The Queen's Grace sailed into the peaceful waters surrounding Shells Town, its hull gliding effortlessly as the rising sun painted the sea in gold.
For most ships, Shells Town was simply a supply point—a quiet place before braving the harsher routes of the East Blue.
But for Kaito, this place held weight.
In the original story, this was the first step in Luffy's great adventure.
The place where the swordsman Roronoa Zoro would join the Straw Hats.
The place where destinies began to take shape.
And now, Kaito would step into that same story—not to disrupt it, but to sail his own course beside it.
His path would touch theirs, but never steal from them.
That was his resolve.
"Land ahead," Nojiko called from the bow, her voice steady.
Kaito adjusted the sails. "Let's dock quietly. We're here for supplies and to stretch our legs."
Kuina, perched on the mast, grinned. "And maybe to see some familiar faces?"
Kaito didn't deny it.
Though he had no intention of interfering, he was curious.
How far had Luffy's crew come by now? Had they already recruited Zoro? Would he get to see that iconic moment unfold?
There was a quiet thrill in knowing that their stories would cross—naturally, inevitably.
The port of Shells Town was calm, the bustling markets echoing with the clatter of merchants and the chatter of dockworkers.
The Queen's Grace docked in an unobtrusive corner, drawing little attention.
Kaito's crew disembarked, moving in pairs to avoid suspicion.
Carmen was the first to disappear into the food markets, hunting for rare ingredients.
Nojiko and Kaya ventured toward the town square, one seeking navigational tools, the other gathering medical supplies.
Kaito and Kuina, meanwhile, moved toward the Marine base at the heart of the town—not to pick a fight, but to quietly observe.
According to the system's timeline, today was significant.
It was the day Luffy and Zoro would meet.
And as Kaito and Kuina wandered the outskirts of the Marine base, they caught sight of it—the tall wooden cross in the courtyard, where Zoro was bound, defiant and unbroken.
"It's really him," Kuina murmured, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "The demon swordsman."
Zoro's head was lowered, but the weight of his presence was undeniable.
Even now, half-starved and sun-scorched, he exuded raw strength.
Kaito felt a pulse of excitement.
Not envy.
Not rivalry.
Just genuine curiosity.
How would their paths cross?
Would they fight as friends, rivals, or simply distant shadows sailing the same sea?
For now, he chose distance.
They left the Marine base quietly, blending into the crowd, content to let the original story play out.
In the markets, Carmen successfully haggled for exotic spices, her fiery personality winning over stubborn vendors.
Kaya purchased fresh herbs, her confidence growing as she navigated through bustling stalls.
Nojiko, examining navigation charts, struck up a brief conversation with a tall boy in a straw hat.
Kaito watched the exchange from a distance.
Luffy.
The future captain of the Straw Hats. His boundless energy, his easy grin—just as the stories described.
Their eyes briefly met across the crowd.
For a heartbeat, Kaito wondered—did Luffy sense something?
But the moment passed.
Luffy simply waved, cheerful and oblivious, before running off toward the Marine base.
Kaito smiled faintly.
Good.
The story would continue as it should.
They gathered later at a quiet tavern to share their finds.
"I saw Luffy," Nojiko said as they sat around a small table. "He's exactly like you described. Carefree. Strange, but… kind."
Kaito nodded. "He's starting his journey now."
Kuina leaned back in her chair. "You're really just going to watch him?"
"We'll meet properly when the time is right," Kaito said. "I don't want to interfere."
Carmen smirked. "You're too soft. If I see a good fight, I won't hold back."
Kaya sipped her tea, her voice soft but firm. "Our journey is different. That's what makes it worth sailing."
The quiet understanding settled over them.
They weren't here to outshine the Straw Hats.
They were here to live their own story.
The next day, Kaito's crew restocked supplies and prepared to set sail.
As they loaded the last crates, Kaito's system chimed.
[Timeline Progress: Luffy and Zoro have departed Shells Town.]
[Key Event: Straw Hat Crew Formation Confirmed.]
[System Notice: Your journey continues independently.]
Kaito looked out at the open sea, where the Going Merry would soon be cutting through the waves, beginning its legendary voyage.
"We sail next?" Nojiko asked, tightening a rope.
"To Orange Town," Kaito said, recalling the timeline. "If we keep this course, we'll see them again."
Kuina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I look forward to it."
Carmen leaned against the railing, spinning a small knife in her fingers. "Let's see if their cook can rival me."
Kaya smiled as she packed the last of the medical supplies. "Wherever we go, I'll be ready."
As the Queen's Grace pushed off from the dock, Kaito felt a deep sense of contentment.
Their ship moved not in the shadow of Luffy's story, but alongside it.
And sometimes, arriving late was just fine.
It gave them space to grow, to sail freely, to make their own mistakes.
The days that followed were filled with steady training and smooth sailing.
Kaito and Kuina sparred daily, their blades clashing in rhythms that became increasingly complex.
Nojiko's navigation became sharper, her ability to read the sea and the skies refining with each passing day.
Carmen experimented in the galley, creating new recipes that made every evening meal a celebration.
Kaya grew more confident, her medical skills solidifying, her hands steady even when patching minor injuries during rough sailing.
But the real growth wasn't just in their skills—it was in their bond.
They laughed more.
They argued without fear of breaking.
They celebrated each tiny success together.
They became a family.
One evening, as the sun set behind them, Kuina approached Kaito as he leaned over the ship's railing.
"You really won't try to fight Luffy directly?"
Kaito shook his head. "I don't need to. Our rivalry isn't about titles or winning. It's about sailing forward, seeing who we become."
Kuina's gaze softened. "I like this. Sailing like this. No grand destiny. Just… us."
Kaito smiled. "Just us."
The wind carried them onward, toward Orange Town, where the Straw Hats would next make their mark.
Their paths would cross again.
But for now, Kaito's crew sailed under their own flag, guided by their own dreams.
They didn't chase treasure.
They didn't seek thrones.
They chased the sea, the laughter, the quiet nights under the stars.
Their story—one that unfolded not in competition, but in companionship with the world around them—was only beginning.
And Kaito wouldn't have it any other way.