His physique grew stronger day by day, and he was able to withstand greater and greater gravity; his movements became more swift and coordinated; and his control over his own strength became more and more refined.
Although he is still a long way from being a true master, he is no longer the "wildcat" who fights solely based on instinct and reaction speed.
Fujitora did not only teach Kai his power, but also focused on shaping his heart and values.
During their journey together, Fujitora would always seize every opportunity to explain and demonstrate his understanding of "benevolent justice" to Kai, based on the specific events they encountered.
They passed through a remote village that was being plundered by a group of ruthless pirates.
The villagers were wantonly bullied, their houses were set on fire, and their cries and pleas for mercy echoed through the sky.
Without the slightest hesitation, Fujitora, leaning on his cane and sword, walked step by step into the hellish village.
He did not concern himself with so-called "procedures" or "impact" like some naval officers, nor did he concern himself with "rewards" or "risks" like some bounty hunters.
He acted calmly, but with extraordinary determination.
Kai followed behind Fujitora and clearly "saw" (perceived) that breathtaking scene.
Fujitora did not go on a killing spree, but the power he displayed was enough to terrify all pirates.
An invisible gravitational field suppressed the arrogant pirates, rendering them unable to move. Their weapons were easily taken away, while those who resisted were crushed to the ground by an even stronger gravitational force, their bones shattered, and they lost their ability to fight.
Throughout the entire process, Fujitora's face remained largely expressionless, displaying only indifference towards evil and a certain degree of respect for life (he did not take the lives of those pirates, but merely abolished their ability to commit evil).
After the last pirate was subdued, Fujitora did not leave immediately. Instead, he helped the villagers put out the fire, comforted the frightened women and children, and even used his abilities to clear away the ruins of the destroyed houses.
Afterwards, Fujitora told Kai, "Protecting the weak is not just about defeating the bullies."
True protection means giving them hope to survive and the strength to rebuild their homes.
Violence alone can sometimes only bring deeper fear and destruction.
Benevolence and righteousness should be like spring rain, nourishing things silently, rather than a violent storm that destroys everything.
"
Kai listened silently, watching (and sensing) the transformation in the villagers' eyes from despair to gratitude, and gained a deeper understanding of "protection" and "the use of power".
They also encountered a naval force escorting "prisoners" (actually impoverished people arrested for not being able to pay the Heavenly Gold).
The naval officer leading the group was arrogant and subjected the chained, ragged poor to extreme abuse and insults.
When one of the poor people fell due to exhaustion, the officer actually pulled out a whip and was about to lash him.
Chapter 34 Seeing and hearing the domineering power
This time, Fujitora's reaction was completely different.
Before he could utter a single word, a terrifying force descended, not only slamming the officer to the ground but also crushing the whip in his hand into powder by an invisible force.
The other naval soldiers were terrified, trembling and too scared to move.
Fujitora walked up to the officer who was pinned to the ground, his voice icy: "Wearing the uniform of justice, yet committing the acts of beasts."
Are you protecting the people, or those high-ranking parasites? Such 'justice' is better left unfulfilled!
Fujitora then used his power to break the chains binding the poor people, signaling them to leave quickly.
Facing the terrified naval soldiers, he simply said coldly, "Go back and tell your superiors that there are some bottom lines that cannot be crossed."
Then he took Kai and drove off.
On the way, Fujitora said to Kai, "Justice is not always on the side of those in uniform."
Sometimes, the very force that appears to maintain order is itself the greatest injustice.
When 'justice' becomes a tool of oppression, challenging and destroying it becomes another form of 'benevolence and righteousness'.
You must learn to distinguish between true good and true evil, and not be misled by outward appearances or banners.
"
These firsthand experiences, along with Fujitora's wise and powerful words and actions, acted like a gentle stream, constantly washing away and shaping Kaina's worldview, which had become somewhat distorted and extreme due to betrayal.
He began to understand that the use of power should be principled, the boundaries of justice are not immutable, and that "benevolence and righteousness" may be the ultimate yardstick for measuring everything.
Although the hatred and pain in his heart had not completely disappeared, at least he no longer regarded revenge as his only goal. Under Fujitora's guidance, the yearning for fairness and kindness deep in his heart gradually took root and sprouted.
They practice together during the day and find a quiet place to rest at night.
The crackling campfire dispelled the darkness and cold, providing the master and apprentice with a rare moment for quiet conversation.
Kai always seized these opportunities to ask Fujitora all sorts of questions.
"Senior, besides the range and precision of perception, is there a higher level of Observation Haki? For example... predicting the future?" He asked, drawing on his own experience in cultivation and the bottlenecks he had encountered.
