Allen's plan to enter and leave Kaya's mansion quietly had failed.
If the butlers had discovered him, he had considered the possibility of knocking them out, but being discovered by a thin, slightly pale girl forced Allen to pretend to be a doctor.
Both Nami and Allen followed Kaya to her room, staying three steps behind.
"Are you stupid? Why would you lie about something like that?!" Nami whispered in panic.
"Well, it was either this or saying I was a messenger from heaven. Even I think that sounds a little stupid," Allen admitted.
"..." Nami pressed her lips together. She couldn't argue with that. Now they could only play along and look for a chance to escape.
Nami also never considered hurting Kaya.
"Don't worry, leave it to me," Allen whispered confidently.
[I have a bad feeling about this.]
A short while later, they arrived at Kaya's room.
Inside, the scent of medicine and books filled the air. It didn't seem like the room of a high-class young lady, but rather that of a student aspiring to become a doctor.
Kaya walked to her bed and sat down. "Before you examine me, how about you tell me a little about yourself, young genius doctor~"
Nami was nervous, but Allen stepped forward confidently.
....
(Half an hour later)
"Hahaha!" Kaya wiped tears from her eyes after laughing uncontrollably. "So Alvida, that Iron Mace Alvida, kidnapped you and tried to marry you?! Hahaha!"
"Well, that was the first time. The second time she kidnapped me, after I had fought the King of the Pirates until I lost consciousness, I think she wanted to turn me into some kind of sex slave."
[What a creative way to say you passed out from starvation.]
Allen sighed, ignoring the Cursed Chest's comment, while shaking his head sorrowfully.
"It was inevitable. Women across the world desire to kidnap me."
Kaya and Nami laughed. It was true he was handsome, but even if he were a Devil Fruit user, that inflated ego of his would probably make him float in the sea.
Kaya stopped laughing and looked at Allen with shining eyes. "Allen-san, you're a very funny person."
"Funny?" Allen gave her a tired look with a bead of sweat on his cheek. "Sister, have you seen Alvida? That woman was a female orc. How can you call my suffering funny?"
"Well, I'm sorry, but Allen-san is an incredible person."
"Of course I'm incredible," Allen said arrogantly.
Seeing Allen act that way, Kaya smiled kindly.
She was a kind girl, and no matter how funny the story was, the truth was that it must have been terrifying for Allen. However, Kaya knew he was intentionally making it sound amusing.
Nami observed this, and a slight pang of jealousy appeared in her chest, though she was also curious about Allen's past.
"Hey, Captain, you still haven't told me how you ended up in the East Blue."
Kaya turned to Nami in surprise.
"Allen-san isn't from the East Blue?"
Nami blinked and narrowed her eyes cunningly. "Well, Allen Walker isn't exactly a common East Blue name."
Nami, Kaya, Koby, Luffy, Zoro... something like Allen Walker simply didn't fit in this sea.
Allen gave them a mysterious smile. "As expected of my navigator, yes, that's right. I'm not from the East Blue."
"No way," Kaya gasped.
Nami had expected it, but hearing it directly from Allen still surprised her.
The world of One Piece was enormous, even larger than the Earth Allen once knew, but it was also a world that isolated its seas from one another. Crossing the Red Line was incredibly difficult—it was like a massive wall of rock and land cutting the world in half. On the other hand, the Grand Line was even worse. Despite being only an ocean, its perimeter was filled with enormous nests of creatures, some island-sized, known as Sea Kings. Crossing it was suicide.
"So where do you come from, Allen?" Kaya asked as she stood up and moved closer, invading his personal space.
A girl who had spent her whole life confined found Allen, an endless source of stories, utterly fascinating.
Unable to watch any longer, Nami coughed, making Kaya realize how inappropriate her actions were. She immediately blushed and stepped back.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Don't worry. It's only natural that anyone would want to be close to me," Allen said with a smug smile, making Nami want to punch him.
Kaya laughed softly before looking at him intensely. "Then Doctor Walker, can you tell me where the Future King of the World came from?"
