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

A new era is coming.

And he has already... made preparations.

While making breakthrough progress in Armament Haki, Kai has never relaxed his efforts to improve his most core and fundamental ability—Observation Haki.

In fact, as he experienced more and more battles and encountered stronger and stronger opponents, his understanding and application of Observation Haki entered a new realm that was... deeper and more profound.

If the previous Observation Haki was more like an extremely sensitive radar and early warning system, capable of sensing range, detecting movement, predicting attacks, and discerning emotions.

In Kai's perception, Observation Haki is more like... the ability to "resonate" and "converse" with the entire world!

His ability to briefly foresee the future is no longer just about "seeing" a blurry attack trajectory a fraction of a second in advance.

In a state of heightened mental concentration, he was even able to... within a very small area, clearly "foresee" several different "possibilities" that might occur in the next second or two! This made his decision-making and responses in battle more composed and forward-looking, as if he could truly... control the brief future to some extent!

His perception of emotions and intentions has become more nuanced, even... possessing a certain "penetrating" quality.

He can not only sense the surface emotional fluctuations of others, but also vaguely capture the true desires, fears, and... subconscious malice or goodwill hidden deep in their hearts, even if the other person is not aware of them! This makes him seem to have mind-reading abilities when interacting with and interrogating people, and he can easily see through people's hearts and distinguish between truth and falsehood.

What amazed and...awe-inspired him most was that his perception of that deeper level of "sound" seemed to have become clearer.

In the quiet of the night, when he was lost in meditation, he would occasionally be able to hear more clearly whispers that did not belong to the realm of human language.

Sometimes, it's the sound of the wind.

No longer just a whoosh or a gentle breeze, but... carrying some kind of emotion? Is it the joy of freedom? Is it the rage of savagery? Or... an ancient sigh that transcends time?

Sometimes, it's the sound of the sea.

No longer just the crashing waves, but... a mother's embrace? A deep abyss? Or... an ancient and magnificent pulse that nurtures countless lives and secrets?

Even the "Tranquility" staff-sword in his hand, when deeply resonating with his domineering aura, seemed to... emit a faint "response" that only he could "understand"? It was a... sword soul that yearned for battle, for blood, and for a connection with its master's heart?

Although this perception of the "voice of all things" remains vague, fragmented, and difficult to fully understand and control.

But Kai knew that his Observation Haki had indeed... reached a completely new and unbelievable level!

This level of mastery grants him unparalleled control over his environment! Whether in pitch-black darkness, on a chaotic battlefield amidst the raging flames of war, or in a bustling metropolis teeming with people and overflowing with information... he can clearly "see" (perceive) every detail and control every change, just like an absolute master!

This level of understanding also endowed him with unimaginable predictive abilities in battle! Every intention, every movement, and even the subtle changes in his breath and heartbeat of his opponent are clearly presented in his "mental network" as if in slow motion! This allows him to always make the most precise and effective response at the most appropriate time!

His mastery of Observation Haki, reaching its pinnacle! This became Kai's most powerful, core, and terrifying weapon and trademark! To some extent, it even compensated for his slight deficiencies in Armament Haki (although he had broken through, he still needed to refine it) and pure physical strength! Making him an extremely unpredictable and extremely difficult-to-defeat terrifying existence!

Two years have passed like a rushing river, not only reshaping the world's landscape, but also profoundly shaping the inner world of Kay.

If Kai, who had just experienced betrayal and was surviving alone in the wilderness, was still filled with anger, resentment, and a trace of nostalgia for the past;

If Kai, who was training under Fujitora, began to think about "benevolence and righteousness" and had hope for the future;

Having experienced the baptism of the Marineford War, personally stained with Ace's blood, and struggled for two years in the Navy's massive and ruthless war machine, Kai's inner world had been... completely covered by cold ice, leaving only the purest obsession with power and order.

Too much killing.

Too many betrayals.

Too much darkness.

He witnessed the brutal crackdown carried out by the Navy in order to uphold "justice," and he also witnessed the heinous crimes committed by pirates in the name of "freedom."

He had witnessed the dirty deals hidden beneath the veneer of the World Government and experienced the raw, brutal reality of the underworld.

All of this, like the sharpest carving knife, gradually wore away the little warmth, tenderness, and idealism that remained in his heart.

In addition, he had long been influenced by the iron-fisted ideology of the new Fleet Admiral Akainu, which was "complete justice" and "not tolerating the slightest evil" (although he may not have fully agreed with Akainu's motives, his results-oriented approach and tough methods coincided with his own twisted desire for "order").

Gradually, Kai became... colder, more decisive, and more... unsmiling.

He rarely showed obvious emotional fluctuations anymore.

Whether facing a bloody battlefield, the ostracism of colleagues, or those heinous crimes, his face was always covered with a layer of calm and indifference as if it were ten thousand years of ice.

