CHAPTER THREE
MYSTERY INCORPORATED

"It's ready!"

Kai had been fully focused on her writing, but it was hard to ignore Luffy's excited scream. Looking up from her journal, she blinked when she saw Luffy holding up a piece of black fabric. She couldn't tell what was on it, though, since his back was facing her.

"And what is it?" Nami asked.

"Our Jolly Roger! Every pirate crew has to have one. And now we do!" He turned around to face Kai, a smile on his face. "Look, Kai! Isn't it cool?"

She looked at the flag, smiling to herself at the design of a skull wearing a straw hat, just like Luffy. It was somewhat cute.

"We're not a crew," Nami countered. "And you are not hanging that on my boat."

"I don't know," Kai smirked slightly, slipping her journal back inside her bag as she jumped back down onto the deck. "I think it has some charm." And it was definitely better than her last crew's Jolly Roger.

"Thank you!" Luffy smiled widely, looking at Zoro once he walked outside. "Zoro! Zoro, check it out."

The green-haired boy looked at the flag and then at Luffy. "That's unique."

"What an enthusiastic response," Kai said teasingly, making Zoro roll his eyes before he walked past them and looked at the navigator.

"Nami, I think the toilet's busted."

She looked at him, a frown on her face. "We don't have a toilet."

"Oh," Zoro blinked. "Well, then something back there's leaking."

"What?" the red-haired girl exclaimed, immediately rushing there.

"Do you need help?" Kai offered, but Nami quickly brushed her off with a stern "No!" as she disappeared into the small room.

"Did you break anything in there?" she then turned to Zoro, since Nami had closed the door behind her.

"What? Of course not."

"Are you sure?" she asked, a teasing smirk on her face. "Because I remember you breaking some furniture back at The Seashell Saloon when you fought against Helmeppo and the marines."

Zoro looked at her, a surprised yet subtle look on his face. "You were there?"

"Wait a second," Luffy interrupted him, a wide smile on his face as he looked at Kai. "That is the place where Koby and I went to eat."

She simply nodded. "Yeah, I was staying there."

"So, let me get this straight... We were in the same place at the same time but didn't meet? And then we met in Orange Town? That is so cool!" Luffy's smile widened. "Talk about fate."

Kai blinked, slightly surprised by his enthusiasm. However, his words made her remember the legend of The Red Thread Of Fate. According to this belief, a red thread, invisible to the human eye, connects those who are fated to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances.

Perhaps Luffy was onto something — maybe it really was fate pulling the strings after all.

"We're taking in water," Nami asked when she came back, glaring at Zoro. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything."

"They way you're clanging those swords around all the time you must've broken something."

"And if you're such a good thief, maybe you should've stolen a better boat."

Kai's gaze switched from Nami to Zoro as they argued, a small smile on his face. Their bickering was kind of entertaining.

"Guys. Guys. Guys," Luffy called out, the three other people on the boat looking at him. "Okay, crew meeting."

"Not a crew!" Zoro and Nami said in unison.

"At least that's something you two can agree on," Kai said teasingly as she crossed her arms and looked down, ignoring the glares that were being sent her way.

"We're gonna need a better ship if we want to make it to the Grand Line. A real pirate ship. Worthy of the Straw Hat Crew."

"Wait. Straw Hat Crew? Really?" Nami asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, I thought it had a nice ring to it," Luffy explained with a smile.

"'Demon' has a nice ring to it," Zoro added. "Headgear? Not scary."

"Who says pirates have to be scary?"

At his words, Nami and Zoro exchanged a knowing glance, while Kai turned her gaze back to Luffy. All the pirates she had encountered in the past, including her former crew, had been scary to a certain degree. They operated under the belief that respect was something to be claimed through violence and fear — a notion she had momentarily embraced herself. Yet, a familiar voice from her past echoed in her mind, reminding her that true respect was earned through integrity and kindness. Deep down, she knew there was a different path, and it seemed Luffy shared the same thoughts.

"The point is we need a new ship," Luffy continued. "So... Where do we get one?"

Nami turned around, grabbing her journal and looking through it. "Our closest bet is the Gecko Islands. We can probably make it there before our ship sinks. Ditch this one and get a better one."

"Oh, I was there just a few weeks ago," Kai said, prompting the others to turn their attention to her. "In Syrup Village. They actually have a pretty impressive harbor."

Nami nodded at her, grabbing the map again. "Can you show me where that is?"

"Yes, of course," the brown-haired girl smiled.

"Cool."

"We have a plan then!" Luffy cheered excitedly. "To finding a better ship!"

"With a working toilet," Zoro added.

"Great job, navigator," the straw hat pirate said, glancing at Nami before turning to Kai, his smile unwavering. "And you as well, adventurer."

A grin spread across Kai's face; she liked that nickname.

"You're still not hanging that on my ship."

Luffy looked down at the Jolly Roger he was still holding in his hands and then back at Nami with a smirk on his face, and Kai just knew he would eventually get his way.

The Straw Hat Crew then sailed on, with both girls standing side by side at the deck. Nami expertly navigated the waters while Kai assisted her, pointing out the precise location of Syrup Village in the map Zoro, Luffy and Nami had stolen from the Marine base back in Shells Town.

