"..."
The two navy soldiers looked at Kyle, who was whispering closely beside them, with strange expressions in their eyes.
You're already practically pressed against us, and you say it's not close!?
However, feeling the weight in their pockets, they exchanged a glance and then straightened their expressions:
"Ahem... Helping those in need is part of our duty!"
"Just wait at that café over there. We'll be back shortly."
One of the marines pointed to a shop on the street that didn't have many customers.
"Alright."
Kyle responded with a smile.
"I'll be counting on you two."
"I'll be counting on you two."
Watching the marines walk away toward the navy base, Kyle couldn't help but grin.
The plan was going so smoothly that he started doubting himself.
"Is the navy in Loguetown just that easy to trick…?"
"Or maybe I was born for this kind of thing!?"
Although Tashigi wasn't exactly a major figure, for her to be lured out by a stranger this easily seemed shockingly careless.
Looks like…
While the powerful Smoker had brought lasting peace to Loguetown, he had also dulled his subordinates' sense for danger and the unexpected.
"Hmm... I should probably include this in my report. I'll bring it up to Fleet Admiral Sengoku later, use it to criticize Smoker a little, and suggest improving alertness among frontline marines."
"That would count as a contribution to the navy!"
Even while pulling tricks, Kyle hadn't forgotten his identity as a navy spy.
He had benefited plenty from the navy—he couldn't help but do a few things for them.
Even someone like Kyle would feel a pang of guilt otherwise.
And conveniently…
He was about to ask Sengoku for a favor.
So this would serve as the perfect excuse!
Time passed bit by bit.
While waiting, Kyle sat on a plush sofa, sipping a heart-shaped coffee lovingly made by a beautiful waitress.
Just then, from down the street, a figure came running.
It was a short-haired girl in a plaid shirt and tight jeans.
Though plainly dressed—like a girl who had just arrived in town from the countryside—her sharp presence and slightly chubby cheeks created a unique kind of cuteness that made people want to keep looking at her.
This brave and charming girl was exactly the person Kyle had been waiting for: Tashigi!
For someone obsessed with fine swords, a quality-grade blade was as irresistible as Hashimoto to a lolicon or Enmi to a uniform enthusiast…
Completely irresistible!
Upon learning that someone was selling a fine sword, she had ditched the marine messenger and sprinted here at top speed.
She pushed the café door open with a bang.
The wind chimes clinked, creating a pleasant sound that didn't disturb the café's calm, but instead made the atmosphere feel even cozier.
"Welcome~"
The waitress looked up with a smile at the sound of the chime.
But when she saw who had come in, she paused in surprise and then let out a cheerful exclamation:
"Oh! Officer Tashigi!"
"Hello."
Although her eyes gleamed with urgency, Tashigi still maintained her manners.
"I'm here to meet someone!"
She explained briefly, waving to show the waitress she didn't need to be served.
Then she scanned the café and raised her voice:
"I heard someone here is selling a fine-grade sword. May I ask who it is?"
"That would be me!"
From a corner of the café, Kyle calmly raised his hand, a faint smirk on his lips.
The fish has bitten!
He called out to Tashigi:
"Over here~!"
"Can't believe the sword expert those two navy guys mentioned was actually Miss Tashigi."
"Huh? You know me!?"
Tashigi looked over curiously.
When she saw the sword on Kyle's back, her clear eyes lit up with excitement.
She rushed over, almost tripping.
"May I take a look at the sword behind you?"
She asked in a soft, eager voice, almost as if she couldn't believe it.
At the same time, she began examining the boy in front of her more closely.
Messy black hair, sharply defined features.
His white shirt collar was open, paired with a beige jacket.
It perfectly framed his strong physique while giving him a gentlemanly air of reserve.
But for some reason…
This seemingly refined man gave Tashigi an odd feeling.
As if… he had some kind of ulterior motive.
Maybe I'm just imagining it, she thought.
Kyle, meanwhile, responded with a smile:
"Of course."
"I wouldn't have asked them to bring you here otherwise."
As he spoke, he unfastened the fine sword at his waist and placed it on the table.
In an instant—
Tashigi's gaze left Kyle and locked onto the blade, completely absorbed.
Her big eyes sparkled with the light of fulfilled desire.
Coincidentally…
As Tashigi looked away, Kyle's own eyes lit up with a sparkle no less intense than hers!
During his time operating in Loguetown, Kyle discovered that his system had a very human feature…
Even if someone wasn't his crew member, he could still see their character card and their compatibility level with him.
After discovering this function, he had tested many people's compatibility with Rukia's character card.
And from this, he uncovered another system rule:
Even digital character cards had gender settings.
Like his current Rukia card…
It had zero compatibility with all males.
And even among females, high compatibility was rare.
So far, the highest he'd seen was only 20%.
This had made Kyle nervous, worried that high compatibility wasn't as easy as he'd hoped.
So the moment Tashigi approached, he opened the system and tested her compatibility.
Fortunately…
The results made him very satisfied.
He could finally relax.
[Compatibility: 80%]
"Eighty!!!"
Seeing the result, Kyle's eyes gleamed wildly.
His heart thumped with excitement.
"My first crew member is finally here!"
It was the first time Kyle had ever wanted a woman this badly.
The beginning is always the hardest!
Even if the game system was a little weird, Kyle believed its core was still about collecting characters and developing companions.
That was the eternal truth of card-based games!
The captain skills and dock system might be power sources—but they were not the core.
To Kyle, companions recognized by the system were his most vital support!
And now, a real-life Tashigi who could sync with the Rukia card was standing right in front of him…
Kyle was already plotting how to "recruit" her!
But since Tashigi was not weaker—and maybe even stronger—than he was…
Kyle stayed calm and continued acting natural, admiring the sword with her.
Clang~!
The blade swiftly left its sheath.
A cold gleam shimmered, exuding a frosty aura.
Tashigi's eyes grew entranced, almost lost in the moment.
"Beautiful!"
"What a stunning blade~!"
She adorably adjusted her glasses, then pulled out a small notebook and began flipping through it.
In it were all the sword records she had copied from the naval library.
Before long, she found the page she was looking for.
I'd be happy to hear your opinions on this FanFic!