The man dressed in black with round glasses, known as Klahadore, stood in the doorway with a stern expression.
"Who are these people?"
It was a reproach directed at Kaya, genuine anger, but it made sense. Bringing strangers into her room, one of whom was a man, no matter how it looked, was Kaya's mistake. However, she was confused.
Allen seemed to be protecting her from Klahadore.
'Why?'
Kaya couldn't fully understand the situation. What was the reason for the hostility between them? One thing was certain—Kaya had to make a decision.
Klahadore had worked for Kaya for three years. During that time, he had shown competence, responsibility, and concern for the sickly girl.
To Kaya, this man was someone she trusted, perhaps not to the level of Merry, her first butler who had practically raised her since she lost her parents, but Klahadore had earned her trust.
But on the other hand, there was Allen, her savior, the person who had practically shattered the golden cage she had lived in.
Still in Allen's arms, Kaya grabbed his shirt.
"Let's escape!"
Allen smiled, threw Nami over his shoulder, and jumped out the window with both girls.
Klahadore, surprised, looked out the window only to see the three of them running into the distance. That's right—the weak girl was running away at full speed.
"This is impossible!"
Klahadore thought about chasing them, but at that moment, a man rushed in. He had curly white hair and a pair of horns on his head. As his name implied, he had features resembling a sheep.
"What happened?! Where is Kaya-sama?!"
Merry was terribly worried. Upon hearing a window break, he had immediately feared the worst.
Klahadore adjusted his glasses with his palm, a strange habit he had where he avoided letting his fingers touch his face.
"She was kidnapped..."
"What?!"
....
At first, Kaya was frightened. She didn't know why she had done that. She didn't know why she had chosen to run away from Klahadore.
No, she didn't know.
It was his eyes—that look he had given her for a moment, completely different from the cordial smile he always wore. It was a cold gaze she didn't recognize.
"How much farther are we going to run?!" Nami said, panting.
"Nami, you need more cardio," Allen mocked with a grin.
"Shut up. You're a cheater who gets power through magic or something. How dare you criticize me?"
Allen felt offended by that comment.
"That's rude. Even before I had powers, I was quite athletic. Just look at this body sculpted by the gods."
"What a pain—hey, don't take off your shirt while running!" Nami covered her eyes, but she peeked through her fingers and blushed when she saw that he really was taking off his shirt. Did this guy have no common sense?!
"Hahaha!"
Kaya, watching the two of them, couldn't help but laugh.
Despite being in trouble, despite not knowing what would happen in the future, at this moment, with this pair, everything seemed so irrelevant.
"Kaya?" Nami looked at Kaya, who had her arms stretched out as she felt the wind against her skin.
"Nami-san... Allen-san... I'm running..."
Allen and Nami exchanged glances before smiling at each other.
"That's right!" Nami said.
"It's never too late to be a little rebellious, Kaya," Allen laughed with a teasing look.
"Hm!" Kaya nodded and began running faster. There was no longer fear that her body would break—only freedom!
[What about the consequences?]
"That's a problem for future Allen. Screw him!"
Nami and Kaya were speechless before bursting into laughter. Future Allen would surely curse present Allen.
....
The three arrived at a small lake surrounded by flowers and grass.
Exhausted, Kaya collapsed into the flowers. She was sweating, tired, thirsty, her throat hurt, and she could barely speak, but even with all that, the smile never left her face.
Allen sat beside her without a care, while Nami knelt, catching her breath.
"Allen-san... Nami-san..."
"What?" Allen turned to look at the girl while resting his elbow on his knee.
Kaya looked at him.
"Thank you."
"Don't worry about it," Allen said with a shameless grin. "Of course, if you want to swear loyalty to me as your king, I wouldn't mind."
"Don't ruin the moment," Nami growled, having finally caught her breath.
Allen frowned.
"What are you talking about? Accepting me as your king is the greatest honor in the world. How could that ruin the moment?!"
[Do you actually believe that? If so, you're beyond saving.]
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Your Majesty," Nami decided not to argue, but that only made Allen feel indignant.
Kaya laughed again, but soon her expression softened.
"I'm a little jealous of your relationship."
"Huh?!" Nami blushed as she slapped Allen on the shoulder. "Kaya, I don't know what you're thinking, but there is absolutely no kind of relationship between us!"
Allen pushed Nami's hand away and stood up. His expression became devastated, as if Nami's words had pierced his heart.
