The moment the bandit from Dadan's family spoke—
Kai suddenly stopped what he was doing.
"My father?"
"Dragon, huh?"
"This time… it's not only my cheap old man returning, but he must've also brought back my foolish little brother."
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly. He had already anticipated this a month ago, mentally prepared for it.
"I understand."
After dismissing the bandit, Kai left the forests of Mt. Colubo alone.
Half an hour later—
He returned to Foosha Village.
Though the round trip usually took a normal person about an hour, Kai's speed halved the time with ease.
As he stepped into the village, familiar, kind-hearted villagers greeted him warmly.
"Kai, long time no see!"
"I heard your grandpa sent you up Mt. Colubo? That mountain's full of beasts—I'm glad you're safe."
"Ha! With Kai's strength, those beasts should be the ones worrying about getting bullied. Don't forget, this boy is no ordinary child."
It took all of Kai's effort to politely break away from their greetings.
His home lay east of the village. Before long, he arrived before the front door.
Before he could even step in, a familiar voice called from inside.
"Kai, come in."
It was Garp.
Kai pushed the door open and entered the house.
The first thing he saw was a tall, cloaked figure. The man's thin frame was wrapped in a dark robe, but his bare face was visible—cold, tattooed, browless, with sharp, ruthless features. His eyes burned with ambition.
That face was unmistakable.
It was his so-called father—Monkey D. Dragon.
A father who had been absent since the day Kai was born.
Back then, Dragon had dumped him onto Garp, then vanished from his life like smoke. No letters. No news. Nothing.
And now, after four years… here he was again.
Kai studied him calmly. Thankfully, as a transmigrator, he had been born with his adult awareness—so he still remembered this man's face. But emotionally, there was little attachment.
Compared to Dragon, his feelings toward his grandfather were far deeper.
Garp might have been unreliable, but he had raised Kai. His care and affection were genuine. That bond couldn't be faked.
Dragon, on the other hand, was a stranger who just happened to share his blood.
"This is your father, Monkey D. Dragon," Garp introduced.
"…Father."
After a pause, Kai greeted him with a single word, purely out of obligation.
Dragon's eyes softened.
"Four years have passed in the blink of an eye. You've grown so much. I've… failed you."
"You've got some nerve saying that!" Garp snapped instantly.
"You dumped him on me the moment he was born!"
But then Garp thought about it, and his anger turned to pride.
If not for Dragon abandoning the boy, Garp would never have gained such a perfect successor.
A genius who had awakened Conqueror's Haki at age three!
Truly, the ideal heir of the Hero of the Marines.
"Luckily," Garp thought, "this monstrous prodigy wasn't dragged into the Revolutionary Army by his father. Otherwise… the consequences would've been unimaginable."
Relieved, Garp exhaled heavily, then glared warily at Dragon.
"Speak plainly. What business brought you back this time?"
Dragon didn't argue. He quietly set down the bundle in his arms upon the stone table.
"This is my younger son. Your grandson."
"Humph."
Garp grunted, stepping closer.
Inside the swaddling cloth lay a baby, waving its tiny limbs with a carefree "cooing" sound. At first glance, Garp's hardened heart softened, a natural affection blooming in his chest.
"What's his name?" Garp asked.
"Monkey D. Luffy," Dragon replied.
"…Luffy?"
Garp gently rubbed the baby's chubby cheeks, eyes full of warmth. Then he turned to Kai.
"Come, meet your little brother."
"Alright."
Kai stepped forward, his mood complicated but tinged with curiosity.
He peered down at the infant—round cheeks, restless hands and feet, sparkling black eyes. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Luffy…"
"At last, we meet."
Carefully, he lifted the baby into his arms.
"Coo! Ahh~"
Sensing himself rise into the air, the infant waved his arms happily, gazing up at Kai with wide, blinking eyes.
By Kai's estimate, the baby was no more than two months old. Small. Light. Fragile.
And yet—
"The future Pirate King, Luffy," Kai thought, squeezing his little brother's cheek gently.
"My foolish, silly little brother."
A wave of emotion stirred in his heart as he held him close.
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