Command received.
Deducting discipline points... Physique enhancement program initiated!
As the system's cold prompt fell, Kain did not even have time to strike a cool pose before a terrifying heat current erupted violently inside his body without any warning.
Holy... shit...
Kain's originally cool and aloof facial expression instantly shattered. His features twisted together in agony as the sheer intensity of the change took hold. This time, it was no longer a gentle nourishment or a slow trickle of strength. It was a thorough, violent leap in life.
Crack! Crack!
He could clearly hear the sickening sounds coming from within his own body. His bones groaned as they were compressed into a denser state, becoming as hard as steel. His muscle fibers tore apart under the pressure, only to be instantly restructured in a stronger, more explosive manner. The intense pain inside felt like a hundred Garps were wielding iron fists, madly forging iron in every corner of his body. Pain washed over him like a crashing tide, but he did not utter a single sound. He just gritted his teeth while veins bulged at his temples and his body trembled violently on the bed. He knew this was the necessary path to becoming a monster.
On his retina, the number representing his discipline points was plummeting at a shocking speed.
Physique 65 to 66... 5,000 points consumed.
Physique 66 to 67... 5,500 points consumed.
Physique 75 to 76... 10,000 points consumed.
Physique 84 to 85... 14,500 points consumed.
Physique enhancement complete. Comprehensive energy level raised to 85. Total consumption: 198,000 points.
When the pain that threatened to tear him apart finally receded, Kain lay collapsed on the bed. He was drenched in sweat as if he had just been fished out of the ocean. The next second, he clenched his fist violently.
Bang!
The sheer force of his grip alone produced a crisp popping sound in the air. He felt strong. He felt unbelievably strong. He gasped for breath while white mist steamed from every pore, which was the overflow of excess energy from within. A surging, unceasing vitality flowed wildly through his body. The hidden injuries left from withstanding the residual shockwave of Roger's Divine Departure and the depletion from overusing his Devil Fruit were now completely filled and healed. With a mere thought, his stomach and intestines instantly began to churn at high speed, squeezing out every last bit of residual nutrition in his belly. The high-level technique from the World Government's CP9, Life Return, was mastered in that very moment without any instruction.
This feeling...
Kain examined his increasingly well-defined Physique. His skin was smooth and taut, yet beneath it lurked a terrifying, monstrous strength that even he found startling. What delighted him even more was that, along with the transformation of his Physique, his previously depleted Haki reserves also experienced an explosive surge. The energy churned restlessly through his limbs and bones, far exceeding his previous levels. The corner of his mouth curled into an arrogant arc.
I wonder how my current HP compares to Teacher Kaido's now?
From today on, no one would ever make him go limp on the spot again. The era of the quick man was gone forever.
However, just having a thick HP bar isn't enough.
The green light in Kain's eyes did not fade. Instead, it burned even brighter after tasting the sweetness of power.
Since we've struck it rich, we might as well spend it all in one go! System! Bring out the rest of the money! Armament Haki! Observation Haki! Upgrade them for me!!
A true strong man must not only be hard, but also long!
Command received...
Intermediate Armament Haki (Emission) unlocked... 200,000 points consumed.
Intermediate Observation Haki (Future Sight) unlocked... 200,000 points consumed.
Boom!
Another 400,000 in massive funds vanished into thin air.
Hum!
A roar echoed from deep within his brain as if two brand new doors had suddenly been thrown open in his perceptual world. First came the change to his Armament Haki. With a thought from Kain, pitch-black Haki instantly covered his right arm. But this was no longer simple hardening. The black Haki flowed and brimmed over the surface of his skin, forming an invisible yet real flowing armor.
Armament Haki... Emission!
Kain's gaze sharpened. He made a chopping motion through the air towards an empty chair three meters away. He did not use his Devil Fruit abilities, just the slight breeze stirred by his physical movement. Yet, enhanced by that layer of emitted Haki—
Thump!
Three meters away, the sturdy wooden chair was struck head-on by an invisible heavy hammer. It instantly exploded into a cloud of flying splinters.
