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

The native creatures here are far superior to the Sea Kings of the first half! Kai could clearly sense that beneath the seemingly calm seas, or hidden deep within the primeval jungles of some islands, lurked countless enormous, terrifying prehistoric beasts or unknown monsters, some even possessing abilities comparable to Devil Fruits! They were filled with hostility and aggression towards any intruder!

What made Kai most uneasy was the pirate forces entrenched in this sea area!

If the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line were mostly just rabble or local bullies, then almost every pirate who could establish themselves in the New World was... a true battle-hardened elite! Monsters among monsters!

They not only possess greater individual strength (there are many Haki users and powerful Devil Fruit users), but also a larger fleet, a more tightly organized structure, and... a more lawless and ruthless style of doing things!

Especially those "Four Emperors" who reign supreme at the top of the New World, ruling their respective seas like emperors! Their spheres of influence are so vast, their subordinates so numerous, and their power so immense that they are practically independent maritime kingdoms! Kai could feel that... suffocating, mountain-like oppressive force just by sensing the presence of some of the fleets belonging to the Four Emperors from afar!

A new world! This is the true stage for the strong! And also... the true battleground!

For the first time, Kai realized with such clarity that the "achievements" he had made in the first half of the Grand Line were perhaps... nothing at all in the face of this much wider and more brutal sea.

Soon, reality gave him a cruel "baptism".

During a mission to hunt down a rogue navy officer, Kai leads his task force deep into a chaotic sea area in the New World known as the "Skullcrushing Islands," a collection of islands.

This is the territory of the "Blood Axe" Pirates, a pirate crew that has long been famous in the New World and is known for its ferocity and fearlessness.

Kai's target, the defector Marine, is hiding on the pirate crew's main island, seeking refuge.

Kai's original plan was still to use his sensory advantage to secretly infiltrate, find the target, quickly eliminate or capture them, and then immediately withdraw to avoid a direct conflict with the entire "Blood Axe" pirate crew.

However, he clearly underestimated the vigilance and strength of the New World pirates.

His infiltration operation had barely begun when it was detected by a surveillance network deployed by the enemy, utilizing special Sea Kings (capable of sensing Haki fluctuations?).

Chapter 102 The Real Fleet Admiral! Kai!!!

The alarm blared instantly throughout the entire island!

Immediately afterwards, hundreds of fierce-looking pirates surged out from every corner of the island like a tide, surrounding Kai and his small task force in an abandoned factory area in the center of the island!

What made things even more difficult for Kai was that a figure... with an extremely powerful aura, filled with the savagery and destructive desire of a berserker, stood directly in front of him!

That was a burly man over three meters tall, with muscles bulging like rocks, wielding a massive, blood-red battle axe taller than a man! He was none other than the vice-captain of the "Blood Axe" Pirates, nicknamed "Berserker" Barton! It was said that he was a Zoan-type Ancient Zoan Mammoth Fruit user (or a similar powerful Ancient Zoan), possessing not only near-infinite strength and astonishing defense and regenerative abilities, but also formidable Armament Haki! His bounty had already exceeded 300 million Berries! He was a true powerhouse of the New World!

"Hehehe... You little rat from the Navy, you actually dare to trespass into our 'Blood Axe' territory to die? You've got some nerve!" Barton grinned, revealing a set of teeth as white as a wild beast, his eyes filled with bloodlust. His massive Blood Axe, like a warhammer, pointed at Kai. "Especially you, you blind man... you do look quite special."

"Perfect timing! It's been a long time since I've tortured a naval officer! Today I'll use you to break my fast!"

Kai's expression became more serious than ever before!

The "Berserker" Barton before him was the strongest opponent he had ever encountered, aside from the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Marine Admirals! The terrifying power emanating from the opponent, like a prehistoric beast, and the unbreakable defensive aura, even made him feel a bit of... pressure!

He knew this would be an unprecedented... fierce battle!

The battle breaks out instantly!

Kai immediately ordered his "653" special forces members to form a defensive formation to deal with the ordinary pirates swarming in from all sides.

He himself, without hesitation, picked up the "Tranquility" staff and sword and took the initiative to meet the "Berserker" Barton, who was like a demon god!

He had to eliminate this strongest enemy as soon as possible! Otherwise, once he got entangled with him, and the other pirate officers or captains arrived, their squad would be doomed!

