Sailing: I was falsely accused of watching Nami bathe, but I'm blind.

After leaving Punk Hazard with Caesar Clown, the pirate alliance of Trafalgar Law and Straw Hat Luffy, as everyone predicted, is indeed heading towards Dressrosa! Their conflict with Donquixote Doflamingo is now inevitable!

Donquixote Doflamingo, upon learning of everything that had happened on Punk Hazard (Caesar's capture, the potential exposure of the SAD factory, and the disappearance of Vergo and Monet), was also enraged! Kai could clearly sense that in the distant Dressrosa Kingdom, Doflamingo's aura of evil and madness had reached its peak, like a volcano about to erupt! He had undoubtedly laid a trap in Dressrosa, waiting for Law and Luffy to walk right into it!

At the same time, Kai also received the latest and most classified order from the Navy Headquarters—Admiral Fujitora will personally lead a fleet to Dressrosa under the pretext of "investigating the Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo's alleged illegal transactions and endangerment of the security of member states of the World Government!"

Fujitora-senpai... is going to Dressrosa too?! And... under the guise of investigating Doflamingo?!

Kai's heart was once again filled with tremendous turmoil!

He knew this was no coincidence! Behind it all lay the result of a fierce power struggle among various factions within the Navy! Fujitora's actions were likely not merely about investigating Doflamingo, but also... about using this opportunity to further advance his ideal of "abolishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea"?

And what about himself? As a vice admiral also dispatched to the vicinity of Dressrosa, what role will he play in this... impending massive storm that brings together the Law-Luke Alliance, the Donquixote Family, Admiral (Fujitora), I, and himself, among other forces?

Chapter 114 Extreme Revenge! Luffy watches as his crewmates are empowered!

As Fleet Admiral Akainu's "sword," he resolutely carries out orders to strike pirates (including the Law-Luffy alliance and Doflamingo, who may be exposed).

Or perhaps... influenced by Fujitora-senpai, while maintaining "order," he also tried to seek a balance that was closer to "benevolence and righteousness"?

Or perhaps... just like in the Marineford War, he continues to be a "ghost" hidden behind the scenes, using the conflicts between various forces to achieve some... unknown goals of his own?

Kai didn't know.

All he knew was that a storm was brewing.

A storm far larger, more complex, and more dangerous than Punk Hazard is about to erupt in Dressrosa, a kingdom filled with flowers, passion, toys, and... lies, sin, and darkness!

And he, Kai, Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, the "blind" Jingxin, will inevitably be... caught in the very center of this storm!

His gaze (his inner eye) became deeper and more...colder.

Dressrosa... wait for me.

Departing from Steelbone Island, Kai led his direct task force like an arrow, swiftly arriving at the Navy's G-1 branch, located at the forefront of the New World.

This is one of the most important strategic strongholds for the Navy in the New World. Its scale, defenses, and the elite status of the officers and soldiers stationed here are far superior to those of the previous G-5 branch.

Kai's arrival did not cause much of a stir.

Although various rumors about him (both positive and negative) had already spread throughout the Navy, most of the officers and soldiers of the G-1 branch were veterans who had seen many battles and all kinds of storms, and they valued strength and rank more.

As a newly promoted vice admiral of the headquarters and a "favorite" under Fleet Admiral Akainu (at least on the surface), Kai naturally attracted no one's attention and provocation.

Of course, the barriers and scrutiny stemming from different factions and ideologies still exist.

Kai could clearly sense that the G-1 branch was also rife with complex undercurrents and power struggles.

But he didn't care about that at all. He simply followed procedure, reported to the highest commander of the G-1 branch (a senior lieutenant general with a calm and composed demeanor), and then quickly threw himself into the analysis and preparation work for the situation in Dressrosa.

The day after he arrived at the G-1 branch, an emergency video conference concerning the future of Dressrosa, involving high-ranking naval officers (at least regional commanders and headquarters representatives), was held via a secure Den Den Mushi line.

As the lieutenant general who was specially assigned to be in charge of related matters, Kai naturally participated in this meeting as well.

The atmosphere in the conference room (or rather, the temporary command center where Kai was located, equipped with a large video phone bug) was unusually heavy.