It was a simple map, depicting the East Blue along with its islands and cities, with the Grand Line marked at the bottom. As Kai gazed at it, memories of her very first trip there flooded back to her.

Having explored nearly every corner of the North Blue, Bellamy felt it was time to embark on a new adventure, to finally travel the Grand Line; especially after pledging allegiance to none other than Donquixote Doflamingo. Their journey had been surprisingly tranquil as they navigated through the Calm Belt, and each experience along the way had been nothing short of extraordinary.

Kai recalled the countless islands they had explored and the diverse people they had encountered, each possessing a culture and history more vibrant than the last. Her inspiration soared like a bird in the sky as she poured her thoughts onto the page, capturing every detail of their remarkable journey.

For the first time in years, she felt a genuine sense of joy and tranquility, reveling in the freedom that surrounded her.

But it wasn't enough for Bellamy though, nothing ever seemed to be. Driven by a desire to explore the other three oceans, the crew embarked on a new journey, one that turned out to be more dangerous than imagined. The experience had been agonizing, with some crew members tragically losing their lives — Kai narrowly escaped that fate herself.

As she shook her head gently, trying to get rid of the memories, a small part of her wondered where her former crew were and what they were doing now, but that thought quickly faded away. She was better off without them.

|××××××××××|××××××××××|

Eventually, the crew managed to dock in Syrup Village; though it was more of a struggle than they had anticipated, as their ship was slowly sinking. Choosing a relatively secluded spot to avoid drawing attention, Kai and Nami stepped onto the sandy beach, the latter instructing Luffy and Zoro on how to dispose of the ship before both girls set off to explore the port.

"Good thinking," Kai said to Nami, nodding slightly. "With the ship, I mean."

"Thank you," she replied with a faint smile. "Now, what was it you mentioned about this town having an impressive harbor?"

The brown-haired girl smirked, leading the way through the city's streets. "Follow me."

As they strolled through the lively streets, the vibrant atmosphere surrounded them. Small shops and stalls dotted the sidewalks, bustling with locals offering handmade crafts and fresh produce. The mouthwatering aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, making Kai's stomach growl audibly. She hadn't eaten anything in days.

Stopping in her tracks, she turned to Nami. "Want something?"

"I won't say no to free food," Nami grinned.

With a smile of her own, Kai approached one of the vendors and purchased some bread and cheese. After paying, she quickly assembled four sandwiches, one for each member of the Straw Hat Crew.

"Here you go," she said, handing one of them to Nami.

"Thank you," Nami said, her voice seemingly indifferent. However, Kai could see the glimmer of appreciation shining in her eyes as she took a bite.

Kai wrapped the remaining sandwiches in napkins and tucked them into her bag, planning to save them for Luffy and Zoro later, and then she bit down onto her own, humming happily.

"Satisfied?" Nami asked with a teasing smile, her orange hair catching the light.

"Very," Kai replied with a soft chuckle as they continued their walk together.

"So, what were you doing in Orange Town?" Nami inquired, curiosity evident in her tone.

Kai hesitated for a moment, startled by the question. She swallowed her bite of sandwich before answering. "While I was staying here, I discovered what Buggy was up to, and I couldn't just stand by and let it happen."

"Wait, so you chose to go alone?" Nami asked incredulously and Kai just nodded. "You wanted to take on one of the most wanted pirates by yourself?"

"I didn't really have a choice," Kai admitted.

"You could have stayed out of it."

"But I couldn't," she retorted passionately. "You saw what Buggy was doing to those people. I couldn't stand the fact of knowing about such an atrocity being committed and not do anything."

She had done that enough in the past.

"... Fair enough," Nami said with a small nod. "And you were successful."

"Only after my third attempt," Kai chuckled lightly, taking another bite of her sandwich. "The first two times didn't go so well. But having you guys there this time probably made a difference."

"Maybe," Nami shrugged. "But I believe you could have taken him down on your own. You definitely have what it takes."

The comment caught Kai off guard, but she quickly smiled. "Thank you."

As they reached the port, Nami suddenly stopped in her tracks, and Kai grinned at her reaction. "Told you it was impressive."

Before them lay a bustling harbor, where an array of ships filled the docks. Large merchant ships with billowing sails stood proudly alongside smaller fishing boats, their colorful hulls reflecting the sunlight like gems on the water.

As they walked around the port and observed their surroundings, also enjoying their sandwiches, the air was alive with the sounds of seagulls and the salty tang of the sea, mingling with the rich aroma of fresh seafood as local fishermen unloaded their catches.

"What's your opinion on pirates?" Nami asked casually.

"Well, considering I was part of a pirate crew for nearly ten years..." Kai glanced at Nami with a smirk, who was looking at her expectantly. "Let's just say I'm not their biggest fan."

"Same here," Nami scoffed lightly. "All they bring is chaos and destruction."

"Exactly..." A shiver ran down Kai's spine as memories of the Bellamy Pirates resurfaced. "But Luffy seems different."

"You're right; he doesn't fit that mold at all," Nami agreed thoughtfully. "It's kind of strange, isn't it?"

"A little," Kai chuckled softly.

With laughter echoing between them, the two girls made their way back into town, looking to reunite with Luffy and Zoro and share their findings.