"How dare you deny it? I remember it like it was yesterday—you accepted being my companion while offering me your heart and loyalty at sunset. It was moving."
Kaya covered her mouth, blushing.
Nami turned red as a tomato.
"D-don't listen to him, Kaya! That never happened!"
Allen took a step back and crossed his arms.
"Tsk, she almost fell for it."
Nami was irritated. This guy was doing everything possible to make her accept being his permanent navigator, and the worst part was that he was very good at pushing people's buttons.
"I already told you, we're only together temporarily!" Nami huffed.
Allen shrugged, then extended his hand, grabbed Nami's chin, and his gaze lost its earlier immaturity, becoming serious and penetrating.
"I hope I can change that before you leave me. It would be painful to give you to someone else."
Steam practically shot from Nami's head, and Kaya nearly fainted. For a girl like her, this level of flirting was more than she could handle.
Allen laughed inwardly. Jokes aside, he had genuinely grown fond of Nami and hoped she would accompany him on his journey. However, he knew very well that Nami was bound to something—or someone—and as long as that existed, she would never accept.
"Nami... I..."
Allen's words were cut off. He smiled as the atmosphere around them turned cold and everything became coated in killing intent.
"That was fast..."
Allen placed Nami and Kaya behind him and, without hesitation, handed the Chest to Nami.
Kaya and Nami were confused, but soon they heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
"That's unfortunate..."
Kaya's eyes widened when she saw Klahadore walking toward them.
However, there was something she couldn't ignore—he was wearing gloves with blades on the fingers, like long claws.
"Klahadore?"
"No," Allen mocked. "I thought that sneaky cat smell was familiar, but only when I saw those claws did I recognize you. Isn't that right, Captain Kuro?!"
"Kuro?!" Nami stepped back, turning pale. Kaya looked at her desperately for answers.
"Kaya, this man is Kuro, captain of the Black Cat Pirates, a pirate with a bounty of 16 million. But he was supposedly defeated and killed years ago by Morgan the Axe-Hand!"
[He must have faked his death.]
"He must have faked his death, says Arci."
[Arci?!]
"Calling you Chest all the time feels weird. Don't you like it?"
[Mmm... well, we'll talk about that later.]
Nami interrupted Allen by grabbing his arm. She said nothing, but her concern was obvious.
"Don't worry," Allen said seriously. "Even if it doesn't seem like it, I'm someone who has survived many things."
Although Allen seemed eccentric and reckless, he was reliable in dangerous situations.
"How unfortunate..."
Kuro paid no attention to the fact that his identity had been exposed. This made Nami nervous as she hugged Arci tightly to her chest. She had no chance of surviving against a pirate with such a high bounty, so the Magic Chest was the only thing they could rely on.
"...!"
Nami's eyes widened as she looked at Arci. Without saying a word, she ran away with the Magic Chest, leaving Allen and Kaya behind.
"Your friend abandoned you, Miss Kaya. It's a harsh lesson, but one cannot trust this world," Kuro said mockingly.
"Yeah, like trusting a pirate pretending to be a butler," Allen mocked before showing absolute confidence—not in himself, but in Nami.
"Don't underestimate my Nami. She may be a thief and has been one for years, but my eyes don't deceive me. That girl is a thousand times better than someone like you! I believe in her as much as I believe in myself!"
Allen clenched his fist and faced Kuro.
Kaya, who had been on the verge of collapse from betrayal, strangely calmed down when she saw the confidence Allen placed in Nami. Gathering courage, she stepped forward.
"Klahadore, is it true?! Were you really a pirate?!"
"Yes."
Kuro no longer pretended.
Kaya stood firm before the truth and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Why?"
That was the key question—why?
If Kuro had been a former pirate captain, that alone wouldn't have mattered as much as his reason. After all, Kaya had already met two friendly thieves, and one had even become her savior.
"For your money," Kuro said, making Kaya feel weak and pale. "Three years. I spent all that time waiting for you to die from your illness, but when I realized that despite your frail condition, that wouldn't happen, I changed my plans..."
"Just a few more days. If only these brats hadn't appeared, I would have made my move. But now, not only is everything ruined, but you're even cured."
Kuro's gaze became disappointed and disdainful.
"Why didn't you die, Kaya-sama?"
Kaya nearly broke into tears, but Allen stepped in front of her.
