Rayleigh couldn't quite figure out Kai's intentions. As a Marine Rear Admiral, after learning his identity, he didn't immediately report to Marine Headquarters—he definitely had other thoughts.
"Nothing much, just wanted to meet a legendary great pirate. Of course, if you could spare some time to guide me in using Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, that would be even better."
Kai spoke straightforwardly without any concealment.
"Eh...?"
Rayleigh was stunned, unable to believe his ears. A Marine wanted to learn from a pirate?
"Is there a problem?"
Seeing the stunned Rayleigh, Kai asked.
"Nothing... it's just that you, a distinguished Marine Rear Admiral, want to learn from me, a pirate. Aren't you afraid Sengoku will give you trouble? Besides, there are plenty of Haki experts in the Marines," Rayleigh asked with some confusion.
Indeed, as Rayleigh said, there were quite a few Haki experts in the Marines. Basically all officers at Vice Admiral level and above could use Haki.
But there weren't many qualified enough to teach Kai.
Only three: Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr.
First, Sengoku—as Fleet Admiral, he barely had time for his own training, let alone teaching Kai. Then Zephyr—when Kai endorsed the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" plan, he essentially stood in opposition to Zephyr. Even if Kai wanted to learn, whether Zephyr would teach was questionable.
That left only Garp, but he hadn't stayed long even at Kai's commissioning ceremony, showing he didn't have much free time either.
And since he was on Sabaody, after thinking it through, Kai set his sights on Rayleigh.
Moreover, compared to the Marine officers, Rayleigh was actually more suitable.
First, Rayleigh wasn't a Devil Fruit user—he dominated the seas with swordsmanship and Haki alone, proving his Haki was absolutely masterful.
Second, from the original story, Rayleigh was very skilled at teaching disciples. Both Shanks and Luffy were taught by Rayleigh.
Looking at Rayleigh, Kai suddenly smiled and said:
"Give me trouble? I dared to hit a Celestial Dragon—would I fear this little trouble? Besides, I'm not learning from a pirate. You're clearly just Old Ray, the coating craftsman of Sabaody Archipelago."
Hearing Kai's words, Rayleigh was speechless. This kid dared to beat up Celestial Dragons—would he fear this little trouble?
This carefree personality was more like a pirate than a Marine. Rayleigh felt it was somewhat of a pity.
But then again, with such a bold character emerging in the Marines, wouldn't the seas become more interesting in the future?
"No problem!" Rayleigh didn't refuse and answered readily.
Rayleigh had just witnessed the battle between Kai and Kizaru firsthand. Throughout the entire fight, Kizaru, a Marine Admiral, was constantly being dominated by Kai!
With such monstrous talent, he definitely possessed Conqueror's Haki!
Even without his teaching, learning these two types of Haki wouldn't be difficult for Kai. But if he taught him, there would be some connection in the future.
Rayleigh wasn't stupid—he could clearly distinguish the pros and cons.
Hearing Rayleigh's answer, a smile appeared on Kai's face.
......
At this moment, using Yata no Kagami, Kizaru had already returned to Marine Headquarters Marineford.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Seeing the disheveled Kizaru, Sengoku looked puzzled and asked: "Hmm... Kizaru, why are you so disheveled? Where's Kai?"
Hearing Sengoku's words, even with Kizaru's thick skin, he couldn't help but blush: "Cough cough... that... Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Kai-kun's strength exceeded my expectations, so..."
"So you couldn't bring Kai back?"
Sengoku understood why Kizaru was disheveled—it seemed he'd fought a big battle with Kai. He couldn't help feeling somewhat shocked.
In the Fleet Admiral's office confrontation, Kai and Akainu were indeed evenly matched. But Sengoku hadn't considered Kai to be Admiral-level combat power, since fighting in small spaces was very disadvantageous for natural-type ability users.
Sengoku believed Kai's combat power could only be said to infinitely approach Admiral level.
So Sengoku had thought sending Kizaru to capture Kai would be a sure thing, knowing Kizaru was a veteran Admiral with definitely peak Admiral-level combat power.
However, Kizaru's next words directly shocked Sengoku so much his eyeballs nearly fell out.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, that... I was defeated by Kai-kun..." Though he didn't want to admit it, there was no choice—facing Sengoku, Kizaru didn't dare hide anything.
"What? You said... you were defeated!?"
Sengoku's voice involuntarily rose two octaves. Kizaru wanted to cover Sengoku's mouth—Aokiji and Akainu's offices were downstairs!
But it was too late...
Aokiji, Akainu, Garp, and Tsuru entered one after another!
Kizaru was dumbfounded. With such tense situations on the seas, how were all these people staying at Marine Headquarters?
"Today's the semi-annual Marine high command meeting. Don't tell me you forgot, Kizaru," Garp said while picking his nose and laughing loudly.
Kizaru was stunned—he really had forgotten about this.
"By the way, Sengoku just said you were defeated? By who? Whitebeard or 'Red Hair'?" Garp asked directly without any reservations.
Aokiji, Akainu, and Tsuru all perked up their ears.
They hadn't missed Sengoku's voice earlier. Even if they hadn't heard it, seeing Kizaru's current state, they could guess.
But they were all considerate of Kizaru's face and too embarrassed to ask directly. Only Garp wouldn't worry about such things, and had sufficient seniority.
"Uh..."
Kizaru's expression was somewhat helpless. Knowing this matter couldn't be concealed, he sighed and said: "It wasn't Whitebeard or 'Red Hair,' but Rear Admiral Mitarashi Kai."
"What!?"
"Mitarashi Kai!?"
"Kai!?"
"Impossible!?"
The four had different reactions, but all showed expressions of shock!
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