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

Kai didn't speak, but just kept his head down, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Fujitora continued, "Being betrayed by someone you trust is like falling from the clouds into an abyss; the pain is excruciating."

I want to forget, but it's like a leech, impossible to shake off.

He wanted revenge, but he was also afraid of being consumed by hatred and losing himself.

"

Fujitora's words accurately revealed Kai's inner struggle and pain, making him feel as if he had been completely seen through.

“But Kai,” Fujitora’s tone became more serious, “the pain of the past is real, it cannot be erased, nor should it be deliberately forgotten.”

Forgetting is just escapism.

What you need to do is not forget, but 'understand'.

"

"Understand?" Kai looked up and asked in a hoarse voice, his eyes filled with confusion.

Yes, I understand.

Fujitora nodded. "Understand the situation at the time, understand the choices others made (even if they were wrong), and understand the cause and effect that led to all of this."

Understanding is not about forgiving, but about freeing yourself from the shackles of the past.

"

"Only when you can truly understand that experience, understand those people, and understand yourself at that time can you truly 'transcend' it."

Let that pain no longer be a stumbling block on your path forward, but become a foundation for you to stand taller and see further.

"

“The shadows of the past cannot be dispelled, but you can choose whether to continue living in the shadows or… to move towards the light and leave the shadows far behind.”

"

Fujitora's words were like a wake-up call, plunging Kai into deep thought.

Understanding? Transcending? This was a completely new perspective for him, one he had never considered before.

He remained immersed in the pain of betrayal and the desire for revenge, never thinking of "understanding" those who betrayed him, or "understanding" the experience itself.

This is very difficult, even more difficult than any form of cultivation.

But he had a vague feeling that Fujitora-senpai's words might really be the key to untying his knot and giving him true freedom.

Although the pain remains and the knot in his heart is not untied, at least he is no longer completely trapped in the shadow of the past as before.

Fujitora showed him a more difficult but also brighter path...to inner peace and true strength.

After his training in Observation Haki reached a deeper level, Fujitora keenly perceived a potential weakness in Kai's current ability system.

Although Kai's perception has reached an astonishing level, and his reaction speed and combat skills are becoming increasingly refined, he still appears somewhat vulnerable in pure strength confrontations and physical defense, especially when facing powerful enemies with Devil Fruit abilities or opponents proficient in Armament Haki that he may encounter in the future.

“Kai,” one day, after finishing his intense gravity training, Fujitora looked at Kai, who was drenched in sweat and adjusting his breathing, and slowly spoke, “Your ‘Mind’s Eye’ can see through everything, and your movements and footwork are becoming increasingly ghostly.”

But water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

Over-reliance on perception and skills can sometimes make you appear vulnerable in the face of absolute power.

"

Upon hearing this, Kai's heart stirred.

He knew that what Fujitora-senpai said was true.

In previous battles, although he was able to win with his exquisite perception and skills, he also found himself in danger several times due to insufficient strength or defense.

If you encounter an opponent as powerful as that pirate captain or with special defensive abilities, relying solely on Observation Haki and physical skills will indeed be very difficult.

"On the high seas, powerful figures abound, and Devil Fruit users are even more numerous."

"Fujitora continued, "Among them are many troublesome characters who can transform into elements or possess indestructible defenses."

When facing them, simply being able to 'see' them and avoid them is far from enough.

You need a power that can truly 'reach' them and protect yourself.

"

Kai immediately understood what Fujitora meant.

He had heard rumors about "Armament Haki" in previous battles—a magical power that can grasp the physical form of Logia-type Devil Fruit users and greatly enhance one's own attack and defense.

However, this power seemed even more distant and elusive to him.

"Are you referring to Armament Haki, senior?" Kai asked, his tone tinged with longing and uncertainty.

"Exactly.

Fujitora nodded. "Armament Haki can be said to be the embodiment of 'spirit,' a way of transforming spiritual will into tangible power."

It can cover the body like an invisible armor to resist attacks; it can also wrap around fists, feet, and blades like a sharp weapon to break through defenses and even touch those illusory elemental bodies.

"

Fujitora paused, looked at Kai, and his tone became more serious: "However, mastering Armament Haki may be more difficult for you than mastering Observation Haki."

"

Kai's heart sank; he knew what Fujitora-senpai was going to say.

Armament Haki emphasizes 'contact' and 'coverage'.

"Fujitora explained, "Ordinary people often need to observe the effects of Haki through sight (such as their arms turning black), or feel the hardness and power brought by Haki through direct physical contact."

And you... without sight as the most direct reference, the difficulty of accurately perceiving, guiding, and controlling this 'spirit' to cover your whole body or weapon will undoubtedly increase significantly.

"

Kai remained silent.

He understood what Fujitora meant.

Observation Haki focuses more on the mental level of perception and the reception of external information, which is precisely the area he was forced to strengthen due to his blindness.

Armament Haki, on the other hand, is more about "projecting" and "solidifying" one's inner willpower outward, which requires a stronger control over one's own energy and... a certain degree of "physical presence".

This was indeed a huge challenge for him, who had always lived in a world without visual perception.

Seeing the seriousness and a hint of frustration in Kai's eyes (as perceived by him), Fujitora smiled slightly and said, "Difficulties are not insurmountable."

Since your 'mind's eye' can see what ordinary people cannot, then perhaps you can also 'sense' the existence of Armament Haki in your own way.

".

Chapter 45 Solo Flight

As he spoke, Fujitora extended his calloused hand. Then, Kai clearly sensed a powerful, concentrated energy, brimming with an indomitable will, rapidly enveloping Fujitora's palm like a tidal wave! Although there was no visual change, within Kai's "Mind Network," Fujitora's palm seemed to instantly don an invisible "armor" radiating astonishing energy and absolute hardness!

Come, touch it.

Fujitora presented his hand, covered in Armament Haki, to Kai.

Kai hesitated for a moment, then reached out his hand and gently touched it.

The sensation from his fingertips sent a shiver down his spine!

It wasn't the smoothness or roughness of ordinary skin, but rather an indescribable "hardness" that transcended the material realm! It wasn't merely physical hardness, but more like an absolute "presence" condensed from pure will! Kai could even sense a vast, profound, and unshakeable energy fluctuation emanating from it!

This feeling was completely different from anything he had ever touched before!

"Can you feel it?" Fujitora asked. "This is Armament Haki."

It has 'texture', 'warmth', and even 'will'.

Try to remember this feeling, and try to understand how this energy works.

"

Then, Fujitora picked up his cane-sword, which he never parted with.

Kai sensed once again that powerful Armament Haki energy, which rapidly permeated the entire blade like ink.

"Try this one."

Fujitora handed the staff-sword, which was covered in an aura of dominance, to Kai.

Kai took the staff-sword, and it felt much heavier in his hand, not just in terms of physical weight, but also in terms of the "weight" brought about by the concentration of energy.

He tapped the blade lightly with his fingers, and the sound was no longer the crisp metallic sound, but a deeper, more solid sound, as if it were being struck on some unknown alloy.

He could even sense the domineering energy flowing subtly across the blade, emanating a sharp yet restrained aura.

"Armament Haki originates from your own 'spirit' and will."

Fujitora began to patiently teach, “Try to feel the power within you, the willpower that supports you in fighting and in living.”

Then, imagine guiding this willpower outwards, covering it up like putting 'armor' on your body or weapon.

"

Kai started trying.

He sat down cross-legged, trying to recall the unique feeling he had when he touched Fujitora's palm and the cane sword, and then focused his mind, attempting to mobilize the "spirit" within his body.