Two days later...
The sky was clear blue and cloudless, perfect weather for setting sail.
This was already the fourth day since Rayquaza docked at Water Seven. The ship's comprehensive inspection and maintenance work was completely finished.
Under the "enthusiastic farewell" of Water Seven's citizens, Kai decisively ordered departure. The massive hull slowly left the port, once again embracing the azure seas.
Watching that giant ship's gradually retreating figure, whether Mayor Iceburg or the CP9 agents lurking in the shadows, they all simultaneously breathed sighs of relief. Finally sent that plague god away safely.
Rayquaza, deck...
Enel began his daily training.
"Bam! Bam! Bam!"
Kai's fists, covered in pitch-black Armament Haki, mercilessly struck various parts of Enel's body.
"Enough! I told you, don't hit the face!"
Enel covered his once-again victimized cheekbone, roaring in exasperation. Does this god not need face anymore?
"You think this god can only take beatings without fighting back?!"
"Then come try."
Kai beckoned, face showing an encouraging smile.
Enel wasn't polite. He immediately swung his fist, actively attacking Kai.
Slap!
A light sound. Kai simply extended his palm, precisely catching Enel's full-force punch.
At that instant, red light flashed in Kai's eyes. The playful smile on his face suddenly vanished, replaced by cold sternness.
"Hey! Scared now? If you're scared, quickly let..."
Seeing this, Enel immediately became smug. But before finishing, Kai suddenly released his fist and loudly shouted, "Enemy attack! All hands on deck!"
What?!
Hearing this, everyone on deck immediately extracted themselves from their activities without hesitation. Whether Yamato teaching the Kung-Fu Dugongs, Robin recording the voyage log, or Kozuki Hiyori practicing shamisen, all instantly entered combat readiness, with sharp gazes sweeping the surrounding seas.
Almost the second after Kai's warning, a Marine warship appeared at astonishing speed from the distant horizon. The bow broke through white waves, clearly targeting Rayquaza and charging straight ahead!
"It's the Marines!"
Violet hurriedly activated her Clairvoyance ability, vision instantly crossing vast distances. When she clearly saw the figures standing on that warship's deck, her pretty face instantly turned deathly pale.
"Not good! Standing on deck are Marine Admirals Sakazuki and Kuzan, plus a CP0 agent wearing a clown mask! I can't see through the ship's interior, but there's definitely more people!"
"Two Admirals plus CP0. Heh, they come with ill intent."
Kai raised an eyebrow. Though his tone carried gravity, his face showed no panic whatsoever. He was very confident in his ship's current configuration. Unless the Marines brought Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally, leading all three Admirals in full force, wanting to easily capture him wouldn't be that simple.
"Marine Admirals, are they very strong?" Enel asked somewhat puzzled, seeing everyone's heightened alertness.
His understanding of the Blue Sea's peak combat power still remained at the theoretical level.
"Don't know. Definitely not weak though."
Kai slightly moved his wrists, face showing a battle-intent smile. Having never fought an Admiral head-on, he truly didn't know their combat strength. He only knew that the Admiral's one-on-one might struggle against Sea Emperors, but two Admirals working together was another story.
"Here, drink this."
Kai pulled out a glass vial containing Tears of Healing from his chest, casually tossing it to Enel.
Enel wasn't polite. Catching the vial, he pulled the stopper and tilted his head back to gulp it down. The liquid entered his throat. A gentle yet powerful warmth immediately spread from his stomach to all his limbs. The bruises from beatings and painful areas transmitted waves of itching and warmth as pain rapidly faded.
"Bastard! Why didn't you take out such good stuff earlier!"
"Adapting to pain helps your Haki comprehension and willpower tempering."
Kai smiled slightly before his expression turned serious. "Prepare for battle."
Before the battle begins, let's use some field magic first. Kai's mouth curved slightly as he casually waved toward the sky.
Instantly, wind and clouds changed!
The originally clear blue, cloudless sky seemed stirred by an invisible giant hand. Dense dark clouds crazily converged from all directions, roiling and hanging low, rapidly obscuring sunlight and shrouding the entire sea area in gloom and oppression. Sea winds also carried damp, cold breath, foretelling approaching storms.
