The next day, around noon, silence filled the medical wing of the Marine base in North Blue.
On one of the beds lay Kai.
His body was motionless, his breathing steady and calm.
But then…
He stirred slightly.
The medic on duty noticed it immediately. His body tensed as he carefully watched the child. When Kai moved again, he didn't hesitate. The medic quickly left the room and called over one of the Marines.
"Report to Vice Admiral Sakazuki," he said in a low but urgent voice. "The child is waking up."
The Marine nodded and immediately went to deliver the message.
At that time, Sakazuki was working. Upon hearing the report, he stood up without a word and headed toward the medical wing.
Consciousness slowly returned to Kai.
He suddenly opened his eyes…
and, just like before, he saw nothing.
At that moment, memories flashed through his mind.
The mansion.
The fog.
Pain.
Blood.
Ken.
Where am I…?
Was I… captured again…?
Instinctively, Kai tried to activate the power of his Devil Fruit, but his body responded with sudden weakness. His muscles refused to obey him.
And then he heard a rough, calm voice:
"I wouldn't advise using your Devil Fruit right now. Your body is far too weak."
Kai froze.
He didn't know who was speaking, but he felt danger… and at the same time, absolute control.
Carefully, almost unconsciously, he released a tiny amount of fog and began to guide it, trying to "see" the person in front of him.
Sakazuki felt it instantly.
Invisible fog gently touched the space around him, as if cautiously feeling out his form. He understood at once—the child was using his ability to identify who stood before him.
Sakazuki did not resist.
A picture began to form in Kai's mind.
A tall man stood before him, wearing a coat and a white cap. A crushing sense of danger radiated from him—heat like that of a volcano or molten rock.
Kai spoke first.
"Where am I… and who are you?"
"You are at a Marine base in North Blue," the man replied calmly. "My name is Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
Kai's eyes widened.
He understood immediately.
Vice Admiral…
So he isn't an Admiral yet.
Not Akainu… yet.
Thoughts rushed through his mind.
Sakazuki continued:
"What is your name?"
"How old are you?"
"And tell me what happened at the mafia family's mansion."
Kai swallowed and began to speak.
"My name is Kai. I was born on one of the islands in North Blue.
When I was eight years old, pirates attacked our island. They killed my parents… and sold me into slavery."
He told everything.
How he lived in captivity.
How he tried to escape.
How he lost his sight.
How he found the Devil Fruit.
And about the massacre he carried out in the mafia mansion.
He spoke quietly, but without lies.
Suddenly, Kai fell silent.
The fog he had begun to control again sent him a signal.
Two people were approaching the door of the medical room.
Sakazuki noticed how the child abruptly stopped speaking and turned his head toward the door. At first, he didn't understand why—then he activated his Observation Haki.
He sensed Momonga and Onigumo.
Realizing they had finished their mission, Sakazuki said calmly:
"You may enter."
Momonga and Onigumo had just returned from their operation, having eliminated all the mafia families listed in the documents. They intended to report to Sakazuki, but when they didn't find him in his office, a Marine told them he was in the medical wing, and they headed there.
Hearing Sakazuki's voice, they entered the room.
Inside, they saw Sakazuki… and a child lying on the bed. Kai's face was covered in injuries, especially around his eyes, and his pupils were a pale bluish-white.
They understood immediately.
The child was blind.
"Don't be afraid," Sakazuki said. "They are my men.
Counter Admiral Momonga.
Counter Admiral Onigumo."
Hearing this, Kai recognized their presence and continued his story.
When he finished, silence filled the room.
Kai waited.
Sakazuki nodded.
"Kai," he said, "I know what you've been through.
So I'll ask you directly—do you want to join the Marines?
If you agree, I will personally train you."
Kai was in shock.
Becoming a Marine…
That's not a bad idea.
And if Sakazuki himself trains me… that's an incredible opportunity.
After everything I've been through, I don't think I can live a normal life anymore.
And there are people out there who are suffering even more than I did.
After a long silence, Kai answered:
"I agree.
I want to become a Marine
and help people who are in the same situation I once was."
Sakazuki nodded.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Without saying another word, he turned around and left the room.