First, Lieutenant General Smoker, who had just escaped death from Punk Hazard and returned to the G-5 branch (he also seemed to have been promoted because of the incident), gave a detailed report on everything that had happened in Punk Hazard via a video phone mushi.

He emphasized Caesar Clown's inhumane giantification experiments on humans; revealed the factory where Caesar secretly manufactured SAD, a key ingredient in artificial Devil Fruits; and... explicitly pointed out that the mastermind behind all of this was likely one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo! He also mentioned a possible secret deal between Doflamingo and the Yonko Kaido, conducted through the SMILE fruit! Finally, he... with a complex expression, reported on the situation regarding Vice Admiral Vergo being exposed as an undercover agent and defeated by Trafalgar Law (although he may have omitted some details, such as the process of Law retrieving his heart).

Smoker's report was like a series of bombs dropped on a calm lake! It shocked and angered all the naval officers present at the meeting (except for a few who might already know some of the inside information)!

The Seven Warlords of the Sea! Doflamingo! He actually... was secretly conducting such a dangerous and evil deal right under the Navy's nose?! He even... was colluding with one of the Four Emperors, Kaido?! Not to mention, he successfully planted a mole in the high-ranking position of Vice Admiral at Marine Headquarters! This is nothing short of a blatant provocation and betrayal of the Navy and the World Government!

Kai could clearly sense that on the other end of the video call mushi, Akainu, located in the Fleet Admiral's office at Marine Headquarters, was exuding a scorching and furious aura that seemed to be transmitted through the mushi's signal!

"Donquixote Doflamingo!!~~!" Akainu's deep, molten voice, filled with murderous intent, rang out. "This scum... he's definitely no good! How dare he betray the World Government and threaten world peace like this! Absolutely unforgivable!"

However, after a brief moment of anger, Akainu's tone... took on a barely perceptible hint of... restraint and... helplessness?

“But…” Akainu’s voice turned cold and hard, “Doflamingo is not only one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but is also protected by the World Government’s treaty.”

More importantly… he is… a special being who possesses the 'Celestial Dragon bloodline' (albeit abandoned)! Without explicit instructions and authorization from the highest levels of the World Government (the Five Elders or even higher?), our Navy… cannot yet… take direct, forceful action against him!

Akainu's words made Kai's heart sink once again.

As expected! Even a tough admiral like Akainu was hampered by... higher-level constraints when facing Doflamingo, who had a special background (Celestial Dragon bloodline) and a complex identity (one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the King of the Underworld)! So-called "complete justice" doesn't always seem to be able to proceed unimpeded in the face of absolute power and deeply entrenched interests.

The meeting room fell into another brief silence.

Everyone knows that this is an extremely difficult problem.

Finally, Akainu broke the silence and made the final decision:

"Since we can't directly attack Doflamingo for the time being, let's start from the outside!" His tone was full of unwavering determination. "Dressrosa! We must closely monitor and investigate it! We absolutely cannot allow the SMILE Devil Fruit to continue flowing into Kaido's territory! Nor can we allow the Law-Luffy alliance to continue causing chaos there!"

"I've made my decision!" Akainu's voice was resolute. "I'm dispatching Admiral Fujitora Issho to personally lead the fleet to Dressrosa! Under the pretext of 'investigating the Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo's alleged illegal transactions and threats to the security of World Government member states,' he will be stationed there to observe the situation and take 'appropriate' action when necessary!"

Sending General Fujitora?! Kai's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Let Fujitora handle this hot potato? Fleet Admiral Akainu...does he truly trust Fujitora's abilities? Or...is he trying to use someone else to do his dirty work? Or...is it merely a compromise made to quell dissent within the Navy (between the doves or Fujitora supporters)?

"At the same time!" Akainu's gaze (in his perception) seemed to shift towards Kai, "'Quiet Mind' Vice Admiral!"

“Your subordinate is here!” Kai replied immediately.

"You have a relatively good understanding of Doflamingo and his influence in the New World (Punk Hazard incident), and your strength is sufficient to deal with unexpected situations."

