The next day, Sakazuki noticed that Kai was handling the training very well, so he decided to increase the difficulty. If before Kai had to run ten laps around the field and do thirty push-ups, now he had to run fifteen laps and do fifty push-ups.
Kai didn't say anything, he just nodded and began his training even more diligently. Now that he had found his goal and path, he knew the journey ahead would be tough. Sakazuki observed silently, nodding in approval at Kai's determination.
After finishing his physical exercises, Kai went to the cafeteria to eat something delicious. Once again, the other Marines noticed him.
"Look, that blind kid is back."
"What is he even doing here?"
"Yeah, what use could he possibly be?"
"I think maybe one of his family members works in the Marines."
"Maybe… then why is he here?"
While they whispered among themselves, Kai ignored them. He was focused on devouring a huge piece of meat. When he finished, five empty plates lay around him, but he didn't pay attention to the shocked gazes of others and went back to rest and prepare for the next day's training.
The next day, as Kai began his training again, Sakazuki observed him closely. When Kai finished, he noticed a familiar figure approaching. Sakazuki looked in the same direction and saw Momonga coming, holding a newspaper.
Upon reaching them, Momonga bowed and said:
— Vice-Admiral Sakazuki, I have very important information.
He handed Sakazuki the newspaper. As Sakazuki began to read, Kai's fog alerted him that Sakazuki was starting to boil with rage. Kai could feel the intensity through his fog: hot air was radiating from Sakazuki like from a volcano.
Kai thought to himself:
— Whoa… he really exploded like a real volcano! I wonder what's written there that made Sakazuki so furious.
Feeling this, Kai carefully focused, sensing the full force of Sakazuki's anger. Sakazuki muttered to himself:
— What the hell are they planning?
He stormed off toward his office without saying a word. Momonga watched silently as Kai, observing everything, commented:
— Looks like someone's going to have a headache.
Momonga noticed Kai's focus and looked at him carefully, realizing how much he had changed since the last time he saw him.
Kai sensed Momonga's gaze and said:
— Good morning, Senior Momonga. Can you tell me why Vice-Admiral Sakazuki was so furious?
Momonga replied:
— The World Government created the Shichibukai system, where pirates can work under the World Government, and in exchange, they are allowed to plunder ancient ruins or islands without interference from the Marines.
As Momonga spoke, his hand clenched tightly, and his voice was full of anger. Kai was surprised to hear about the Shichibukai system and thought:
— Oh, I was so focused on training that I completely forgot about this… So the Shichibukai system has already started.
Kai looked toward the direction where he sensed Momonga's presence and asked:
— Senior Momonga, why is the World Government doing this?
Momonga replied:
— Those cursed World Government officials think we, the Marines, cannot handle the pirates alone and need help. Damn it, so many Marines have sacrificed themselves to defeat the pirates, and now we have to work together with the cursed ones.
Momonga looked at Kai again:
— Kai, today's training is over. Tomorrow, I will start teaching you sword fighting.
Kai only nodded and bowed:
— Alright, Senior Momonga. See you tomorrow.