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

Upon seeing this report filled with astonishing battle achievements and an air of mystery, the naval high command reacted in various ways.

Some pragmatic or talent-appreciating generals (such as Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who, while hating pirates, also valued forces capable of maintaining order) showed great interest in Kai's strength and potential.

"This Jingxin's strength is indeed not to be underestimated."

His perception abilities, especially in tracking and counter-surveillance, are simply exceptional! Moreover, judging from the targets he chooses, he doesn't seem to be indiscriminately killing innocent people; he seems to have his own code of conduct.

Perhaps...we could try making contact and see if we can use it to our advantage?

Other commanders, who were more hardline or more wary of those "not of their kind" (such as Akainu, who believed in absolute justice and could not tolerate any gray areas), were filled with suspicion and worry about Kai.

"Hmph! A blind man of unknown origin, yet his strength has increased so rapidly, and his style of doing things is so cold and unpredictable! He's even been involved with troublemakers like Straw Hat Boy! This kind of person is definitely a dangerous element! We can't rule out the possibility that he's a pawn cultivated by some underground force, or even a member of the Revolutionary Army! We must strengthen our surveillance! If we discover any behavior by him that threatens the World Government's order, we must eliminate him immediately!"

Others, however, are taking a wait-and-see approach.

"At present, although Jingxin is powerful, he does not seem to have a clear political stance. He is more like a lone wolf who acts purely for survival and power."

His hunting of pirates is objectively beneficial to us.

There's no need for excessive intervention for now; just keep an eye on it.

Let's see what he does next.

"

And so, the name Kai truly entered the vision of the Navy Headquarters high command for the first time.

He was no longer just a bounty hunter with some fame in the first half of the Grand Line, but had become a "special target" closely monitored, evaluated, and possibly targeted by the Navy Headquarters in the future.

His fate seems to have become even more uncertain and...potentially dangerous.

After successfully hunting down "The Fortune Teller Killer" Donovan and obtaining the important nautical log, Kai did not rush to the Sabaody Archipelago.

He knew he was seriously injured and poisoned, and that he needed to find a completely safe place to receive thorough treatment and rest.

Using his last bit of strength and wit, he evaded his potential pursuers (the Navy, Hawkins's men, and others eyeing his spoils) and finally found a black market merchant ship willing to take him (for a hefty fee, of course, enough to shut them up) to a relatively remote, secluded medical island.

On the ship, while struggling to suppress the deadly poison in his body, he began to try and study the ancient nautical logbook he had obtained from Donovan.

The log was written in an extremely ancient script and appeared to be encrypted using some kind of special method.

Although Kai cannot read directly, he can use his keen perception to "sense" the energy fluctuations and information fragments contained in those words and symbols.

He had a vague feeling that the logbook contained not only the secrets of the special route to the New World, but also seemed to involve some... more ancient and forbidden knowledge? Perhaps it was even related to the "Poneglyphs" or the Void Century?

This discovery weighed even heavier on Kai's mind.

He knew that what he held in his hands was likely a hot potato, a huge secret that could lead to his death.

He must be more careful in preserving and studying this log.

After a period of sea voyage, Kai finally arrived at "White Dove Island," a place renowned for its medical technology.

He found an expensive but highly skilled and secretive underground clinic on the island and received the most professional treatment.

The process of removing the deadly poison from the body and treating the internal and external injuries took a lot of Pelés and nearly a month.

When Kai finally walked out of the clinic and basked in the sunlight again (though he couldn't feel it), he felt as if he had been reborn.

His injuries have healed, and the physical and mental strength depleted from the extreme battle has been fully restored.

More importantly, after this life-or-death battle and the forced breakthrough in Armament Haki, he felt that his bottleneck in strength had truly been broken!

He could clearly feel that although he couldn't yet control his Armament Haki as freely as Fujitora-senpai, covering his entire body, it was much more stable and refined than before! He was now confident that he could use Armament Haki hardening for offense and defense for a longer period and over a wider area in battle!

After experiencing the interference and confrontation with the "Misfortune Mist" fruit, his Observation Haki seems to have become more acute and resilient, and his ability to perceive and resist mental and special energies has been significantly enhanced!

His physical skills and swordsmanship were honed in the most direct and effective way during his life-and-death battles with top assassins like Donovan, becoming more concise and deadly!

He is stronger now than ever before!

The significant increase in strength further solidified Kai's determination to travel to the Sabaody Archipelago.

He knew that he had already qualified to take the first step into that "crossroads of the strong".

He needs to go there, to see a wider world, to come into contact with higher levels of power, and to find more information about the New World, the Four Emperors, the Marine Headquarters, and even his own origins (if he has any such thoughts).

He also had a vague premonition that in the Sabaody Archipelago, that lawless place where various forces converged and undercurrents surged, he might encounter unprecedented challenges, but he might also... find an opportunity to make his strength leap forward again! Even... inevitably, he would once again have a fateful encounter with certain "acquaintances" he both wanted to avoid and seemed destined to meet again!

Kai packed his belongings, carefully concealed the old nautical logbook, and gripped the "Tranquility" cane knife in his hand.

His face remained expressionless, but his "mind" was already fixed on the Soap Bubble Islands, located at the end of the first half of the Grand Line, a place bathed in sunshine yet filled with unknowns and dangers!

