When Sakazuki heard Kai's words, he nodded, giving him permission to ask his question.
A minute passed… but Kai remained silent.
Sakazuki frowned slightly and nodded again, yet there was still no response. This began to irritate him.
Then realization struck him.
Sakazuki activated his Observation Haki and immediately understood the problem — Kai was not using his mist to sense his movements and therefore could not feel the nod.
He recognized his mistake and spoke:
"You may ask your question, Kai."
Hearing this, Kai finally spoke.
"Senior Sakazuki… you are also a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, aren't you?"
Sakazuki frowned. He had never told Kai about that.
"How did you know?"
Kai answered calmly.
"When I spread my mist to sense my surroundings, I felt an intense heat coming from you… like standing near a volcano."
Kai was telling the truth. When his mist surrounded a person, he could sense the energy they emitted.
Of course, he already knew from his past life that Sakazuki possessed the Magu Magu no Mi, but he wanted to hear it directly — to begin a real conversation and learn more.
After a short pause, Sakazuki replied:
"You're right. I ate the Magu Magu no Mi — a Logia-type Devil Fruit of magma."
Kai nodded and continued:
"How many Logia users do you know?"
Sakazuki thought for a moment, realizing Kai was curious about others like himself.
"At present, within the Marines — including you — there are five Logia users," he said.
Kai listened attentively.
"Besides me, there are two Vice Admirals. One is Borsalino, the user of the Pika Pika no Mi — the Logia of light. The other is Kuzan, the user of the Hie Hie no Mi — the Logia of ice."
He continued:
"If I'm not mistaken, there is also a Marine student in Marineford who uses the Logia of smoke. And among pirates, there is Crocodile — the user of the Logia of sand."
"These are all the Logia users I know."
Kai nodded.
"Thank you for answering. May I ask one more question?"
"Yes," Sakazuki replied.
Kai took a breath.
"Why are you training me? Why are you training a blind child… a weak Logia user?"
Sakazuki fell silent for several minutes.
Then he finally spoke.
"You want to know why?"
Kai nodded.
"I am training you because I see talent and determination in you," Sakazuki said.
"You underestimate yourself. When you obtained the power of a Devil Fruit, what did you do?"
"Instead of running away, you chose revenge against that cursed mafia."
He continued, his voice firm.
"In this world, pirates and criminal organizations are the greatest threats to ordinary people. You understand that — just as I do."
Sakazuki turned his gaze toward the sea.
"I was born in North Blue as well. Just like you, I had a family who loved me."
"Then pirates came."
"They killed them… leaving only me alive."
His fists clenched.
"I wanted to help them. But all I could do was watch as those pirates beat my father… and violated my mother."
Kai finally understood.
Now he truly understood why Sakazuki hated pirates so deeply.
Sakazuki continued:
"I swore that day to kill every pirate. I trained without rest. I hunted pirates relentlessly."
"When I obtained the power of a Devil Fruit, I chose to join the Marines — because I realized I couldn't destroy them all alone."
He turned back toward Kai.
"When I look at you, I see my past self."
"But you suffered even more… and you survived."
"And that is why," Sakazuki said coldly,
"I want to make you strong."