"Hey! You got us a ship?" Luffy asked as soon as he saw Kai and Nami walk his way.

"Working on it," Nami answered. "Did you push the sloop out to sea like I told you?"

"Yeah. No Marines are gonna be following us here."

Right, they were on the run from the Marines because of the stolen map to the Grand Line. And now so was Kai.

"Well, we're not gonna be here for very long," Nami smirked. "Turns out Kai wasn't kidding about Syrup Village's impressive port. The town is actually known for their ship building. Lots of options."

"Well, what are we waiting for then?" Luffy exclaimed excitedly as he walked away.

"Uh... That's not the right way..." Kai said, her voice growing quieter as she watched him, then turning to look at Nami and Zoro. "Should we follow him?"

Nami just rolled her eyes, shrugging before she went after Luffy. Zoro, however, had other priorities, like ripping off the Buggy poster from the wall and crumpling it with his hands.

"Stupid clown," he said, throwing it to the ground.

"You can say that again." With that, Kai and Zoro trailed behind Luffy and Nami as they made their way back to the bustling harbor.

The air was filled with the sounds of hammers striking wood and the shouts of shipbuilders hard at work, their hands deftly crafting vessels of all shapes and sizes.

"Look at 'em all," Luffy said, a wide smile spreading across his face as he took in the sight, taking a big bite of the sandwich Kai had given him.

"How much do these even cost?" Zoro asked, turning to Kai, who was walking beside him.

"Probably a liver," Kai replied with a smirk.

Nami chimed in at the same moment, her tone teasing. "If you have to ask, you definitely can't afford it."

"Okay, so we need to get one with a very, very impressive figurehead," Luffy went on about the perfect ship for his crew. "At least two... No, no, three masts! And a really high crow's nest."

"We are not gonna be able to sail a ship anywhere near that size," Nami said. "There's only four of us."

"Four of us right now," Luffy countered with a grin.

"Well, unless you can find another weird, desperate soul to help us."

"Speak for yourself," Zoro shot back, a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he ate his own sandwich, and which prompted Kai to suppress a smile.

"Nami is right, though," she then said. "A ship that size requires a crew of at least ten."

"Exactly," the orange-haired girl replied, her gaze shifting to Kai with appreciation before looking back at Luffy. "Besides, we are going to need something a little less flashy if we want to sneak out of here."

That comment made Luffy stop dead in his tracks, turning to look at the other three. "You want to steal a ship?"

Nami scoffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "How else did you expect us to get one?"

"I don't know," he retorted. "But we can't steal one."

"Luffy... we don't have any money," Kai explained, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

"What kind of pirate are you?" Nami asked incredulously.

"A ship is not just a ship. It's a part of our crew. We need to find the perfect one. And we're gonna get it the right way."

Kai looked at Luffy, and she couldn't help but feel inspired by his words. His unwavering attitude was refreshing, like a cool breeze on a hot day.

"Okay, pitch that to the salesman. I'm sure that'll win him over," Nami said sarcastically.

"Exactly, "Luffy replied enthusiastically, completely missing the sarcasm as he smiled and wandered off to inspect the ships further.

"So what are we actually gonna do?" Zoro asked once Luffy was out of earshot.

"Find a ship and see how lax the security is around here," Nami answered.

"Got it," Kai and Zoro replied in unison, exchanging glances before they all went after Luffy.

Shortly after, they found him at the top of a set of stairs, gently caressing the figurehead of one of the ships, which was intricately carved to resemble a sheep. Kai couldn't help but admire the ship as they got closer; she would be lying if she said it wasn't impressive.

"There you are," Nami called out as she, Zoro, and Kai approached Luffy.

"Guys!" Luffy called out as he spotted them, bounding down the stairs to meet them, with his smile stretching from ear to ear. "I found it. I found our ship. And this guy will sell it to us."

The other three members of the Straw Hat Crew exchanged curious glances before turning their attention to the guy Luffy was talking about.

"Uh, wait. What? Uh..." he stammered, clearly surprised by Luffy's bold declaration.

And Kai smiled when she saw a familiar figure, his wild black hair tamed by an orange bandana while he was wearing his signature green vest.

"Well, if it isn't the boy who cries pirate," she said, a teasing yet endearing tone in her voice.

Turning his head to look at her, the guy blinked in surprise before breaking into a grin himself. "Kai?"

She returned his smile warmly. "Nice to see you again, Usopp."

"You two know each other?" Nami raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them before her gaze settled on Kai.

"We do," Kai nodded.

"Yes. We met while Kai was living here. How is Orange Town by the way?" he asked her, having known about her plans to confront Buggy.

The brown-haired girl smirked slightly. "No longer under siege."

"Really? No way!" Usopp exclaimed with a grin. "That's great. I hope you don't mind me using that in one of my stories."

"Go for it," she chuckled, noticing the confused looks in her friends' faces. "Usopp here is one of the best storytellers out there."

"... Nice," Zoro muttered, clearly unimpressed as he turned his gaze away.

Luffy, however, was brimming with enthusiasm. "If you know him, Kai, then that makes this so much easier!" He turned to Usopp with a bright smile. "The ship, we'll take it."

"Technically, she's not for sale," Usopp explained. "And technically, I'm not a salesman."

"Do you even work here?" Nami asked.