Nami also turned to Allen. She had wondered the same thing herself, but she didn't think she had the right to ask. Everyone had secrets, and she herself hadn't told Allen much about her own past.
Allen smiled faintly as he closed his eyes, his voice becoming calmer, tinged with nostalgia.
"Very well, ladies. I shall tell you a little about my past. Just a little, since I want to maintain my mysterious image."
Nami rolled her eyes, while Kaya's sparkled with excitement.
"I remember it as if it were yesterday, though five years have passed. It all began on a small island in... another sea."
"I was a young, attractive boy beloved by everyone there, as is only natural due to my perfection."
– Mommy, why is that big brother posing in the park? –
– Don't look, sweetheart. Some people are just born wrong in the head. –
"I was always an honest person, which is why I earned the admiration of many."
– Brat, how dare you scam me?! –
– Shut up! Who's the idiot who believed a rock could cure erectile dysfunction?! You're the stupid one, admit it! –
"I was also a hardworking young man who knew that only those who strive can achieve their dreams."
– Bastard! You've been taking money from my wife! Get back here! –
– Huh?! She gave it to me willingly! She said when I grew up I'd be her sugar boy or something! How is that my fault?! –
"But in the end, my path was greatness. So, with pain in my soul, I bid farewell to those who loved me so dearly and sailed toward new lands to spread my glory and make the world a better place."
"I still remember how the whole town saw me off with tears in their eyes."
– I'll find you and rip your eyes out! –
– There's nowhere on Earth you can hide from me, Walker! –
– How dare you seduce my wife and daughter! –
– Give me back my money! Your baldness tonic didn't work at all! –
– Shameless bastard! –
– Son of a bitch! –
– Scoundrel! –
Allen nearly shed a tear as he recalled his homeland with a warm smile.
"They were all good people. When I become King of the World, I shall return and allow them to bask in my glory once more."
Nami and Kaya wore awkward expressions. For some reason, they imagined the exact opposite of what Allen described—a furious mob with torches and pitchforks chasing him to the sea.
[What a son of a bitch you are.]
Allen shrugged. "Well, I admit that sometimes people simply fail to understand my magnificence and end up angry with me. It's a mystery."
Lie. This bastard was fully aware people tended to hate him, but he was so shameless that he simply didn't care.
Nami was beginning to regret following Allen. This man was a magnet for trouble, and sooner or later, he would probably anger someone terrifying and drag her right into the middle of it.
"Kaya, I'm curious. Earlier, you mentioned you had a friend who tells you stories."
Kaya tilted her head before giggling.
"That's right. His name is Usopp. He's very kind, though he's a compulsive liar."
"Usopp..." Nami grew nervous. Wasn't that the same guy Allen had knocked unconscious with one punch when they arrived?
Nami quickly signaled Allen not to say anything stupid that would get them into trouble.
"He sounds like an interesting guy," Allen said with little actual interest.
Nami stared in disbelief. 'Don't tell me this idiot completely forgot about Usopp?!'
[This guy erased him from his memory entirely!]
"Yes, but in the end, they're all made-up stories. They're different from real ones," Kaya said. There was kindness in her voice, but also something else—melancholy and sadness.
Allen remained silent before stepping closer to Kaya.
"No. Stories are stories. Of course, tales involving me will one day become legends and sacred texts, but they are still stories. Only by living adventures yourself will you stop longing for them."
Kaya's eyes widened. She couldn't believe Allen had seen right through her so easily. It was true—she didn't just want to hear stories. She wanted to live them. But she couldn't.
"Thank you for making my day so fun," Kaya said with a kind smile as she stood up. When she reached the bedroom door, her expression became serious. "Nami-san, Allen-san, it's best if you leave quickly. Merry and Klahadore will be arriving soon."
Kaya wasn't dumb.
Nami sighed. "Since when?"
Kaya smiled and winked. "Since the beginning~"
Nami smiled as well. "I guess my skills have gotten rusty~"
"No, no. Honestly, it was just a coincidence that I discovered you. Otherwise, I never would've realized you had entered at all."
The two girls seemed like old friends.
However, Allen had remained silent.
