Navy?
Revolutionary Army?
Pirates?
Which path to choose?
For Kai, the answer was obvious—
The Navy.
The Revolutionary Army was the first option he eliminated.
Why?
Because right now, the Revolutionary Army was far too weak.
They were nothing more than rats hiding in the sewers, spat on by all, hunted by the world.
Joining them now? Only an idiot would make that choice.
And as for being a pirate?
Kai dismissed that too without hesitation.
Why be a pirate, when you could be a marine?
As a marine, you had stability.
A regular schedule, a steady income.
All the benefits and resources of the greatest organization on the seas.
Standing under the Navy's vast umbrella was the best way to grow stronger quickly—training methods, combat systems, all tailored to mold you into a powerhouse.
Why reject that?
Most importantly…
With Garp as his grandfather, once Kai joined the Navy, he would instantly be a "third-generation officer."
Who in the Navy would dare provoke him?
If he joined the Revolutionary Army, he would indeed be a "second-generation" of sorts… but a shameful one. A name that could never see the light of day, forever hunted by the Navy's killing machine.
But as a Navy officer's heir? He could walk sideways across the seas.
Even the Yonko would think twice before making a move against him.
The choice was clear.
"I choose the Navy," Kai declared firmly.
Silence.
Dragon's lips pressed tight. His face was unreadable.
Garp, however, burst into laughter, eyes glowing with pride.
"Good! Excellent, Kai, you didn't let this old man down! Becoming a great marine—that is the wisest choice you could make!"
Dragon opened his mouth, but the words died before they left his tongue.
His heart was heavy.
His son, this once-in-a-century genius, had chosen to walk away from the Revolutionary Army.
Had Kai joined him, Dragon was certain he could elevate the Revolutionary Army within ten years, turning them into the most terrifying force on the seas.
But that chance was gone.
After a long silence, Dragon finally said softly, "Since you've made your choice… I won't interfere further. A man must walk his own path. As your father, all I can do is bless you, even if it pains me."
His tone was firm.
Even if he wanted to persuade, Dragon was not one to force.
Besides, under the sharp gaze of his own father, Garp, he dared not push too far.
The "fist of love" from Garp… was something Dragon remembered all too clearly. Even now, it made his bones ache just thinking about it. He had no intention of experiencing that humiliation again, especially not in front of his two sons.
"Thank you, Father," Kai said evenly.
Dragon rose to his feet, resting a heavy hand on Kai's shoulder.
"Then grow stronger. The world is vast and full of wonders. But only the strong are qualified to stand upon its stage. The weak… don't even have the right to watch."
His gaze then shifted to the cradle.
At the tiny baby wriggling inside, Dragon's eyes softened. He turned to Garp and said solemnly, "Old man, I leave Luffy to you."
Veins bulged on Garp's forehead. He wanted to roar, to unleash his fury.
But then he looked down at the baby—at those innocent, laughing eyes, at the warmth of bloodline connection—and his anger melted away.
"Get lost! Every time you come back, you cause trouble."
Garp snorted, but didn't argue further.
Dragon smiled faintly.
"I'll be leaving. Kai… if the Navy ever treats you poorly, know this: the door of the Revolutionary Army will always be open for you."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
He had achieved his goal—delivering Luffy into safe hands. There was no need to linger.
He had never expected to discover that his elder son was a once-in-a-century genius. For that reason, he had briefly considered recruiting Kai.
But Kai had made his choice.
And Dragon would respect it.
As he departed, it was like the wind: coming quietly, leaving quietly, without taking a cloud along.
All he left behind was the tiny infant Luffy, now entrusted to Garp's care.
Without children weighing on him, Dragon would throw himself entirely into the Revolutionary cause.
And in the days ahead, the clashes between the Revolutionary Army and the Navy… would only grow more intense.
This was inevitable.
Dragon was a man of conviction. A man of belief. A man who would never bend.
The Revolutionary Army he built would one day become the World Government's greatest enemy.
That much was certain.
Garp snorted again as he watched his son's back fade from view. Then he turned, scooping baby Luffy into his arms with surprising gentleness. The child squealed happily, kicking his tiny feet.
"Three days from now, we'll depart for Marineford," Garp told Kai.
"Use this time wisely. Finish what you need to do here. Once we leave, you may not see East Blue again for a year or more."
"I understand," Kai nodded.
There was a touch of reluctance in his heart… but far more excitement.
Marineford!
The headquarters of the Navy.
The place where all the true monsters of justice gathered.
He couldn't wait.
This was an era before legends had fully bloomed.
Kizaru was still just a Vice Admiral.
Akainu and Aokiji were Vice Admirals too.
Sengoku had yet to become Fleet Admiral—Steel Bone Kong still held the position.
Zephyr was still an active Admiral, training the next generation of marines.
It was a golden age, full of possibilities.
And Kai was ready to carve his name into it.
Foosha Village, port.
A small merchant vessel lay waiting.
On deck, Ivankov spotted the cloaked figure of Dragon returning.
The moment he arrived, Ivankov hurried forward.
"Dragon! What about your son? That genius of yours? Don't tell me you're not bringing him! He's a once-in-a-century monster—awakened the Conqueror's Haki at the age of three!"
Dragon only shook his head, his gaze drifting back toward the village. His eyes grew distant, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"He has his own path. His own choices. We cannot force him. We must never force him. Whatever he chooses to become… As his father, all I can do is silently give him my blessing."
"As for the Revolutionary Army…" Dragon's eyes hardened.
"That is something we must build with our own hands."
Ivankov let out a long, disappointed sigh.
What a shame.
Such talent…
A child who could rival the Admirals of the future. A prodigy destined to be a top-tier monster of the seas.
And he had slipped through their grasp.
"Let's go," Dragon ordered. His eyes gleamed with steel.
"Our next destination… is Alabasta."
"Yes, Leader."
The ship's crew responded in unison.
The merchant vessel slowly pulled away from the dock, drifting farther and farther.
Until finally, it became nothing more than a black speck on the endless horizon—vanishing into the great blue sea.
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