Not long after, Borsalino's role-play progress increased by about one percent.
Bang!
When Rock Python's fist once again passed straight through Kai's body and slammed into the ground, despair filled his eyes.
"I'm simply no match for him!"
"This guy's a monster!"
Rock Python had no way to counter Kai's elementalization.
All his combat techniques relied on his modified body—but no matter how tough his skin or how strong his muscles were, they were useless if he couldn't even land a hit.
Kai stood lazily in place, watching them swing in vain. With elementalization, he was already untouchable.
This was the power of a Logia-type Devil Fruit.
Looking at the two men who'd fallen into despair, Kai suddenly smirked.
"Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Rock Python and Bushmaster froze, blinking in confusion.
Before they could process his words, Kai's figure vanished.
In the next instant, he reappeared behind Rock Python. His right leg lifted high, golden light crackling around it—blindingly bright.
Under Rock Python's horrified gaze, Kai's kick landed squarely on him.
Boom!
The explosive force ripped through Rock Python's body, shattering every bone. Cracks spider-webbed across the ground, glass windows burst, and the street shook.
In the center of the crater, Rock Python's once-impenetrable defense was torn to shreds.
Bushmaster took one look at his mangled comrade and bolted.
But how could his speed compare to light?
Before he could take two steps, Kai appeared right in front of him.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Damn it!"
Bushmaster's tail split open, revealing a concealed device.
BZZZZZT!
A piercing sonic wave blasted through the air—and, to Kai's surprise, his elemental body flickered under the sound's vibration. It barely affected him, but it was enough to tick him off.
His playful grin vanished. In a flash of light, he appeared before Bushmaster.
"Finger Pistol."
One sharp motion. His finger pierced clean through Bushmaster's chest.
Bang!
As Bushmaster collapsed, Kai's battle came to an end.
Meanwhile, Moccasin was still trading blows with Captain America.
Though strong, he was outclassed—Steve Rogers' power, precision, and experience completely overwhelmed him.
Stretching his limbs like rubber didn't help much against vibranium.
When the shield smashed down on Moccasin's skull, the fight was over.
Just as the last enemy fell, Kai suddenly felt a chill of danger.
Instinctively, he transformed into light, grabbed Steve and Natasha, and bolted into the sky.
A split second later—
BOOM!
A fiery explosion swallowed the entire street.
Flames engulfed the Viper Gang's remnants. Clearly, Ophelia, who had slipped away earlier, had triggered the blast.
Watching the inferno behind them, Steve muttered,
"Thanks, Kai. That's just like HYDRA—never sparing their own."
There was no chance anyone from the Viper Gang had survived.
"No problem."
Natasha twirled a USB drive in her hand.
"At least we got something out of it."
While Steve handled the gang, she had infiltrated their HQ and copied piles of encrypted data—transaction records leading straight to HYDRA.
"Since we're done here, I'm heading back," Kai said, stretching. "Oh, and tell Tony not to forget my bonus."
Mission complete. Time for a break.
Steve and Natasha exchanged a knowing look as Kai disappeared in a flash of golden light. They'd both seen his power firsthand—and knew he wasn't someone you treated like an ordinary ally.
San Francisco — HYDRA Base
After leaving Hell's Kitchen, Ophelia arrived at a real HYDRA base—far more advanced than the gang's crude setup.
She watched the combat footage playing on a large screen.
"Is this the person Pierce mentioned?"
Beside her stood a man in a black combat suit and skull mask—Brock Rumlow, better known as Crossbones, Pierce's right-hand man.
"Yes," Rumlow said. "We already noticed him during the New York Battle."
Ophelia's gaze lingered on the footage, eyes gleaming with greed.
"Such a troublesome ability…"
"Do we have any detailed information on him?" she asked.
Rumlow smirked slightly and handed her a file. Inside were HYDRA's limited records.
"Name, age, occupation… that's it? When did HYDRA fall so low?"
She sighed, tossing the thin dossier onto the table.
"Tell Pierce I want to meet this little prodigy myself."
Rumlow's expression was unreadable as he turned and left.
Back home, Kai reviewed the day's battle.
That last attack from Bushmaster made him realize—his elementalization wasn't absolute.
In a world packed with black-tech weapons, relying only on a Logia power was asking for trouble.
Maybe he'd gotten too cocky lately.
He opened his system panel:
[God-Level Role-Playing System]
Name: Kai
Role-Playing Templates: Kyogoku Makoto (Progress 92.5%), Borsalino (Progress 38.2%)
Next Template Unlock: 80%
Abilities: Monster Physique | World's Top Karate | Glint-Glint Fruit (Unawakened) | Navy Six Styles
His stats hadn't changed much—but his body and mastery over his Devil Fruit had both improved.
And deep down, Kai knew one thing for sure—HYDRA wouldn't ignore someone like him for long.