After Sakazuki told Kai to go rest, the boy slowly made his way back to his room.
Every step sent pain through his legs — they were screaming from exhaustion — but Kai endured it. He knew that once he reached his bed, he would finally be able to rest.
When he reached the room, Kai quickly removed the bandage from his eyes. The moment his head touched the pillow, darkness swallowed his consciousness — he fell asleep instantly.
Sakazuki was still standing on the training field, staring into the distance, lost in thought.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching.
"Did something happen, Momonga?" he asked calmly.
It was Momonga. He stopped beside him and spoke: "Vice Admiral Sakazuki… may I ask something?
May I train Kai in swordsmanship?"
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why do you want to do that?" he asked. "If I recall correctly, you've never trained anyone before. Why now?"
Momonga answered without hesitation: "I observed Kai's training. To be honest… I was impressed. His will is extraordinary. I thought that after yesterday he wouldn't be able to continue, but what he showed today proved me wrong."
Sakazuki listened and slowly shook his head. "It's still too early," he said.
"His body is not ready yet.
Tomorrow will be his third day of training. By the sixth day, he should be ready to start sword practice.
We have two months before returning to Marineford, and I intend to use that time fully."
Momonga hesitated for a moment, then asked: "Vice Admiral… you don't plan to take Kai to Marineford, do you?"
Sakazuki did not answer.
Momonga understood without words. He nodded and silently left.
The next day, rays of the early morning sun slipped through the window of Kai's room and struck his face, waking him up.
Kai slowly regained consciousness — and immediately felt it.
His body had recovered.
The pain was gone.
Energy filled him from within.
He felt stronger.
Kai quickly stood up, put on the bandage over his eyes, and headed to the training field.
Sakazuki was already waiting for him.
"Good morning, Senior Sakazuki," Kai said as he approached.
Sakazuki nodded briefly. "How do you feel, Kai? Are you ready to train?"
Kai smiled slightly. "I feel great. Yes, I'm ready."
"Good," Sakazuki said. "Begin."
Kai started running immediately.
He could feel the difference.
Ten laps — and none of the crushing exhaustion from before.
Sakazuki watched silently and nodded in approval.
Push-ups were harder. Kai made several mistakes and had to start over, but in the end, he completed them.
The final exercise was sword swings.
Fatigue returned, his muscles burned, but he didn't stop.
When he completed the hundredth swing, his strength finally gave out.
Kai collapsed to the ground from exhaustion… but remained conscious.
Sakazuki looked down at him and nodded.
Kai was clearly growing stronger.
Then a voice broke the silence: "Senior Sakazuki… may I ask you a question?"