After bidding farewell to Jack, Kai departed from the medical department with purposeful strides.
On Onigashima's rocky seaside, a tall figure stood motionless on the jagged stones, silently gazing at the endless expanse of ocean stretching toward the horizon.
Kai approached respectfully and bowed slightly. "My apologies, King-san. I'm running late."
King turned to regard Kai with his characteristic stoic expression, his tone remaining perfectly calm. "There are still three minutes until our scheduled appointment. You're not late at all. How is Jack's condition?"
He already received the medical reports?
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, uncertain whether King was subtly warning him that every movement within the Beast Pirates remained under constant surveillance.
He responded with measured calm: "The injuries are severe, but not life-threatening. The attending nurse mentioned that if his recovery proceeds smoothly, he should be able to leave his bed within three days."
King nodded once, fixing his penetrating gaze directly into Kai's eyes with absolutely no emotion in his voice. "I don't particularly care what personal schemes you might be harboring, but if you perform even one action that brings harm to Kaido-san or the Beast Pirates organization, I will hunt you relentlessly to the very ends of the earth!"
Kai simply shrugged without offering any response. King didn't require his acknowledgment anyway.
"Haki represents a power hidden within every person's body, fundamentally divided into three distinct categories: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki..."
After King completed his comprehensive explanation of Haki fundamentals, he smoothly changed topics. "The most effective method to awaken dormant Haki abilities is through intense, life-threatening combat!"
Kai nodded with thoughtful understanding. The optimal training approach in the pirate world was indeed confronting powerful opponents in direct battle.
Fortunately, the Beast Pirates possessed no shortage of formidable fighters willing to serve as training partners.
"Come forward. Don't rely on your Devil Fruit abilities. Attack me with maximum force!" King beckoned challengingly to Kai.
"Then I absolutely won't hold back!" A brilliant flash of excitement ignited in Kai's eyes.
WHOOSH!
Kai became a blur of motion as he materialized directly in front of King, swinging his fist toward the Lunarian's chest with devastating intent.
"Impressive speed," King acknowledged with a slight nod, remaining completely motionless and allowing Kai's punch to connect without even activating basic Haki defenses.
So incredibly hard!
This was Kai's immediate reaction upon impact with King's natural armor.
His powerful strike felt exactly like punching a solid steel plate. King displayed absolutely no reaction while Kai's knuckles ached from the jarring contact.
Truly worthy of the legendary Lunarian race. Even in his completely normal state, his defensive capabilities proved virtually unbreakable.
Such tremendous raw strength!
While Kai marveled at King's durability, the All-Star also experienced a flash of genuine surprise.
He could clearly observe that the man before him possessed no formal combat training whatsoever. His punching angles and force application techniques were fundamentally incorrect.
Even so, that untrained strike had nearly forced him to take a defensive step backward.
Surprise aside, the necessary instruction couldn't be delayed or avoided.
King's right fist became coated with concentrated Armament Haki, the pitch-black appendage cutting through the air with an ominous whooshing sound as it struck toward Kai without any reservation or mercy.
BANG!
Kai's chest felt as though it had been struck by a massive sledgehammer. His entire body launched backward dozens of meters, carving a long, deep furrow in the sandy beach.
"Hiss..."
Kai clutched his throbbing chest, his face contorting with pain as he struggled to his feet. "That punch really packed a serious wallop."
Only hurt? Nothing more?
Is his defensive capability also reaching monster-level parameters?
King's eyes narrowed with calculating interest. That particular punch had been calibrated to keep Kai incapacitated for at least thirty seconds.
Unexpectedly, Kai simply stood up as though nothing significant had occurred, his mobility appearing completely unaffected by the devastating blow.
"I clearly underestimated your capabilities," King's mouth curved into an approving smile. "Teaching you proper techniques might not prove a complete waste of time after all."
What exactly does that ominous statement mean?
Kai instinctively sensed approaching trouble on the horizon.
"For the next phase, I'm going to apply considerably more force."
The moment King finished his warning, he flashed forward and materialized directly in front of Kai.
"Hey, wait a..." Before Kai could complete his protest, a pitch-black fist expanded rapidly in his field of vision.
BANG!
Kai was launched backward yet again.
"Hey! Haven't you ever heard the classic saying, 'Don't strike the face during fights because hitting the face damages one's dignity'!" Kai wiped fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, gingerly rubbed his swelling face, and voiced his indignant protest.