"What are you doing? We need to go," Nami said, turning to Allen. But when she did, she was surprised to see him wearing a serious expression and a piercing gaze, something she had only seen when he faced Helmeppo and Morgan.
"Kaya... It's true, I'm not a doctor."
"I know," Kaya kept smiling. "But don't worry, I'm glad I was able to hear about your adventures. If it's not too much trouble, in the future, could you come back and tell me more?"
"..." Allen remained silent.
"Hehe, that's true, by then you'll already be King of the World. I suppose you'll be very busy." Kaya lowered her head.
She was fragile, so fragile that for her, going out into the world was only a dream. She wore a fake smile, telling herself that she was fine being a spectator, but it was a lie.
"No..."
"Huh?"
"I won't tell you about my adventures"
"Allen!" Nami knew Allen's goal was the Grand Line, a sea full of dangers. It was likely he would never return to the East Blue, but wasn't it better to tell a small lie?!
'This guy is shameless all the time, so why is he choosing to be honest now?!'
Kaya wasn't upset. If anything, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you very much. Merry, Klahadore, and even Usopp often treat me like I'm made of glass."
Kaya's smile became gentler, but her posture also slouched.
"I'm not a child. I know the world isn't fair, and living a comfortable life where worries never enter through the door is a luxury... so I'm fine like this. I hope I can hear about your adventures in the newspaper and..."
"Idiot!" Allen scolded her, leaving Kaya stunned.
It was the first time Nami had ever seen Allen angry.
"I didn't mean that I don't want you to hear my stories. Even if I reached the throne, it would be nothing for me to come back here whenever I wanted! If I'm the King of the World, why would I need permission to visit a friend?!"
"..."
"However, that's not what this is about, is it?"
"You're lying... and you're lying to yourself. You want to travel. You want to see the world with your own eyes, not read newspapers about other people's adventures."
"That's cruel," Kaya said with a weak smile.
"Allen!" Nami tried to stop him.
Even if it was true and Kaya was hiding her feelings, what was the point of making her confess? It wouldn't change her situation, it would only make her more miserable. It would just make them feel worse for leaving her behind. There was no point.
Allen gave Nami a stern look to keep her from interfering and turned to Kaya.
"That's right, I'm a bad person. I have no problem breaking into a rich girl's house and stealing, but... I'm also a benevolent king, and because of that, I've decided to give you my blessing... and my help."
"Are you really a doctor?" Kaya asked, confused.
"No!"
Nami smacked her forehead.
"But believe in me!" Allen extended his hand and smiled. In his gaze, there was only sincerity, absolute confidence, and determination. "I won't save the world, but I will save my people, because that's what a king does!"
The Magic Chest, which had remained silent until now, was just as stunned as both girls. This shameless guy, who didn't seem trustworthy at all.
Kaya didn't know how to respond. She had been treated by many famous doctors all across the East Blue, and all of them had concluded that her condition was incurable.
Now this young man appeared. Aside from being handsome, he had no characteristic that should inspire confidence in Kaya.
She was about to refuse, yet before her mind could act, her hand had already extended toward him, confusing even herself.
"See?" Allen mocked. "Deep down, you still haven't given up..."
Kaya pressed her lips together and began to cry quietly. Was it true? Had she only been deceiving herself all this time? But even if that were true...
"Believe in me!" Allen shouted.
Kaya lost her ability to think, stunned by Allen's gaze.
There was no logical reason to believe in Allen's words. This guy she had just met... a pirate? A thief? What could Allen possibly do?
And yet, Kaya took his hand...
Allen gave her a half-smile. "I won't let you down..."
"Chest, use two coins on strength, but allow the vitality to transfer to Kaya..."
[Huh?! Are you insane?! My power only works on you!]
"I know that. Skills are something strange, but when I increase a level in 'strength,' it feels like warm energy flowing through my body before strengthening me. Just let that energy transfer to Kaya."
Kaya turned to Nami, but she was also confused. She didn't fully understand how the Magic Chest's powers worked, but she knew only Allen was its owner. Was it really possible for others to become stronger too?
