Splash—
The sea breeze rolled across the surface, stirring gentle ripples.
Waves crashed against the rocky harbor of the Rosede Kingdom, the sound crisp, rhythmic—like scattered notes of music.
The sun hung high.
Golden light spilled over the coastline.
The massive Marine warship cut through the water and slowly eased into the Rosede Kingdom's port.
Its speed dropped—
anchors fell—
sails were drawn—
and the ship finally came to a steady halt at the dock.
To avoid drawing too much attention—
the white seagull flag of the Marines, normally flying proudly at the top of the mast,
was hurriedly taken down by a few Marines.
On the deck—
Kai was already geared up.
A Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Ready to go ashore alone.
Garp stood at the rail, face serious for once.
"Kai, brat—don't get careless!"
"This time, there's no one beside you."
"The only person you can rely on—"
"—is yourself!"
"As for that so-called 'genius' the World Government sent…"
"Don't count on him."
"He might not even be stronger than you."
"In fact—"
"I think that thirteen-year-old kid… might not even have half your strength."
Kuzan also spoke up.
"Yeah. With your strength, taking on the Sword-Lion Pirates should be easy enough."
"But—only if you don't underestimate them."
"On a battlefield, getting cocky is the biggest taboo."
"Don't think just because you wiped out three thousand pirates last time… you can look down on everyone."
"Slip once, and even a monster can fall."
Both of them gave their warnings.
Garp's came from genuine concern.
Kuzan's… came from sheer terror of what would happen to him if this kid got hurt.
Kai waved a hand.
"Got it."
Then—
he jumped down from the deck.
Thud.
He landed lightly on the port.
He raised his head.
Eyes calm.
Then he began walking toward the inner part of the island—toward the Rosede Kingdom's lively districts.
This island—
was big.
Lush.
Alive.
Even from the port, Kai could tell:
this was a very prosperous kingdom.
Just like Kuzan had said—
Rosede was rich.
One of the wealthier member nations of the World Government.
The environment was beautiful; the greenery thick; the air fresh.
No wonder that special fruit used for brewing noble wine could grow here.
The climate was simply perfect.
"No wonder the pirates picked this place."
Kuzan's voice drifted from the warship behind him:
"Kai! Don't forget to contact that kid named Lucci!"
"Yeah."
Kai lifted the Den Den Mushi in his hand without looking back.
Then he walked into the island interior—
and soon disappeared from view.
On the warship—
Garp and Kuzan watched his back until it vanished.
"Karp, your grandson is already strong enough," Kuzan muttered, "A group of pirates under fifty million? That's nothing to him. He won't get in trouble."
Garp gave him a sideways look.
"You think this old man needs you to comfort him?"
"Uh…"
Kuzan fell silent.
…right.
He'd tried to be nice.
And got roasted for it.
He could already imagine it:
If that brat gets hurt, I'm done for.
If Garp blows up… I really will get my skin peeled off like Fleet Admiral Kong said…
He shuddered.
At this moment—
Kai, having just entered the island,
walked for about half an hour from the port through a relatively quiet stretch of coastline…
…until he finally saw life.
Ahead—
a bustling town.
Shops.
Carts.
People coming and going.
Laughter.
Vendors shouting.
It was lively—
far livelier than Foosha Village, that was for sure.
In fact—
even compared to Loguetown, it wasn't much worse.
Of course—
Kai knew:
this was only the outermost town of the Rosede Kingdom.
This wasn't even the capital.
If even a peripheral town was this flourishing…
no wonder pirates were watching.
He stood at the town entrance, looking at the stone streets, the lines of fruit trees, the surrounding mountain ridges, the colorful fruits growing everywhere.
Rosede Kingdom—
really was a kingdom of fruit.
A natural treasure field.
"With terrain like this…"
"Even if they tried, it'd be hard for this kingdom to go poor."
He sighed.
Then he took out the Den Den Mushi Kuzan had given him.
He dialed.
Purururu…
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Kai waited.
Soon—
Click.
A cold, emotionless voice came from the other end.
"I'm Lucci."
"I am one of the participants assigned to this emergency rescue operation."
"You are the Marine reinforcement?"
The voice was young—
but cold.
Mechanical.
Like someone who hadn't developed emotion.
Kai replied calmly:
"I'm Kai."
"Marine side, rescue operative."
"Lucci, where are you?"
"I'll come find you."
"Then we can talk through the rescue plan."
Silence.
For a few seconds—
the other side didn't reply.
Almost as if—
he was doubting Kai's identity.
Then—
Lucci's cold voice came again:
"I'm in Sarla City."
"In a tavern called Uncle Kaich's."
"How long will it take you to get here?"
"I'll say this in advance."
"I don't have time to sit here and wait for you."
"If you can't arrive in time—"
"I will proceed alone."
"Even without you—"
"I can complete the mission."
That last sentence—
was ice-sharp.
Full of confidence.
Full of… arrogance.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Give me one hour."
"I'll be there."
Then he hung up.
He stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
Rob Lucci.
The World Government's "once-in-eight-hundred-years" genius assassin?
He had to admit—
this guy…
really had an attitude.
Even through a Den Den Mushi, Kai could feel it—
that high-and-mighty, looking-downward tone.
Like:
I'm CP's genius.
You're just some Marine the HQ sent over to assist.
You are below me.
That tone—
made Kai's blood simmer.
Just a little.
For a moment…
a savage urge ran through him.
To grab that kid—
—and rip him to pieces.
He exhaled slowly.
"Hah…"
A faint red light flickered in his pupils—
then faded.
He forcibly pressed down the violence that tried to rise in his chest.
"Calm down."
"This guy was sent by the World Government."
"If I really beat him to death…"
"…that'd be a headache."
"Even the Marines would get dragged into it."
His expression slowly smoothed.
Then…
a faint, dangerous smile appeared.
"'Once-in-eight-hundred-years' genius, huh?"
"Alright then…"
"Let me see—"
"whether you deserve that title."
He put the Den Den Mushi away.
Then he walked toward Sarla City.
Time passed.
An hour later—
Kai arrived at the tavern called Uncle Kaich's.
The real meeting—
between the Marine's four-year-old monster…
…and the World Government's thirteen-year-old "genius"…
was finally about to begin.
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