As Kai basked in the sensation of his ever-growing strength, Vice Admiral Kuzan (Aokiji) walked over to him.
"We should get going," he said.
Their arrival on Chuanliu (Flowstream) Island had one clear objective: eliminate the Demon Pirates.
Now that this objective had been completed—
It was time to leave.
This mission had gone even smoother than Kuzan had anticipated.
Of course, much of that success was thanks to Kai.
If Kai hadn't unleashed his Conqueror's Haki and knocked out over three thousand pirates in an instant, Kuzan would've had to go on a slaughter spree to wipe the Demon Pirates out.
Thinking of this, Kuzan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"This kid Kai… is a monster."
"You don't think we should stick around to help with cleanup?" Kai looked away from the system interface and glanced at the battlefield — now a scene of rubble and unconscious pirates — over three thousand of them.
"What help could the two of us possibly offer now?" Kuzan replied casually.
"These kinds of trivial matters are for the local Marine branch to deal with."
"The real problem—"
"—has already been solved."
"If they can't even handle cleanup," he added bluntly, "then they're just a bunch of useless freeloaders."
And indeed, the most difficult part had been wiping out the Demon Pirates — a feat achieved by Kai and Kuzan working together.
Though to be fair—
Kuzan's role had been minimal. He only dealt with Oren the Demon, the captain.
Every other member of the Demon Pirates?
All taken down by Kai alone.
Just thinking about it made Kuzan feel a bit embarrassed.
It had been his mission, but…
A four-year-old brat had completed it in his place!
A Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters… relying on a kid to carry out the operation!
"Alright then, let's go," Kai nodded.
With their job done, it was indeed time to leave.
"Wait here a sec — I need to give them some instructions first," Kuzan said, gesturing toward Colonel Miz, the officer in charge of the local Marine branch.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji!"
Seeing Kuzan approach, Miz immediately straightened up and saluted respectfully.
Then his eyes shifted toward Kai, standing calmly beside Kuzan.
In that moment, the awe and reverence in his gaze were undeniable.
"Forgive me for not asking earlier," Miz said cautiously, "but how should I address this gentleman?"
"I'm Kai," the boy replied calmly.
"Mr. Kai, we are truly in your debt today," Miz said at once. "The people of Chuanliu (Flowstream) Island — hundreds of thousands of them — will forever remember the help you've given us."
"If not for you defeating the Demon Pirates, those vile criminals would've continued to terrorize this island — perhaps even countless innocents across the seas."
Miz bowed deeply, voice full of gratitude and respect.
"I just happened to be passing by," Kai waved a hand dismissively. "If you really want to thank someone, thank Vice Admiral Aokiji."
"Oh, come on now." Kuzan rolled his eyes. "Don't push your credit onto me."
"What's yours is yours."
Not that he even dared to take credit for Kai's achievements.
Because—
He hadn't forgotten who stood behind Kai.
That person was none other than…
Vice Admiral Garp — the Hero of the Marines!
With a backing like that, Kuzan wouldn't dare be negligent with Kai.
"This brat… his full name is Monkey D. Kai."
Kuzan looked directly at Miz.
"You should understand what that surname means, right?"
"M-Monkey…?!"
Miz's eyes bulged.
He stared at Kai, his face full of shock.
His mind went blank.
That name—
He absolutely understood the weight it carried.
It was the family name of one of the most legendary figures in Marine history!
To think…
This Kai — this four-year-old prodigy — was actually a descendant of that man?!
"My god…"
"To think I'd meet someone like this in my lifetime…"
Miz's throat went dry. His voice trembled.
After a long pause, he glanced at Kuzan and asked carefully:
"Vice Admiral Aokiji, could it be that you're referring to… that man?"
He didn't even finish the sentence before Kuzan cut him off.
"Exactly. The one you're thinking of."
"You should know by now just how terrifying this kid's background is."
"Even I wouldn't dare mess with him."
"That's why…"
"When you report this incident — about the Demon Pirates being wiped out — just stick to the facts."
"His credit?"
"I wouldn't dare claim any of it."
"I still want to live a few more years. If the guy backing Kai finds out I tried to take credit…"
"Forget about dying — I'd probably be skinned alive."
