Kai's expression didn't flicker, not even a hint of surprise. The Navy's plan to make him Admiral had been brewing for five years already.
Back when he fought Kizaru, Kai had shown power that surpassed even the Admirals. Sengoku had set his sights on him, but back then, Kai didn't have the seniority or reputation to win over the ranks. Sengoku could only shelve the idea and wait.
But in the five years since, the Sabaody Archipelago—gateway between the first half of the Grand Line and the New World—had become Kai's domain. Under his watch, not a single pirate had made it through to the New World.
That kind of record was legendary.
Within just two years, Kai's achievements were undeniable—he was promoted to Vice Admiral, the youngest in Navy history.
For the next three years, Kai kept up a perfect record: every pirate who reached Sabaody was eliminated. Meanwhile, Sengoku worked behind the scenes, building up Kai's legend.
The Navy's youngest Vice Admiral.
The Pirate Nemesis.
The future Admiral.
Kai's name echoed across the seas. Sengoku's old plan was finally ready to roll—the Navy Headquarters Admiral Initiative.
But fame alone wasn't enough. Kai needed one more battle—a fight so spectacular it would silence any doubters. Sengoku and Kai both knew it. That's why Sengoku sent Kai into the New World.
What Sengoku didn't know? Kai's sights were locked on Whitebeard.
The "Strongest Man in the World."
If Sengoku realized what Kai was planning, he'd have shut it down instantly. The Whitebeard of today wasn't the wounded legend he'd become five years later. Right now, he was the unrivaled emperor of the seas. Even all three Admirals together wouldn't stand a chance.
"Wh—Whitebeard?!"
Johnson stared at Kai, eyes wide, voice trembling with disbelief.
Did he really just say Whitebeard?
One of the Four Emperors.
A king who ruled the seas like a god.
After Pirate King Roger's death, only Kaido—with his monstrous Devil Fruit—could even hope to face Whitebeard. No one else dared.
"Is there a problem, Commodore Johnson?" Kai asked, smiling faintly.
As Kai's aide, Johnson had risen quickly in the past five years—from staff officer to flag officer. It was a meteoric rise.
"N-no problem, sir. I'll get things ready right away!"
Johnson hesitated just a moment before answering, voice steady. That was why Kai kept him close—Johnson never questioned his orders.
New World
As a Vice Admiral, Kai didn't need to bother with ship coating or sneaking through Fish-Man Island. He simply filed a request with Navy HQ, swapped for an Admiral-class warship at G-1, and sailed straight for the New World.
Navy Headquarters—Fleet Admiral's Office
"Tsuru, where's Kai now? Who's he targeting—Red-Hair or Big Mom?" Sengoku asked, eyes sharp.
He didn't need Kai to defeat a Four Emperor. If Kai could just fight one to a standstill, Sengoku could make him Admiral.
Tsuru frowned, uncertain. "No… Kai's already passed through both their territories. He's heading deeper into the Grand Line."
"The depths of the Grand Line…" Sengoku's brow furrowed. Only a handful of pirates out there could qualify Kai for promotion.
Suddenly, Sengoku froze, a shadow crossing his face. One name flashed in his mind—his pupils dilated.
"Don't tell me… Kai's target is…"
Sengoku and Tsuru locked eyes. Both saw the same fear reflected there.
"Damn it… that kid—does he really think he can take on Whitebeard? If he pisses off Whitebeard, it won't just be Kai in trouble—it'll be the whole Navy!"
Without another word, Sengoku snatched up the Den Den Mushi and dialed Kai.
New World—Kai's Warship
"Vice Admiral, Fleet Admiral Sengoku just called. He wants you to return to HQ immediately!" Johnson reported, watching Kai at the prow.
Kai just waved a hand. "Tell the Fleet Admiral I'll come back after I deal with Whitebeard."
Sengoku trying to stop him was no surprise. Kai had never been the obedient type. He'd set his sights on Whitebeard—there was no turning back now.
"Y-yes, sir."
Navy Headquarters
"That reckless brat!" Sengoku slammed down the receiver, fury twisting his face. He punched the desk, then turned to Tsuru, barking orders: "Summon all three Admirals. Find Garp, too. Tell them—the Navy might be going to war with Whitebeard!"
Tsuru nodded grimly. "Understood. I'll handle it."
Even with Kai's victory over Kizaru, neither Sengoku nor Tsuru believed he'd last more than a few rounds against Whitebeard. The reason was simple.
He was Whitebeard.
Kai's route was no secret. Every major pirate in the New World got wind of it immediately.
Red-Hair Pirates
"An interesting Marine… Daring enough to challenge that monster Whitebeard." Shanks read the report and grinned.
"This Marine will be lucky to survive," Ben Beckman said, arms crossed.
"Not so sure… This one feels different," Shanks replied.
"Different how?" Ben Beckman asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shanks scratched his head, thinking hard. After a long pause, he finally spoke:
"It's like when I first saw little Luffy—I just knew he'd become Pirate King. And when I saw this Marine… I felt something. A weird sense of dread. Even facing Whitebeard, I've never felt that before…"
Whitebeard Pirates
"Pops, someone's coming to challenge you again… It's that Marine from Sabaody Archipelago," Marco said.
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