"Of course I do," he replied proudly. "I'm Chief Technician in charge of encrustation removal and aviary waste eradication."

"Encru what?" Luffy asked confused.

And Zoro finally lifted his gaze, still indifferent. "He scrubs barnacles and cleans bird shit."

"He can't help us," Nami added, starting to turn away before Usopp stopped her.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! I can help you," he said, a smirk creeping onto his face. "The owner of this ship just happens to be my closest friend in the world."

"Oh yeah! Kaya, right? You've mentioned her," Usopp nodded at Kai's words, his smile widening.

However, Nami remained skeptical. "Your friend owns this ship?"

"Not just this one. She owns the whole shipyard. She's rich rich. I'm sure you could strike a deal with her."

"See?" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, looking at his friends.

Kai and Zoro exchanged yet another glance before they looked at Nami, who was now smirking.

"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to say hello."

|××××××××××|××××××××××|

Something was off.

As soon as Usopp led them to Kaya's residence and they were introduced to her and her servants, Kai just had a feeling something was off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it though, which is why she decided to keep her thoughts to herself. However, she knew she had to remain vigilant.

Therefore, once Sham, one of the servants, had escorted the crew to their guest suites, Kai decided to hang back while Zoro headed off for a bath and Nami and Luffy set out in search of clothes.

Curiosity and adrenaline ran through her veins as she wandered through the elegantly decorated halls of the mansion, the air thick with an aura of mystery. Rich red tapestries draped gracefully along the walls, their intricate patterns complementing the numerous pictures and portraits that gazed down at her from gilded frames. Under the arches stood statues, their marble forms immortalizing moments in time, while shelves brimming with an array of trinkets added character to the space.

She paused at a few doorways, peeking inside just to find lavish sitting rooms adorned with fine furniture and intricate tapestries. It was then that she noticed a slightly ajar door at the end of a corridor, revealing a glimpse of what appeared to be a library.

Pushing the door open, Kai stepped inside and was immediately enveloped by the scent of aged paper and polished wood. Towering shelves lined with dusty tomes and ancient scrolls reached toward the ceiling, while sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting a warm glow on the room.

Intrigued, she ventured deeper, a smile spreading across her face as her fingers glided along the spines of books, absorbing their titles. Ever since she was little, Kai had enjoyed reading. It had been introduced to her through her parents, and she thanked them deeply for it, for she quickly learn to cherish the ability to be different people in different universes. And it was this passion that inspired her to start writing stories of her own.

Several books piqued her interest, and she carefully pulled them from the shelves to explore their contents, until she found one that captivated her enough to read it. It was the tale of a young boy who, after finding a treasure map, embarks on a thrilling adventure to find it.

It kind of reminded her of Luffy.

With the book in hand, Kai left the library, planning to return after dinner, and decided to look for her friends, finding them after a short walk through the labyrinthian halls of the mansion.

"I swear I've seen him somewhere," Zoro's voice was the first one she heard clearly, approaching the door and entering the room they were all at.

"Who?" Kai asked joining the conversation.

Zoro startled slightly, but he still answered. "The butler."

"Hmm. Now that you mention it... Yeah, he seems familiar," she nodded, looking around the room and at the huge amount of clothes. "But... a bad familiar. I don't know."

He nodded, putting his swords down against a small armchair before he sat down on it. "Yeah, no, I know what you mean."

"How's this?" Nami asked, stepping from behind the partition wall as she wore a black dress and a bejeweled jacket.

"Still Nami," Luffy answered.

"I said I am wearing black," Zoro said.

"I hate you guys," she said, rolling her eyes and continuing to look through the racks.

"I think you look great!" Kai smiled.

"Thank you, Kai," Nami reciprocated the smile. "But I'm not really sold on this dress..."

"I feel kind of bad for Kaya," Luffy broke the silence that had appeared as both girls looked for something suitable for the dinner. "All this stuff. All this space. It's gotta make a person feel... lonely."

"Rich people don't have the same emotions we do," the orange-haired girl countered. "This stuff doesn't make her feel lonely. It makes her feel important."

"Yeah, I don't think so," Kai muttered to herself, but Nami heard her.

"Anything to share, Kai? A past we should know about?"

The brown-haired girl smirked slightly as she shrugged, ignoring Nami's question as she turned back to look at the clothes.

"Well, Usopp likes her," Luffy interrupted before Nami could say something else. "And she invited us to dinner. I'm sure we can work out a way to get that ship."

"No way," Nami argued again. "Rich people don't stay rich by giving things away."

"You want to bet?" Luffy said with a smirk.

And Nami mirrored the look on his face. "What are the terms?"

Kai shook her head playfully at their antics.

Still smirking, the straw hat boy approached the navigator. "I bet I can convince Kaya to give us that ship."

"And when you can't?"

"We go with your plan," he simply said. "Steal one and move on."

Due to the confidence in his voice, the brown-haired girl just knew Luffy was positive about him charming Kaya.

"You're on," Nami smirked, extending her hand out for Luffy to shake, the two sealing the deal.

"You guys are something else," Kai said teasingly as she rolled her eyes, smiling at them before she looked back at the kimono she had been admiring for the last minutes.