"Don't listen to him, Kaya," Allen said seriously, staring ahead. "This world is full of people like him. Even the rulers of everything are similar—people who only see others for profit. But you're different. You're capable of shaking hands with someone like me. So don't worry, leave him to me."
Kaya's eyes widened as she looked at Allen's broad back.
"I won't let this guy touch a single hair on your head!"
"..." Kuro narrowed his eyes, his sword-like metal claws gleaming with murderous intent.
Kuro, also known as Kuro of a Hundred Plans, was rumored to be the second most capable strategist in East Blue.
This man was furious with Allen. His careful three-year plan had been ruined by a brat who thought he was the King of the World.
He would definitely kill him—not just him, but Kaya, Nami, and Merry as well—and take Kaya's fortune by force, as he should have done from the beginning.
"Do you think you're a hero?" Kuro said coldly.
"Hero?" Allen mocked. "No, I'm the future King of the World!"
Allen and Kuro vanished.
Kaya was stunned. The sounds of slashing attacks echoed around her, and suddenly claw marks appeared on the ground, tearing apart flowers everywhere.
Yet not a single attack reached her.
It was a battle of speed—one beyond human sight.
Several seconds passed before Kuro and Allen reappeared.
Kaya covered her mouth.
Allen was covered in cuts, while Kuro was completely unharmed.
"Allen!"
"I'm fine," Allen said, signaling her to stay back. "They're superficial. This guy's aim is garbage."
Kuro was offended. He possessed a technique called Stealth Foot, essentially like Rokushiki's Soru. However, when using it, he attacked allies, enemies, and his surroundings indiscriminately.
It was a flawed technique.
Unfortunately, Allen wasn't strong enough yet, so despite that flaw, he was still at a disadvantage.
"Even so, you're going to die!"
Kuro was secretly shocked. The young man before him could not only move at his speed, but also control his movements perfectly. If Allen had been just a little stronger, Kuro would have been defeated instantly.
'I have to kill him!'
As an intelligent man, Kuro would never allow variables to exist. To him, Allen was an error in the script that had to be eliminated for his plan to succeed.
Allen glanced over his shoulder at Kaya with a mischievous smile.
He said nothing, but she understood—he wanted her to run.
She didn't want to leave him.
She couldn't let him sacrifice himself for her.
"Allen-san!"
"I won't let you escape!" Kuro vanished once more.
Allen sighed. It would be risky, but he had to try.
He was going to let Kuro stab him with his claws, and once he had him trapped, he would deliver a Fist of Love.
The name sounded stupid, but the power of that Skill was no joke.
The world slowed down. Thanks to the enhancement of his senses, Allen was capable of seeing Kuro at that speed, but his body was not capable of keeping up.
At this moment, Allen was a glass cannon, but he didn't care, and his gaze filled with determination.
'I knew it! From the very beginning, I knew conquering this world wouldn't be easy! I know that the more I try to advance, the more enemies will appear, and they'll become stronger and stronger! However, this is the path I chose!'
Allen prepared himself. He had to ensure Kuro's claws wouldn't touch any vital organs. It was a risky gamble, but it was his only chance...
No, it wasn't.
Just before Kuro's claws pierced his chest, Allen felt a massive wave of energy surge through his body.
....
Moments earlier...
Nami ran desperately.
Arci believed the girl had kidnapped her once again, and honestly, it wasn't surprising. If her original owner died, she could form a contract with someone else. It made perfect sense for Nami to take advantage of this opportunity.
However, she quickly realized she was mistaken.
Nami was running at full speed, but she wasn't heading for the boat to escape the island.
She was running toward Kaya's mansion.
When she arrived, she kicked the door open. She knew she had no time, so she dropped the Chest onto the floor, and it expanded. Then she began throwing everything she saw inside. Having been a thief for years, she could identify the most valuable objects instantly.
She didn't hesitate for even a second.
The Chest immediately converted the value into copper coins and used them to raise Allen straight to level nine. The things Kaya had in her house were worth even more than that, but to reach level ten, a silver coin would be required.
....
"Soru..."
Allen dodged the fatal attack at the last moment, appeared behind a shocked Kuro, and struck him with his fist engulfed in flames.
He had become faster!
"Argh!"
Kuro was engulfed in fire and thrown across the ground. He screamed and launched himself toward the lake.
Kaya, who had witnessed that final moment, was stunned. For most people outside the Grand Line, what could be done in this world was like a fantasy—speed beyond human sight, the ability to create fire from one's hands.
