One month later.
East Blue,
Foosha Village – the forests of Mt. Colubo.
A striped tiger, its entire body rippling with killing intent, glared at the boy before it.
Kai's eyes were calm.
The atmosphere was tense, suffocating.
The beast's murderous aura poured forth—it was a true predator! Even dozens of armed adults together might not survive against it.
Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the boy's figure. His muscles were visibly defined, his back like a coiled beast ready to spring.
Half a month ago, Kai had celebrated his fourth birthday.
Now—he is four years old.
Yet his body looked like that of a ten-year-old, brimming with raw power and pressure.
Especially that back… his muscles had already begun forming the shadow of the legendary Ghost Back.
The grass swayed in the breeze, the air fresh and crisp.
In front of Kai stood the massive tiger—over five meters tall, fangs gleaming, the stench of blood radiating from its body. By comparison, even with his muscular build, Kai was tiny.
Roar!
The tiger bellowed, baring its fangs, ready to tear him apart.
"Come then…" Kai murmured, his eyes narrowing, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You'll be the test of my month's training."
This past month had transformed him. His strength had multiplied several times over. What had once been impossible, he could now crush with ease.
The tiger lunged.
Like a mountain crashing down, its claws ripped through the air with a piercing whistle.
Kai didn't flinch. He calmly raised his right fist.
Power gathered.
And then—
Boom!
His tiny fist shot forward, exploding with a torrent of force.
The clash shook the very air.
Crack!
The tiger's claw snapped.
Its eyes went wide with disbelief and terror.
A heartbeat later—
Bang!
Kai's fist slammed into its skull. The head caved in instantly, blood spraying.
The shockwave blasted the clearing, dust flying sky-high.
Gurgle!
The beast spat blood, eyes rolling white.
It collapsed with a heavy thud, twitching once before going still.
The jungle king of Mt. Colubo…
killed in one punch.
Kai exhaled slowly, looking at the corpse.
"I've gotten stronger. So much stronger than a month ago."
This month of hellish training had been brutal.
But the rewards… immeasurable.
If the Kai of today fought the Kai of a month ago—he could crush his old self with just one finger.
His growth was earth-shattering.
"Across the East Blue, there aren't many who could stand against me now. Unless I meet some hidden old monsters, I can walk sideways through these seas."
He smirked.
"If the Navy were to put a bounty on me… I'd be at least worth ten million."
And in this era, ten million meant something very different from the bounty system of the future. Now, ten million meant a true powerhouse, someone who could dominate entire seas.
"System, show me my status."
[Host: Kai]
[Strength: 17.6 (+10.1)]
[Speed: 16.1 (+9.3)]
[Stamina: 18.9 (+10.9)]
[Spirit: 12 (+2)]
[Ghost Back Completion: 10.14%]
[Cultivation Efficiency Multiplier: 100x]
The stats spoke for themselves.
Each gain was harder than the last. But with the hundredfold boost, his progress was monstrous.
Still—Kai knew he couldn't just keep repeating basic training forever. To truly leap forward, he needed more.
That's why, half a month ago, Garp had told him: once his father Dragon returned with Luffy, they would set sail for Marineford.
At Marine Headquarters, there were real training methods. And with Kai's system…
his growth would be terrifying.
"Not just my strength, speed, and stamina—" Kai clenched his fists.
"My spirit has grown too. And spirit… is directly tied to the Conqueror's Haki."
The higher the spirit, the stronger the Conqueror's.
"If I keep pushing… one day, I'll wield Conqueror's Coating."
Most importantly—after this month, Kai had completely mastered Conqueror's Haki.
No longer wild and uncontrollable.
Now, with just a thought, he could release it at will—without collapsing from exhaustion.
He grinned.
"Half a month ago, the old man refused to teach me. But now? I don't need him. I've mastered it myself."
"I wonder how he'll react when he finds out…"
Kai chuckled to himself.
"One month has passed. My cheap old man and that idiot brother should be arriving at Foosha Village soon. And then…"
"I'll be heading to Marineford."
Just then—
Footsteps approached from behind, followed by a grumbling voice:
"Kai, the old man's calling you back."
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