"You're asking for death!" Barton's eyes flashed with a sinister smile when he saw Kai dare to attack him first! He suddenly raised the huge blood axe in his hand high, and then... like splitting the heavens and earth, he slammed it down fiercely on Kai's head!

The power of this axe strike was terrifying! Even the air itself was compressed, producing a sharp, explosive sound! Kai had no doubt that even a small warship would be easily cleaved in two by this axe strike!

Kai dared not take the blow head-on! His Observation Haki had already detected the trajectory and power of the axe! His body slid to the side like a ghost!

boom! ! !

The massive blood axe slammed down onto the ground where Kai had just been standing! A huge crater was instantly created in the hard alloy floor! Debris flew everywhere!

That was close! Kai's heart skipped a beat! This guy's strength was indeed extraordinary!

Just as he dodged, Kai's "Tranquility" staff sword, like a viper emerging from its hole, was covered with his strongest Armament Haki and stabbed fiercely towards Barton's seemingly wide-open side!

however!

clang! ! !

A deafening clang, like metal clashing, rang out! Kai felt as if the tip of his blade had pierced a piece of... incredibly hard steel covered in a thick layer of fur (mammoth-like shape?)! The powerful recoil nearly made him lose his grip on the knife!

His Armament Haki slash... only left a faint white mark on the opponent's skin?! It couldn't even break through the defense?!

"Hehehe! Useless! Blind man!" Barton grinned maliciously, his massive axe sweeping down again. "My 'Mammoth Body,' plus Armament Haki! Even a Vice Admiral-level strike won't scratch me! You'll just obediently become mincemeat under my axe!"

Kai's expression grew even more serious! This is troublesome! This guy's defensive strength far exceeds his expectations! Moreover, the opponent's Armament Haki is clearly much stronger than his own, both in terms of hardness and coverage!

A head-on collision is absolutely out of the question! We must utilize speed and skill!

Kai immediately changed tactics! He no longer attempted a direct confrontation with Barton, but instead used his superior speed and agility to pounce on Barton like a ghost! His cane-knife no longer aimed for a fatal blow, but instead, like a wasp's stinger, relentlessly stabbed at Barton's relatively weak points—those areas difficult to cover with Armament Haki—from various tricky angles! For example, his eyes, joints, or…some indescribable vital points!

At the same time, his Observation Haki was also raised to its limit, constantly anticipating Barton's storm-like axe strikes, and dodging them with great difficulty!

The battle turned into an extreme contest of speed and power, skill and defense!

Kai was dancing on the edge of a knife! Every dodge was incredibly dangerous! Every attack was like a dragonfly skimming the water! He had to push his senses, speed, and skills to the limit just to barely keep up with this monster that was like a war fortress!

Barton, on the other hand, was thoroughly enraged by Kai's fly-like, annoying fighting style! He frantically swung his blood axe, smashing the surrounding abandoned factory as if it had been bombarded by a meteorite! But his powerful attacks were always narrowly dodged by the slippery blind man! And the opponent's mosquito-bite-like counterattacks, while not causing fatal damage, still made him feel a stinging pain and irritation!

"Damn blind man! If you've got the guts, fight me head-on!" Patton roared in exasperation!

Kai, of course, wouldn't fall for it.

He remained calm, like the most skilled hunter, patiently wearing down his prey's strength, searching for... that one and only possible weakness!

This arduous battle lasted for nearly half an hour! Kai's stamina was rapidly depleting, and the small wounds on his body were constantly increasing.

Although Barton still looked formidable, Kai could clearly sense that his ferocious aura was beginning to show signs of exhaustion! His attack speed and power were slowly decreasing!

The opportunity is coming!

Just as Patton swung his axe with all his might once again, he was so exhausted that he revealed a larger opening than ever before!

Kai's eyes (and mind) flashed with a sharp light! He poured all the remaining power in his body, as well as his willpower that had surpassed the limit, into the "Tranquility" staff-blade in his hand without reservation!

This time, he wasn't simply covering the blade with Armament Haki! Instead... he was trying to concentrate his Armament Haki in a more refined and penetrating way, focusing it on... that single point at the tip of the blade!

This is a technique he developed during his secluded training, based on Fujitora's guidance and his own understanding of Haki... a still-developing advanced application of Armament Haki! — "Silent Thrust"! (Or perhaps another name)

call out--!

