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

Operation Objective: According to intelligence from the Tontatta tribe, Sugar possesses an extremely terrifying "Hobby-Hobby Fruit" ability! She can turn anyone she touches into a toy! And… erase the memories of everyone connected to those turned into toys! The reason why all those turned into toys in the Kingdom of Dressrosa, and the citizens, have forgotten them, is all thanks to Sugar's ability! And once Sugar herself is knocked unconscious or loses consciousness, all the curses she has placed… will be instantly lifted!!! Everyone turned into a toy will return to normal! All erased memories will also be instantly restored!

This plan... is simply... outlandish! But it also... precisely strikes at the heart of Doflamingo's rule over Dressrosa!

Kai understood instantly! Once this "SOP operation" succeeded! Once Sugar was knocked unconscious! Then... the carefully crafted, false facade of peace that Dressrosa had maintained for the past ten years would be utterly shattered in an instant! Countless forgotten tragedies would resurface! The anger and hatred of countless citizens would be ignited instantly! Doflamingo's seemingly solid foundation of rule would... crumble in a flash!!!

This...this is simply...a risky move that could overturn the entire country!

Kai was deeply...shocked by Usopp and Robin's audacity and wild ideas!

He never expected that the Straw Hat crew... would actually be secretly plotting such a... radical and subversive operation!

So what should he do about 893...644...60?

Should we immediately report this intelligence to the Navy and have them intervene to stop their actions? (But that seems... tantamount to helping Doflamingo cover up his crimes?)

Or... should we stand idly by and let them challenge Doflamingo's rule? (But that seems... contrary to his duties as a vice admiral? And... once Dressrosa descends into complete chaos, the resulting destruction and casualties will likely be far more incalculable?)

Kai is once again faced with a difficult choice.

Just as Kai was struggling with his inner turmoil after discovering the secret of "Operation SOP" and unsure how to deal with the increasingly chaotic situation in Dressrosa, he keenly sensed that... Admiral Fujitora's actions also seemed... somewhat abnormal.

Logically, with a Marine Admiral personally present in Dressrosa and having already gathered substantial evidence (at least partial evidence) of Doflamingo's collusion with Caesar in illegal transactions, coupled with the imminent threat of the Law-Luffy alliance, Fujitora should have taken even stronger action immediately! For example, he could have directly pressured Doflamingo to hand over Caesar (even though Caesar had already been taken away by Law), or simply used the pretext of "potentially threatening the kingdom's security" to launch a more severe crackdown and arrest operation against the Law-Luffy alliance!

But... Fujitora didn't!

He seems to have been... holding back.

Aside from a brief encounter with Law and Doflamingo at Green Bit (where he seemingly "let Law escape"), after returning to Dressrosa, he remained at the Navy's temporary base, only symbolically deploying some troops to maintain order, without taking any further, substantive action!

He even seemed to have only "heard of" the situation at the Krida Colosseum where Straw Hat Luffy openly participated and caused a huge commotion, and showed no intention of arresting or intervening!

This is highly unusual! It's completely contrary to the conduct expected of a naval admiral!

Fujitora-senpai... what are you waiting for?!

Kai was filled with doubt.

He decided... to find an opportunity to probe Fujitora-senpai's true thoughts.

One evening, Kai came to Fujitora's residence under the pretext of "reporting on recent intelligence and discussing the next steps."

Fujitora remained as gentle and humble as ever, playing a game of Go alone.

"Is Jingxin coming? Please have a seat."

Fujitora didn't look up, but simply said calmly.

Kai sat down opposite him and gave Fujitora a brief report on some intelligence he had recently gathered.

Then, as if casually, he asked, "Admiral Fujitora, please forgive my impertinence... The whereabouts of the Law-Luffy alliance are currently unknown, and Luffy has even made a public appearance in the arena. Doflamingo's crimes are also beginning to surface... Shouldn't our Navy... take more decisive action? Otherwise, I'm afraid things will get worse if we delay, and the situation will become even more out of control."

"

Fujitora placed a Go stone, making a crisp sound.

He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice low and meaningful: "General Jingxin... what do you think is true 'justice'?"

Here we go again… Kai sighed inwardly.

It seems that my seniors always prefer to respond to questions in this philosophical and speculative way.

But he patiently replied, "I believe that maintaining world peace and stability, protecting innocent civilians from harm, and punishing all forms of evil and chaos is justice."

This answer is rather official and also quite in line with his current status as a vice admiral.

“Then…” Fujitora continued, “If… in order to maintain so-called ‘peace and stability,’ it is necessary to… tolerate the existence of certain evils (such as the Shichibukai system)? Even… it is necessary to sacrifice the interests and truth of some ‘innocent civilians’ (such as the forgotten suffering of the people of Dressrosa)? Then… is that still ‘justice’?”

Fujitora's question hits the nail on the head! It also subtly reveals his inner struggle and... a certain determination!

Kai's heart skipped a beat! He seemed to... understand something!

“General…” Kai’s tone became somewhat tentative, “You mean…”

Fujitora raised his head and looked in Kai's direction. In his unseen eyes, there seemed to be a glimmer of wisdom and... a hint of determination!

"I'm gambling."

Fujitora's voice wasn't loud, but it exploded in Kai's ears like thunder! "I'm betting... on that straw hat!"

"A bet?!" Kai could hardly believe his ears! A Marine Admiral... was actually saying he was "betting"?! And betting on... a pirate?!

