Ever since she began following Sora, Kaya had come to understand what real pirates were like—how wicked, lawless, and cruel they could be.
Her romanticized view of pirates had been completely shattered, and along with it, most of her feelings for Usopp had faded.
Not to mention... she had already become involved with Sora.
There was no future between her and Usopp anymore.
Given that, she thought it best to cut things off here and now. At least this way, she might be able to preserve his life.
"…Kaya…"
Usopp stood frozen, as though struck by lightning. He stared at Kaya in disbelief.
The cold expression on her face extinguished the light in his eyes. His heart sank into a pit of despair.
Following Kaya's lead, Vivi gritted her teeth and turned to Luffy and the others.
"Luffy, I came with Sora willingly. So please… just go. Leave this place."
Sora was in the middle of something important right now. If they disrupted him, things could turn very ugly.
He already had no love for pirates. If they pushed him, he would absolutely go on a killing spree.
And Luffy's group couldn't even beat Reiju—let alone Sora, who carried a 1.5 billion bounty.
"Luffy, that bastard Sora must've forced them!" Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes sharp. "You know what we have to do."
"I agree. Let's raise some hell," Zoro said, tying on his bandana.
"That's what I'm thinking!" Luffy growled, his fury reaching its peak.
"Do we really have to fight Vivi and the others…? Waaahhh!" Chopper sobbed beside them, heartbroken.
Hearing their words, Reiju chuckled and said lazily, "Talk big all you want—come back when you're strong enough to back it up."
At that moment, the lazy-looking Zala (Miss Doublefinger) and the eager Mikita (Miss Valentine) stepped out through the palace gate.
"Yo, we meet again," Zala said, stretching as she greeted the Straw Hats.
"This time I'm getting my payback!" Mikita shouted, eyes fixed excitedly on Zoro.
After Reiju's long and thorough training, Mikita felt like she had leveled up significantly.
"You two joined that bastard Sora too…?" Sanji muttered, feeling numb at this point.
"Doesn't matter who joined him," Luffy said, eyes burning with rage. "That bastard Sora—I'm gonna launch him into the sky!"
He stormed toward Reiju.
She smiled faintly and glanced at Makino.
Just before the fight broke out—
Nojiko walked out and tossed something in front of the Straw Hats.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, drawing everyone's attention.
As the smoke cleared, Nami and Nojiko were revealed.
"Nami!!!" Luffy and Sanji shouted with joy, rushing toward her.
But Nami just sighed and looked at Luffy. "Go back."
"I've joined Sora's crew now."
Just leave already, she screamed in her heart. If you don't go, everything I sacrificed will be in vain!
She and Sora had already crossed the line. There was no undoing it.
Nojiko had just told her how terrifying Sora really was.
Nami had already thought his ability to extract and transfer Devil Fruits was insane—but now she'd learned he could also use their powers himself.
Nojiko's Explosion Fruit, Makino's Box-Box Fruit, Mikita's Weight-Weight Fruit, Zala's Thorn-Thorn Fruit... and on top of that, Sora was a swordmaster with Reiju's backing.
There was no hope of victory.
That's why she gave in—to protect them.
She hadn't wanted to show herself, but if Luffy and the others interfered and ruined Sora's mood now, the consequences would be unthinkable.
This man had already killed two Celestial Dragons and two kings. He wasn't someone you crossed lightly.
Luffy and the others were stunned by Nami's words.
"You're lying, right, Nami?" Luffy asked, shaken.
"Why would you say something like that…?" Chopper cried, tears streaming.
"You're not coming with us?"
Nami looked at the crying Chopper, then hardened her heart.
"Why?"
"Because when you let me get captured last night... that was the end of it."
Without another word, she turned and walked back into the palace, slumping against the wall.
Nojiko followed, glancing silently at the Straw Hats.
"YOU BASTARD!!"
Luffy screamed, charging at Reiju.
She snapped her fingers, and Makino calmly extended her hand into thin air.
A massive prison made of seastone appeared in an instant.
Luffy dashed right into it—trapping himself completely.
"Luffy!!"
Zoro and Sanji panicked and rushed in to help—but Anna and Zala stepped in to stop them.
Meanwhile, Mikita launched herself at the dazed Usopp and weeping Chopper.
"If you can't take it… then go home," Reiju muttered, casting a glance at Vivi and Kaya.
If the Straw Hats continued to resist, things would only get worse.
Then, with a blur of motion, Reiju dashed forward and grabbed Sanji.
In just a few moves, she had restrained him and tossed him into Luffy's cell.
Her little brother was better handled personally—wouldn't want someone else hurting him.
Vivi and Kaya said nothing. They silently followed Nami inside and crouched beside her, just as disheartened.
Now alone, Zoro was under heavy pressure. In the chaos, Reiju spotted an opening and landed a clean kick—knocking him out cold.
On the other side, Mikita quickly subdued the defenseless Usopp and Chopper.
Before long, Makino entered the palace.
Seeing Nami, Kaya, and Vivi crouching in silence, she sighed.
"All of them are captured. No one's hurt," she reported.
"Reiju said once we leave, they'll be let go."
She said no more and headed straight for the palace kitchen.
She had to get lunch ready for Sora — no time to waste.
…
Back inside the palace—
Hearing the noise from outside, Sora turned his head and asked, "What's going on?"
"Nothing, young master!" Shalria called from the door.
From her perspective, a few minor incidents weren't worth interrupting him.
Sora smiled and looked at Robin, who had paused.
"Continue," he said gently.
Robin bit her lip, then leaned forward.
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Don't forget to give Power Stone
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to 30+ chapters and receive daily updates at [email protected]/Betek (@->a).