Kai stood atop the Marine base, watching Nami below as she moved piles of treasure. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
Though his visit was indeed motivated by the treasure, he mainly wanted to boost his own savings. In fact, he had enough Berries to last the three of them for a while. So, he handed the treasure over to Nami without hesitation.
Trading the treasure for a favor from Nami was well worth it in his view. And when the time came, the money would go to Arlong. Later, he could just visit the evil dragon for assistance. Simple things would eventually return to him—everything was the same!
Alright, time to head back to sleep!
...
Early the next morning.
"Luffy, if you keep eating like this, you'll have to pay for your meals yourself!"
"And you too, Zoro, stop ordering the most expensive wine every time!"
In a tavern, Kai , with visible veins on his forehead, scolded Luffy and Zoro angrily.
Damn, they're so wasteful. Is it too late to go back to Nami and get those treasures back?
Luffy and Zoro, these two gluttons, really blew through the rest of his Berries!
"What's the big deal, Kai ? Don't be so stingy!" Luffy said, shoving more meat into his mouth.
"Yeah, exactly. Do you think you're too poor now?" Zoro agreed.
(•́へ•́╬)!
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
Kai suddenly appeared beside Luffy and Zoro, shaking them vigorously.
Coby, watching the scene, trembled in fear.
An idea struck him.
"Mr. Kai Vane, you're so cruel!"
Luffy and Zoro both hit their heads on the ground at the same time. Their reactions, however, were quite different.
"Kai , you brat, I'm going to chop you down!" Zoro fumed.
"Hey, Kai , I'm a rubber man, you can't hurt me!" Luffy challenged with a grin.
Kai's anger surged again.
Looking at Luffy, he thought viciously:
"Once I master Haki, I'll beat you until you don't even recognize your own grandfather!"
So, what's next for Kai ?
Of course, he took his frustrations out on the third-rate swordsman who dared to challenge him!
"Heh heh!"
...
Some time later...
Kai enjoyed his meal, while Zoro, wearing a pig's head, sipped his wine and glared at Kai with resentment.
"Bang bang!"
At that moment, a group of Marines entered the tavern.
"We're grateful for your help, but you're pirates, and we're Marines. Please leave this island!"
Immediately, many voices of discontent rose from the patrons.
"Are you Marines crazy? Treating our benefactors like this?"
"I don't agree. My benefactor can stay as long as he wants. It's not up to you to decide!"
Hearing this, Luffy remained silent for a moment.
Then he said:
"Alright, let's go!"
"Kai , Zoro, let's go!"
Kai and Zoro stood up and followed Luffy outside.
Just then, the Marine's voice called out:
"Aren't you with them?"
Upon hearing this, Luffy turned around and looked at the helpless Coby behind him.
Then Luffy smiled.
He walked up to Coby and shared the story of what happened on Alvidas's ship.
Coby was worried that if the Marines learned he had been on a pirate ship, they might not let him join them.
So, as Luffy continued talking, Coby couldn't help but punch Luffy.
"You idiot!"
"Oh, how dare you hit me!" Luffy retorted angrily.
The two started throwing punches at each other.
The Marine observed this and quickly intervened:
"Hey, stop it! I won't allow you to cause any more trouble on this island!"
"I believe you're a not part of their group!"
Hearing this, Luffy stopped and slowly walked outside.
...
The three of them walked the path out of the island.
"Hey! Is this going too far?" Zoro asked Luffy.
"No! Coby can handle it on his own! Let's trust him!" Luffy said with a grin.
Kai nodded in agreement.
After all, Cpby would become a great Marine in the future. He could certainly handle this minor issue.
Thinking of this, Kai couldn't help but smile.
"Coby, I'll give you a few months to show me what you've got!"
Luffy reached the shore, untied the boat, and the three of them jumped aboard.
At that moment, Coby suddenly ran up from the shore.
He looked at Kai and the others and said:
"Thank you. I really appreciate everything you've done for me!"
"But next time we meet, I won't show any mercy!"
"It's the first time I've seen a Marine thank a pirate. How strange!" Zoro remarked, curling his lip.
"There will be more of this in the future!" Kai said lightly.
"Goodbye, Coby! See you next time!" Luffy shouted and waved.
The boat slowly moved away as the townspeople watched.
...
One day later...
"Oh, I'm so hungry!" Luffy slumped on the boat helplessly, his stomach growling.
"I'm a bit hungry too!" Kai agreed.
Kai pulled out a piece of meat from his space and started eating.
"Mmm~ It smells so good!"
Seeing Kai eating, Luffy immediately approached him.
"I want some too, I want some too!"
Kai casually pulled out two more pieces of meat from his space and tossed one to each of Luffy and Zoro.
"Kai , your Devil Fruit powers are amazing!" Luffy said enviously.
"If I had powers like yours, I could take a lot of meat with me wherever I go! That would be awesome!"
...
Kai and Zoro exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing.
It's really unfortunate to have such a captain!
"By the way, how long can we stay like this?" Zoro suddenly asked.
"I don't know, just drifting along. This is how Luffy and I do things when we're at sea!" Kai replied calmly.
"And…"
Kai's lips curved into a smile.
"There will be something to take us there soon!"
"What do you mean?" Before Zoro could understand, he saw Kai's gaze shift to the sky.
"Look, something is coming!"
Zoro looked up and saw a huge bird flying in the sky.
"You mean... this bird will take us?"
"Correct answer!" Kai snapped his fingers lightly.
"Are you kidding? That bird flies so fast. How can our ship keep up?" Zoro looked at Kai as if he were crazy.
"Who said we're taking the boat?" A knowing smile appeared on Kai's face.
"We're going to ride the bird!"
Then, Kai grabbed both Zoro and Luffy, using Moonwalk to quickly approach the bird.
"Ah~ what are you doing!" Zoro's eyes widened in shock.
Luffy, on the other hand, was laughing and excited.
"Wuhu, this is so thrilling!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
After a few steps on the air, Kai was already close to the bird, and with one final leap, he landed on the bird's back.