One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

"[System, terminate the investment in Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and take stock of the profits!]"

Frozen inside an enormous ball of ice, Vane could feel the crushing cold around him. His Observation Haki sensed the ice was nearly ten meters thick—about three stories high. And this wasn't ordinary ice. After being reinforced by Aokiji, its hardness was terrifying.

"It's a bit troublesome to use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit right now," Vane muttered. "My development with it is still at the intermediate stage. If Whitebeard was at Awakening level, then I've still got a long way to go."

The power he could currently unleash with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit wasn't enough to break through this kind of ice.

"In order to trap me, Aokiji really went all out."

"Looks like I'll have to rely on my investments."

At that moment, the system's voice chimed in.

[Ding! Investment in Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni successful. Calculating returns…]

[Ding! Acquired the ability to levitate.]

[Ding! Acquired Bakudō and Hadō techniques.]

[Ding! Obtained Yamamoto Genryūsai's swordsmanship—converted to One Piece standards: Great Swordsman level.]

[Ding! Obtained Yamamoto Genryūsai's First and Second Bone Marrow enhancements.]

[Ding! Acquired the strongest fire-type Zanpakutō: Ryūjin Jakka. Initial Shikai state obtained. Bankai: locked. Further investment recommended.]

Vane raised a brow. "The system can invest again later?"

[Yes.]

Inside the ice prison, the space around Vane was tight, only available because he had shattered a portion of it earlier. Still, it was just enough for him to draw his blade.

Ripples danced through the air like water. Then, a unique long sword materialized in Vane's right hand—Ryūjin Jakka.

The strongest fire-type Zanpakutō, its raw destructive power was legendary. Even without its Bankai, the sword was capable of turning everything it touched to cinders. Once fully released, its heat rivaled the core of the sun itself, able to evaporate all the water in Soul Society. Without the Bankai, Ryūjin Jakka was still devastating. The sword was now bound to Vane—no one else could wield it.

His eyes narrowed.

"Then be released."

"Reduce all creation to ash—Ryūjin Jakka!"

Flames burst forth, wrapping around the sword. The searing heat melted the thick ice on contact.

"Flame Burst!"

A torrent of fire exploded outward, surrounding Vane in a blaze of destruction.

The ten-meter-thick ice began to shatter and melt from within.

"Hm?" Aokiji, who had been walking toward Vane's ship, paused. He looked over his shoulder and saw the ice shaking violently.

"What the hell? Is he breaking out?"

Aokiji's expression twisted into disbelief. He was about to rush back when he saw crimson light spreading from within the ice. A massive amount of steam erupted.

"Flames…?"

BOOM!

The ice sphere exploded.

Flames surged toward the sky, and in the heart of it stood Vane—like a fire god of the old world. In his right hand, he held his sword. In his left, the empty scabbard.

"Flames? How's that possible? I thought his power was the Tremor-Tremor Fruit…"

Vane stepped out of the inferno, completely unharmed.

"Aokiji," Vane said coolly, "your ice means nothing to me."

He pointed Ryūjin Jakka toward the frozen Admiral.

"Hey, wait a sec," Aokiji frowned. "The Flame-Flame Fruit is still with Fire Fist Ace…"

He stared at Vane, expression shifting. His arms were encased in frost, exhaling mist from the cold. His usual lazy demeanor was gone—replaced by serious focus.

Vane grinned. "This sword ate the Flame-Flame Fruit. I'm the only one who can use it."

"A sword… that ate a Devil Fruit?" Aokiji's eyes narrowed further.

He was even more confused now. Only Vegapunk had ever accomplished such a feat. Spandam's sword had eaten the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, but only after heavy scientific modification.

"You're overthinking it, Aokiji."

Before the Admiral could react, Vane appeared before him.

Bang!

Vane's right fist drove straight into Aokiji's chest—a punch strong enough to demolish buildings. The impact launched Aokiji several hundred meters across the sea.

CRASH!

He smashed into the surface with such force that the water instantly froze around him, turning him into a kneeling ice statue.

"Ice Age!"

A massive stretch of ocean froze over again.

"He's terrifying… he didn't even use his Devil Fruit power. Was that all just a punch?"

Aokiji's heart pounded.

"If he'd used Armament Haki on that strike… I could've died."

"He's only fifteen… how is this even possible?"

Back aboard the ship, Vane landed on deck, flames still dancing around him.

"Set sail! We're heading out," he ordered.

Khalifa looked at the blade in his hand. "That sword of yours… is that really a sword? Isn't it burning hot?"

"Steer east. Don't ask questions."

"…Got it."

Vane dropped the scabbard to the deck and stepped onto the railing. He turned back toward Aokiji in the distance.

Then, he leapt overboard. Using his newly acquired levitation, he ran across the water's surface with ease.

Was he going to kill Aokiji?

Of course not.

If he did, the Navy would send the entire fleet after him—and he wasn't ready for that kind of war.

Besides, the Admirals were monsters in their own right.

He still wasn't sure if he could truly kill one… yet.

---

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