Sakazuki was sitting in his office, leaning back in his chair, shouting into a Den Den Mushi.
"Admiral Sengoku, what the hell are you thinking?!" he roared.
"The World Government creating the Shichibukai system is a disgrace to the Marines!"
The answer came back just as loudly.
"Shut up, Sakazuki! Do you think I don't know that?!" Sengoku shouted back.
Sengoku was in an extremely bad mood. He had already been forced to explain the decision to countless Marines and listen to their furious complaints. That alone was enough to give him a headache—but then there was Garp, who had been shouting louder than anyone else. And now Sakazuki had joined in.
His head was pounding.
"That's enough," Sengoku continued. "This is an order from the World Government."
Hearing that, Sakazuki could only curse inwardly. He ended the call without another word.
Morning came.
Kai was walking toward the training field with a light step. He was genuinely excited—today would be his first real sword training with Momonga.
As soon as he arrived, his mist told him everything.
Sakazuki was there… and his mood was terrible.
The kind of mood where bothering him would end very badly.
So Kai trained without saying a word.
Sakazuki, however, was clearly lost in thought and barely paid attention to him. When Kai finished his exercises, he felt another familiar presence approaching.
Momonga.
Sakazuki didn't even look their way. Momonga simply nodded at Kai, silently signaling him to follow.
When they reached another area of the base, Kai spoke first.
"Looks like today isn't a very good day for Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
Momonga nodded.
"Yesterday, Vice Admiral Sakazuki spoke with Admiral Sengoku about the Shichibukai. Judging by his mood, he didn't like the Admiral's answer."
Momonga then changed the subject.
"Alright, Kai. Are you ready to begin your sword training? Today, we'll be using steel swords."
As he spoke, he handed Kai a steel blade.
Kai carefully took it.
"Momonga… who is the best swordsman in the Marines? Is it you?"
Momonga shook his head.
"No. I'm not the best. There are swordsmen far greater than me. One of them is Gion. She's one of the finest swordsmen in the world."
Kai immediately recognized the name.
"I see…"
Momonga nodded.
"Good. Let's begin."
The days passed quickly.
Kai trained relentlessly under Momonga's guidance, while continuing his physical training under Sakazuki. Before he realized it, seven days had gone by.
That evening, Momonga visited Sakazuki's office.
After hearing Momonga's request, Sakazuki raised an eyebrow.
"You want to take Kai on a pirate-hunting mission?"
Momonga nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, Vice Admiral. I believe Kai is ready to face pirates in real combat."
Sakazuki fell silent.
For the past two days, his mood had been terrible, and he hadn't paid much attention to Kai's training—but he knew the truth.
The boy was ready.
"…Very well," Sakazuki said at last. "I approve."
Momonga bowed slightly.
"I'll make the preparations."