It seemed that nothing could easily touch his heartstrings anymore.

His actions became more direct and... ruthless.

When carrying out missions, he no longer considers, as he used to, whether to leave survivors or try to avoid harming innocent people.

He became more focused on efficiency and results.

As long as he can complete the mission as quickly and effectively as possible and eliminate those he identifies as the "roots of chaos" and "evil," he is willing to take any necessary measures without hesitation, even if it means more killing and sacrifice.

He firmly believed that everything he did was "necessary".

All of this is the price that must be paid to establish and maintain that... ideal, absolutely stable "order" in his mind.

He interpreted Fujitora's teachings on "benevolence and righteousness" as a kind of "luxury" that can only be given out after one has absolute power and control.

Before that, everything that hinders the establishment of "order" must be...ruthlessly crushed!

He became a... awe-inspiring, yet absolutely unapproachable figure in the Navy.

He was like an emotionless, highly efficient "justice-executing machine".

Precisely locate the target, ruthlessly eliminate the threat, and then... silently turn and leave, without leaving any unnecessary words or traces.

Chapter 106 A single command! A million marines unleash Nami's revenge!!!

The soldiers revered his strength and feared his ruthlessness.

His colleagues were jealous of his promotion and wary of his background.

His superiors (Akainu) use his abilities to guard against his ambitions.

And so he walked alone on the naval path... a path filled with glory and power, but also with coldness, darkness, and endless struggle.

Those unseen eyes seemed to grow increasingly...deep and...empty.

It was as if even the last trace of human emotion was about to be swallowed up by the endless darkness.

The time was sometime nearly two years after the end of the Marineford War.

The Navy Headquarters is holding an extremely important high-level strategic meeting.

The meeting's theme was how to deal with the increasingly chaotic new world situation, how to further eliminate Whitebeard's remaining forces, how to guard against Blackbeard's expansion, and... how to deal with those "Supernovas" who are springing up like mushrooms after rain and becoming increasingly difficult to control.

Those who were able to attend this meeting were all core commanders of the Navy at the rank of Vice Admiral or above, as well as representatives dispatched by the World Government.

Kai, thanks to his outstanding military achievements over the past two years and his promotion to lieutenant general, was also among them.

During this heavily guarded and tense high-level meeting, Kai's senses suddenly detected a powerful aura that was both familiar and somewhat... long-lost!

That aura was as steady as a mountain, as all-encompassing as the sea, yet it also carried an undeniable majesty and an unwavering commitment to "benevolence and righteousness"!

It's Fujitora-senpai!

Kai's heart skipped a beat! He immediately focused his senses in that direction!

He "saw" (perceived) a familiar figure sitting at the other end of the conference table, dressed in the uniform of a naval admiral (though he may only be a candidate or have just been officially appointed, he already has the authority and status of an admiral), with his eyes closed, a cross scar on his face, and a cane-sword in his hand!

It really was Fujitora-senpai! He really... became a Marine Admiral!!!

Kai's feelings became complicated once again.

There was relief, there was admiration, but also... a hint of indescribable distance and... wariness?

The meeting is in progress.

Kai could clearly sense that Fujitora's speech at the meeting maintained his consistent style—his words were gentle, but his stance was exceptionally firm! He continued to emphasize the importance of protecting civilians, continued to criticize the drawbacks of the Shichibukai system, and continued to call on the Navy to promote a more "benevolent" form of justice!

His views seemed so out of place, even somewhat "jarring," in the conference room led by Fleet Admiral Akainu, a room filled with an atmosphere of "complete justice" and iron-bloodedness.

Kai could sense that although Fleet Admiral Akainu didn't say anything on the surface, his scorching aura had become noticeably more suppressed and displeased.

Other naval commanders expressed their agreement and support, while others looked troubled or disagreed, and still others simply remained silent to protect themselves.

The factional struggles and ideological conflicts within the Navy were on full display at this moment.

After the meeting ended, as everyone left the conference room, Fujitora-senpai seemed to... "intentionally" slow down his pace.

After some internal struggle, Kai... inexplicably, did not leave immediately.

Former mentor and student, now naval colleagues, met again on this corridor leading to the center of power.

"...Calm down."

"It was Fujitora-senpai who spoke first."

His voice was still gentle, but it seemed... to have a hint of... heaviness and... distance than before?

"...Fujitora...General."

"Kay hesitated for a moment, but ultimately used the official title."

He felt that he... could no longer address the other person as "senior" as he used to.

There seems to be an invisible barrier between them.

The two remained silent for a moment.

A subtle and awkward atmosphere filled the air.

"You... seem to have changed a lot lately."

"Fujitora spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of...worry? "The aura around you...has become even colder, and even...sharper."

Is this... the 'Tao' you seek?

Fujitora-senpai... did you sense it after all? Kai's heart skipped a beat.