Luffy, with fierce determination, made a slash across his right cheek to show his resolve. Just watching it made Kaito Sakamoto's own cheek ache—a curse of his overly empathetic nature.
"No! Luffy!"
The Red-Haired Pirates, who had been enjoying the show, suddenly panicked at Luffy's action.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!!""Idiot! What are you doing?!"
In a flash, Shanks appeared and grabbed Luffy, tucking him under his arm and hauling him back onto the deck.
"Get this fool patched up!"
Kaito, sitting in his wheelchair on the dock, watched the chaotic scene unfold on the ship. The wild emotions of the crowd didn't reach him—he only felt their noise.
…
"Alright, down you go. And don't do that again, alright?"
"A man's scars are badges of honor—just not the ones he inflicts on himself," the ship's doctor, Honjo, said, as he patched up Luffy with a bandage. Though it wasn't a deep cut, it would definitely leave a scar. Honjo wasn't pleased with Luffy's "self-mutilation," thinking how foolish it was to mar his face.
"Down, down, down the ship! Thanks for that lovely welcoming gift, Luffy," Shanks urged, pushing Luffy ahead. Drinking was definitely preferable to this.
…
"Hmm?"
"Who's this?"
Shanks and Luffy, descending the stairs from the ship, finally noticed Kaito.
"He's Kaito Sakamoto, fell from the sky, and he's an amazing cook!" Luffy introduced him enthusiastically before Kaito could answer.
Kaito thought to himself, So I'm 'Sister Kaito' now?
"Yes, it's just as Luffy said," he replied, glancing down at his bandaged legs with a faint, wry smile. "Falling from the sky was not a pleasant experience."
"Haha, I bet it wasn't!" Shanks laughed heartily. "And on top of that, you have to take care of Luffy? You've got it rough, kid!"
"What? Shanks, how do you know it's not me taking care of Kaito?"
"You just said he's a great cook. Hasn't he been feeding you this whole time?"
"…"
Luffy was speechless. He couldn't argue—Kaito's cooking was indeed delicious.
…
"To Luffy's bravery, our grand journey… and our new friend, Kaito! Cheers!" Shanks raised his glass joyfully.
"Cheers!"
The crew gathered in Makino's tavern for a feast. Kaito sipped his grape juice and gave a brief smile. Thanks for including me, even if you could've mentioned it without the pause.
At the bar, Luffy was making a ruckus again, bringing up his wish to set sail. Kaito remained at the back, seated in his wheelchair. Next to him sat the famous first mate of the Red-Haired Pirates, Ben Beckman, looking distinctly calm amidst the lively crowd. With his long black hair tied in a ponytail, a strand hanging over his left temple, he wore a black V-neck shirt, army-green cargo pants, and black combat boots. A yellow belt, carrying a flintlock rifle, was slung around his waist.
"Hmm?"
"Ben Beckman."
Noticing Kaito's gaze, Beckman introduced himself with a nod.
"Kaito Sakamoto," he replied, "A pleasure, Mr. Beckman."
"Smoking is hazardous to health."
Kaito's comment made Beckman pause with his cigarette halfway to his lips.
"I'm not concerned about that," he replied.
"I meant, hazardous to my health."
"…"
"Haha, brat, I'm going to smoke anyway. What are you going to do about it?"
Kaito grinned, unfazed. "Nothing—I can't beat you."
"But if it bothers you that much, you could make it up by teaching me how to shoot while you're in town?"
Kaito voiced his real goal; these were strong people, every one of them. Learning from them would be invaluable.
"You want to learn to shoot? Got a gun?"
"And those legs of yours…"
Beckman's questions came rapidly, sizing him up.
"Who says you can't shoot with your feet?"
"…"
"I have a gun."
Kaito raised his right hand and, with a flick, conjured a silver flintlock rifle, as if by magic.
About two weeks earlier, after removing the bandages from his wrist, Kaito had noticed a silver bracelet around his wrist when he awoke. It wouldn't come off, but it was surprisingly elegant, so he left it alone.
Then, a couple of days later, while he was reaching for an apple and realized he needed a knife, one appeared in his hand as if summoned. The bracelet was gone.
Kaito was astounded but guessed the bracelet's hidden purpose.
"Could it be…?"
With just a thought, the fruit knife transformed into a long blade.
"Just as I thought!"
With another thought, the blade reverted to a bracelet. This silver bracelet could transform into any weapon he wished. This, he figured, must be the third ability that the system had hinted at, perfectly complementing his own ability to replicate the skills of others.