Carefully, she took it off the rack and removed it from its hanger, turning to look at her friends, as she held both the book and the kimono in her arms. "I'm going to go take a bath now. See you all later."

It took her a while to find the washroom, but once she did, Kai put her belongings to the side before she stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the warm bath water. She instantly let out a content sigh as she leaned back, her muscles relaxing.

She took her time in there, really making the most out of the opportunity they had been given. After all, who knew when they would next have the chance to enjoy a bath, let alone find themselves in such a beautiful place again. Once she stepped out, she wrapped a bathrobe around her body, grabbing her things and heading to her dormitory.

Closing the door behind her, Kai turned to look at her room, still in awe of the place. She hadn't seen something that fancy in years, and whether she liked it or not, it ignited a spark of nostalgia inside her.

But now was not the time for that. Shaking her head and getting rid of those feelings, Kai put her clothes on top of the dresser before she placed the kimono on the bed, the book next to it — yes, she was taking it with her to the dinner. After staring at her reflection for a few seconds, she let the robe fall to the ground, looking at herself for a while longer.

As her eyes roamed her body, she saw every scar she had earned during her time as a pirate, along with a few she had gotten as a kid. It was bittersweet, to know how deep her past was engraved in her being, even if she sometimes wished otherwise.

Slipping into the kimono, Kai caught a glimpse of her reflection, feeling like a completely different person. The stunning pink fabric hugged her silhouette beautifully, while delicate touches of yellow in the design offered a cheerful contrast. Rich brown accents added a touch of sophistication and created a harmonious blend that drew the eye without being overpowering. To complete the ensemble, she cinched the coordinating obi belt around her waist, the perfect finishing touch that elevated the entire look.

She hadn't worn something like that in forever, and to be honest, she didn't miss it. She definitely preferred her newer style.

After getting fully dressed, she ran her fingers through her hair, parting it into two sections. The top section was neatly gathered and secured at the back of her head with her pen, while the rest tumbled down in soft waves. She smiled to herself. Not bad.

Content with the way she looked, Kai grabbed the book and left her room, headed to the dining hall. As she walked down the staircase, she noticed almost everyone was there, except for the birthday girl, of course.

"Reminds me of that one time I slayed a dragon, cooked it over an open flame, ate the whole thing myself." The first voice that reached her was Usopp, who was standing at the bottom of the stairwell with Luffy, both eating some of the hors d'oeuvres that Sham was offering.

"Is Usopp telling one of his stories again?" Kai asked with a playful smile as she approached them, blissfully unaware that Zoro's eyes had been locked on her since the moment she appeared at the top of the stairs.

The boy smiled widely. "You know it," he said, and then looked back at Luffy. "Have you ever had dragon?"

"Nope." Then, Sham came back and Luffy was too curious not to ask. "Do you have dragon?"

"Afraid we're fresh out," was all the servant said before walking away again.

"Oh well," he said, not too bothered as he took another bite of his food. "Hey, Zoro. You gotta try this!"

Kai turned to him, watching as he took a sip of his drink. She couldn't help but admire him. That caramel satin shirt Nami had picked for him really suited him...

Zoro glanced over at them, taking a sip of his drink as his eyes lingered on Kai for a few seconds longer. "I've got all I need right here."

Unbeknownst to her, the brunette's cheeks turned a soft pink as she looked away, focusing back on Luffy and Usopp and starting another conversation until someone cleared their throat.

"May I present..." It was Klahadore, Kaya's servant, and who was standing next to the blonde girl at the top of the stairs. "Miss Kaya."

She was wearing a long sleeved satin dress with tones of light brown and light pink, and she looked beautiful. And based on the look on Usopp's face, he was thinking the same. Kai made a mental note to tease him about it later.

"Kai, you look marvelous," Kaya beamed as she approached the three of them, holding onto the arm of who Kai had overheard was her financial advisor, Merry.

"Thank you, Kaya," she smiled. "So do you."

"I see you found the library," the blonde girl said with a small smirk as she noticed the book in Kai's hands.

"Uh, yes, I did," she chuckled softly. "I hope that's okay."

"It is! The library has been so quiet and empty ever since my parents passed away, so it makes me happy to know someone is using it. If you find any books you like, please don't hesitate to take them."

Kai blinked, surprised by her generosity. "I-I don't know..."

"Please, I insist," Kaya urged with a soft smile. "I'd much rather see them loved and read than left to collect dust."

A wave of gratitude washed over Kai, evident in her eyes. "Thank you."

Kaya sent another smile her way before she moved on, now talking to Nami. Kai watched her go, smiling to herself at the girl's kindness. She then went to grab one of the drinks, accidentally eavesdropping on Zoro's conversation with Klahadore.

And once the latter left... "He is definitely hiding something."

Zoro nodded, his eyes still on the butler as he sat back down. "I agree."

"And we will find out what that is," Kai smirked slightly.

Tearing his gaze from Klahadore, Zoro looked at Kai, mirroring her smirk. "Yes, we will."

The two looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds until Klahadore's signal that it was time to move to the dining room broke the moment.

"Oh, I'm so ready for this..." Luffy exclaimed excitedly, being the first who headed to the dining room.

Kai chuckled. "Me too. A warm meal sounds perfect right now."

"You read my mind."