"Akainu said, "I authorize you to coordinate and handle the follow-up matters related to Dressrosa at the New World G-1 branch! Closely monitor the movements of the Law-Luffy Alliance and the Doflamingo Family! And... provide necessary 'assistance' when Admiral Fujitora needs it!"

Akainu seemed to emphasize the word "assist."

Kai immediately understood the deeper meaning behind it.

This so-called "assistance" is probably more of a form of "surveillance" and "checks and balances"? Akainu clearly does not fully trust Fujitora, this "parachuted" admiral who openly opposes the Shichibukai system.

He needs Kai as a "compliant knife" to carry out his true intentions when necessary.

Kai felt that chill and danger once again in his heart...walking the tightrope of power struggles.

But on the surface, he remained calm and composed: "Yes, Your Excellency! I will do my utmost to uphold justice and order in the navy!"

This brief but somber meeting of senior naval officials thus came to an end.

But Kai knew that a much larger and more dangerous undercurrent surrounding Dressrosa had already... officially begun!

The day after the meeting, just as Kai began arranging intelligence surveillance and troop deployments for Dressrosa, he unexpectedly... received direct contact from Admiral Fujitora! (Through the Navy's encrypted communication channels)

This surprised Kai.

Ever since that less-than-pleasant "chance encounter" at Marine Headquarters, he and Fujitora-senpai have seemed to maintain a...deliberate distance.

Why did my senior contact me this time?

"Is it Admiral Shizuka?" I, Fujitora, chuckled.

"Fujitora-senpai's familiar and gentle voice came through the Den Den Mushi, but it seemed... to have a hint of the dignity of an admiral and... an imperceptible weariness?"

"General Fujitora, what are your instructions?" Kai asked respectfully, but also kept his distance.

"Hehe, there's no need to be so formal."

Fujitora seemed to smile. "I am about to depart for Dressrosa and would like to ask... if Admiral Shizuka would be willing to accompany me?"

Colleagues?! Kai was taken aback.

Fujitora-senpai... actually invited me to go to Dressrosa with him?!

Why did he do that?

Fujitora did not explicitly state the reason in the Den Den Mushi.

He simply said in a slightly wistful tone, "Dresrosa is a very murky place... It may seem peaceful and prosperous on the surface, but there are undercurrents beneath."

Although I am a general, I am new here and my eyesight is failing... If I had a colleague like General Jingxin, with 'insight' and the ability to see through deception, to assist me, perhaps... my journey would be a little smoother?"

Fujitora-senpai... is he trying to befriend me? Or... is there something else going on?

Kai's mind raced.

He could clearly sense that Fujitora-senpai's tone was sincere when he said those words, and there was no hint of scheming or testing in them.

Perhaps... the senior genuinely hopes to use this opportunity to mend the rift between them caused by their ideological differences? Or does he truly believe that his Observation Haki can be of great use in Dressrosa, an environment filled with lies and pretense?

Even… a bolder thought flashed through Kai's mind… Did his senior… sense Akainu's true intentions behind having him “assist” him (monitoring and checks and balances)? So… he wanted to actively pull Kai to his side, partly to observe him closely, and partly… perhaps to send some kind of signal to Akainu? Or… did he subtly hope that in a future conflict with Doflamingo or even higher powers, Kai, a vice admiral with considerable strength and a relatively “wavering” stance, could stand on his side at a crucial moment?

The possibilities are many.

But in any case... traveling to Dressrosa with Admiral Fujitora is more beneficial than harmful for Kai!

He could observe the newly promoted general's behavior and true intentions up close!

He can gain a deeper understanding of the power struggle between the Navy's top brass (especially the "reformists" represented by Fujitora) and Fleet Admiral Akainu (the hardliners)!

He could, under the "protection" of Admiral Fujitora (at least nominally), more easily carry out his own... plans in the dangerous land of Dressrosa?

Kai made a decision quickly.

"I am deeply honored by your high regard, General."

"Kay replied in a humble yet assertive tone, "It is an honor for me to travel with Your Excellency and learn from your wisdom and demeanor in handling affairs."

I, the junior, am willing to travel with you.

"

"Hehe, that's excellent."

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Fujitora seemed to let out a relieved chuckle. "Then, I will await Admiral Shizushin's arrival aboard the flagship Amaterasu."