After clearing out the Marine scum, Kaito returned to Cocoyasi Village to say his goodbyes. This visit had been rather sudden—he'd essentially abandoned his post without authorization—so he couldn't afford to linger in the East Blue for long.
At the time of parting, Nami's eyes were red from crying. Nojiko kept her head down, quietly sobbing.
Helpless, Kaito promised Nami that once she turned eighteen, she could join the Marines. Only then did she feel a little better.
As for Nojiko... that quiet little girl gave Kaito an even bigger headache. Compared to Nami, Nojiko was far more mature, and that made her even harder to comfort.
Sighing, Kaito walked over and picked her up just like he had the last time they said goodbye. Nami watched from the side and pouted again.
To be fair, people in the One Piece world did grow up fast. In just a year, Nojiko had already grown to about 1.6 meters tall—but even that wasn't much next to Kaito's two-meter-plus frame.
Nojiko cried in Kaito's arms for a while until her tears had soaked the front of his shirt. Only then did she realize how much she was crying and shyly lifted her head, forcing a small, embarrassed smile.
Kaito gently flicked her nose and said softly:
"Alright, that's enough tears. If you want to join the Marines too, you can sign up after you turn eighteen."
Nojiko pointed at herself in surprise, hesitating a little.
"Eh? Me too? But... I'm so weak…"
Kaito waved his hand to cut her off.
"You're not weak. Weren't you pretty brave when facing Arlong? Besides, don't worry—you've got me."
"Mhm!"
Nojiko responded with a crisp voice, and a genuine smile finally lit up her face.
After soothing the two girls, Kaito gently set Nojiko down. He turned and waved to the villagers who had come to see him off, with Bell-mère standing at the front.
"Alright then—goodbye, everyone!"
With that, Kaito's figure vanished before their eyes.
Watching the spot where Kaito disappeared, both Nami and Nojiko silently made a vow in their hearts:
When we grow up, we'll definitely join the Marines. That way... there won't be any more goodbyes!
...
Sabaody Archipelago, Area 66. Marine base office.
Whoosh!
Kaito's figure suddenly appeared in the office, startling Kalifa, who had just walked in to deliver some documents. Papers scattered everywhere.
She shot Kaito a mildly annoyed look and bent over to pick them up, unintentionally showing off her alluring curves.
Kaito felt a little awkward. When he'd received the Flying Thunder God signal, Kalifa had been sitting on his lap, feeding him tangerines. Then he just vanished—he probably sent her crashing to the floor on her butt.
Thinking of that, Kaito raised his hand and activated a low-powered Universal Pull. The scattered documents were all drawn to the desk and, under his precise control, stacked themselves neatly.
Seeing the files now perfectly arranged on the table, Kalifa stood up, smoothed her black skirt, and gracefully walked behind Kaito, naturally beginning to massage his shoulders.
Kaito gently squeezed her hand, signaling she didn't need to do that. Turning to look at his diligent little secretary, he couldn't help but feel a little sentimental. He'd disappeared so suddenly—his work was probably all handled by her. She must've had a rough time.
"You've had a lot on your plate, haven't you? Aren't you curious where I went?"
Kalifa tilted her head and replied:
"It doesn't matter what you went to do. As long as you came back safely, that's enough for me."
Ever since receiving word from Stussy that she'd been "gifted" to Kaito by the Five Elders, Kalifa had relaxed.
Even if she had been treated like a bargaining chip, she didn't mind this arrangement—because if she was going to belong to anyone, Kaito wasn't a bad choice at all.
Kaito had to admit, those words hit hard.
He pulled Kalifa into his arms. Slowly lowering his head, Kalifa sensed his intent, closed her eyes, and awaited what was to come with a mix of anticipation and excitement.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The door burst open.
Two men in black suits and dark sunglasses stormed in, carrying a box between them.
They marched straight up to Kaito's desk, dropped the box heavily in front of him, and said with arrogant tones:
"You must be Uchiha Kaito. This is a gift from the Five Elders—an Mythical Zoan-Type Devil Fruit: the Human-Human Fruit, Asura Form."
After speaking, the blond man in black shot a suggestive glance at Kalifa in Kaito's arms, clearly amused by the situation. Kalifa felt utterly disgusted.
The buzz-cut man beside him, at least, behaved more properly. After handing over the fruit, he called to his partner and turned to leave.
Kaito hadn't said a word since they arrived. He just stared at them, expressionless, eyes filled with the kind of coldness one would show to the already-dead.
Just as the two were about to walk out...
Kaito finally spoke:
"What a pair of good little minion. But have you been minion for so long you forgot your place?"
"What did you say!?"
The blond man spun around, outraged. He was ready to teach this mouthy Marine a lesson.
In his mind, Kaito was nothing more than a glorified figurehead propped up by the Marines. But he—he was a bodyguard for the Five Elders! And this punk dared insult him? He was asking for death!
But the moment he turned around, all he saw was a rapidly approaching palm.
Boom!
Kaito slammed his palm into the blond man's face, driving him into the wall.
The buzz-cut man froze on the spot, not even processing what had just happened. Kaito's speed was simply too fast.
Some Marines nearby had heard the commotion and rushed in, immediately raising their rifles at the two men in black.
To them, Kaito—who had fought against Dark King Rayleigh—was already an idol.
Marines from other bases even looked at them with envy just because Kaito was their commanding officer. After all, only a commander this strong could earn their loyalty and make them feel so secure!
Ignoring the surrounding soldiers, Kaito slowly withdrew his hand.
The blond man embedded in the wall was a far cry from his earlier arrogance. He looked utterly wrecked.
His face had collapsed inward around the bridge of his nose. His sunglasses were shattered, and fragments had pierced both eyes. Even if he somehow survived, those eyes were done for.
Seeing his comrade's horrific state, the buzz-cut man turned pale and started trembling uncontrollably.
Just then, Kaito—the man he now saw as a devil—slowly turned his head toward him.
Under Kaito's gaze, the trembling stopped immediately.
His knees buckled.
And he collapsed to the floor in a full kneel.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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