The two of them shared a laugh, sitting down next to one another. Nami took the seat next to Kai, while Zoro sat across from her, with Usopp to his left and Merry to his right. Kaya of course took the seat at the head of the table.

"What is that?" Luffy leaned in Kai's direction after she had pulled out her book to read as they waited for the food.

"Oh, it's a book I found at the library. It's about a boy who goes on an adventure after finding a treasure map."

The straw hat pirate's eyes lit up. "That sounds like me!" He exclaimed, and then he whispered. "Or more like us, a group of pirates going on an adventure to find the One Piece after stealing a map to the Grand Line."

"You know what?" she chuckled. "You're right."

"Please let me know how it ends," he said, sitting back straight. "Maybe it could be a foreshadowing to our own story."

Kai smiled. "Will do, captain."

Luffy returned her smile before he took a long sip of his drink and Kai continued her reading, which was cut short once the food arrived.

A look of contentment spread across the faces of everyone at the table as plates were set before them, but it was especially evident among the Straw Hat Pirates, who hadn't enjoyed a proper meal in days. Most of them were fully focused on the food, silence surrounding the table as everyone ate, but Kai's focus was somewhere else.

The book had already caught her attention, with her holding it one hand as she ate with the other, fully captivated by its story but not wanting to miss on the delicious meal in front of her.

"I'd love to try the fish tonight."

"I'm sorry, Miss Kaya, but that is not possible," Klahadore answered the girl's request.

But Kaya insisted. "Maybe just a small piece?"

"Now, you know that certain foods can affect your constitution. Here, Buchi has prepared your special soup."

Kai finally looked up from her book, not liking the way Klahadore was treating Kaya.

"Kaya, it's your birthday," Nami intervened. "You should be able to eat whatever you want."

"Miss Kaya's medical condition necessitates that I closely monitor her dietary needs."

"Does it mean you also speak for her?"

"Yeah," Kai agreed with Nami. "Because as far as I'm concerned, her condition isn't silencing her. You are."

Klahadore glared at both girls, and they held his gaze, not afraid of him in the slightest.

"I'll take her fish," Luffy offered, not noticing the tension in the air and just wanting to eat some more.

But Usopp did notice it, so he quickly decided to change the subject. "Luffy, isn't there something that you wanted to talk to Kaya about?"

"Oh,  yes!" he exclaimed, looking at Kaya. "Usopp told me that you own the whole shipyard."

"Well, actually my parents founded the shipyard, and Merry's been running the business since..." she looked at Merry before looking down at the table. "Well, since they passed. But all of that's about to change. Tonight, at midnight, I will become the sole owner."

Kai glanced at Klahadore, her mind whirring like a well-oiled machine as she began to connect the dots. Things were slowly adding up...

"Ah. Well, that's great, because we want to buy a ship from you," Luffy grinned, taking a sip of his drink.

"I see," Kaya smiled. "Usopp mentioned that you're sailors."

"Nope, not sailors. We're pirates."

Kai's gaze dropped back to her book, a bit embarrassed and taken by surprise by Luffy's sudden revelation. And she wasn't the only one in shock: Usopp choked on his drink, while Nami sent a glare his way.

Then again, it was such a Luffy thing to do, so she should have seen it coming.

"This ought to be good," Zoro muttered under his breath before he took a sip of his drink.

"Pirates?" Kaya then asked, surprised.

"Yep. We haven't sailed together for very long, but we have already defeated an evil clown, raided a Marine base, and taken down a captain with an axe for a hand."

Kai, Nami and Zoro exchanged exasperated looks as their captain animatedly recounted their adventures, knowing now was neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.

Kaya smiled softly, looking at her friend. "These sound a lot like your adventures, Usopp."

"Yeah, that's... That's crazy," he chuckled nervously, glancing at Luffy and then at Kai, asking her with his eyes what the hell was going on. But Kai didn't have an answer for him, so she just shrugged.

"Oh yeah. And we're just getting started," Luffy smiled, getting on the table.

"What are you doing? Get down from there at once!" Klahadore exclaimed angrily, but the pirate ignored him.

"Being a pirate has been my dream for as long as I can remember. And I'm finally making it a reality."

Kai looked up at Luffy, a mix of admiration and pain etched across her face. His words, his dream... They reminded her of Bellamy.

"Someday I'll be the greatest pirate in the world!" Those were some of the first words a thirteen-year-old Bellamy shared with a seven-year-old Kai.

He had only been a teenager when they first crossed paths, but he knew what he wanted and was determined to get it — and he did.

As the years passed, the Bellamy pirates started gaining notoriety across the North Sea, even catching the eye of one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. But that attention proved to be a double-edged sword, inflating the boy's ego beyond recognition.

Bellamy had always been special to Kai, the older brother she always wished she had. He would say the same thing about her, and they were each other's pride and joy. They trusted each other blindly, which allowed them to share their deepest secrets and dreams. Both had escaped abusive homes, and they vowed never to repeat their families' mistakes. In each other, they found solace and strength, forging a connection that felt unbreakable.

Only it wasn't.

For years, Kai looked up to him with unwavering admiration, but that admiration began to twist into resentment as she witnessed his transformation

"I don't recognize you anymore," she confronted him one night, worry lacing her voice as she noted his new demeanor.

