A few days later.
The weather was sunny and bright, with the scent of the sea carried gently on the breeze.
Kairos Flint lounged comfortably on a deck chair, eating fruit without a care in the world.
"Kairos, Syrup Village is coming up soon," Nami called from the helm.
She didn't know why Kairos wanted to go to Syrup Village, but she didn't question it either. After all, in just the past month, he had made her over twenty million Berries.
This man was a walking goldmine.
If she weren't tied down by her obligations in Cocoyasi Village, she would have clung to Kairos's leg long ago.
With an income like ten million Berries a month, who wouldn't be smiling in their sleep?
"Time to get back to work," Kairos said as he stood up from his recliner.
His eyes locked on the approaching island, a gleam of anticipation in them.
His strength had grown. Both his swordsmanship and physical combat had reached the level of a seasoned captain. In terms of overall ability, he was easily one of the most formidable among pirate captains.
That's why his sights were set on Jango's boss—Captain Kuro, also known as Baiji Locke.
Baiji Locke's strength was noteworthy. He was definitely captain-level, and Kairos was particularly interested in his two abilities: Silent Step and Death Lifting.
Killing him would not only net Kairos a hefty bounty, but also provide valuable ability crystals—and serve as a test of his own growth. It was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
Though Captain Morgan of the Navy played the fool, having a Navy title didn't always reflect real strength—especially in the Four Seas. Marines from the Four Seas Branch were often weaker, and if transferred to Navy Headquarters, their rank would drop by at least three levels. Morgan, a colonel here, would only be a captain at best over there.
So it wasn't surprising that many in the Four Seas Branch were underqualified.
Kairos didn't dwell on that. He was here with a mission.
His plan?
Take down Baiji Locke and claim his 16 million Berry bounty.
Score a good ship from Keya, the village heiress.
Eliminate the rest of the Black Cat Pirates to earn even more ability crystals.
The crew wasn't weak. They'd offer good returns.
What Kairos really needed were high-grade ability crystals. He had killed many pirates this past month, but most of them were small-time thugs, their strength barely reaching the level of Navy sergeants. Frankly, it had been a bit disappointing.
He realized it was time to hunt bigger game.
Baiji Locke was just the beginning.
A single captain-level enemy like Baiji Locke could drop an elite-tier body and soul crystal—worth a thousand common ones.
Taking down a few more like that would save him weeks of work.
It wasn't long before he and Nami docked and disembarked.
They set off toward the nearby village.
How did Kairos know the direction of Syrup Village? Easy. He simply looked at the rising smoke in the distance.
It was midday—lunchtime. Fires were being lit across the village, and the smoke trails pointed the way.
The journey wasn't long.
Before they knew it, Kairos and Nami had arrived in Syrup Village.
Though the villagers were a bit wary of outsiders, Kairos's gentle smile and friendly demeanor quickly put them at ease.
Who could believe a man this handsome could be dangerous?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
After a few polite questions, they gave him the location of Keya's estate.
With that, Kairos and Nami headed toward her home.
Along the way—
"So, Miss Keya is a girl? Kairos, you're not here just for her, are you?" Nami asked nonchalantly, trying to sound casual.
"Nami, you're jealous," Kairos teased.
"W-what?! What nonsense are you talking about? I'm not jealous!"
Nami's flustered reaction—stumbling over her words—was the best proof of all.
"Okay, okay, don't be jealous. You're beautiful, Nami. If I liked someone, you'd be the first."
Kairos smiled and affectionately ruffled her hair.
Their relationship had grown closer over the past month.
They weren't officially together, but the emotional connection was undeniable.
It was a common dynamic—two people spending time together, relying on each other, often developed feelings quickly, especially when they were both attractive and single.
For now, the only thing standing between them was one thin veil of unspoken feelings.
Still, something was clearly bothering Nami. It didn't take a genius to guess it was the Arlong Pirates.
That was the main reason she hesitated.
Her actions, though, said it all—she liked Kairos.
"I'll need to find the right time to eliminate Arlong and his crew," Kairos thought to himself as they walked.
Meanwhile, Nami's cheeks flushed at Kairos's words. She tried her best to remain calm and hide the joy blooming inside her.
But the shadow of the Arlong Pirates lingered—and her heart ached with worry.