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

Fujitora's words were like a constant warning, deeply imprinted on Kai's heart.

He knew that this was his senior's most sincere care and most important entrustment to him.

He nodded heavily, his voice choked with emotion: "Yes, senior! This junior... will never forget!"

After the instruction, there was a parting gift.

Fujitora took something out of his bag and handed it to Kai.

Kai reached out and took it; it was a knife.

More accurately, it is a cane knife.

Unlike the seemingly ordinary yet sharp cane sword in Fujitora's hand, this cane sword has a simpler and more rustic design. The scabbard is made of some unknown dark hardwood, which feels slightly cool to the touch and has a delicate texture.

When the blade is drawn, it doesn't gleam with a cold light as one might expect, but rather possesses a restrained, deep luster, like that of obsidian.

The blade is not long, slightly longer than the short knife Kai had previously captured, and its center of gravity is just right, making it exceptionally comfortable to hold.

Kai could clearly sense that the material of this sword was extremely special. Although it did not look like a legendary sword (such as a Supreme Grade Sword or one of the Twenty-One Great Grade Swords), its internal structure was exceptionally dense and uniform, containing a peculiar energy fluctuation that could resonate well with Haki.

This is undoubtedly a superb weapon specially crafted for users with an overbearing personality!

"I see that you seem to be more skilled with a knife, so I will give you this 'Quiet Mind' (the name Fujitora gave to this knife)."

"Fujitora said, "Its material is decent enough to withstand your ever-increasing power of Haki."

But you must remember that the real weapon is not external objects, but your unwavering belief and the skills you have honed.

"

Kai held the cane-knife named "Tranquility" with gratitude in his heart.

This is not just a weapon, but also a symbol of Fujitora's recognition and expectations of him.

He knew that this knife would accompany him through the long and thorny road ahead.

Besides the staff and sword, Fujitora pondered for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.

Then, he extended his finger and gently tapped Kai's forehead.

A peculiar aura, bearing Fujitora's distinctive mark, spread out like ripples on water before quickly disappearing.

"This is a 'beacon' left behind by the old man."

"Fujitora explained, "It usually has no effect, but in extreme emergencies, or when you need to contact me, you can try to activate it with all your willpower."

If I can sense it, I will find a way to respond.

However, remember that this method should not be used lightly unless absolutely necessary.

Ultimately, you have to walk your own path in the future.

"

This was undoubtedly the last safeguard Fujitora left for Kai, a weighty expression of care.

Kai was deeply moved and thanked him again sincerely.

The moment of parting finally arrived the next morning.

At dawn, the harbor of Silver Sand Island is bathed in golden light as the sea glistens on the horizon.

A large warship bearing a seagull emblem (not an ordinary patrol boat, but clearly there specifically to pick up Fujitora) was quietly docked at the pier, its white hull appearing majestic and solemn in the morning light.

Fujitora, still dressed in a simple kimono, stood calmly in front of the gangway, leaning on his cane and sword.

Kai stood behind him, silently seeing him off.

There were no many words, and no sad farewell.

Between the two, there was no need for words to express the deep, mentor-student-friend relationship they shared.

"Kay, take care."

"Fujitora said one last thing."

"Senior, please take care of yourself as well."

"Kay's voice was somewhat low."

Fujitora nodded, then turned around and walked steadily up the gangway, stepping onto the naval warship that symbolized his new journey.

His silhouette appeared tall and resolute in the morning light, carrying an indomitable spirit.

Kai stood motionless on the dock.

He pushed his senses to the limit, tracking Fujitora's powerful aura—as steady as a mountain, yet imbued with unwavering resolve—watching (sensing) him board the warship, watching it slowly sail away from the port, further and further away, until it finally disappeared where the sea met the sky…

The master-disciple relationship has come to a temporary end.

Kai knew that from this moment on, he would truly be alone, facing this turbulent world full of unknowns and dangers.

Are you feeling lost? Perhaps a little.

What path should he take in the future? Should he stay true to himself and remain outside the established order? Or should he try to understand Fujitora's choice and seek another possibility? He didn't know.

But perhaps more than anything, it's a sense of relief that I can finally have complete control over my own direction.

While Fujitora's guidance is important, excessive reliance on it can hinder one's growth.

Now, he needs to venture out on his own, experience things, encounter setbacks, and find his own answers through practice.