It made no sense, yet at the same time, it was incredible to her eyes.
"I told you to trust me," Allen said with a confident grin, though he soon looked toward the distant direction of Kaya's mansion. "I knew I could trust her."
"How dare you?!"
Kuro emerged from the lake with a murderous expression. He had several burns on his body, but his rage seemed to surpass the pain.
"Tsk, I should've used my Fist of Love..."
Without memories beyond his life in this world, Allen had only recently obtained his powers. He wasn't exactly the best person to talk about combat experience, so naturally, he didn't always make the best battle decisions.
"Kaya, get back."
Kaya obeyed and ran far from the lake, hiding behind a tree.
"This is the end, Kuro. You were very unlucky to run into me~"
Kuro gritted his teeth. Just moments ago, he had clearly been winning, but suddenly Allen had become stronger and faster.
The man was highly intelligent, but the Chest's power was beyond what logic could explain, so he could never have imagined that letting Nami escape would become his downfall.
However, deep down, Allen was worried, because after reaching level nine, he had stopped leveling up.
'Did something happen to Nami?'
...
"Why aren't the treasures disappearing anymore?!"
Nami froze. The Chest couldn't speak directly to her, so Arci chose another method. She summoned the scroll, showing Nami the progress bar of the different coins.
Copper Coins: 4
Silver Coin: 40%
Gold Coin: 4%
"I see!"
Nami was quite intelligent and quickly understood that, for some reason, the lower-value coin was no longer enough to push Allen beyond level nine.
Nami ran through the house until she reached the second floor, where she found a man on the ground.
A butler was crawling across the floor, leaving behind a trail of blood.
"Hey, you're Merry, right?! Kaya needs your help! Where's the treasure?!"
Merry looked weakly at Nami. Her words made little sense. Under normal circumstances, he would never trust her, but given the situation, no one else could protect Kaya.
"It's in that painting... behind it... Please, help milady... I'll never be able to face her parents... if I let something happen to her..."
Nami paused before smiling.
"Don't worry. My captain is the strongest!"
....
Kaya was stunned.
Once again, both men disappeared, but only two seconds later, Kuro was sent flying, crashing through and breaking a tree.
"Ugh..."
Kuro clutched his stomach. He had been hit so hard that his organs felt like they were dying.
"They say love hurts. How do you like my Fist of Love?" Allen walked toward him mockingly.
Kuro knew this was bad. He couldn't defeat Allen.
However, there was a reason he was called the man of a hundred plans.
He immediately changed his objective and vanished.
His target was Kaya—he would take her hostage!
But!
"Gura Gura..."
"...!"
In an instant, Allen appeared beside him and struck his side, but something absurd happened.
The air shattered where his fist landed, as if it were glass.
"I told you, didn't I? I won't let you lay a finger on her!"
Kaya stared in disbelief and felt the ground tremble slightly.
Only for an instant, but that was enough to send chills down her spine.
'Why...?' Kuro coughed up blood.
He couldn't understand it.
This young man was constantly becoming stronger and stronger without any logical explanation. He had gone from being weaker than him to utterly overwhelming him.
Kuro's vision began to darken.
His organs had been destroyed from within. This was the terrifying power of the Gura Gura—the fruit of the strongest man in the world.
This was only a tiny fraction of its true power. But, it was already more than enough to destroy Kuro.
Kuro looked toward Kaya, who wore an expression of pity. A man who had given everything for gold and greed.
....
On another island, Luffy and Zoro laughed at a pirate with the appearance of a clown. The man had a red nose and blue hair.
"What's so funny?! Do you know who I am?! I am the great Captain Buggy!"
"Shut up, red nose! I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become King of the Pirates, and I'll kick your ass for doing this to these people!"
Luffy prepared to fight, cracking his fists.
Zoro drew his katanas.
Hidden not too far away was a girl silently observing them. She had blue hair and a cunning gaze.
"Did he say Monkey D. Luffy? Could he have something to do with the Marine Hero Garp?"
The girl looked stunned. She hadn't expected to find someone related to that legend here.
'Maybe I can use him to protect myself from Tesoro...'
Her name was Carina, a girl Nami would surely recognize instantly, because she was the treacherous bitch who had abandoned her in the past.
Just like Nami, she was a navigator and a thief.
====
A/N: Well, we've had our fun—now it's time to set everything on fire. 🗿
If you want to read more, there are up to ten chapters ahead on Patreon.
Patreon.com/_Aizen