The confrontation was not entirely over. The Government had sent a silent enforcer to observe: Bartholomew Kuma.
Kuma, the other Warlord, confronted Kenji and the exhausted crew, delivering a final, brutal test of sacrifice.
Kuma regarded Kenji with his cold, robotic stare. "The World Government has a new designation for you, 'Apex' Tanaka. You are a critical destabilizing factor. I was ordered to confirm your capabilities."
"You already have your answer, Kuma," Kenji countered, stepping in front of Zoro.
Kuma ignored him, using his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi (Paw-Paw Fruit) to pull the concentrated damage and pain from Luffy's body, forming the terrifying, reddish-pink bubble of exhaustion.
Kenji watched, then focused his own duplication ability.
• Target: Nikyu Nikyu no Mi (Paw-Paw Fruit) power and the concept of Pressure and Rejection.
• Copying...
• Apex Enhancement Active...
• Resulting Ability: [Apex: Absolute Pressure & Kinetic Mastery] Acquired. (Absolute control over kinetic energy, repulsive pressure, and teleportation).
Before Kuma could offer the final ultimatum, Kenji unleashed his newly acquired Apex Pressure Mastery.
[Apex: Absolute Rejection Field]
Kenji generated an instantaneous, focused repulsive kinetic field directly around Kuma. Kuma, the towering cyborg, was not merely pushed back; he was violently teleported off the island, a casualty of the overwhelming kinetic rejection.
Kenji turned to the sphere of pain. He didn't let Zoro step in.
[Apex: Absolute Soul & Life Mastery]
Kenji touched the sphere of pain and instantly purified the negative energy, dissolving it into harmless, warm air. He then channeled a small wave of pure life essence into Luffy's unconscious body, ensuring an instant, full recovery.
"The test is over," Kenji announced. "And the crew passes, protected by an absolute defense."
The final verdict from the World Government was instantaneous: they couldn't kill Kenji, and they needed to neutralize his threat to the balance of power. The solution was unprecedented.
A few days later, a new set of bounties arrived, but one was different.
Kenji Apex Tanaka: frozen bounty, mandatory Warlord appointment
Kenji had been forcibly appointed a Warlord of the Sea, his bounty frozen, in a desperate attempt by the World Government to co-opt his devastating power and stop him from destroying any more symbols of their authority.
Kenji laughed when he saw the poster. "They tried to buy me off. Very well. I'll take the title. It's the perfect vantage point for the next arc."