Kai appeared as if by teleportation, right under Barton's armpit—the weakest point exposed when he missed his axe swing!

then!

The "Tranquility" staff-knife in his hand carried an intensely sharp, piercing intent, seemingly capable of penetrating everything! Like puncturing a balloon! With a soft "plop!", it pierced deep, fiercely...!

"Ugh... Ahhhhhh!!!"

Patton let out a bloodcurdling scream, like a wounded beast, filled with pain and disbelief! He could clearly feel an extremely sharp energy, carrying a destructive will, piercing through his proud mammoth skin and Armament Haki defenses! It had directly pierced his internal organs!

The intense pain and internal bleeding caused his massive body to tremble violently, and he could no longer hold onto the blood axe, which fell to the ground with a clatter!

Kai struck successfully and immediately retreated! He knew that although his attack had severely injured his opponent, it might not be enough to kill this tough Ancient Zoan user instantly!

As expected! Although Barton was severely injured, he did not fall immediately! Clutching his bleeding wound, his eyes bloodshot, he let out a final roar filled with madness and destructive desire, like a true prehistoric mammoth! Then... he launched a final, suicidal charge towards Kai!

Kai dared not take this desperate counterattack head-on! He once again used his agility to dodge!

Finally, Patton's massive body, like an out-of-control train, crashed violently into a huge abandoned furnace in the distance! A deafening roar followed! Then... he finally collapsed, exhausted, and lost all life.

Seeing (and sensing) Barton's corpse fall like a small mountain, Kai finally couldn't hold on any longer and knelt down on one knee, breathing heavily.

He felt pain all over his body, and his physical strength was completely exhausted.

This battle was the most arduous and dangerous one he had ever experienced! Although he ultimately defeated this powerful enemy through his indomitable will and a burst of energy at the crucial moment, it also made him clearly realize that... his current strength in the New World was far from sufficient!

He was almost defeated by just a subordinate of a Yonko's subordinate (Bartton's strength in the New World is only considered mid-to-upper tier). What if it were a real Yonko's subordinate? Or even a Yonko himself? A Marine Admiral?

Kai felt a wave of fear, but at the same time... a stronger desire for power ignited within him!

He must... break through his bottleneck in domineering power as soon as possible! Otherwise, he might not be so lucky next time!

After a grueling mission to hunt down Barton, the vice-captain of the "Blood Axe" Pirates (though the process was extremely brutal, the other members of the task force, after paying a price, successfully brought the situation under control and completed the cleanup), Kai, bearing numerous injuries and a clear understanding of his own limitations, returned to Marine Headquarters.

Instead of immediately throwing himself into the next task as usual, he applied to his superiors for a relatively long period of rest and "seclusion".

He knew that what he needed most right now was not to continue teetering on the edge of life and death, but to calm down, address his weaknesses in specific areas, and seek a real breakthrough.

His application, unexpectedly... was approved very quickly.

Perhaps Fleet Admiral Akainu recognized Kai's potential and was willing to give him time and space to grow; or perhaps the factions within the Navy who harbored doubts about him were happy to see this "dangerous element" temporarily "well-behaved" for a while.

In any case, Kai finally gained a precious period of time where he could focus on his training without any distractions.

He first targeted his biggest weakness – Armament Haki.

Although he managed to break through Barton's defenses at a crucial moment in the battle, thanks to his burning will and the "Silent Thrust" technique he had mastered.

But he also knew very well that such an outburst was unsustainable and would place a tremendous burden on himself.

What he needs is... Armament Haki that can be normalized, stabilized, and made even stronger!

He needs to make his Armament Haki as indestructible as Patton's! Even... surpass him!

He began to utilize the superior training resources provided by the Navy Headquarters compared to those outside.

He immersed himself in the naval library, researching every available resource and record about cultivating domineering aura.

Although the specific training methods for Armament Haki are mostly passed down orally or are closely guarded secrets of various schools, Kai still managed to glean some clues about "willpower," "spirit," and "energy conversion" from those scattered records, descriptions of battles by powerful individuals, and even philosophical reflections, attempting to grasp the essence of Armament Haki from them.

He also made use of the top-notch training facilities at Naval Headquarters, which are equipped with a variety of advanced equipment.

He no longer had to resort to self-harm to unleash his domineering aura, as he had done before on deserted islands or in mines.