Why did Kuzan take the initiative to reveal Kai's identity?
Simple.
To make sure Miz didn't mess with the report.
Now that his background was out in the open—
Kuzan was certain that even if Miz had ten thousand times the courage,
he wouldn't dare alter a single detail.
"Holy crap…"
"So he really is that man's descendant?"
Upon getting Kuzan's confirmation, Miz looked at Kai with even deeper awe in his eyes.
Of course he understood—
The sheer power and influence that legendary man held within the Marines.
Even the Admirals weren't necessarily more revered than him.
In fact,
Among countless Marines,
that man's status sometimes seemed to surpass even Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"No wonder!"
"No wonder Mr. Kai, even at only four years old, already possesses such terrifying strength!"
"No wonder he has the incredibly rare Conqueror's Haki — a gift only one in a million is born with!"
"No wonder he could single-handedly annihilate the Demon Pirates at such a young age!"
"Turns out… he has the blood of that legendary hero running through his veins!"
Miz's imagination ran wild, and suddenly everything made perfect sense.
From the moment Kai had wiped out the Demon Pirates, Miz had been dying to know who he really was.
And now, the answer had finally been revealed—
Just as he had suspected all along.
This Kai…
Had a background so terrifying,
it was downright absurd.
"Not only is Mr. Kai an absolute monster in terms of talent…"
"But even his background is nightmarishly powerful!"
"He truly is… a child blessed by the heavens."
Miz couldn't stop himself from sighing in admiration.
"Alright, let's get to business."
Kuzan's voice snapped him back to reality.
"You should be able to handle the cleanup with your branch's Marines, yes?"
"Of course, Vice Admiral. Leave it to us!" Miz patted his chest confidently.
While they weren't capable of handling the Demon Pirates at full strength,
dealing with them after their defeat was no problem at all.
It wouldn't even be difficult.
"In that case, the remaining pirates here are yours to deal with," Kuzan said.
"Have them locked up in your base's holding cells for now."
"Soon, I'll contact Marine Headquarters and have a team dispatched to retrieve them. Your only job is to hand them over when the time comes."
"They'll be transported to Impel Down for permanent imprisonment. You don't need to worry about anything after that."
"Understood." Miz gave a firm nod.
"Oh, right."
"Almost forgot…"
Just as Kuzan was about to leave, his eyes landed on the massive ice sculpture still standing in the street.
It was the frozen form of Oren the Demon.
He pointed at it and added:
"One more thing. That ice sculpture over there — make sure to have people move it to your base's prison."
"Don't worry, he'll remain frozen for at least a full week."
"His body won't start thawing until after that."
"By the time that happens, the team from HQ will have arrived."
"But make sure — absolutely make sure — no one tries to melt the ice with hot water."
"Otherwise… the consequences will be disastrous."
Though the Demon Pirates were fearsome, their defeat was complete.
Not a single member escaped.
There was practically zero chance of anyone attempting a rescue before they were transferred to Impel Down.
This ensured that their incarceration would go smoothly.
After giving these instructions, Kuzan turned back and waved to Kai.
"Alright, kid — time to go."
"Mm." Kai nodded, stepping forward to walk beside him.
Then—
Under the watchful eyes of countless Marines,
the two of them — Kai and Vice Admiral Kuzan — walked side by side, their figures gradually fading into the distance.
They disappeared down the devastated street…
At the same time, as their silhouettes vanished completely,
Miz finally lowered his gaze.
Around him,
over a thousand Marines followed suit, each withdrawing their eyes — eyes filled with awe and reverence.
Just then—
A curious Marine leaned toward Miz and blurted out:
"Colonel Miz…"
"Earlier, when you were speaking with Vice Admiral Aokiji…"
"You mentioned something about Mr. Kai's identity…"
"I wanted to ask—"
"The person you were referring to… the one with the Monkey D. name…"
"Who exactly is he?"
"How could even a Vice Admiral like Aokiji be afraid to provoke him?"
"Who's the terrifying figure standing behind Mr. Kai?!"
This question immediately ignited the curiosity of every Marine nearby.
In an instant—
Over a thousand pairs of eyes turned to Miz,
their expressions full of wonder and anticipation,
waiting silently…
for his answer.
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