A new journey is about to begin! And this time, he will face the unknown destiny with greater strength and a more ruthless mindset!

After fully healing his injuries on White Dove Island and consolidating his newly acquired Armament Haki, Kai did not immediately set off for his ultimate destination—the Sabaody Archipelago.

He knew that haste makes waste, especially before stepping into that place teeming with powerful figures and turbulent undercurrents. He needed more preparation and a clearer understanding.

He chose to first travel between several important islands in the middle of the Grand Line.

On one hand, he continued to operate as a bounty hunter, taking on missions of moderate difficulty that could further hone his practical application of Armament Haki and combat skills, while also accumulating more funds and resources for himself.

On the other hand, he is also constantly expanding and deepening his intelligence network, gathering more information about the New World, the Marine Headquarters, the Four Emperors, and those rising "Supernovas".

While he was taking a short break and gathering intelligence in a port city called "Iron Harbor City," which was known for its naval base and heavy ship construction, a familiar yet somewhat troublesome aura once again entered his field of vision.

It's Smoker!

Kai immediately became alert.

He sensed that Smoker's aura was more concentrated and powerful than when they last met at sea, and the naval authority and iron-blooded aura emanating from him were also stronger.

Clearly, this persistent "smoker" has seen a significant improvement in rank and ability during this period, and may have been promoted to commodore or even rear admiral at the Navy Headquarters, and has been transferred to this important naval base.

Chapter 73 Shampoo Islands

Kai instinctively wanted to avoid it.

He didn't want to have anything to do with this stubborn naval officer again.

Although the last "cooperation" was brief, the rumors and gossip that followed had already annoyed him greatly.

Moreover, he could sense that Smoker harbored a strong sense of suspicion and wariness towards him.

However, sometimes trouble just comes knocking on your door.

Just as Kai was about to quietly leave the black market intelligence point where he was, he bumped right into Smoker, who was walking towards him and seemed to be on a plainclothes patrol!

Smoker clearly didn't expect to run into Kai here.

His sharp, hawk-like gaze instantly locked onto Kai, his brows furrowing tightly, radiating a powerful aura of pressure and undisguised vigilance!

"Calm down!" Smoker's voice was low and cold, with a questioning tone. "What are you doing here?!"

The previously noisy black market atmosphere instantly quieted down due to Smoker's appearance and powerful aura.

Everyone fell silent, watching nervously as the two figures, each possessing an exceptionally powerful and clearly opposing aura, stood in stark contrast.

Kai stopped and calmly "looked" at Smoker, his tone indifferent: "I'm just a bounty hunter passing by, here to gather some information, nothing more."

"That doesn't seem to violate any naval regulations, does it, Lord Smoker?" He deliberately avoided addressing the other man by his rank, a silent form of distancing.

“Hmph, bounty hunter?” Smoker sneered, taking a step forward, his powerful aura pressing down on Kai like a tangible force. “I’ve heard quite a few ‘rumors’ about you.”

Ruthless, secretive, and even had 'cooperation' with the Navy… Just who are you? You used to be a member of the Straw Hat Pirates, right? Why were you expelled? And why are you hunting pirates now? Is it for the bounty? Or… do you have some other ulterior motive?

Smoker bombarded Kai with a barrage of questions, each one pointing directly to Kai's most sensitive and unspoken past and secrets! He had clearly conducted a deeper investigation into Kai and was filled with great confusion and suspicion about this mysterious figure who was once associated with the Straw Hat Pirates but now operated in a morally ambiguous manner on the Grand Line!

Faced with Smoker 10's aggressive questioning and powerful aura, Kai remained completely unmoved.

He was already used to being questioned and scrutinized.

He simply stood there quietly, letting Smoker's imposing aura overwhelm him, his face expressionless, his voice as calm as a still lake:

My past is none of your business.

"

"It is my freedom to hunt whomever I want, as long as they are on the bounty list."

"

"My purpose needs no explanation to the Navy."

"

His answer was extremely concise; every word was like cold steel, filled with a sense of distance and a refusal to communicate.

He neither admitted nor denied his connection to the Straw Hat Pirates, nor did he attempt to defend himself.

Because he knew that any explanation would be futile in front of someone like Smoker who was prejudiced and convinced that he was the problem.

Kai's impassive and unyielding attitude made Smoker frown even more.

He could sense that although the blind man in front of him appeared calm, there was a wall of ice hidden deep within his heart that was impossible to break through easily.

Moreover, the faint yet powerful and dangerous aura emanating from the other party, stronger than when they last met, made him hesitant to act rashly (especially without solid evidence and an arrest warrant).

The two stood facing each other on the black market street, their invisible auras clashing, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

The onlookers dared not even breathe, for fear of being drawn into the conflict between these two menacing figures.

In the end, it was Smoker who broke the silence first.

He snorted coldly, withdrawing his aggressive demeanor: "Hmph, stubborn fool."

I don't care what your purpose is, but you better remember this: on my turf, you'd better behave yourself! If I find out you've done anything illegal, disorderly, or harmful to civilians, I don't care if you're a 'blind hunter' or some kind of 'quiet mind,' I will absolutely not let you get away with it!