"Maybe you never really knew me then," he replied coldly before walking away, leaving her heartbroken.

It was agonizing to witness someone she loved turn into the very person he had vowed never to be. And after a while, it also became unbearable. Kai hated the man he had turned into, hated everything his new self represented, and so she left, refusing to be complicit in his ruination any longer.

"We're heading out to the Grand Line, where even more adventures await us," Luffy continued his speech, Kai's attention going back to him. "And at the end of the journey, I'm gonna find the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, and become King of the Pirates."

"You're serious?"

"Kaya, you have a beautiful ship out there," he continued, lowering himself until they were at the same level, his hands gently grabbing her shoulders. "A caravel with a sheep figurehead. It spoke to me. That is the ship we need to follow our dreams. I promise you, we'll take care of it. Maintain it. Treat it like any other member of our crew, because a ship is also a home."

His words were beautiful, and Kai noticed Kaya felt the same way she did. But Klahadore didn't.

"That will be quite enough!" he yelled. "I should've known Usopp would bring riffraff to our doorstep."

"Klahadore, it's okay. I..." Kaya started to say before she started coughing.

"Now look what you've done," Klahadore exclaimed, looking around the table. "You've upset Miss Kaya. All of you, out of this house at once!"

Kai frowned. Why was he so eager in getting rid of them?

"No," she refused, taking his arm and standing up. "It's late. Let them stay the night."

"As you wish, Miss Kaya, but they are out first thing in the morning," he said, escorting Kaya out of the dining room, the doors closing behind them.

"That went pretty well. Don't you think?"

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"Kai?"

The girl startled at the sound of the voice echoing behind her, her heart racing for a moment. When she turned to see who it was, a wave of relief washed over her, accompanied by a hint of exasperation.

"Zoro, you scared me," she said, letting out a soft sigh.

"Sorry," he replied with a shrug as he stepped closer, his presence warm and familiar.

They began to walk side by side down one of the many ornate corridors of Kaya's mansion, the soft glow of candlelight flickering against the polished walls.

"... What are you doing out here?" Zoro asked after a while, his voice breaking the stillness of the corridor. "It is late, after all."

"I just couldn't sleep," Kai replied, forcing a casual tone as she hoped he would buy her excuse. But the skeptical look on his face told her he wasn't convinced.

"Right," he halted in his tracks, fixing her with an intense gaze that made her heart race.

"Ugh, fine," she relented, rolling her eyes. "I'm... investigating."

"Investigating?" Zoro raised an eyebrow as they continued to walk. "Investigating what exactly?"

"Something feels off here, Zoro. Did you see how badly Klahadore is trying to get rid of us? Which, sure, we're an odd bunch, but it seems excessive. And then there's how closely he monitors Kaya. She's sick, not incapacitated."

"He does indeed seem a bit overbearing," he nodded, agreeing with her.

"And with her turning eighteen tonight and gaining access to her inheritance... I can't shake the feeling that Klahadore isn't as benevolent as he pretends to be," her voice dropped to a whisper as they stopped in front of a large window, looking up at him. "I think he wants to hurt Kaya."

Zoro's jaw tightened at her words. "You really believe that?"

"I do," Kai insisted, her eyes narrowing with determination. "I know we've only been here for a few hours, but every time we have seen him, he is hovering over Kaya like a hawk. He acts like he's protecting her, but it feels more like control, like a way to keep her from making decisions for herself. You saw it tonight, with the food. Who knows what else he manipulates behind the scenes?"

With a heavy sigh, she looked out the window, staring into the darkness as if searching for answers hidden among the tree leaves.

"And what do you plan to do about it?" Zoro asked quietly, stepping closer so their shoulders brushed together.

"I don't know yet," she admitted, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "But if my intuition is right, I can't just stand by and let him manipulate her like this. I need to figure him out and put a stop to whatever he's plotting before it's too late."

Zoro studied her intently for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright then. If you're going to dig deeper into this mess, you won't have to do it alone. I'll help."

A flicker of hope ignited within Kai at his words, their eyes locking in a moment that felt suspended in time. She smiled softly, warmth spreading through her chest as gratitude washed over her. In that instant, she sensed the connection between them deepening.

"Thank you, Zoro," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It means more to me than you know."

He held her gaze steadily, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "We're in this together, right? I won't let you face it alone."

The sincerity in his tone sent a shiver down her spine, and for a heartbeat, the world outside faded away. It was just the two of them, an unspoken bond lingering in the air.

"But first," Zoro broke the spell with a playful smirk, "I need a drink."

Kai couldn't stop the laughter from escaping her lips, the sound igniting a genuine grin on Zoro's face.

"Of course," she chuckled, feeling lighter already. "Let's get you that drink then."

With that, the two of them set off once more, making their way toward the kitchen. However, navigating the labyrinthine halls proved to be more challenging than anticipated, each turn and twist only adding to their confusion.

Until Luffy took them out of their misery.

"Hey, Zoro! Kai!" he exclaimed happily as he ran up to meet them.

"Shh! Shut up," Zoro urged him, sharing a look with Kai, who shook her head slightly.

She trusted Luffy, she really did, but she would prefer it if her conversation with Zoro stayed between them, at least until they had some proof.

