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One Piece World
"The last time I was here was... the last time!"
A squad leader, transferred from the Academy Security Force to the Covert Operations Unit, looked down at Wano Country and spoke with a sigh, uttering complete nonsense.
"You've been here before? This used to be Kaido's territory. Did your group cause Kaido's first disappearance?"
Katakuri looked at his companion in surprise.
"That's right. Back then I was still in the Academy Security Force, protecting children on their internship. This place was a randomly chosen location."
"The moment we landed, we were surrounded. They said outsiders weren't allowed in."
"And after that?"
Katakuri had only heard half the story and couldn't help pushing for the rest. The squad leader was still lost in the memory.
"After that, naturally, we weren't having it. The internship plan was personally formulated by the Chairwoman. If we'd botched it, we'd never have heard the end of it."
"And our Chief Commander was leading the team personally. He wiped out all of them on the spot."
"Then exactly what Kaito-sama had warned us about happened."
"Which was?"
The squad leader curled his lips.
"When the young ones get beaten, the old ones show up."
"Hahaha, I see."
The squad leader turned back to Katakuri.
"Alright, time to get to work. Let's go find the guy Kaito-sama personally named for elimination and see what's so special about him."
Katakuri pulled a photo from his pocket. It showed a slightly lewd-looking child in a kimono.
"This must be him. Momonosuke."
The squad leader glanced at it and nodded.
"That's right. Let's move. Finish him quickly, and deal with Wano Country while we're at it. We helped them get rid of the Beast Pirates and they can't even be grateful. Openly refusing the integration order — simply lawless."
With that, the squad leader took Katakuri and flew down.
"If I hadn't suddenly received that report about Wano Country acting up, I'd have almost forgotten about you."
"As the saying goes, the Pirate King can be ignored, but Momonosuke must die. Let's see how this plays out."
At that moment, in the Supernatural Research Department, Kaito was sipping green tea and muttering to himself.
Rimuru heard him and her eyes lit up. She leaned in close, voice low and eager.
"Kai-chan, did you send someone to kill Momonosuke?"
Kaito's smile turned smug.
"That's right. Wano Country refused the integration order, and Kagaya sent me a routine report. You know I don't usually read those, but I happened to catch the words 'Wano Country.'"
"And I immediately thought of that damned brat — well, that adult disguised as a brat."
"Hehe, well done, Kai-chan! I've been annoyed by him ever since I watched the anime!"
Rimuru said with a deeply resentful expression.
Rias watched the two of them whispering and shook her head helplessly. She wasn't sure why, but lately Kaito had taken to spending his free time here. When asked, he'd only say that heavenly secrets couldn't be revealed.
Nearby, Koneko was working through Sakuya's desserts with a deeply satisfied expression, her cat ears twitching contentedly.
The sight gave Kaito an irresistible urge. But before he could act on it, Rimuru had already darted in front of Koneko and was cheerfully squishing her soft cheeks.
"Wuwuwu! Sister Rimuru, let me go! President, save me!"
"Hehe, you've eaten Sakuya's desserts, so you're one of us now. What's wrong with a little pat? Mmm, mmm, mmm, too cute!"
Kaito stared.
"Rimuru, you snuck ahead! I want to touch too!"
He appeared in front of Koneko in an instant — and was immediately met with a heavy punch square to the face.
"Kaito-sensei, pervert!"
Kaito rolled across the floor, clutching his completely unharmed nose, and looked up at Koneko with a wounded expression.
"Why can Rimuru touch you but I can't? That's differential treatment, Koneko! No more of Sakuya's desserts for you!"
Akeno watched him threaten Koneko like a child mid-argument, and her smile grew steadily more genuine.
Koneko's face immediately fell into visible conflict. She looked at Kaito. She looked at the desserts. She closed her eyes, steeled herself, lifted her chin, and declared:
"Kaito-sensei... you can touch me. But you have to give me Sister Sakuya's desserts."
Kaito stared at her for a long moment, then collapsed onto the floor laughing.
"Hahaha! Koneko-chan, you're incredible! Rias, you'd better watch this one — I might abduct her with desserts!"
Rias and the others burst out laughing too. Even Koneko's serious expression couldn't hold.
"Hehe, if you can manage it, that's your skill, Kaito-sensei. Koneko is family, and I respect her choices."
Rias picked up a dessert, took a bite, and looked at Kaito with an envious expression.
"Though honestly, Miss Sakuya's desserts really are something else. I completely understand why Koneko couldn't resist."
She glanced over at Sakuya, who was quietly preparing black tea nearby. Rias had never seen a maid quite like her — practically omnipotent, and carrying herself with an elegance that was difficult to place. Even Grayfia, who had given up her Devil King status to serve as a maid out of gratitude, was slightly her inferior.
(The author made a change here — Grayfia became a maid out of gratitude, not as Rias's brother's Queen. As for the Reason, those who know, know.)
"Hehe, Miss Rias, you flatter me. They're just simple desserts."
Izayoi Sakuya replied without missing a beat, her hands never pausing in their work.
"Miss Sakuya is truly humble. Though I am a little curious — why would someone like you become..."
But before Rias could finish, something made her expression go cold. A fiery red magic circle blazed to life in the center of the room, and accompanied by scorching flames, a flashy blonde figure stepped through.
"It's been so long since I've visited the human world! I've come to see you, my lovely Rias..."