One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

Investing in Esdeath granted an Ice Teigu—comparable to Aokiji's freezing powers. In fact, Vane felt that Esdeath's Ice Teigu might even surpass the Ice-Ice Fruit. After all, her Teigu could manipulate time and space itself.

"[System, accelerate by thirty years.]"

In the original story, Esdeath became the Empire's strongest warrior in her early twenties. Vane figured thirty years of investment would be enough. Besides, she died young anyway.

[Ding! Acceleration complete. Would you like to continue investing?]

"No, let's check the results."

[Ding! Investment in Ice General Esdeath complete. Calculating returns…]

[Ding! You've obtained the Imperial Equipment: Ice Teigu — Demon God's Manifestation: Devil's Essence.]

[Ding! You've obtained the character: 'Esdeath the World-Conqueror'.]

"The King of the World… Esdeath?"

"System, what's happening?"

[When an investment reaches completion, there is a chance of receiving a real-world character summon.]

"A summon? You mean I can summon Esdeath into this world?"

[Yes. With full investment, there is a 10% chance of character summoning.]

"Full investment" meant the investment period exceeded the character's lifespan. In Esdeath's case, Vane's thirty-year investment surpassed her 27-year life. That gave him the chance to summon her into reality.

He hadn't expected such a surprising return. Esdeath, a woman of terrifying strength, would be comparable to a Marine Admiral—at least in short bursts. In long battles, she might struggle. After all, the monsters in the One Piece world could fight for days nonstop.

Still, Esdeath was undeniably a powerhouse.

Vane grinned. This worked out well. His ship was lacking top-tier combatants, and Esdeath could easily fill that gap.

[Ice Teigu power integrated. Would you like to summon the character now?]

Vane could feel a cold, formidable energy awakening within him. The power of the Ice Teigu surged in his body.

"Not yet."

He wasn't ready to bring Esdeath out. Especially not this version of her. In this alternate life, she had conquered the Empire, crushed Night Raid, and even dethroned the Emperor. Cold-blooded and merciless, she ruled as a brutal Empress.

This Esdeath wouldn't be easily controlled. She might even resist him completely. Still, part of Vane enjoyed the challenge.

Maybe he could make her submit?

Defeat her?

He chuckled.

"Forget it. I'll think about it tomorrow."

Lying on his bed, Vane began to plan. Maybe he'd summon her in a remote part of the sea, test her, defeat her, and crush her pride. That'd be the surest way to bend her to his will.

But he didn't yet realize just how much respect the version of Esdeath he had summoned would command—even from him.

[Ding! Achievement unlocked: 3D Character Investment — Investment period exceeds 100 years. System upgrade in progress. Countdown: 12 hours.]

The system was upgrading. That was something to look forward to.

Vane pulled the quilt over himself, staring at the ceiling before drifting off to sleep.

---

Morning came.

Vane stood on the deck, gazing in the direction of the Grand Line's deeper seas. With a wave of his right hand, he unleashed his new freezing ability. A vast section of the ocean instantly crystallized into solid ice.

Kalifa watched in awe.

Lord Vane had somehow acquired another fearsome power. The ability to freeze the sea? She didn't ask questions. The stronger Vane became, the more secure she felt.

She believed Vane had secrets—just like the mysteries of seawater and Seastone. And she didn't need to know them all.

"I want to follow Master Vane for the rest of my life," Kalifa vowed silently, her heart even more resolute.

"With that kind of strength, not going to the New World would be a waste," Vane muttered to himself. "Time to compete with the monsters."

His plan was clear: head to Sabaody, get the ship coated, and enter the New World.

"Kalifa, set course for Sabaody."

"Oh! Right away, Master Vane!"

---

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