"I don't want to."
Kai's answer was crisp and decisive, without a moment's hesitation.
"Uh..."
The mysterious smile on Rayleigh's face froze completely. He never expected such a blunt response—wasn't Kai showing genuine interest just moments ago?
"The secret of the final destination—Laugh Tale? The legendary great treasure! You really don't want to know?" Rayleigh pressed again, unwilling to give up.
Kai shrugged with a smile: "Nope."
"Why not?" Rayleigh's expression grew dejected.
"Because..."
Kai glanced at Rayleigh and declared with righteous conviction: "Because... I'm a Marine!!!"
Honestly, Kai had originally harbored at least a sliver of curiosity about Laugh Tale. But the moment he saw that calculating smile on Rayleigh's face, he knew this old man was definitely scheming something.
So he refused decisively. As for Laugh Tale—while Kai felt some curiosity, it really wasn't that overwhelming. In the One Piece world, Kai only cared about improving his strength and plundering the world's origin.
Hearing Kai's declaration, Rayleigh stood speechless.
Kai's answer left Rayleigh with no counter-argument, yet made him want to weep in frustration.
Indeed, Rayleigh's scheme had been using Laugh Tale's secrets to tempt Kai into piracy. After all, no matter how completely he'd abandoned the pirate lifestyle, deep in his bones Rayleigh remained a pirate.
Encountering such exceptional talent, naturally he couldn't bear letting it slip away.
Of course, Rayleigh hadn't truly expected success. Someone like Kai—who could shatter the Human-God Boundary and achieve Emperor's Haki—would possess willpower beyond ordinary comparison.
But without attempting it, Rayleigh wouldn't feel satisfied. Even receiving this kind of rejection meant he'd have no regrets.
"Laugh Tale doesn't just record—"
Despite Kai giving him no opening, Rayleigh had no intention of concealing anything and began explaining, only to be cut off:
"No need, Senior Rayleigh. Whatever Laugh Tale contains, I don't want to know right now. If I'm genuinely interested in the future, I'll set foot on Laugh Tale myself to discover it!"
"Uh..."
This time Rayleigh was truly at a loss for words. After a prolonged silence, he finally spoke: "Let's go, Kid Kai. We can't remain here any longer—you caused quite the disturbance just now. Regarding Armament Haki techniques, you can find me at Shakky's Rip-off Bar anytime."
"Understood." Kai nodded. "Well then, farewell... Senior Rayleigh."
Six Powers: Moonwalk - Sky Stride!!!
Kai launched himself skyward, intending to traverse the ocean using Moonwalk directly. What seemed like impossible fantasy to others was extraordinarily simple for Kai!
Moving faster than any ship, within mere minutes Kai covered nearly a hundred nautical miles, returning to the Sabaody Archipelago. The moment he entered the Marine branch, Johnson's voice rang out: "Vice Admiral! You're back! Vice Admiral Garp called on the Den Den Mushi."
"Hm? What does that old geezer want?"
Without overthinking, Kai accepted the Den Den Mushi from Johnson and heard Garp's boisterous voice: "Gahahaha! Kid Kai, how's life as a Marine Rear Admiral? I heard you gave Kizaru a thrashing!"
"Old man, what do you need?" Kai asked directly.
After months of interaction, Kai understood Garp thoroughly. This old man never contacted anyone without purpose.
"Gahahaha! Kid Kai, did anything unusual occur around the Sabaody Archipelago recently?" Garp's laughter gradually turned serious.
Unusual occurrences around Sabaody?
Could Garp be referring to the atmospheric disturbances caused by his Emperor's Haki release? But wasn't information about the Human-God Boundary inscribed on Laugh Tale's stone tablets?
How would Garp know about it?
Then again, considering Roger had entrusted his own biological son to Garp, such trust indicated Roger might have shared this knowledge with him.
These thoughts flashed through Kai's mind instantly. He replied normally: "Nothing unusual happened at all. What's wrong, old man?"
"Hmm... strange! It should have been near Sabaody, no mistake about it." Garp muttered in confusion.
"What's the matter?" Kai asked, feigning ignorance.
"Nothing important... gahahaha! That's all then. See you later, Kid Kai!" Garp abruptly hung up.
Five years vanished in what felt like an instant.
During those five years, the maritime situation hadn't undergone dramatic changes.
Since the Marines established the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" system five years prior, direct conflicts between Marines and the "Four Emperors" had significantly decreased.
The seas gradually achieved relative peace, though small-scale disputes remained inevitable.
However, massive conflicts like "Four Emperors" wars hadn't recurred.
Under Kai's protection, the Sabaody Archipelago hadn't allowed a single pirate to successfully pass through into the New World during these five years!
With such remarkable achievements, Kai had been promoted to Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral three years ago!
Sabaody Marine Branch.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
"Enter."
"Vice Admiral! Orders from Marine Headquarters have arrived!" After receiving permission, Johnson entered and addressed Kai respectfully.
"What do they say?" Kai inquired.
Johnson hesitated uncertainly: "The orders mention preparations for your next promotion! They want you to make a trip to the New World first!"
How could Johnson not feel bewildered? Kai currently held the position of Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!
Only one rank remained above that!
Marine Headquarters Admiral!
However, Admiral positions had strict limitations—the World Government mandated exactly three Admirals! So what could Kai's promotion possibly entail!?
Kai smiled knowingly: "Johnson, prepare for New World deployment!
Target... the Whitebeard Pirates!"
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