Chapter 005
"Hmph! I just ate a Devil Fruit—do you think I'd be afraid of you lot?"
Kai let out a cold snort, speaking in a tone dripping with contempt to the pirates who had rushed in.
At his words, the remaining pirates immediately froze, not daring to advance. They stared at their captain—Clart—lying unconscious (possibly dead) to the side. At the same moment, fear surged through every one of them. Twenty-seven gray light points lit up in Kai's consciousness universe.
"Everyone, don't be scared! There are so many of us—we can definitely kill him…" "Yeah, he's just a kid…"
Two of the bolder pirates shouted, charging forward first. But when they realized no one was following, they stopped and looked back. Seeing their comrades too terrified to move, then turning to face Kai's wicked, devilish smile, the fear in their hearts exploded infinitely under the Emotion Fruit's amplification.
"Ahhh—!" "Help—!"
The two bravest pirates lost all reason first. Screaming in panic, they scrambled away on all fours. With someone leading the retreat, the rest of the pirates scattered in a panic, fleeing for their lives—wishing their parents had given them extra legs to run faster.
Thud!
Once the pirates were gone, Kai collapsed onto the deck, sitting heavily and gasping for breath. Dodging Clart's relentless attacks and delivering that final punch had completely drained his stamina. But even so, a satisfied, joyful smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
"Looks like the Emotion Fruit isn't as useless as I thought… It's actually pretty handy. At least it saved this young master's life… Heh heh…"
"Sir! We've arrived at Shimotsuki Island."
Kai's small figure stood at the ship's bow. A merchant guard approached respectfully, though his eyes carried clear fear.
A nine-year-old child who could defeat a 10-million-Berry pirate? How could he not be terrified?
"Mm, got it!" Kai replied with a calm smile.
After the Scar Pirates' failed robbery, the surviving merchants and guards treated Kai like their savior. Sure, the most valuable item—the Devil Fruit—had been eaten by him, but he'd saved the rest: tens of millions of Berries worth of cargo. That was far better than losing everything—or being slaughtered like the rumors said the Scar Pirates did after raids.
Surviving was already a blessing.
The ship, originally headed for the East Blue's largest and busiest island (likely Loguetown or a fanon hub), turned back toward Shimotsuki Island instead. Kai, remembering this was the island where young Zoro lived, immediately decided to go along. His goal: Shimotsuki Village, to meet the nine-year-old Roronoa Zoro—and more importantly, to learn swordsmanship.
One swing splitting ships in half, earth-shaking slashes—that cool, domineering sword style was Kai's second-favorite thing after Devil Fruits. (Haki was cool too, but invisible and intangible; slashes were just more visually badass.)
Since his Devil Fruit wasn't a direct combat type, he couldn't rely solely on its powers. A powerful sword style would be his perfect secondary path to strength!
"I wonder if Zoro has already started training under Koushirou… Oh right, there's also that loli on the island!"
As Shimotsuki Island came into view, Kai muttered to himself, suddenly remembering the other prodigy: Koushirou's daughter, Kuina!
Kuina—Zoro's childhood rival and the dojo's strongest trainee. In the original story, she'd never lost to Zoro once. If she hadn't died young, Kai believed her swordsmanship talent would have rivaled or even surpassed his.
"Hmph! Since I'm in this world now, I won't let you die so early. You'll shine brightly in the future."
Kai snorted, making a silent vow. If Kuina suited his tastes, she'd be the first member of his future pirate crew!
Yes—his biggest dream after transmigrating was to form his own crew. But he wouldn't recruit just because he knew their potential from the plot. He had to like them personally.
As for Zoro? Nah—he belonged with Luffy. That rivalry was what made the story fun. Without it, the world would lose some spark. But that was still far off. Kai wouldn't set sail for the Grand Line until he was truly strong enough.
Fifteen minutes later, the ship docked. After asking directions to Shimotsuki Village, Kai set off alone…
Inside the Isshin Dojo, a sharp clack echoed as bamboo swords clashed. An adult man was knocked flat by a single strike from a black-haired girl about 150 cm tall—the daughter of dojo master Koushirou, Kuina!
"Wow! So strong…" "She actually beat Yori… As expected of the master's daughter…" "Incredible! Kuina's future achievements will be extraordinary!"
After seeing Kuina defeat Yori, the disciples on both sides whispered praises. Even Koushirou, seated in the center, nodded with satisfaction—though a moment later, a shadow crossed his face. He sighed inwardly and shook his head.
"Such a pity… Kuina is a girl after all. She's born weaker than men."
Koushirou felt deep regret. How he wished for a son to inherit his dojo and sword style. But fate had given him two daughters.
"Anyone else want to step up?"
Hearing the praises, Kuina called out proudly to the disciples on both sides. Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying a spirited, heroic edge.
At her challenge, the trainees murmured—but no one volunteered. If even the strongest among them, Yori, couldn't beat her, what chance did they have? Beating an eleven-year-old girl wasn't something to brag about anyway, and losing would be humiliating.
"Hmph! Bunch of useless men!"
Kuina huffed cutely when no one stepped forward. Ever since her father told her women couldn't become the world's strongest, her competitive spirit had burned even hotter—she was determined to prove him wrong.
"I'll be your opponent."
Just as Kuina thought no one else would dare, a lively child's voice rang out from the main entrance.
"Hm? Who's that?"
Koushirou murmured in surprise, turning toward the door. A small figure stepped inside, walking steadily forward.
"Not an ordinary village kid…"
The moment he saw Kai, Koushirou judged instantly. The boy carried an air of refined nobility—not something a local child would have. His deep, bright, spirited eyes marked him as extraordinary.
It made sense. In his previous life, though Kai had been a rich second-gen playboy, he wasn't the vulgar stereotype. He'd received elite, almost royal-level education from childhood—cultivating calm poise, a touch of aristocratic grace, and an iron will. Most people couldn't endure the relentless daily training Kai had kept up for the past year.
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