He tightened his grip on the cane-sword named "Quiet Mind," feeling the cool touch of the hilt, as if he could still feel the lingering warmth and power left by his senior Fujitora.

He cannot let down the teachings and expectations of his predecessors.

Kai found a quieter, more secluded spot near the port on Silver Sand Island and stayed there for a few days.

He didn't rush to leave, but needed time to sort out his thoughts, digest Fujitora's parting words, and determine a clear direction for his future path.

He carefully reviewed every detail of his training with Fujitora, from the enlightenment of Observation Haki to the physical training under gravity, and then to his reflections on "benevolence" and "justice".

Fujitora's teachings were like a lighthouse, dispelling much of his confusion and laying a solid foundation for his strength.

He also re-examined his inner goals: becoming stronger is the foundation of survival, and also the prerequisite for regaining dignity and making those who betrayed him pay the price; proving himself is not only about proving to others, but also about proving to himself that even in darkness, he can walk a path of light that belongs to him; finding and practicing his own "justice" is the higher pursuit that Fujitora-senpai gave him, and it is also the key for him to avoid being consumed by hatred and to maintain inner clarity.

Taking these goals into account and the current reality, Kai began to seriously consider the path forward.

Joining a pirate crew? Impossible.

He didn't have a good impression of being a pirate to begin with, not to mention that painful past experience.

Moreover, most pirate crews are filled with chaos and betrayal, which runs counter to his pursuit of "benevolence and righteousness".

Joining the Navy? Although Fujitora-senpai chose this path, his inner reservations and doubts still remained.

Moreover, given his current "unknown origins" and potential "blemishes" (such as the experience of being expelled from the Straw Hat Pirates), joining the Navy and gaining their trust would be an extremely difficult task.

Moreover, he needs the freedom to pursue his own goals, and the discipline and constraints of the navy may not be suitable for him.

Become a lone wolf? Take on odd jobs like before? This might sustain you, but it lacks clear goals and direction, and makes it difficult to systematically improve your skills and acquire important intelligence.

After much thought, an identity gradually became clear in his mind—a bounty hunter.

Becoming a bounty hunter seems to be the most suitable option for him right now.

First, this allows him to use his increasingly powerful combat skills and domineering abilities to hunt down wanted criminals and earn rewards, thus solving his survival problem.

Secondly, bounty hunters typically target notorious pirates or other criminals who have been wanted by the Navy.

This, to some extent, aligns with his desire to "execute justice" and punish evil.

He can selectively accept missions, targeting only the truly heinous criminals.

Secondly, as a bounty hunter, he has relative freedom to move around on the high seas, travel to different islands, and meet all sorts of people. This helps him gather intelligence, understand the world situation, find opportunities to become stronger, and even... find out about the Straw Hat crew.

Finally, constant battles, especially life-or-death struggles with powerful bounty hunters, are the best form of training.

He can continuously improve his domineering aura and combat skills in actual combat.

Although the profession of bounty hunter is also full of danger and uncertainty, and may even involve dealing with various dark forces, it seems to be the best path for him to balance his needs for survival, becoming stronger, carrying out some form of justice, and maintaining his freedom.

After setting a goal, Kai's sense of confusion dissipated considerably, replaced by a clear and focused motivation.

He stood up, gripped the "Tranquility" staff-knife in his hand, and faced the surging sea.

“Bounty hunters, huh…” he muttered to himself, a cold yet resolute smile curving his lips. “Then, let’s start here.”

"

He will use this knife to hunt down evil on this vast sea, hone himself, and then step by step, walk towards the destination he must reach.

Having decided to become a bounty hunter, Kai began gathering relevant information.

During his last few days on Silver Sand Island, he used some of the connections he had built up at the grassroots level, as well as by subtly "eavesdropping" in places like taverns, to quickly find out that there was a sizable underground bounty hunter guild on "Anvil Island," another island about two or three days' sail away from Silver Sand Island.

It is said that it is a famous gathering place for bounty hunters and an information exchange center in the first half of the Grand Line.

Whether it's an official bounty issued by the Navy, or a private bounty issued by some big merchants, nobles, or even pirates, you can find them there.

Of course, it is also rife with violence, fraud, and danger; is it truly a gray area belonging to the strong?

Anvil Island, Bounty Hunters Guild.

This place sounds like exactly the starting point he needs right now.

Kai did not hesitate for long.