"You always carry those swords with you?" Luffy asked, pointing at the swords attached to Zoro's hips. Huh, Kai hadn't even noticed them.

"Wherever I go, the Wado Ichimonji goes."

"Okay... Where are you two going anyways?"

"We're getting Zoro here a much needed drink," Kai said teasingly, earning a small glare from the green-haired boy. "But it seems this place is a maze, so..."

Luffy nodded, staring into the hall.

"How about you?" Zoro asked him.

"Midnight snack," he answered, and Kai smiled at that.

"Of course."

"Come on," Luffy nodded, wrapping his arms over both Kai and Zoro's shoulders. "We'll follow my nose to the kitchen."

"Lead the way," Kai chuckled, and letting go of them, Luffy turned around and started walking in the opposite direction, the other two trailing behind him.

And sure enough, Luffy's nose led them to the right place, the three of them ending up in the kitchen.

"Usopp, hey!" Kai exclaimed with a smile once she noticed him sitting there.

"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Luffy asked.

And Usopp answered with a chuckle. "Not after that dinner."

"You can say that again," the girl said teasingly, earning another chuckle from her bandana friend as she looked around, Zoro doing the same.

"I hope I didn't get you in trouble with Kaya," Luffy apologized, pocketing some of the food that was lying on the table. "Sometimes I get carried away."

"Oh, no. It was worth it. Seeing that look on Klahadore's face," Usopp let out a laugh. "I thought his head was gonna explode."

"Yeah, it was pretty funny," Kai chuckled too as she approached Usopp and Luffy, looking as Zoro opened a few cabinets, still in search for some alcohol.

"All that stuff true that you said? About the clown and the axe-hand guy?"

"Mhmm," Luffy hummed positively, sitting down in front of Usopp. "Every word. I mean, they're not as exciting as your adventures."

"Yeah... And the One Piece, are you really going after that?"

"Yep. I'm gonna be the one to find it too," Luffy said with confidence. One of the things Kai liked about him.

"Man!" Usopp exclaimed excitedly, a wide smile on his face. "I wish I could do that. But I can't leave. Kaya needs me."

"And you need her," Kai said with a smirk, making the boy blush.

"Yeah, is she your girlfriend or something?" Zoro asked, having sat down as well since he hadn't found what he was looking for.

Usopp's blush only darkened. "What? Uh, no, no, she's more like... my best friend. Her parents died a few years ago, and she... took it pretty hard, and... and then she got sick on top of that. I just want to be there for her, you know?"

Kai nodded, looking at him with a small smile. "You know, friendship is the best foundation for a relationship. Or at least that's what I've heard." After all, she had zero experience in that department.

"Maybe, but... I don't know," he sighed.

"You definitely like her as more than a friend, though," Kai grinned.

"Yeah, I'm with Kai on this one," Zoro agreed.

"I mean... She's gorgeous, and she's super smart. She has the best laugh. But, I mean, you don't think she, like, like likes me, do you?" Usopp asked, looking at Zoro and waiting for an answer.

However, the boy just stared at him, but not without glancing at Kai, who was standing behind Usopp. "You're asking the wrong guy."

"Okay. But if you were Kaya, would you like me?"

"I already like you," Luffy was the one to answer though.

"Okay, that's not what I... Never mind," Usopp sighed, aiming his slingshot at one of the pans and shooting, the small corn kernel landing inside a large pot.

"Usopp," Kai said, approaching her friend and placing a hand on his shoulder. "You don't need any hypotheticals. It is clear as day that Kaya likes you as more than a friend."

"Are you sure?"

"A hundred percent," she smiled, patting his shoulder before letting go. "So, you should definitely do something about it. Tell her how you feel."

"... Maybe I will. Thank you, Kai."

Her smile widened. "You got it. However, as much as I'm enjoying this, I think I'll head back to my room now," she walked past Usopp and toward Zoro, leaning in close to whisper so only he could hear, careful not to draw the attention of the others. "Meet me there once you've got your drink."

Zoro nodded, a small smile on his face. And stepping away, Kai saluted her friends and wished them a good night before disappearing into the labyrinthian halls of the house again.

Once back in her room, Kai settled onto her bed with her journal in hand, eager to capture the day's events along with the emotions that accompanied them.

But when she reached the part about her conversation with Zoro, her pen hesitated. It really meant a lot to her to know he was on her side, and she couldn't stop a soft smile from appearing on her face at the thought of his easy confidence and playful banter.

The thought of playing detectives together — and spending more time with him — filled her with excitement.

However, as time went on without a knock at her door, that smile gradually faded into a frown. She kept glancing at the door every few moments, willing Zoro to appear. But he didn't, and a growing sense of unease surrounded her.

Where the hell was he?

『••✎••』

after nine months, kai is finally back!!! & she has suspicions about a certain butler... (as she should tbh)

sorry it took me so long to update this fic, but it was either life got it in the way, or i was focusing on other fics haha; but i'm back on my one piece grind now, so enjoy this extra long chapter & expect more updates soon😌

i had a lot of fun writing this chapter, especially kai's interactions with the crew (& her interactions with zoro ofc🤭), & i hope you enjoy reading it!

anyways, don't be a ghost reader & i'll see you next chapter! 💙

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WILD UNCHARTED WATERS © storyofanotherpaola, 2024.