Kai left the village after spending brief moments with the elderly Kozaburo, the legendary blacksmith known for his wisdom and unique skill in sword-making.
Kai spoke with him amidst his small workshop, filled with the scent of heated iron, and learned that the sword he received as a gift was named "Ryoku no Tsubaki" (The Enchanted Camellia). It was one of the swords Kozaburo forged thirty years ago.
This sword wasn't just a sharp piece of metal; it was a masterpiece imbued with the strength and grandeur for which Kozaburo's works were known, like "Wado Ichimonji" and "Enma."
Kai then took off with his enormous wings, slicing through the sky at a breathtaking speed, heading toward his new destination: Loguetown. The wind roared around him, but all he felt was the thrill rushing through his veins.
As he flew, the outlines of Loguetown began to appear in the distance, like a magical painting drawn with the colors of the sun and sea.
Kai felt overwhelming joy as soon as he spotted the city, as if this part of the world had captured him with something he couldn't quite explain.
Despite its proximity to the Marine Headquarters and the Red Line, where Mary Geoise—the celestial dragon fortress that strikes fear in many hearts—was located, Loguetown held a special charm of its own.
Perhaps it was the vibrant markets, the smell of the sea mixing with the hustle and bustle of daily life, or maybe it was just an inner sense of connection to the place.
Kai didn't understand why he felt this strange attraction to the city, but he was certain of one thing: no matter the challenges that awaited him there, he would not leave this city easily.
He landed gracefully on the quiet beach behind the tall hill overlooking Loguetown. The soft sand caressed his feet, and the sound of the waves harmonized with the roar of the wind.
Looking at the city from afar, he quickly vanished from sight, heading swiftly towards the forest that embraced an open space surrounded by trees from all sides, as if it were a secret protected from prying eyes.
Kai stood in the heart of that space and closed his eyes for a moment. White clouds began flowing from his hands, streaming like glittering water in the sunlight.
His mind was engrossed in designing the building he had always imagined. A simple yet distinctive home, one that would tell its own story and serve as a safe haven for him in this world.
First came the foundations, woven from sturdy clouds to form a dark-looking floor. Then the rooms began to take their places: a spacious central room with semi-transparent walls that allowed a view of the surrounding trees.
Fitted with large windows that let in natural light, the furniture appeared modern and simple, with a large worktable and shelves filled with papers and books.
In another corner, a small, neatly arranged bedroom with a comfortable bed and a small desk beside it, where he could jot down ideas anytime. The kitchen, though simple, was highly functional, blending with the colors of nature, surrounded by green plants hanging from the ceiling.
At the back, there was an open space directly facing the sky, like a wide terrace where he could meditate or draw under the stars.
With every thought passing through Kai's mind, the building gradually took shape. Walls aligned, roofs intertwined, and doors and windows emerged with precision.
The fine details appeared as if they were a mirror reflecting his thoughts and emotions. This place would not just be a home but a creative workshop, where everything would truly begin.
Kai stood for a moment before the nearly finished building. Inside, his thoughts churned: What would happen if he published the entire East Blue arc? The buzz around the first chapter was enough to stir still waters, so what if people knew his full stories?
He knew that publishing would bring him friends who believed in what he was doing, but it would also attract enemies, especially those who wouldn't like the way he unveiled truths through his stories.
Despite the conflicts that had already started and the many more he knew were coming, Kai had no choice but to press forward.
Retreat was not in his vocabulary. This world now appeared to him as a living draft, and he was determined to draw a new path, whether others liked it or not.
The building was finally completed, standing tall in the abandoned forest like magic conjured by Kai's imagination. Its arched roof gleamed under the sunlight filtering through the tree branches, resembling a temple of art and creativity. The sturdy walls, with their soft white hue, reflected the elegance of the design, while the large glass windows offered a stunning view of the silent forest.
