Chereads / I’m in One Piece, I’m Luffy’s childhood friend / Chapter 22: Taking the First Step to Change the World

Chapter 22: Taking the First Step to Change the World

To make things more reasonable, Kaito Sakamoto had no choice but to throw the blame on his Devil Fruit ability as he explained to Dragon.

"My Devil Fruit power allows me to replicate others' abilities, but I can only use it once."

"I used it once to replicate a prophet's divination ability."

"Tonight, an organization will emerge that will stir up huge waves in the sea."

Kaito steeled himself as he met Dragon's gaze.

Not daring to look too long, he turned to Sabo after three seconds.

"Sabo, having these thoughts makes you the most suitable to follow this uncle."

"I can see your future."

"After tonight, you will be completely disillusioned with this kingdom, steal a fishing boat to set sail, but encounter the Celestial Dragons at sea, get bombarded, and nearly die. It will be this uncle's friend who saves you, but you will forget us. That's not good; I don't want that."

"You're still too young and too weak. Even a small kingdom in the East Blue could take your life; going out to sea alone is a foolish decision."

"Since you don't want to stay, going out to sea alone is too dangerous. Following this uncle is the best decision."

Sabo thought carefully and realized that indeed, it was the best decision.

If he didn't leave, his father would still come looking for him in Kōbō Mountain.

Leaving, with his current strength, facing the sea and pirates alone could easily lead to his death.

"Go on, Sabo, we will miss you. When we meet again, it will be at the peak!"

Sabo couldn't say anything, nodding with tears streaming down his face. Exhausted from running all the way, he finally succumbed to unconsciousness.

"Uncle..."

Kaito looked up at Dragon, his meaning clear—he wanted him to take Sabo away.

Dragon hesitated; what he was about to do would attract the attention of the world's strongest.

"What I'm about to do is extremely dangerous. Following me may not guarantee your safety."

"An overly comfortable environment is actually not suitable for growth."

Kaito smiled back.

Dragon was taken aback, then smiled back—truly an unusual boy.

Just as he was about to speak, Ivankov and Kuma approached.

"Dragon, everything is ready!"

"Hmm? Who are these two boys?"

"Wow! This long-haired boy has a high fever!"

Kaito actually liked Ivankov.

As for Kuma, Kaito felt a sense of respect for him; willing to be transformed into a robot for the sake of being an undercover.

"I'm Kaito Sakamoto."

"Ha ha, I'm Emporio Ivankov."

"This big guy is Kuma."

Kaito nodded, "I know, so can you help me deal with this high fever? I can barely stand."

Kaito knew Ivankov's Hormone Fruit had a healing hormone ability. It was this ability that pulled Luffy back from hell in Impel Down.

This ability drains life force to heal the body, so it shouldn't be used lightly, but Kaito was running a high fever; it wouldn't drain too much. However, he had to find Luffy and the others soon.

Ivankov was momentarily stunned; this boy seemed familiar with him. After all, he had seldom appeared in the public eye after spending time with Dragon.

Looking at Dragon and seeing him nod, Ivankov moved closer.

Up close, his face was indeed big.

"Transgender King, Healing Hormone!"

Ivankov stretched out his hand; his five fingernails rapidly grew longer and jabbed into Kaito's lower back.

Kaito felt his body tense up instantly, as if all the cells in his body were speeding up. A warm current began to flow within him, and the dizziness that had made him unable to stand vanished immediately.

"Phew... Much better, thank you, Ivankov."

"Ha ha!"

"No need to thank me, Kaito boy. You're so cute; I really like you. Want me to give you another shot of female hormones? Join our new human family!"

Ivankov spun around playfully.

Kaito hurriedly waved his hand, preferring to just be a boy.

He then turned to Kuma, whose serious face was even more solemn under the cloak.

"...."

"...."

"If I ever travel, I want to visit the land of the Amazon."

Kaito took the initiative to speak.

At this, the iceberg-faced Kuma's eyelids couldn't help but twitch.

"You know a lot about us."

Dragon spoke.

"Besides abilities and identities, I don't know anything else. This is it; my divination ability has already expired."

Kaito nodded in response.

Dragon was somewhat speechless—what else did he want to know?

"I can take this boy named Sabo with me."

"But, Kaito, you must also come with me."

"You think like me; this kingdom is a microcosm of the world. Someone needs to step up and make a change."

"In this regard, you are a genius!"

Kaito shook his head, "No, no, I just have a script."

"And you know so much about us; I can't feel secure leaving you out there."

Dragon said with a smile, though it carried a hint of 'I'll forcibly take you with me if you don't leave' in it.

Kaito walked over to Kuma and patted him on the back. Would Kuma get angry?

"What are you doing?"

Among the three, Kaito had already replicated the abilities of Dragon and Ivankov, and Kuma couldn't fall behind.

After doing this, Kaito shook his head.

"In this regard, Sabo's talent isn't any worse than mine."

"And I've already promised to go to sea as a companion with Luffy."

"So, allow me to refuse; there must be someone beside Luffy who isn't caught between you and me."

Hearing Luffy's name, the smile on Dragon's face froze, and his eyes filled with guilt and longing.

"Good thing you're not our enemy; you hold too many of our secrets."

"Ha ha ha, to be said this way, at my age, I should be honored."

"I, Luffy, and Ace have already pledged brotherhood.

"We are brothers; no matter where we are or what we do, this relationship will never change."

"I need a way to stay in touch."

"I won't disturb you all the time."

Dragon smiled, genuinely happy, surprised that the one who understood him the most was a young boy.

He couldn't take him away but got a phone bug instead.

"Thank you; I will take good care of it."

Kaito accepted the phone bug, carefully placing it inside his clothes, then took one last look at Sabo lying on the ground.

"Well then, we'll meet again."

"Uncle Dragon, Ivankov, Uncle Kuma."

After speaking, Kaito soared into the sky, heading towards the bay entrance.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!!! Isn't that your ability? Dragon!"

Ivankov exclaimed, wide-eyed in surprise as he watched Kaito fly away.

Dragon nodded, remaining surprisingly calm.

"Looks like the kid wasn't lying."

Then, he scooped up Sabo.

"Let's go take the first step to change this world."