The continual breakthroughs in his talent limits were unquestionably an encouraging sign for Kaito.
Every time one of his talents surpassed its previous limit, not only did its overall attribute increase, but it also served as tangible proof that he was steadily growing stronger.
After wrapping the heavy chains around his body, Kaito focused all of his talent points into Constitution.
In an instant, his Constitution talent surged to an effective value of 9.0.
Compared to the 7.9 effective talent value he had possessed at the beginning, the difference was obvious.
The higher Constitution concentration granted him even greater physical strength, tougher defenses through his Steel Body, more abundant stamina, faster recovery, and an even more remarkable increase in the efficiency of his physical training.
Splash!
Water exploded upward as Kaito, now in his fully concentrated Constitution state, leaped into the sea.
Then, dragging five warships connected by enormous chains behind him, he began swimming around the fleet.
That was right.
After entering the Grand Line, Kaito hadn't relaxed his physical training in the slightest.
Instead, he had intensified it.
Previously, he had pulled three ships during training.
Now...
He was towing five.
There's still an obvious gap between my current strength and the world's top fighters.
Besides improving my Observation Haki...
I can't afford to neglect the foundation of everything—my physical conditioning.
Like a blade slicing through the sea itself, Kaito swam forward at astonishing speed while dragging the five massive ships behind him.
Although he had lost his battle against Kuzan...
The fight had taught him far more than simple defeat.
Not only had it tempered his combat ability...
It had also exposed his weaknesses with perfect clarity.
The greatest among them—
Observation Haki.
Observation Haki didn't directly increase destructive power.
Yet it remained an indispensable part of true combat strength.
In terms of raw physical ability and Armament Haki, Kaito, while focusing his Constitution talent, was already on par with Kuzan—
Perhaps even slightly superior.
Unfortunately...
The overwhelming difference in Observation Haki prevented him from inflicting any truly decisive damage.
Worse still...
Nearly every one of his attacks had been anticipated in advance.
From beginning to end, the rhythm of the battle had belonged entirely to Kuzan.
Kaito had been forced to fight according to his opponent's pace.
Naturally, Kuzan's Logia ability also played a significant role.
His elemental body allowed him to nullify countless attacks that would have seriously injured anyone else.
Even so...
The battle had clearly demonstrated one thing.
Kaito's development had become unbalanced.
The main reason was simple.
Unlike Armament Haki...
Observation Haki received almost no additional benefit from concentrating his Constitution talent.
For a true top-tier fighter like Kuzan...
Even if certain aspects of his strength were stronger than others...
None of his abilities possessed any obvious weakness.
He was, in every sense of the phrase...
A perfectly balanced warrior.
A true hexagonal fighter.
If Kaito intended to challenge—and eventually surpass—fighters like Kuzan...
Then he, too, would have to become one.
While continuing his physical training, Kaito began reorganizing his entire training schedule.
My physical training can't change.
It's the trunk supporting the entire tree.
Even if Observation Haki needs to improve, I can't sacrifice the foundation.
Kendo...
Armament Haki...
Dragon-Subduing Leg...
Those three can temporarily give up part of their training time.
Thanks to Constitution concentration, all three are already receiving indirect improvements anyway.
After careful consideration...
A brand-new training schedule gradually took shape in his mind.
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Six hours dedicated entirely to physical conditioning.
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Three full hours devoted exclusively to Observation Haki.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
One hour of swordsmanship practice.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
One hour of Armament Haki training.
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
One hour practicing the Dragon-Subduing Leg.
Compared to his previous routine...
The training time for swordsmanship, Armament Haki, and the Dragon-Subduing Leg had all been reduced.
In exchange...
Observation Haki now received a full three hours every day.
After finalizing the new schedule...
Kaito cleared every distracting thought from his mind and devoted himself completely to training.
Alabasta lay ahead in the first half of the Grand Line.
Guided by their Eternal Pose...
After more than ten days of sailing...
The endless desert continent finally appeared on the horizon.
"Whew..."
"We're finally here."
Standing at the bow of the flagship, Nami let out a long sigh of relief.
Thanks to her extraordinary natural talent for navigation, she had officially taken over as chief navigator for Kaito's fleet after Lafayette departed for Water 7.
Looking at the vast desert stretching across the horizon...
She glanced down at the Eternal Pose in her hand.
After confirming that their destination was correct...
Only then did she finally relax.
Recalling everything they had experienced over the past ten days...
Nami couldn't help feeling shaken.
Although they had never truly been cornered...
The endless succession of dangers had made her feel as though she had died countless times already.
The weather alone had been terrifying.
Fortunately...
In that regard, Nami had lived up to everyone's expectations.
Every sudden climate shift...
Every abnormal weather pattern...
She had detected them before anyone else and responded with the most appropriate course of action.
Sea Kings...
And pirates...
Those, however, were beyond her ability to control.
Especially pirates.
Despite commanding a fleet of twenty ships...
Despite Kaito carrying a bounty of 350 million Berries...
The War Pirates still failed to intimidate everyone they encountered.
Some crews simply didn't recognize the War Pirates.
Others...
Recognized them perfectly.
And attacked anyway.
Greed was one of humanity's greatest sins.
The lure of money and fame could easily drive people insane.
Even the Four Emperors constantly attracted challengers.
Kaito was no exception.
Throughout those ten short days...
The War Pirates were attacked repeatedly by ambitious pirate crews hoping to claim Kaito's bounty.
Of course...
Since the War Pirates had arrived safely at Alabasta...
Those blinded by greed had all paid an extremely heavy price.
Alabasta was enormous.
Although it possessed ports...
Its coastline stretched so far that someone unfamiliar with the kingdom would struggle to locate one.
After searching unsuccessfully for quite some time...
Nami finally selected a section of deep coastline where the fleet could anchor safely.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Once every ship had anchored successfully...
Kaito emerged from the cabin and stepped onto the deck.
Walking beside him were Robin...
Neferpitou...
Law...
And...
Smoker.
Yes.
Smoker now stood among them.
After enduring repeated rounds of Kaito's Conqueror's submission...
The Marine officer whose unwavering faith in "justice" had once allowed him to resist...
Had finally failed to overcome Kaito's relentless influence.
He had officially become a member of the War Pirates.
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