Enel felt the suddenly active lightning particles in the air, looking at the composed Kai beside him while rarely showing appreciation. "Your ability quite suits this god's taste."
With nature's enhancement, he could completely summon the most violent thunder at minimal cost.
Kai was noncommittal, gaze falling on that distant Marine warship breaking through waves. "Since guests have arrived, let's give them an 'enthusiastic' greeting first."
Upon receiving firing permission, Enel's face instantly bloomed with a smile that mixed excitement and malice. "Suits me perfectly!"
"Divine Judgment!"
He suddenly raised his right arm. His entire arm instantly elementalized, transforming into dazzling blue electric light like a lightning rod, boldly piercing into the thick, low-hanging dark clouds overhead!
Boom!!!
Next second, directly above the Marine warship, dark clouds roiled violently like a lake struck by giant stones. A massive thunder pillar over ten meters in diameter, containing destructive energy, like judgment spears thrown by gods, crashed down toward the warship with overwhelming force.
Above the Marine warship, lightning suddenly appeared. A thunder pillar over ten meters in diameter crashed down like a mountain.
"This scale of lightning manipulation. Has Kai's ability range and control progressed beyond intelligence reports again?"
Clown CP0 looked up at the sky, voice behind the mask carrying imperceptible gravity.
"Hmph! Petty tricks!"
Sakazuki released a disdainful snort. As his words fell, his right arm instantly swelled and melted. Scorching, viscous magma roiled and surged, radiating terrifying heat that distorted the surrounding air.
"Great Eruption!"
He roared. The giant fist, entirely composed of magma —like a dormant volcano suddenly awakening —carried overwhelming, destructive momentum and boldly charged skyward!
Rumble!
Next instant, magma and thunder collided thunderously in midair! Blinding white light and dark red magma radiance intertwined and exploded, as if a small sun ignited above the ocean surface!
After brief stalemate, the giant magma fist actually forcibly overwhelmed the thunder pillar. After penetrating and shattering the thunder pillar, momentum undiminished, it viciously blasted into the thick cloud layer.
Boom!!
A muffled sound, as if the sky itself was pierced! The dark cloud-covered sky was actually forcibly blasted open by Sakazuki, creating a massive hole. A brilliant ray of sunlight shot straight down through the hole, casting a swaying spot of light on the sea surface.
"Sugoi. Worthy of the Magma-Magma Fruit, reportedly possessing top-tier Natural-type destructive power. This impact force is even more terrifying than actual volcanic eruptions."
Kai stroked his chin, tone somewhat teasing, though his eyes grew more serious. He wasn't particularly surprised by this. Never mind this world's top powerhouses' routine "sky-splitting" fierce performances. In nature, violent volcanic eruptions could blast volcanic ash to 10,000 meters, temporarily altering the local climate.
Sakazuki's punch merely displayed that destructive force in more concentrated, domineering fashion.
Enel's expression grew grave. This was the second time! The second time, I personally witnessed someone so easily disintegrate his proud "Divine Judgment!" Were top powerhouses here truly everywhere, visible at every turn?
Unprecedented pressure quietly climbed into his heart.
After "greetings," Kai didn't continue attacking. Instead, he stood leisurely, hands hanging, allowing the Marine warship to continue approaching before finally stopping nearby, forming a confrontational stance with Rayquaza.
"Yo, old friend. Haven't seen you in so long, yet you put on such a big show. Won't you give me an explanation first?"
Kai's face bloomed with a brilliant, almost harmless smile as he enthusiastically waved toward the clown-masked CP0 agent at the warship's bow. As if that earlier thunder pillar truly was just ordinary greetings.
This Clown CP0 was indeed an "old acquaintance." After Kai took control of Wano, his first major "business deal" with the World Government was reached with this agent's CP team.
Facing Kai's casual greeting, Clown CP0's eye twitched.
"Who's old friends with you? I'm warning you, don't talk nonsense!"
Believe it or not, I'll sue you for slander! He's slandering me!
With the World Government enraged, Clown CP0 dared not associate with Kai. If suspected of having a share in researching the Void Century...
Clown CP0 shuddered, not daring to continue that thought.
Fearing Kai might utter more shocking statements, he hurriedly said stiffly, "Natural Disaster Kai! You and your gang have committed one of the three unforgivable crimes, researching the forbidden 'Void Century' history! By the World Government's supreme order, you and all crew members are to be immediately arrested and executed on the spot!"