[This is madness. Originally, it's thanks to our connection that you can easily acquire powers and strength. For an outsider, I would be incapable of helping them assimilate that power. I could even kill her.]
Allen remained silent. He was optimistic when it came to himself, confident he could overcome any trial, but with Kaya, he had to be careful.
"Kaya, I have a way to heal your body. However, it carries some risk... so tell me what you think."
Kaya's eyes widened before she smiled and raised the hand holding Allen's. She had made her decision the moment she took his hand.
"Do it..."
[Don't blame me if something happens.]
Nami had given Allen four million berries, equivalent to four copper coins. He used one on his boat and one more on strength, reaching level 4. With the increase in vitality, agility, strength, and endurance, Allen became capable of using Soru three times before exhausting himself. He had saved the other two coins for emergencies.
But one thing was certain: Allen didn't want more abilities, because the Fist of Love, Soru, and Hiken all left him drained.
At first, Allen believed the Chest would make him infinitely powerful as long as he had enough money, but he was wrong. The Chest allowed him to improve his skills, but doing so also increased the burden of using them. The Chest had warned him that if using Soru already exhausted him, one upgrade would render him unconscious, and another could kill him.
– His Skills needed balance with his level.
"Good thing I wasn't reckless," Allen smiled kindly.
This made Kaya blush, and even Nami looked away. In a certain sense, she preferred Allen acting like a shameless egotist, or else he would become dangerous to her health.
Kaya felt her hands begin to sweat, but before she could die of embarrassment, a warm current entered her body. At first, it was pleasant, but soon her entire body began to burn.
"Ugh... uh...
"Kaya!" Nami panicked. "Allen, you need to stop—"
"Be quiet for a moment!" Allen said, sweat covering his forehead, and it seemed that, like Kaya, he wasn't having an easy time either.
For Allen, it was an unpleasant sensation, as if death itself were trying to rip away his life. However, he didn't give up because it was working.
Kaya's pale skin became slightly rosy. Her thin body began to gain vitality, especially in her chest area, which had already been large. Her hair became shinier, her once-tired eyes began reflecting health, and finally, she even grew a couple of centimeters taller.
Allen stopped and took a step back.
"Are you okay?" Nami supported Allen, which he appreciated, though it wasn't necessary as he quickly steadied himself.
[A level was lost in the process... but it worked!]
"What did you expect from my genius?" Allen laughed as he looked at the stunned Kaya, who stared at her hands in disbelief.
It had only been one level, and doing so had pushed Allen to exhaustion, but as a result, Kaya had recovered.
One level would bring an ordinary person to the peak of human strength, or close to it. For Kaya, it had only brought her to the condition of a normal person, but that was enough.
"I... I..."
Kaya didn't know what to say. She could feel it. She was no longer tired just from standing. The sunlight entering through the window no longer bothered her. She could even breathe deeply without pain in her chest. She was cured, completely.
"Congratulations," Allen said with a smile. "Now you can create your own stories."
Kaya jumped toward Allen and hugged him, catching him by surprise.
"T-hank you!"
"You're welcome..."
Allen held the girl as she cried against his chest.
"..." Nami wiped away a tear.
[It seems everything turned out very well.]
....
"Miss Kaya... who are your guests?"
A voice interrupted the touching moment.
"...!" Allen's eyes widened as he sensed killing intent from his back. When he turned around, he saw a man dressed as a scholarly butler. However, his cold eyes told a different story—this man had killed many people.
"Kaya, who is he?" Allen asked with a hostile smile, ready to fight to the death.
"He's Klahadore, my butler."
Allen's smile widened as he protectively embraced Kaya.
"You truly are an unfortunate girl... but don't worry, I'm here."
Kaya blushed once again. She didn't understand Allen's actions. Why would her savior act so hostile toward even her butler?
Klahadore observed Allen but quickly ignored him. However, when he looked at Kaya, his eyes showed surprise. The once-sickly girl was overflowing with vitality. That was impossible.
'That cannot be allowed.'
A cruel glint flashed through Klahadore's eyes.
====