One Piece: I will become stronger by checking in

"Are you all trash? Can't even find a single person after searching?"

Z cursed at the government officials in front of him. After venting, he dove straight into the sea. Thankfully, he wasn't a Devil Fruit user, or he wouldn't have dared to do that.

After some time~

Z slowly climbed back out of the sea, his face twisted in frustration.

He's really gone!

He had seen Kai fall into this exact spot, but now there wasn't even a trace of him.

"Damn it! What went wrong?" Z roared in anger.

They had used two King's Spears to capture Kai, and now they had to report that he was missing? How was he supposed to explain this to the Five Elders?

As he stewed in his frustration, Byrnndi, standing nearby, remained calm and thoughtful. After a moment, he spoke up:

"It seems there might have been a third party involved."

After using the King's Spear to strike Kai, Byrnndi had clearly felt Kai's life force fading like a thin thread. And since Kai was a Devil Fruit user, there was no way he could've escaped on his own. The only explanation was that someone had rescued him in secret.

Byrnndi's expression didn't change. He was only here as backup, not the one responsible for the mission. If Kai escaped, the blame would fall on Z, not him.

With that, Byrnndi turned and started walking in a specific direction, calling out without looking back:

"Let's move! Kai might've escaped, but his crew can't run. Every last one of the Straw Hat Pirates, except Kai, will be captured and thrown into Impel Down!"

"When I came here, I brought six Marine Vice Admirals with me. They were fighting the Straw Hats at the cape. The battle should be over by now."

"What?!"

Garp's face turned grim. He glared at Byrnndi and demanded, "When did you bring Marines here? Why wasn't I informed?"

Byrnndi slowly turned, his cold eyes locking onto Garp. "Vice Admiral Garp, watch your tone. This was a direct order from the World Government. Since when does the government need to inform you of its actions?"

Garp's expression darkened further. His mind raced with worry. If Luffy was captured too, both of his grandsons would be in chains. He couldn't help but regret joining the fight against Kai. If he hadn't, maybe Kai could've gone back to save them.

As Garp stood there, consumed by guilt, Z and Byrnndi continued toward the cape. Aokiji, who had been silent, glanced at Garp and sighed. He understood Garp's turmoil. He knew the bond between Garp and Luffy, and he could imagine the storm raging in Garp's heart.

But...

They were Marines. And with the World Government involved, there was no room for leniency. If it were just the Marines, they might've found a way to let the Straw Hats go. But now, it was impossible. Aokiji stayed silent for a moment, then followed Z and Byrnndi. He didn't know how to comfort Garp, but he vowed to do everything in his power to ensure Luffy survived. Even if it meant Luffy ended up in Impel Down, as long as he was alive, there was hope.

Garp stood motionless, his head bowed, his eyes shadowed. No one could tell what he was thinking...

——

Some time later, Kai's eyes fluttered open with great effort. The first thing he saw was a simply decorated room.

"Where... am I?" he murmured, his voice hoarse.

"You're awake!"

A voice came from the side, snapping Kai out of his daze. He turned his head and was met with a face he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Dragon?"

That's right. Standing before him was Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's leader—and Luffy's father.

In an instant, Kai pieced together what must've happened. He glanced down at the heavy bandages wrapped around his body and asked, "Did you save me?"

Dragon nodded. "When you were fighting the CP0, some of my men and I were watching from a distance. When you fell into the sea, we got to you before the CP0 could."

"That day?" Kai's eyes sharpened as he caught the implication in Dragon's words. "How long has it been? Where are Luffy and the others? What happened to them?"

Kai knew all too well that without him, Luffy and the crew stood little chance against the CP0. He had planned to use his Soru to get the crew to safety, but the ambush had thrown everything into chaos.

Dragon's next words confirmed Kai's fears.

"You've been unconscious for three days. As for Luffy and the others..." Dragon's expression darkened. "They were captured and taken to Impel Down."

He handed Kai a stack of newspapers from the nearby table. Kai took them and read the headlines: "The Straw Hat Pirates Defeated! Eight Members Captured and Sent to Impel Down! Demon King Kai Confirmed Dead!"

Kai's face remained impassive as he set the papers down. He turned to Dragon, his gaze piercing. "If you were there, why didn't you save Luffy and the others?"

"I couldn't," Dragon replied, shaking his head. "The World Government and Marines sent too many powerful fighters. I didn't have the strength to rescue them from so many enemies."

Kai studied Dragon for a long moment before looking away. Sometimes, he thought Luffy's family was more of a curse than a blessing. If it weren't for Garp, Luffy wouldn't even know who his father was. Dragon and Garp, the two people closest to Luffy by blood, had both stood by and watched as he was dragged off to Impel Down.

Kai didn't say it out loud, but he couldn't help thinking: You didn't even try. How do you know it wouldn't have worked? And even if it was impossible, shouldn't you have at least tried to save your own son?

Kai couldn't understand Dragon's reasoning. Was it really for the sake of some "greater good"? It felt like a poor excuse.

The way Kai saw it, the Revolutionary Army's power paled in comparison to the World Government's. At least, that's what their current strength suggested. Kai hadn't seen much from the Revolutionaries that impressed him.

And honestly, Kai doubted the Revolutionaries were any better than the World Government. Right now, they claimed to fight for the common people, but what if they were in power? Would they still be the same?

Kai shook his head, exhaling deeply. He closed his eyes and focused on his body, assessing his condition. He knew what was coming next.

A storm was brewing... and Kai would be at the center of it.

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY BOY LUFFFYYYY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. 

BRO WILL BE WITHOUT MEAT, SO TRAGIC.