A vortex separated Kaito Sakamoto and Luffy.
Following fate's path, Luffy met Koby, while Kaito became neighbors with Zoro. What an unpredictable twist of destiny.
Just as Helmeppo appeared, Luffy and Koby's heads popped up from behind the Marine base wall. Luffy's shout drowned out Helmeppo's words.
"Kaito… I am Kaito Sakamoto's son!"
To which Kaito calmly responded, "No way you're my son, especially with a chin like that. My chin is perfectly normal."
Luffy's sudden appearance completely stunned Helmeppo, and without even acknowledging the Marine captain's son, Luffy casually strolled into the base. Koby had no choice but to follow him inside.
…
"Hahaha, Kaito, you look pretty tied up there! That rope seems like it'd be easy to break free from," Luffy joked as he jogged over to Kaito and Zoro.
Kaito: No! He was clearly talking about just one person.
"Yeah, it's not too hard to break free from," Kaito replied, finally dropping the act and casually stepping off the wooden cross.
"It's really not hard at all," Kaito repeated, and both he and Luffy looked at Zoro with grins on their faces.
Zoro felt thoroughly offended.
"You… you broke free!!"
"You're escaping!!" Helmeppo stammered, shocked at how easily Kaito had freed himself, a trail of snot hanging from his nose.
"Escaping? What crime did I even commit?" Kaito shot back, silencing Helmeppo for a moment. But then, remembering his "powerful" father, Helmeppo regained his confidence.
"I thought there was treasure in that barrel, but it turned out to be you! You made me excited for nothing! That's your crime!"
"I'm the son of a Marine captain!" Helmeppo declared arrogantly.
Kaito nodded. "Seems like the world government really is doomed if even a Marine captain's son has this much authority. Imagine the power of an admiral—they'd probably scare people to death."
"Oh."
"Oh? Just oh!?" Helmeppo was taken aback. Wasn't he supposed to be more impressed by his lineage?
"Luffy, this guy here is Roronoa Zoro!" Kaito introduced Zoro on his behalf.
"I know. Koby and I have been looking for him," Luffy replied.
"And this is Koby, a timid but determined guy who's bound to change," Luffy added, introducing Koby to Kaito.
"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Kaito Sakamoto. Let's get along," Kaito greeted Koby, remembering that it was their first time meeting in person.
"H-Hello! Nice to meet you!" Koby responded, feeling a bit awkward, but he couldn't help glancing at Kaito, curious about Luffy's crazy companion.
"Luffy, are you here to recruit Zoro for the same reason I'm thinking?" Kaito asked.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat with a grin. "Haha, it's exactly what you're thinking, Kaito."
"What are you two talking about?" Zoro interrupted, feeling exasperated. Did they think this was a marketplace? Marines could swarm in at any moment!
"We're pirates."
"We're looking for crewmates to sail with us," Kaito and Luffy said in unison.
"Pirates? You've chosen to become criminals?" Zoro sneered. He was no stranger to pirates.
"Why not? It's my own choice," Luffy said, unfazed by what others thought, while Kaito just chuckled.
"Good guys? Bad guys? Zoro, how do you decide who's good or bad?"
"Pirates are bad? Are those weak Marines over there and the captain's son good guys?"
"In this world, good and bad aren't just labels you can slap on someone."
Zoro froze for a moment, but his expression still read, "Stay away from me."
"Wow, you really like to talk, don't you? Just as annoying as before," Zoro muttered.
Kaito smiled, "Yeah, sometimes the truth can be a little annoying."
He was about to continue when Helmeppo interrupted them.
"P-Pirates!!"
"You're pirates!!"
"Quick, protect—"
Realizing Luffy and Kaito's identities, Helmeppo panicked and tried to hide behind the two Marine soldiers.
Bang!
A bullet grazed Helmeppo's cheek.
"When adults are talking, kids should stay quiet. You're the one who said it yourself—'the son of a Marine captain,' right?"
Helmeppo fainted on the spot, scared out of his mind.
"You two, go call Captain Morgan," Kaito ordered the two Marine soldiers, who, not having even seen how Kaito fired his gun, quickly ran off, knowing they couldn't mess with him.
Kaito lowered his hand, and the gun transformed back into a bracelet. A little girl nearby curiously stared at the silver bracelet on his wrist.
"We're not done yet," Kaito said, but this time Zoro spoke first.
"No more! I won't become a pirate. I've got my own goals, and I'm not about to join some low-life pirate crew."
"But you're already seen as a criminal," Luffy pointed out, crossing his arms.
"I don't care what others think!" Zoro snapped.
"I've never done anything that I've regretted, and I never will."
"Your goal is to become the world's greatest swordsman, right?" Kaito suddenly asked, causing Zoro to lose his composure.
"I heard you use swords. Isn't that the ultimate goal for swordsmen? To be the best in the world?"
Zoro had no response. It was true. Every swordsman dreamed of becoming the world's greatest.
"How does that conflict with becoming a pirate?"
"Yeah, exactly," Luffy chimed in, agreeing with Kaito.
"Just say yes. The three of us make a perfect team," Kaito added.
Zoro fell silent.