughts turned back to his ultimate aim—to accumulate enough wealth to purchase a Devil Fruit. The challenge now lay in his ability to maintain this trajectory and utilize the system's opportunities to their fullest extent.

(end of this chapter)