Their small boat made good time toward Shells Town, where Koby hoped to join the Marines. Kai used the journey to observe his new captain more closely, his analytical mind cataloging every detail.
Luffy's Devil Fruit abilities were remarkable—complete rubberization of his body structure, apparently without losing consciousness or mobility. The biomechanical implications alone were staggering. But what impressed Kai more was Luffy's character. The boy possessed an emotional intelligence that seemed almost supernatural, reading people's true intentions with startling accuracy.
"Hey Kai," Luffy said as they approached the harbor, "you're really smart, aren't you?"
"I've had good teachers," Kai replied carefully.
"Cool! I'm not very smart with book stuff, but I'm good at other things. We'll make a great team!"
The simple acceptance in Luffy's voice almost undid Kai's carefully maintained emotional control. When was the last time someone had valued his intelligence as an asset rather than a threat?
At Shells Town's marine base, they learned about the bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro, tied to a post in the execution yard. The local Marine Captain, Morgan, had been terrorizing the town with his brutal rule.
"He's been there for days without food," a little girl whispered to them. "Captain Morgan said he'll let him go if he can survive a month, but..."
"But Morgan never intended to honor the deal," Kai finished, his analytical mind immediately grasping the situation. "It's a public execution disguised as a test of endurance. Psychological warfare to maintain control over the populace."
Luffy's expression darkened—the first time Kai had seen him truly angry. "That's not right."
They made their way to the execution yard, where Zoro hung limply against his bonds. Even weakened by days without food, the swordsman radiated an aura of deadly competence that made Kai's scientific curiosity spike.
"You two should leave," Zoro growled without opening his eyes. "This isn't your business."
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be King of the Pirates," Luffy announced. "Join my crew!"
Zoro's eyes snapped open. "A pirate? No thanks. I have my own goals."
"What goals?" Kai asked, genuinely curious.
"I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsman."
The absolute certainty in Zoro's voice reminded Kai of Luffy's declaration about becoming Pirate King. These weren't idle boasts—they were statements of destiny from people who had never considered the possibility of failure.
"That's awesome!" Luffy exclaimed. "A pirate crew needs great fighters!"
"I already said no," Zoro replied firmly.
It was then that the little girl from earlier—Rika, Kai learned—came running up with rice balls, only to have them knocked away by Captain Morgan's son, Helmeppo. The spoiled marine lieutenant made the mistake of revealing that his father planned to execute Zoro regardless of the deal.
Kai watched Luffy's face as this information sank in. The cheerful expression never changed, but something shifted in the atmosphere around him—a subtle but unmistakable aura of menace that made even Kai's enhanced perception take notice.
"Kai," Luffy said quietly, "can you get Zoro's swords? I'm going to have a talk with this Morgan guy."
"They're in the marine base," Kai replied, his mind already mapping the building's layout from their earlier reconnaissance. "Second floor, likely in the commanding officer's quarters or a secure armory." "Can you get them?"
Kai considered the question. The base's security was laughable by any real standard—local marines with predictable patrol patterns and outdated equipment. "Give me ten minutes."
What followed was a masterclass in applied stealth and engineering. Kai had studied the base's construction during their approach, noting weak points in the architecture and blind spots in the guard rotations. His enhanced physical conditioning, hidden beneath his scholarly appearance, allowed him to scale walls and move through shadows with remarkable efficiency.
The real challenge wasn't getting in—it was resisting the urge to examine the marine's technological assets. Their Den Den Mushi communication system was at least two generations behind current World Government standards, and their weapons maintenance protocols were criminally inadequate.
He found Zoro's swords in Morgan's personal quarters, along with several documents that his photographic memory automatically cataloged. Information about marine patrol routes, supply shipments, and—most interesting—correspondence about a "Devil Fruit research facility" somewhere in the Grand Line.
By the time Kai returned with the three swords, Luffy had already made his position clear to both Zoro and the gathered marines. The choice was simple: join his crew willingly, or watch him tear apart the corrupt marine base to free Zoro anyway.
"Here," Kai said, offering the swords to Zoro. "Wado Ichimonji, Sandai Kitetsu, and Yubashiri, if I'm identifying them correctly."
Zoro's eyes widened slightly. "You know swords?"
"I know metallurgy, weapon dynamics, and historical craftsmanship. Your blades represent three distinct forging traditions, each with unique carbon structures optimized for different combat applications."
"Huh," Zoro grunted, but Kai caught the flash of respect in his eyes. "You're not just some bookworm, are you?"
Before Kai could answer, Captain Morgan himself appeared with a squad of marines. The man was even more grotesque up close—his jaw replaced with a steel prosthetic, his entire demeanor radiating the kind of petty tyranny that made Kai's stomach turn.
"So," Morgan sneered, "some upstart brats think they can defy me in my own base?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," their captain replied with his usual straightforward honesty. "And yeah, I guess I do."
The battle that followed was educational. Kai had read about Devil Fruit combat applications, but seeing Luffy in action provided invaluable data. The rubber body wasn't just defensive—it was a complete reimagining of human kinetics. Elastic potential energy storage, momentum amplification through controlled deformation, immunity to blunt force trauma—it was like watching theoretical physics made manifest.
But what truly impressed Kai was the strategy behind Luffy's seemingly reckless fighting style. Every move had purpose, every attack was calculated for maximum psychological as well as physical impact. This wasn't just a brawl—it was surgical dismantling of an opponent's will to fight.
When Captain Morgan lay defeated in the rubble of his own statue, Kai realized he was witnessing something historically significant. This wasn't just a prison break or a local uprising. This was the birth of something that would shake the world to its foundations.
"So," Zoro said, adjusting his bandana as he sheathed his swords, "I guess I owe you one, Captain."
"We're crew now!" Luffy replied happily. "No debts between nakama!"
Nakama. The word hit Kai with unexpected force. Comrades. Family by choice rather than blood. It was a concept he'd read about but never experienced.
As they prepared to leave Shells Town with a proper ship—"borrowed" from the marine base—Kai found himself thinking about his future for the first time in years. He'd spent so long focused on survival that he'd forgotten what it felt like to plan beyond the next day.
"Hey Kai," Luffy said as they set sail, "you're really smart, right? Like, book smart and everything?"
"I suppose you could say that."
"Good! Every Pirate King needs a smart crew member to help figure stuff out!"
Zoro snorted. "Don't let it go to your head, scholar. Being smart doesn't make you a fighter."
Kai adjusted his glasses, a small smile playing at his lips. "Perhaps not. But intelligence properly applied can be more dangerous than any sword."
Something in his tone made Zoro look at him more carefully. "Yeah? We'll see about that."
As Shells Town disappeared behind them, Kai felt the weight of possibility settling over him like a familiar coat. He had knowledge that could change the world, physical capabilities that few suspected, and now— for the first time—he had people who might actually be worthy of his loyalty.
The Grand Line awaited, with all its mysteries and dangers. But Kai Nakamura was no longer just a prisoner dreaming of freedom. He was a member of the future Pirate King's crew, and that changed everything.
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