"That's how it went!"
Luffy and his crew made their way up to the tavern's rooftop, staring in shock at the shattered roof and the crumbling buildings around them. Kaito Sakamoto explained that it was the aftermath of his solo battle with the Buggy Pirates. Judging from the scene, it was clear he'd won.
"Hahaha, I knew it! Kaito, you'd never betray us! Great job, by the way!" Luffy laughed, hands on his hips, genuinely impressed with Kaito's skills.
"Tch, here I thought I'd get a chance to fight. If things go on like this, my swords will rust from lack of action." Zoro removed his hand from his sword hilt, looking slightly disappointed. "Hey, Kaito, how about a spar? Show me what you've got!"
Kaito chuckled. "Nah, I couldn't beat you, Zoro. Besides, I've already claimed this round's 'XP package.' If you guys join in next time, I'll just sit back and let you handle it."
Meanwhile, Nami and the mayor were still stunned, staring at the pile of defeated Buggy Pirates sprawled on the ground behind Kaito. Nami was in disbelief—Kaito had taken down the entire Buggy Pirate crew on his own! She couldn't help but marvel at his strength.
The mayor was equally shocked. Pirates had occupied their town for so long, yet here they were, finally taken down. He had been ready to risk his life fighting these pirates for a glimmer of hope, but now… it was all over.
"Thank you… thank you so much!!" With tears in his eyes, the mayor bowed deeply to Kaito, grateful for saving the town.
"It was nothing, Mayor. You don't need to be so formal," Kaito said, waving a hand dismissively. "Go on, let the townsfolk know they can come back now."
The mayor nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! I must tell everyone the good news!" He bowed again before hurrying off the rooftop to spread the word. Halfway down, he stopped with a puzzled look—he hadn't introduced himself to Kaito. How had Kaito known he was the mayor?
After the mayor left, Kaito stepped aside to reveal a surviving table amid the wreckage, with two steaks and cocktails sitting atop it.
"You guys haven't… eaten yet, right?" But before he could finish, Luffy and Zoro launched themselves at the table like hungry wolves.
"Food!! Meat! Meat! Meat!"
"Save some for me, Luffy!" Zoro growled, trying to grab his portion before Luffy could devour it all. Kaito watched them, chuckling at the two bickering over food.
Meanwhile, Nami wandered over to the rubble, clearly searching for something.
"Looking for treasure, Nami?" Kaito called out.
At the word "treasure," Nami immediately turned, eyes glinting. Kaito jerked his head towards Luffy and Zoro, pointing out two stuffed bags hidden under the table—the loot taken from Buggy's crew. Nami dashed over, opened one bag, and her eyes turned to dollar signs at the sight of all that treasure.
Kaito joined her and spread out a map of the Grand Line on the table.
Luffy had already finished his steak in seconds. "Hey, what's this, Kaito?"
"It's a map—a map of the Grand Line," Kaito replied, glancing over at Nami.
"I'd say Buggy's loot is worth around 10 million Berries, plus his 15 million bounty, along with this Grand Line map. So, Nami… how about joining our crew?" Kaito asked, extending an invitation.
"Why?" Luffy asked in confusion. "Nami isn't even fun!"
"She knows navigation," Kaito said.
"Join us, Nami!" Luffy's tone flipped instantly, now enthusiastic.
"Wow, could you be more shameless?!" Nami shouted, annoyed at his sudden change in attitude. But her irritation was short-lived—after all, who could turn down that much treasure? Nami thought to herself that tagging along with Luffy and Kaito could definitely be profitable.
"Well, since you're all so persistent, I, the Cat Burglar—Nami, who specializes in robbing pirates—will graciously agree to work with you… for now," she said with a smirk.
Nami agreed, or at least half-agreed, to join. Luffy immediately threw his hands up in a cheer. "Awesome! We have a navigator!"
With Nami on board, the crew set sail once again. A pirate's adventure was never meant to stay in one place; it was meant to roam the seas.
"We hit the jackpot!" Kaito grinned as he took Buggy to a nearby island to collect the bounty of 15 million Berries, exchanging the rest of Buggy's treasure for more cash. With Buggy locked away, Kaito wondered if the "divine intervention" Luffy experienced in Loguetown would still happen.
Nami happily took charge of the crew's finances, her eyes turning into currency symbols at the sight of their loot. But she quickly noticed something was off, and, with her "money-sensing" ability, she knew instantly the total was a bit short—a talent truly unique to her.