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Being personally granted a military rank by Fleet Admiral Sengoku meant that Kai Mitarashi had officially joined the Navy. Naturally, the system rewards followed immediately.
Haki—this latent power exists in every human in the One Piece world. It's an innate ability, akin to "presence" or "intimidation," something instinctual. Yet, most people either never realize it or spend their entire lives unable to tap into it.
Haki divides into three types: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and the rare Conqueror's Haki, which only one in millions might possess.
Unlike the first two, Conqueror's Haki can't be strengthened through training alone. It grows only as its user matures and evolves naturally.
But Observation Haki and Armament Haki can be honed and improved through constant practice. Within the Navy, most admirals and vice admirals can wield both with ease.
Armament Haki boosts the user's defense and offense. When activated, it acts like an invisible armor and can even be channeled into attacks. It's the only known way to counter Devil Fruit users, especially those with Logia-type powers, allowing the user to touch their intangible bodies.
At this very moment, Kai had just unlocked Observation Haki through the system!
This power lets him sense the presence of enemies beyond his line of sight by feeling the flow of surrounding energy. At higher levels, it even allows the user to hear others' thoughts.
Legend says that Pirate King Roger's Observation Haki reached the point where he could listen to the sounds of all things. It was this ability that helped him reach Laugh Tale, proving just how extraordinary Observation Haki truly is.
The mastery of Observation Haki breaks down into three levels:
The first level allows the user to predict an opponent's next move and position by picking up on subtle sounds emitted by all living things. With training, the range of this perception can steadily expand. Almost all Observation Haki users in the original story belong to this tier.
The second level lets the user invade the consciousness of living beings to actually hear their thoughts. Queen Otohime was a prime example of this level. But reaching this stage clearly requires more than training—it demands innate talent.
The third level, attained only by Pirate King Roger, lets the user hear the voices of all things in the world. While others might see it as a miracle, Kai knew better—this was the blessing of the world's very essence. After all, how could you sense a piece of broken wood's thoughts otherwise?
With the system unlocking Observation Haki for Kai, he had directly reached the pinnacle of the first level—even surpassing Sengoku, who stood before him.
Kai's Observation Haki unfolded silently, so much so that even Sengoku standing right in front of him didn't notice a thing.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, granting a junior officer the rank of Rear Admiral directly—that's against regulations!"
Suddenly, Akainu spoke up, his tone sharp with disapproval. Inside, he was seething. How long had it taken him to rise from joining the Navy to becoming an admiral? Over a decade! And now this kid was skipping ranks straight to admiral? There was no way Akainu could accept that.
Kai scoffed at Akainu's words.
"Against regulations?" he thought. "Then how did Admiral Issho and Ryokugyu get their ranks after the Summit War?" But Kai didn't bother arguing. He knew Sengoku would handle Akainu.
Just as Kai expected, before Akainu could say more, Sengoku's voice cut through the room: "Sakazuki, as Fleet Admiral, I have the authority to make exceptional promotions during my tenure. I'm using that authority now. Any objections?"
"N-no, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Akainu replied, his face tight with discomfort. But as the Fleet Admiral spoke with such finality, even Akainu wasn't foolish enough to press further.
Turning to Kai, Sengoku continued, "Mitarashi Kai, take a brief rest. You'll depart for the Sabaody Archipelago in three days."
Sengoku was at a loss. Normally, a newly recruited Navy officer like Kai would have to undergo at least six months to a year of training at Navy Headquarters. But the current situation on the seas left no room for luxury—someone with power close to an admiral couldn't be left idle at HQ.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Kai nodded in acknowledgment.
The plan to reestablish the Shichibukai was already set in motion. Naturally, the meeting ended there, and Kai left the Fleet Admiral's office with Garp.
...
Three days later, Kai boarded his assigned warship, heading toward the Sabaody Archipelago.
Though only a Rear Admiral, Sengoku had equipped Kai with a warship typically reserved for Vice Admirals at Navy Headquarters.
The ship sailed steadily through the calm zone, its hull lined with Kairouseki emitting the sea's aura, preventing any Sea Kings from detecting them.
"System, how many reputation points are needed to synchronize the Kagura Shingan ability?" Kai asked silently.
Back in the Naruto world, Kai had wondered what would happen if his Kagura Shingan power combined with the One Piece world's Observation Haki.
He hadn't known then, but now that the chance had come, how could he not try?
"3.7 million reputation points!" the system responded.
Kai's face darkened. Was the system targeting him? After his clash with Navy HQ and Akainu, his reputation had just barely surpassed 3.7 million points—and now it was about to vanish instantly?
But the system didn't care. It immediately asked, "Host, do you wish to synchronize?"
"Synchronize!" Kai clenched his teeth and spat out the two words.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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