Fujitora didn't give a direct answer, but instead asked, "Do you think the future is predetermined, or is it a river full of variables? If you could see where the river is flowing, could you change its course?" He guided Kai to think about the nature and limits of perception, rather than simply pursuing some kind of "magical" ability.
"Senior, in battle, what should I do when my opponent's speed is so fast that I can hardly sense it?" Kai asked again about the difficulties in battle.
Fujitora would say, "What the mind sees is not speed, but 'momentum'."
Water flows without form, yet it can penetrate even the hardest stone.
Even the fiercest winds leave a trail.
The best strategy is to sense its 'momentum' and act accordingly, either by avoiding its sharp edge or by luring it into its own trap.
Blindly pursuing keeping up with the speed of others will only lead to a disadvantage.
He used a Zen-like metaphor to point out the key to Kai's adaptability in battle.
Besides his domineering presence and fighting prowess, Kai sometimes musters the courage to ask questions about life and choices.
"Senior, you possess such immense power, so why... do you seem not to pursue higher status or power?"
Upon hearing this, Fujitora simply smiled faintly: "Power is like strong liquor; it's easy to get drunk, and when you're drunk, you lose your senses."
What I seek is not high position and great wealth, but peace of mind, and... to do my part for this ailing world.
If I could reduce injustice and increase righteousness in the world, I would be content with my life.
"
Fujitora's answers were always so calm and collected, yet they contained profound philosophical insights that greatly benefited Kai.
He felt that he was not only learning about strength, but also about learning an attitude towards the world and life.
Occasionally, Fujitora would subtly inquire about Kai's past.
He wouldn't directly ask for details, but when discussing certain topics, he would subtly ask, "You seem to have experienced a lot of suffering that most people can hardly imagine, despite your young age."
What makes you so sensitive to 'betrayal' and 'injustice'?
Facing Fujitora's gentle gaze (sensory perception) that seemed to see into people's hearts, Kai, though still filled with resentment and pain deep down about that unbearable past, felt, for some reason, able to open his heart a little more in front of this senior who was also blind but had given him new hope.
He would selectively express some of his feelings, such as the despair of being misunderstood and abandoned by the person he trusted most, the loneliness and fear of struggling to survive alone in the wilderness, and the anger and resentment towards those who easily denied him and trampled on his dignity.
However, he never mentioned the specific names of the people or the name of the ship—the Straw Hat Pirates.
That memory is like an unhealed wound; he is unwilling to fully expose it to anyone, not even Fujitora.
Fujitora never pressed for answers, but simply listened quietly, occasionally offering a word of comfort or guidance.
"Past experiences are like a whetstone; they can sharpen you, or they can shatter you completely."
The key is how you hold the knife, and... where you ultimately choose to point the blade.
"
Hatred is a powerful driving force, but it is also a dangerous flame.
If you can't control it, you'll eventually be devoured by it.
Learning to let go is not about forgetting, but about moving forward in a better way.
"
These words, like a clear spring, gently nourished Kai's parched and cracked heart. Although they could not immediately soothe all the pain, they brought him a long-lost sense of understanding and comfort.
Although there was no explicit master-disciple relationship between him and Fujitora, they built a silent and profound understanding and trust through repeated questions and exchanges.
After a period of learning and rigorous training, Kai's strength and mental state have made great progress.
His Observation Haki has become more refined, and his perception range and accuracy far exceed those of before; his physique has become tough and strong under gravity training; his understanding and skills in combat have also become increasingly proficient, and he has begun to form his own unique fighting style that relies on perception.
More importantly, his heart was no longer completely consumed by hatred and anger as before, but instead, under Fujitora's influence, he began to reflect on and pursue "benevolence and righteousness."
On this day, the master and his apprentice passed through a port town and happened to encounter a group of pirates of considerable strength who were burning, killing, and looting in the town, acting arrogantly.
This group of pirates numbered about twenty or thirty. The leader was a burly man with a bounty of several million Berries (considered a considerable strength in the first half of the Grand Line), wielding a huge spiked club and looking quite fierce.
The town's residents were terrified and fled in all directions. The few townspeople who tried to resist were quickly beaten to the ground by the pirates.
Fujitora sensed all of this and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He turned to look at Kai beside him and said calmly, "Kai, you have been training with me for some time now."
These wicked people who are wreaking havoc in the village are now your responsibility to deal with.
I'll be there to support you.
"
Upon hearing this, Kai felt a chill run down his spine, followed by a surge of intense fighting spirit and a hint of eager excitement.
This is the first time Fujitora has explicitly asked him to face an entire pirate crew alone! This is a test of his training results, and also an opportunity for him to put his inner "benevolence and righteousness" into practice!
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