Silence.
Dead silence.
In a dim, hidden room beneath Water 7, the air felt heavier than iron.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Kaku.
He stood stiffly, pupils still slightly dilated. Cold sweat had soaked through his clothes.
"…I…" His voice trembled. "…I was defeated."
He swallowed hard.
"I didn't even understand what happened."
"I just saw a flash in front of my eyes…"
"And then—"
Kaku's throat bobbed.
"…I lost consciousness."
"…Completely."
The people around him didn't speak.
Because they couldn't.
A blow that clean—so fast—so absolute…
Even for CP9, it was hard to accept.
Someone finally forced the words out.
"One move…?"
Kaku nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
"One move."
"No struggle."
"No resistance."
"No chance to react."
His fists clenched unconsciously, knuckles whitening.
"…I went down instantly."
The weight of that admission crushed the room.
Shock.
Disbelief.
A chill that crawled up the spine.
Kaku smiled bitterly.
"…That's exactly why it's terrifying."
He lifted his head. His eyes were full of complicated emotion.
"That child…"
"…isn't on the same level as us."
"He's standing somewhere completely different."
Silence fell again—so quiet it felt like even breathing had to ask permission.
Rob Lucci, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"…How strong?"
Kaku turned to look at him.
After a moment, he answered slowly.
"If we're standing on the ground, then he's already in the sky."
He shook his head almost immediately.
"…No."
"That's not accurate either."
Kaku's voice grew lower.
"It's more like…"
"…we haven't even stepped onto the battlefield…"
"…and the fight is already over."
Lucci's pupils tightened slightly.
"…That exaggerated?"
Kaku took a deep breath.
"…No."
"If anything…"
"…I think I'm being conservative."
The room felt colder.
Someone murmured, unable to stop themselves.
"…Then what about us?"
"If we run into him again…"
Kaku answered without hesitation.
"Run. Run immediately—and pray he doesn't feel like finishing it."
A chill swept through the room.
Lucci fell silent.
After a long moment, he spoke again.
"…That child."
"What's his name?"
Kaku replied softly:
"…Monkey D. Raifeng."
Lucci's fingers twitched.
"…Monkey D…"
"…So that's how it is."
Kaku nodded.
"…Yes."
"That bloodline…"
"…is abnormal."
"…Completely abnormal."
Another voice asked, hesitant but sharp:
"Then why didn't he kill the Straw Hats?"
Kaku closed his eyes.
"…Because to him…"
"…they weren't worth killing."
He opened them again, gaze heavy.
"…Or perhaps…"
"…they were family."
No one spoke.
Because either answer was terrifying.
Kaku exhaled slowly.
"…Either way…"
"If that child ever truly becomes our enemy…"
"…it will be a disaster."
A disaster.
An unquestionable disaster.
Lucci turned his gaze toward the distant sea, eyes cold.
"…Seven years old…"
"…and already like this."
His voice lowered.
"…If he grows up…"
No one finished the sentence.
Because everyone already knew how it ended.
Kaku spoke one last time, voice heavy.
"I went down in one move."
"And I don't feel ashamed."
"…Because against that kind of monster…"
"…losing is the most normal outcome."
Outside, the sea wind moved through Water 7.
Carrying with it an unspoken fear.
And somewhere in the same city—
That terrifying seven-year-old was quietly growing stronger.
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