"Of course..." King flashed directly in front of Kai again and delivered another devastating punch. "I haven't heard that ridiculous saying!"
BANG!
Kai found himself airborne once more.
This time, King refrained from continuing his relentless pursuit, instead standing calmly in place and beckoning mockingly to Kai.
"Aren't you planning to fight back at some point?"
"Ptui!" Kai spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and laughed with genuine enthusiasm. "Then let's continue this dance! Let me give you fair warning though: I'm almost keeping pace with your movement speed."
"You said it yourself. I'm accelerating the training pace!" King smiled with cold satisfaction.
"Ora ora ora!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
For the entire grueling morning session, Kai maintained his pattern of charging forward and subsequently falling on the path of continued charging.
"This represents the final punch of today's session!"
King threw his fist with calculated precision.
Wait... I think I actually saw that coming?
Kai suddenly experienced a moment of pure epiphany, crossing both arms defensively to block at his midsection.
BANG!
As fist collided with crossed arms, Kai was sent flying several meters through the air.
But this time marked a crucial difference: he was no longer simply absorbing punishment without response.
"YES! Excellent! I successfully blocked it!" Kai performed an impressive carp stand, behaving exactly like a dedicated scholar who had just passed the prestigious imperial examinations.
However, before he could celebrate for more than two seconds, King's next punch arrived with ruthless efficiency.
Kai was sent flying backward again.
"Here's a valuable free lesson for future reference: never allow yourself to become distracted during active combat!"
King slowly withdrew his fist, spread his magnificent wings, and soared gracefully into the sky. "We'll continue this training regimen the day after tomorrow!"
Playing dirty tactics, huh?
Kai rubbed his aching stomach and struggled determinedly to his feet. This morning's intensive consumption had been absolutely enormous. His natural recovery speed could barely maintain pace with the accumulated damage.
Flying back to Onigashima's main complex, Kai's first destination was directly to the mess hall.
Before he could even voice his requirements, the diligent culinary team had already wheeled out a towering pile of food reaching the height of a full-grown person.
"Lord Kai, please enjoy this feast to your heart's content."
Kai felt no need for politeness and immediately began his voracious consumption.
Storm inhalation mode: fully activated!
Meter-wide bowls of steaming ramen, bone-in meat cuts half a person's height, steaks larger than human faces, and countless perfectly roasted chickens and ducks disappeared rapidly.
Massive quantities of food were systematically consumed by Kai, transforming into essential nutrients to properly nourish his battered body.
Only after consuming approximately three times his body weight in various foods did Kai finally feel genuinely satisfied.
If this weren't the extraordinary pirate world, Kai would seriously worry about developing into a legendary glutton. But here, possessing the ability to consume vast quantities was synonymous with possessing tremendous strength.
BURP!
After downing another full glass of quality sherry to quench his persistent thirst, Kai released a light, satisfied burp and finally ceased his eating marathon.
"Thank you sincerely for this excellent meal."
Kai nodded appreciatively to the dedicated chef team serving nearby.
The distinguished mustachioed head chef trembled with obvious emotion. "Lord Kai is far too kind and considerate. In the future, if you require anything whatsoever, we can arrange delivery directly to your personal quarters. You needn't visit the communal cafeteria personally."
Kai nodded to demonstrate his understanding, then turned and departed with purposeful strides.
Fully satisfied and with no pressing obligations, Kai planned to return to his private quarters for a luxurious afternoon nap.
Speaking of accommodations, the Beast Pirates' treatment of All-Star members was genuinely exceptional.
Successful recruitment came with spacious private housing, and fearing that important members couldn't manage domestic responsibilities effectively, they even assigned dedicated personal maids.
Even for satisfying other recreational needs, members could freely visit the entertainment quarters professionally managed by Black Maria.
Walking along the familiar corridors, Kai suddenly noticed a distinctly sneaky figure lurking near his room's entrance.
The mysterious visitor stood impressively tall, a full head taller than Kai himself, wearing a traditional hannya mask with gradient white hair flowing gracefully. Handcuffs adorned both wrists, and the figure was dressed in a pristine white sleeveless fitted kimono with an enormous shimenawa rope tied around the waist and a flowing red skirt below.
"Wait, isn't this..."
Kai tilted his head with growing confusion and recognition. "Yamato?"