"That's right, gambling."

Fujitora nodded, his tone unusually calm. "I bet... Straw Hat Luffy and his seemingly carefree crew can truly expose all the evil Doflamingo has hidden beneath this 'paradise'! They can... completely expose the darkness that the World Government and the Navy have been 'tolerating' and even 'exploiting' all this time to the light of day!"

"Only in this way!" Fujitora's tone became more agitated. "Only by letting the whole world see the bloody consequences of the Shichibukai system can I have enough reason and justification to completely abolish this... long-corrupted and harmful system at the World Government Summit! Only then can I... truly take a crucial step towards the 'benevolent justice' in my heart!"

Kai was completely shocked by Fujitora's... almost insane "bet"!

He simply couldn't believe it! A top admiral of the Navy! Would actually... place his hopes for realizing his ideals on a group of... pirates?! Even... at the cost of sacrificing the Navy's reputation (by watching pirates wreak havoc in his allied nations), sacrificing the lives of countless soldiers (if the conflict escalates), and even sacrificing his own future (if he loses the gamble or is held accountable)?!

This...this can't be described as "adventure"! This is...playing with fire! This is blatant...dereliction of duty!!!

"Admiral! Do you...do you know what you're saying?!" Kai's voice rose slightly, filled with disbelief and...a hint of anger. "Placing our hopes on pirates?! Letting them run rampant in Dressrosa?! This...how is this any different from treason?! What about the dignity of the Navy?! What about the people of Dressrosa who trust the Navy and are waiting to be saved?! What if they fail?! What if Doflamingo's plot succeeds?! Have you considered the consequences?!"

Kai couldn't understand! He couldn't accept it! Fujitora-senpai's behavior... in his eyes, was extremely irresponsible, even "betraying" his duty to the Navy!

This creates the sharpest and most irreconcilable conflict with his own belief in maintaining "order" through force and iron-fisted methods!

Faced with Kaina's questioning, which was full of doubt and hidden anger, Fujitora simply... sighed softly.

He didn't seem... surprised by Kai's reaction.

“I know that doing this is risky and also… against the rules.”

Fujitora's tone returned to calm, but it carried an unwavering firmness. "However, Kai... some deep-rooted 'evil' cannot be eradicated by relying on the power within the system."

Sometimes... it is necessary to rely on forces outside the system, or even forces considered 'chaotic,' to break it down.

"

"As for the consequences..." Fujitora paused, his tone carrying a hint of... tragic resolve, "If I lose this gamble... then I will bear all the responsibility myself! Even if... I am shattered to pieces, I will not hesitate!"

"I simply... want to use my blind eyes to see... whether there is still... a 'hope' truly worth protecting in this world."

And that straw hat... perhaps, is where that glimmer of hope lies?

Fujitora's "frankness" (perhaps also a... final test? A test to see if Kai could still understand and support him?) has drawn a clearer and more insurmountable chasm between him and Kai!

Kai remained silent.

He looked at (sensed) the man before him... his mentor whom he had once deeply admired and relied on, who had now chosen a path that he saw as so "naive," so "dangerous," and even a "betrayal" of his duty... His heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of disappointment and a feeling of rupture!

He knew that he... could no longer agree with Fujitora's ideas and practices.

Their "path" has... become completely different.

So... what should he do?

Should Fujitora's "gambling" and "dereliction of duty" be immediately reported to Fleet Admiral Akainu? Should the Fleet Admiral be asked to stop it all? This seems to be the most appropriate course of action for him as a "Vice Admiral" and to uphold the principle of "order".

But...doing this would be tantamount to...completely betraying the teacher who had once been so kind to him! And...it would also be...indirectly helping the hypocritical and cruel Doflamingo, whom he also despised!

Remain silent? Pretend not to know? Let things develop as they may? This seems like... a wise way to protect oneself.

But... what if the Straw Hat crew actually succeeds? What if they really expose Doflamingo's crimes, or even... become the "heroes" who save Dressrosa? Wouldn't that... make everything Kai did before (like killing Ace and becoming an enemy of the Straw Hat crew) seem even more... ridiculous and... wrong?

Kai was once again caught in an intense struggle and dilemma!

On one hand, there is his deep-seated aversion to Doflamingo's dark rule and his doubts about the existence of the Shichibukai system itself (in this respect, he may have something in common with Fujitora).

53 On the other hand, it was his duty as a vice admiral, his obsession with "order," his deep-seated hatred for the Straw Hat crew, and... his inability to condone Fujitora's almost "gambling" irresponsible behavior!

finally……

Kai slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Fujitora.

"General Fujitora."

His voice was cold and calm, devoid of any emotion. "Your 'bet' is something I cannot agree to."

Subordinates have responsibilities they must fulfill and bottom lines they must uphold.

"

He did not specify what he would do.

Should he report it? Should he stop it? Or should he stand by and watch? He didn't say.

But the firm, clear-cut meaning in his words was all too obvious.

After listening, Fujitora simply...sighed softly again.

He knew that his "disciple," who had once been full of potential but also full of obsession and pain, had ultimately chosen a path completely different from his own, perhaps even darker and lonelier.

"...I understand."

"Fujitora's voice carried an undisguised weariness and... perhaps a final regret, "Let each go their own way."

"

Kai didn't say anything more.

He bowed again, then turned and silently left Fujitora's residence.

Their relationship seems to have truly come to an end.

From this moment on, Kai decided... to remain neutral and observe for the time being.