Kai stood in front of the wide entrance for a moment, then stepped inside. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the quiet space, and every corner of the place pulsed with his character. He looked around with a slight smile, as if whispering to himself: "Just as I imagined it." This home was not merely a place to live; it was a launching point for a bigger adventure to be written on its pages.
Kai sat at his designated work table, where a system screen appeared before him, eagerly monitoring the initial results of his efforts. He opened the menu displaying the sales reports, and the numbers quickly appeared before his eyes. 150,000 copies of the first chapter had been sold. The figure was astonishing, but he wasn't prepared for the next shock: each copy sold for 10 Beli.
He began doing the math in his head:
He paused for a moment, staring at the screen displaying the massive sum in front of him. One and a half million Beli! He didn't know exactly how much this amount was worth in dollars in his previous world, but he was aware that it was more than enough for him to live for a long time and continue his saga.
A smile of astonishment and satisfaction spread across his face. "I didn't expect such quick success... It seems there are people who truly believe in my story."
Kai reflected on the days he spent traveling between islands, where he established 14 stores in different locations to distribute his works. Now, he saw those stores as bridges connecting him to everyone who read his story and was moved by it.
Despite his joy, he knew this was just the beginning. Those big numbers also meant bigger eyes watching him, and more enemies waiting for his first misstep. But he wasn't afraid.
He looked at the screen again, closed it quietly, then stood up, staring into the horizon through his wide window. "I have enough to start... and I won't let anything stop me now."
Kai glanced down at his waist, where his sword still rested, gleaming faintly as if reminding him of his companion on this mysterious journey.
Gently, he unfastened the sword from his side, placing it next to the nearby table, then sat down and began gathering a stack of blank papers, laying them out before him on the polished desk.
The scene felt like a prelude to a long artistic battle. He knew the coming days would be exhausting, as he intended to dive into drawing without interruption, but first, he needed something essential: food.
He quickly got up from his chair and descended the stairs with confident, rapid steps. He didn't forget to take his sword this time, as it had become inseparable from him.
Opening the door, he headed towards the city, but after a few steps, he stopped abruptly. He knew the Marines might be waiting for him, and he wasn't ready to waste more time in an unnecessary confrontation.
He quickly returned home, opened a small closet, and pulled out a dark piece of cloth.
Wrapping the cloth tightly around his face, leaving only his eyes exposed, he resembled what Luffy did when he went off the grid in the Sabaody Archipelago. Taking a deep breath, he felt relieved. "This way... no one will easily recognize me."
But suddenly, he remembered a fundamental problem: he had no money on him. He looked around briefly, thinking, then summoned the system screen before him and asked it how to access his funds.
The system interface appeared elegantly and swiftly, displaying a clear answer:
"You can retrieve your funds from any location of your choice, but first, you must create a private safe. The safe is fully protected, cannot be stolen or broken, and you can secure it with a password."
Feeling elated, Kai said, "This is fantastic!" He then proceeded to a corner in the basement of his home, where a perfect empty space awaited this task. Raising his hands towards it, the system began creating the safe.
Before his eyes, the machine gradually took shape: a sleek glass screen illuminated with numbers and writings, surrounded by a shiny dark steel base.
Once complete, he set a six-digit password, ensuring it was easy for him to remember but impossible for anyone else to guess. Pressing the confirmation button, the screen lit up green, giving him a sense of relief.
He selected the amount of money he needed and withdrew it from the small slot at the bottom of the machine. He carefully wrapped the money and placed it in his pocket. Taking one last look at the cash dispenser, he smiled, then wrapped the cloth around his head once more and left the house.
He made his way through the dense trees until he reached the edge of the forest. He turned right towards the hill overlooking the sea, where the golden sands stretched beneath his feet, and the gentle waves danced with the wind. The scene was enchanting, but he didn't have time to admire it now.
From a distance, the city began to appear with its colorful buildings and bustling markets full of life. The sounds of vendors mingled with the laughter of passersby and the clatter of carts. Kai smiled beneath the cloth as he saw his destination drawing closer. "Time to gather what I need... and let the real work begin."
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