Three months had passed since Kai had made significant strides in his training. The days blurred together, each one filled with intense exercise, devil fruit practice, and exploration of the island. His body had grown even stronger, his muscles more defined, and his stamina unmatched. But with the improvement came a deeper fatigue—both physical and mental.
Every day for the past 1 year and 9 months, Kai had pushed his limits, training relentlessly. He could now use Blue and Red with greater consistency, but the toll it took on him was evident. Using these techniques back-to-back—especially over ten times in succession—still left him exhausted. Despite his growing physical strength, it became clear that continuous use of his powers drained him in ways he hadn't anticipated. But he pressed on, driven by a desire to grow even stronger.
By now, Blue and Red had become second nature. Moving large trees with Blue and destroying them with Red was a part of his daily routine. Every morning, after waking up and completing his physical training, he would extend his hand toward the nearest trees, pulling them toward him with ease, watching as the forest bent to his will. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he would summon a Red orb, blasting the trees apart with repulsive force, sending debris flying through the air.
It was no longer a test of power—it was about control. How efficiently could he summon the forces of attraction and repulsion? How quickly could he switch between them in battle without overexerting himself? These were the questions he worked to answer every day.
Despite his progress, using Blue and Red in rapid succession still drained him. He could summon orbs to move and destroy entire trees, but if he tried to perform this feat more than a handful of times in quick succession, the energy required would sap his strength. This was the last barrier he needed to overcome, and he knew it would take time.
New Theory for Teleportation
Kai had spent the last few months perfecting his new theory for teleportation. After that one accidental teleportation during his fight with the bear, he became obsessed with understanding how it worked. Through trial and error, he developed a method to create a small field of spatial manipulation, a limited area where he could move from one location to another within that space.
It wasn't perfect, and the range was small—just a few meters at most. But it was a start. He could feel the potential for long-distance teleportation, but every time he tried to stretch the limits of his field, he would fail, ending up in the same spot. It frustrated him, but he wasn't ready to give up. His first theory of compressing the space between his current location and his destination still lingered in his mind, and he believed that mastering this smaller-scale teleportation was the key to unlocking longer-range movement.
This newfound control also had an unexpected effect: it improved his connection to Armament Haki. Letting his powers "flow" naturally, like his theory of space manipulation, helped him feel the energy within him. While he still struggled to summon and maintain Armament Haki, he felt closer than ever before. But it was a slow process. Every time he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough, the technique would slip away. His frustration with Armament Haki contrasted with his success in other areas, but he knew it was only a matter of time.
Exploring the Island
The island had grown more familiar to Kai, yet there were still vast stretches he had yet to explore. Over the last three months, he had ventured deeper into the jungle, uncovering new areas that had been hidden from him before. One of the most significant discoveries was a massive open valley that cut through the island, separating it into two distinct halves. The valley was filled with towering cliffs and treacherous terrain, home to creatures that even Kai wasn't eager to face just yet.
Smaller beasts and wild creatures were no longer a challenge for him. Over the last few months, he had become the dominant force in the parts of the island he had explored. But he knew the true test still lay ahead—the dinosaurs. These colossal beasts ruled the heart of the island, and Kai had avoided confronting them directly. He knew that facing them would be his final challenge before he left.
Yet, despite his readiness, his instincts—his growing Observation Haki—told him to be patient. He had fully unlocked his Observation Haki, allowing him to sense presences, emotions, strength, and intent from the creatures around him. He could sense the dinosaurs lurking in the deeper parts of the island, massive, hulking figures whose sheer size and power dwarfed the wild beasts he had encountered. It was clear these monsters were not to be underestimated.
His Observation Haki had developed over time, guiding him in battle, allowing him to dodge attacks with precision and sense threats before they arrived. But there was still room for improvement, especially when it came to reading emotions. After all, Kai had spent nearly two years isolated on this island, surrounded only by beasts, making it difficult to hone that particular aspect.
Hollow Purple and Boat Repairs
Back at his base, after another intense training session, Kai decided to experiment with Hollow Purple again. He knew it wasn't something he needed to master right away, but the idea of combining Blue and Red intrigued him.
Standing in the clearing, he summoned Blue in one hand and Red in the other, carefully focusing on controlling the energies. He attempted to merge them, but as the two forces collided, they clashed violently. A small explosion of energy burst forth, sending a shockwave through the air. Kai stumbled backward, regaining his balance as the ground in front of him smoked.
"Just a test," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. He hadn't expected to get it right on the first few tries, but it was worth experimenting with. For now, Hollow Purple was just another technique he would work on when the time came, though it wasn't a priority.
His attention turned back to the boat. It was his ticket off this island, but the repairs were slow. He needed specific materials to make it seaworthy again, and those were hard to find in the wild jungle. Still, the boat was progressing, and he was confident he could finish it before his six-month deadline.
Reflection and Determination
As the sun began to set, Kai found himself sitting on the cliffs overlooking the valley, staring out at the horizon. The sky was painted in hues of red and gold, and the distant roar of dinosaurs echoed through the air. This island, which had once felt like a nightmare, had become his training ground, his sanctuary.
He reflected on the past year and nine months. The Kai that had woken up confused, scared, and powerless was long gone. He had grown stronger—mentally, physically, and spiritually. The powers that had once terrified him were now a part of him. His days were no longer filled with frustration and uncertainty; they were driven by a singular purpose: to leave this island and see what else this world had to offer.
"I'm getting closer," he whispered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he watched the landscape before him. "Six more months."
Kai stood up, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to return to his base. Tomorrow would bring more challenges, but he was ready for them. There were still tests ahead, still trials to overcome. But with each passing day, he knew he was getting stronger, more prepared for what lay ahead.
The island had shaped him, but soon, it would be time to leave. He wasn't the same person he had been when he arrived—and when the time came, the world beyond this island would have to face the new Kai.
"I'll defeat them all," he murmured, a steely determination filling his chest. "And then I'll leave this island behind."
