Like right now.
As Kaito released Conqueror's Haki, he continued… beating Law mercilessly.
"Didn't you eat enough? I already slowed down. Why aren't you dodging my punches?"
"Hurry up, hurry up! Don't forget your enemy is one of the Seven Warlords. Even if I'm going to help you, you still need to build a strong body yourself."
"Didn't I tell you that this move can't be too stiff? What? You're saying my Conqueror's Haki makes it hard for you to relax? What kind of joke is that? Your enemy has Conqueror's Haki too. Don't tell me when you fight him, you'll ask him not to use it?"
"Does it hurt? Good. Pain is right. Hardship is the only path to becoming strong. I'm training your ability to endure hits."
Inside the training room, Kaito had transformed into a boxing champion. Moving with nimble footwork, he shifted in butterfly steps, his fists striking left and right like heavy rain as they landed on Law's body.
Not only did he beat him without mercy, he kept up a steady stream of trash talk, to the point that Law nearly broke down in tears.
It hurt. It hurt far too much.
But he endured it.
Because while the pain was intense, the results were undeniable.
There was no doubt that although Kaito was using "training" as an excuse to manipulate him, the training itself was extremely effective.
Under Kaito's brutal regimen, Law's ability to withstand blows had skyrocketed. At the same time, under immense pressure, his strength was increasing rapidly.
In just a few days, his growth rate had reached what would normally take him half a month. It was as if the effectiveness of his training had multiplied several times over.
It was precisely because of this astonishing improvement that Law found himself trapped in a strange mixture of agony and satisfaction.
Of course, there was another reason he was gradually being "guided" by Kaito.
Even with his strong spirit and iron will, after several days of Conqueror's "surrender," Law was slowly being worn down. It wouldn't be long before he became another loyal subordinate under Kaito.
"Meow!"
The training room wasn't occupied by just Kaito and Law.
Neferpet was there as well.
As usual, she was practicing diligently. At the same time, she secretly observed Kaito beating Law.
After watching for several days, something stirred within her.
She had noticed Law's rapid improvement under the brutal beatings, and she began wondering whether she should ask Kaito to train her the same way.
While Kaito trained Law and Neferpet, he did not neglect his own cultivation either.
After completing another round of physical training—dragging two warships as usual—Kaito sent them back into formation and returned to the deck of the No. 1 main ship.
But the moment he stepped onto the deck, he saw Robin already waiting there, holding today's newspaper and… a newly issued bounty notice.
Kaito glanced at it and couldn't help laughing.
The bounty notice, published alongside the newspaper, was about the War Pirates.
First was Kaito himself.
The photo still showed him gripping two golden sabers, his expression fierce.
But the bounty amount had jumped from 79 million Berries to 150 million Berries.
Next came the others:
Savage Bones — Senior Officer of the War Pirates — 65 million Berries — Dead or Alive.
Robin — Senior Officer of the War Pirates — 55 million Berries — Dead or Alive.
Sandy — Senior Officer of the War Pirates — 85 million Berries — Dead or Alive.
"Compared to the last bounty, ours increased quite a bit," Robin said. "Especially yours, Captain. It went past 100 million Berries in one jump. I think this is because of what happened with the Marines."
"Mm. Not bad," Kaito replied casually, handing the bounty back to her. "It shows the Marines are taking us seriously."
He didn't feel nervous in the slightest.
A bounty increase was normal.
As Robin had said, after killing Vice Admiral Henry of West Blue, it would have been strange if the Marines hadn't raised their prices.
Of course, not being surprised didn't mean he ignored the situation.
Kaito simply preferred action over emotional reaction.
For instance, whenever he arrived somewhere, he never lingered long. After completing his objective, he would leave immediately.
The reason was simple—risk reduction.
It was the same with the Eight Treasures Navy.
Even though some time had passed, they had still failed to catch the War Pirates.
Every time they managed to obtain intelligence about the War Pirates' whereabouts, the War Pirates had already moved on before they could arrive.
Now the same logic applied to the Marines.
Even though Marine intelligence was stronger, as long as Kaito carefully controlled his movements, they would struggle to track him down.
"By the way," Kaito added as he handed the bounty notice back, "we're almost at our destination, right?"
"Yes," Robin nodded. "At our current speed, we should arrive at San Lorenzo tomorrow morning."
"Good," Kaito said with satisfaction.
Robin looked at him curiously. "Is this Lafayette you mentioned really that outstanding? We're making a special trip just to find him."
"From what I know, yes," Kaito replied. "But whether he truly lives up to it… we'll see with our own eyes."
Lafayette.
In the original timeline, he would become the navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates and the captain of their fifth ship.
Although Kaito didn't know Lafayette's exact situation at this point in time, judging from his future achievements, the man clearly had exceptional potential.
Most importantly, he was a navigator.
That alone made him worth recruiting.
Kaito had to admit that aside from his talent panel, his greatest advantage was his knowledge from a previous life.
That knowledge allowed him to grasp information others could never know.
Just like with Lafayette.
After recalling that Lafayette originated from West Blue, Kaito had conducted targeted inquiries.
The results didn't disappoint him.
Lafayette had not yet left West Blue and was currently serving as a security officer in San Lorenzo—the very city they were heading toward.
"Please! Spare me! I'll return the stolen money!"
On a city street, a young thug stared in terror at the approaching figure. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, holding out the wallet he had just stolen as he begged for mercy.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Measured footsteps drew closer.
The rhythm was steady… almost musical.
The figure who terrified the young thug continued walking forward.
And as he walked—
He tap-danced.
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