"Next life, remember to follow the rules!"
"Oh? Not even giving me a chance at Impel Down?"
Kai raised an eyebrow. According to the World Government convention, powerful fruit users like him should definitely be locked in Seastone shackles and imprisoned in Impel Down Level Six's Eternal Hell for life. Are they afraid Teacher Kai might rashly come rescue him? Thinking carefully, this indeed fits Teacher Kai's style.
Behind him, Robin, previously full of battle intent, suddenly froze. The World Government turned against Kai because of the Void Century?
That's right. Back then, Ohara's scholars merely studied ancient texts, yet they were still drawn into the devastating Buster Call. Now they'd collected an entire Poneglyph.
Massive guilt and self-blame surged like tides into Robin's heart, nearly suffocating her. It's all my fault. If not to satisfy my historical research desires, Kai wouldn't have needed to take me to Alabasta or to see that Poneglyph. He clearly already knew what was recorded on it.
"Hey Robin, what's wrong? Snap out of it."
Yamato noticed Robin's abnormality, carelessly patting her shoulder while confidently declaring, "Don't worry! With me here, I'll definitely protect you and everyone!"
Robin's delicate body trembled. She turned her head, meeting Yamato's eyes, free of shadows, filled with earnestness and determination. An indescribable warmth instantly washed away the coldness and gloom from her heart.
She truly found companions who'd never abandon her.
"Thank you, Yamato. I'll work hard too!" Robin solemnly nodded, eyes regaining determination. Things had reached this point. Dwelling on the past was meaningless. Now the only option was fighting alongside companions, facing this together!
"Then I'm counting on you, Yamato!"
Violet hugged Yamato's waist, smiling. She was civilian staff, not suited for combat.
"Hehe, leave it to me!" Yamato patted her chest, guaranteeing.
As the rear atmosphere shifted from gloomy to bright, the forward confrontation had reached breaking point.
On the Marine warship, Marines who'd been inside the cabin also emerged, standing behind the two Admirals. Five people total. Three men, two women.
One was a sword-wielding man with four X-shaped scars, curled mustache, and brown shoulder-length hair. Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Doberman!
One wore a helmet engraved with twin dragon patterns, fierce expression, wielding dual swords with spider-leg-like hair each holding a blade. Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Onigumo!
One had a beard reaching his waist, abnormally long skull, wielding dual swords with cold eyes. Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Strawberry!
One was a beautiful female swordsman with black long hair, wearing a pink sleeveless top and ultra-short hot pants, displaying a fiery figure and slender, fair legs. Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Admiral Candidate, Momousagi!
The last was a black-haired, blue-eyed woman wearing dark short sleeves and leather pants with a sharp metal collar around her neck and cold temperament. Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Doll!
"Two Marine Admirals plus CP0, matched with five Headquarters Vice Admirals. Tsk tsk, should I say you're going overboard, or overestimating me, Kai?"
Kai's gaze swept over this luxurious lineup of executions, stroking his chin and grinning.
"Hmph! To completely eradicate world-threatening evil, even excessive force is acceptable!" Sakazuki said coldly.
"So there's no negotiation then."
Kai helplessly shrugged, smile instantly vanishing from his face. He said no more, simply and casually waving toward the sky again.
"Meteor Shower!"
What's that?!
Those standing on this warship were all battle-hardened, Haki-proficient top experts. Almost the instant Kai waved, they simultaneously sensed danger and jerked their heads toward the sky!
"How is this possible!!" Vice Admiral Doll cried out in shock, pupils already occupied by burning crimson!
The originally lead-gray thick cloud layer now seemed like ignited oil seas, suddenly turning completely fiery red! Next second, countless massive, flame-burning meteors, like doomsday fire rain breaking free from restraints, began penetrating cloud layers, boldly falling toward the sea area below!
They varied in size. The smallest were house-sized, while the largest were actually mountain-sized! Dragging long, scorching tail flames with overwhelming destructive momentum, they covered the entire sky and sea!
Once these meteors crashed down, never mind this small warship beneath their feet. Even Marineford-level fortresses would probably turn to scorched ruins in an instant!
This was Natural Disaster Kai's true value, wasn't it?