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

From this day forward, he is no longer that abandoned boy, no longer that struggling bounty hunter.

He will be... the Navy! The maintainer of the World Government order (at least nominally)! He will be... the cold, sharp blade about to cleave through the remnants of the old era and the root of all chaos!

Kai turned away, no longer looking at the sea that symbolized freedom but was also full of unknowns and chaos.

His gaze (his inner eye) was directed towards Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy.

That place will be his new starting point, and also the stage for him to realize his ambitions (or rather, his obsessions)!

Following the secret communication methods and instructions provided by the Navy, Kai piloted the small patrol boat and once again embarked on his journey to Marineford.

This time, 637's identity is no longer that of a bystander hidden in the shadows, but rather... a "newcomer" who is about to become a member of this massive war machine.

When he arrived at the Marine Headquarters again, which had just been ravaged by war, the scene he witnessed was completely different from the atmosphere of slaughter and chaos during the Marineford War.

Although many buildings on the island still bear the marks of battle, and large areas are undergoing intensive reconstruction, Marineford has been restored to an... astonishing level of order and efficiency!

Countless naval soldiers and engineers, under the command of their respective officers, were methodically clearing the ruins, repairing fortifications, and moving supplies.

At the port, new warships are being launched continuously, replacing those destroyed in the war.

On the training ground, the new recruits were undergoing rigorous drills, with shouts of battle echoing through the air.

Although the entire island was still shrouded in the shadow of war, it was like a huge steel machine that quickly repaired itself after being injured, once again demonstrating its powerful organizational capabilities and unquestionable authority!

The air was filled with a special atmosphere that was solemn, rigorous, and full of an iron will.

This is a unique sense of order that belongs to the Navy.

Kai didn't really agree with this, but... he wasn't against it either.

Compared to the chaos and disorder of the pirate world, this order, built upon powerful strength and strict discipline, at least... seems more reliable.

Following instructions from the Navy, he docked the patrol boat at a designated, relatively remote internal pier.

Then, escorted by two expressionless and imposing naval officers, they proceeded to their designated departments to report for duty.

The person who received him was a middle-aged military officer who looked shrewd and capable, and carried the rank of colonel on his shoulder.

The colonel's attitude was very businesslike. Although his eyes held an undisguised scrutiny and a hint of curiosity, they did not reveal any obvious hostility or contempt.

"You are... codename 'Meditation'?" the colonel asked Kai in a calm tone.

"Yes.

"Kay answered calmly."

"According to the special recruitment procedure, we need to conduct a series of reviews and evaluations on you."

"As he spoke, the colonel gestured to the soldier next to him to hand him a document. "First, please submit your identification."

"

Kai did not hesitate.

He took something out of his pocket—it wasn't an official document, but rather... a chess piece that looked ordinary, yet exuded the unique and domineering aura of his senior Fujitora.

When Kai placed the chess piece on the table, the colonel's pupils contracted sharply! He clearly recognized the meaning the piece represented!

His gaze towards Kai instantly became much more complex! Surprise, doubt, apprehension... and even a hint of... understanding?

With this piece as a "stepping stone," the subsequent review and evaluation process, while still rigorous, was clearly... much smoother.

Chapter 99 Special Operations Force! The Real Yonko Kai!!!

Kai needs to undergo a series of tests.

Physical fitness tests: weighted running, strength test, reaction speed test... Kai passed them all with ease, far exceeding the level of ordinary naval officers and even approaching that of some rear admirals.

His robust physique, honed through gravity training and countless life-or-death battles, left the naval soldiers in charge of the test speechless with astonishment.

A powerful assessment: This is the focus of the review.

Kai did not hide his strength.

He unleashed his Observation Haki, which far surpassed what ordinary people could imagine, without reservation. The breadth of his perception, the precision of his senses, and the keenness of his insight into emotions and intentions even shocked and... put a bit of pressure on the several Navy Vice Admirals who were proficient in Observation Haki and were responsible for the assessment!

As for Armament Haki, Kai held back.

He only demonstrated the extent to which he could cover the weapons and perform basic hardening, without revealing the still unstable higher-level application he had forcibly broken through on the edge of life and death.

Even so, it is enough to prove that he has indeed mastered two kinds of domineering aura and has the potential to become a senior naval commander.

Psychological state assessment: This is the most subtle and crucial step.

The Navy is clearly concerned about Kai's past (especially his relationship with the Straw Hat Pirates) and his ruthless style of doing things.

The psychological analyst in charge of the assessment (likely an expert from within the Navy) posed a series of sharp and tricky questions to Kai, attempting to discern his true thoughts, stance, and potential danger.

But Kai was prepared for this.

He responded to all the questions with an almost absolute calmness and rationality.

His answer was watertight, neither revealing his true thoughts and complex feelings for the Straw Hat crew, nor completely conforming to the Navy's view of "justice." Instead, he cleverly packaged his ideals as a pursuit of "absolute order" and a deep abhorrence of "the evil of pirates."