That's more like it!
Kain looked at his palm, his eyes filled with pleasant surprise. This emitted Haki could not only form an invisible defensive barrier but also qualitatively change the range and power of his attacks. Just one more step to mastering internal destruction, and it would be the top-tier Ryuo. Next came the qualitative change in his Observation Haki. Kain closed his eyes.
His world suddenly became incredibly noisy. Countless fragmented images flickered in his mind. One second later, a seagull outside the window would drop a piece of bird poop, landing precisely on the railing. Three seconds later, the New Recruit Allen at the end of the corridor would trip over his own feet and fall flat on his face. Five seconds later... countless chaotic fragments of the future flooded his mind like snowflakes. Kain frowned slightly as his brain felt somewhat overloaded, but he quickly adapted to this new mode of perception. He began actively blocking out the useless noise.
His spirit was unprecedentedly focused. An extremely clear future image froze in his mind. Bogard, wearing a black suit, pushed open the door while holding a coat in his hand. His usually impassive face carried a hint of seriousness: Kain, pack up. We're about to pass through the Gates of Justice. Fleet Admiral Sengoku wants you to line up on the deck.
The image flashed and vanished. This was Future Sight. Although it was only a few short seconds, in a battle between masters, that was the difference between life and death. Kain could no longer hide the smile at the corner of his mouth. He leisurely sat up from the bed, unhurriedly straightened his patient gown, and even had the leisure to pour himself a glass of water.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
Click.
The lock on the ward door turned, and the familiar figure appeared at the doorway right on time. Bogard indeed held that coat in his hand, just about to speak. Kain had already turned his head and raised the water glass in his hand. Wearing that trademark, heartwarming Yasashii smile, he spoke first.
Is it time to pass through the Gates of Justice, Mr. Bogard? I imagine Fleet Admiral Sengoku is already getting impatient on the deck, right?
Bogard's foot, which was about to step in, froze in mid-air. A crack appeared for the first time on his eternally unchanging, ruler-drawn face. He looked at Kain with eyes filled with astonishment and confusion. The soundproofing in this special care ward on the flagship of a Fleet Admiral was top-notch. How could this kid know so precisely that they had just arrived at the Gates of Justice? How could he even guess Sengoku's order word for word? Unless... Observation Haki?!
But how was that possible? Although this kid had awakened Observation Haki, it was only at a basic level. He had slept for two days in a coma, and upon waking up, he could suddenly see the future? Was his talent even more monstrous than a monster? Looking at Bogard's ghost-seeing expression, Kain was practically bursting with joy inside. This was awesome. Those 600,000 discipline points were spent so well.
...How did you know? Bogard's voice carried a rare hint of hesitation.
Intuition.
Kain pointed to his own head, his smile appearing pure and harmless.
Perhaps brushing shoulders with death has made me a bit more sensitive to the flow of this sea.
That statement was full of pretentiousness. Bogard gave him a deep look but did not press further. He just threw the coat over, reverting to his cold tone: Then hurry up. The Fleet Admiral is waiting on the deck. Welcome back to headquarters, hero.
Kain caught the coat of justice and draped it over his shoulders with practiced ease. He stepped off the bed barefoot. He stretched his limbs, and a series of crisp, dense popping sounds came from all his joints. Every muscle swelled slightly beneath the coat, full of explosive, aesthetic strength.
Current discipline points balance: 340,200 points.
Spending nearly 600,000 points had bought him a brand new self. He was someone who had truly stepped into the realm of the strong. He had a thick HP bar, high defense, and advanced Haki, all paired with the world-destroying Storm-Storm Fruit. Now, he finally had the real capital to walk sideways across this sea. Kain flexed his wrists and looked past Bogard's shoulder towards the deep corridor outside.
Through the porthole at the end of the corridor, the massive gate symbolizing the World Government's highest authority had already come into view. The arc at the corner of his mouth turned playful.
Let's go, Mr. Bogard. We shouldn't keep my dear friends waiting.
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