He even "inadvertently" revealed some... a deep distrust of pirates stemming from past "betrayals".

His eyes, made even more hollow and elusive by his blindness (though he couldn't see them, others could), and his consistently cold and composed demeanor, like an iceberg, gave the experts who tried to analyze his psychological state a sense of... unfathomable depth and... a chill.

Finally, all the reviews and evaluations were completed.

Kai's performance was undoubtedly... outstanding, but also... extremely special and difficult to define.

The Navy, which was responsible for the assessment, submitted the assessment report.

Kai was temporarily placed in a separate barracks, awaiting the final decision from the naval leadership.

He knew that whether he could truly enter the Navy and obtain the power and platform he desired depended on how those bigwigs would ultimately judge and "use" him—a "sharp blade" full of unknowns and dangers.

Just days after Kai was silently waiting in his separate barracks for the Navy's final decision, an order that took him completely by surprise was suddenly delivered.

The newly appointed Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki Akainu, wants to meet with him alone!

Kai felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Akainu! The Magma Admiral who displayed extreme power and absolute ruthlessness during the Marineford War! Now, he has actually replaced Sengoku as the Supreme Admiral commanding the entire Navy?! (Kai had already learned of this while gathering intelligence, but upon receiving the summons, he still felt the pressure.)

And what's more, he actually wants to... summon me alone? A newcomer who has just joined (or hasn't even officially joined) the Navy, with an extremely sensitive background?

Why was this new marshal, known for his "complete justice" and ruthless methods, summoning me? Was he trying to...test me? Warn me? Or...entrust me with an important task?

Kai didn't know.

But he knew that this was an extremely important and extremely dangerous meeting.

He must be extremely vigilant in dealing with this!

Led by two taciturn, steel-like lieutenant colonels, Kai arrived at the admiral's office, located at the highest point of the Marine Headquarters.

As soon as Kai stepped into the office, he felt something even more solid, heavier, and filled with an unquestionable majesty and a scorching will that seemed to burn everything to ashes than what he had sensed during the Marineford War! This will, as if it were a physical entity, filled the entire space, making the air thick and scalding!

Without a doubt, this is the aura of the new Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki Akainu!

Kai forcibly suppressed the instinctive tremor in his heart caused by the powerful aura, maintained absolute calm, and followed the lieutenant colonel into the office.

The office interior was surprisingly simple, even rudimentary.

There were no luxurious decorations, only a huge desk, mountains of documents, and naval flags and huge calligraphy symbolizing "absolute justice" hanging on the walls.

And the man, who exuded a terrifying aura like an active volcano, sat behind the huge desk.

He was dressed in a crisp naval admiral's uniform, his face expressionless. His sharp, hawk-like eyes, through the swirling cigar smoke, coldly scrutinized Kai as he entered, as if examining an object.

"You are... 'Quiet Mind'?" Akainu's voice was deep and hoarse, like lava flowing slowly, carrying an undeniable authority and a hint of scrutiny.

"Yes, Your Excellency Marshal."

Kai stopped, bowed slightly, and spoke calmly.

He did not show excessive humility because the other party was a naval admiral, nor did he show the slightest fear because of the other party's powerful aura.

He simply maintained a proper level of respect befitting a subordinate (at least nominally), and an attitude of equality befitting a strong person.

Akainu didn't seem to care about Kai's humble yet arrogant attitude.

His gaze was sharp as a knife, as if he wanted to see right through Kai, inside and out.

"I have read your report."

He slowly exhaled a smoke ring and cut straight to the point, "Your performance in the Marineford War... Hmph, although your methods were underhanded, the result... was in the Navy's interest."

"

The "achievement" he mentioned was clearly referring to Kai killing Ace.

Although his tone carried a hint of contempt (perhaps disdain for Kai's "sneak attack" tactics), he made no secret of acknowledging the "value" of this incident to the Navy.

“But,” Akainu’s tone suddenly turned cold, and an even more terrifying pressure instantly enveloped Kai! “The Navy doesn’t need 'tools' with ulterior motives! Nor does it need… 'blades' that are out of control!”

His gaze was like a red-hot iron, fixed intently on Kai. "I don't care what your past identity was, or what your purpose was! From the moment you put on this uniform (although Kai hasn't put it on yet), you must absolutely obey orders! Thoroughly uphold the Navy's 'justice'! No questioning! No wavering! No...selfishness allowed!"

“If you can’t do that,” Akainu’s voice turned icy cold, “then, no matter how great your ‘achievements’ are, the Navy… can eliminate you like trash at any time! Do you understand?!”

These words were a blatant warning and threat! Akainu was telling Kai in the most direct way that he could use you, but he would never fully trust you! You must obey him like a loyal hunting dog, or there will only be one outcome—destruction!

Kai could clearly sense the unwavering determination in Akainu's words, and... the ruthless coldness that could turn on him at any time if necessary!

But he was neither afraid nor angry because of it.