Kaito returned home, first letting Grandma Lisa know he was safe, then handed over the 80 million Belly he'd saved up in his room.
He'd earned this money over the past few years while casually taking out some small pirate crews during his time at sea. There weren't any major pirate groups in the area, so this was the best he could scrape together. But for a woman in her seventies, it was more than enough to live the rest of her life in comfort.
Grandma Lisa stared in surprise at the huge sum and didn't immediately accept it.
Kaito quickly explained,
"Don't worry, I swear this money was earned honestly. I'm planning to join the Marines, and I'd be worried if you were living here alone. Please, take it and use it."
Only then did Grandma Lisa feel at ease. She knew Kaito was a good kid—cold on the outside but warm at heart. He'd always lived honestly and had never once lied to her. She accepted the money and stored it in the box behind her.
Turning back to look at the boy who had lived with her for ten years, Grandma Lisa—who had no children of her own—had long since come to see Kaito as her real grandson. Now that he was leaving, her heart was naturally full of reluctance.
But she also understood that young people needed to explore the world, especially someone like Kaito—so different from everyone else.
She reached out and patted his waist, giving a warm, gentle smile.
"Go, my good child. Grandma believes you'll make something of yourself. Don't worry about me—I'll be just fine. Everyone in the village is kind. With them around, nothing bad will happen to me. Go chase your dreams without worry!"
Kaito felt a little emotional too. He stepped forward and hugged her.
"Yeah. I won't let you down. It won't be long before the whole ocean knows my name. And I'll come back to visit you often."
After explaining things to Grandma Lisa, Kaito packed up quickly and went to visit Bell-mère's family. Bell-mère, along with Nami and Nojiko, were the ones closest to him these past few years.
When he reached the front door of Bell-mère's house, he knocked lightly. The door soon opened, and a little blue-haired head peeked out—it was Nojiko.
Seeing that it was Kaito, Nojiko lit up with joy. But when she noticed the small bundle of luggage in his hand, her expression dimmed slightly, as if she realized something. Still, she forced her brightest smile and called out sweetly,
"Kaito!"
Kaito chuckled, ruffled her hair, and told her why he had come.
Although she had sensed this was coming, hearing it confirmed still made Nojiko's eyes well up with tears. She tried her best to keep smiling.
"Then... Kaito, I'll go tell Bell-mère and the others. We'll come see you off."
"That's not necessary. I'm heading out right away. Just let them know—I won't be going inside..."
Suddenly—
"What do you mean, 'not necessary'? You've lived in this village for ten years. Leaving like this? That's way too half-hearted."
Bell-mère came out of the house with Nami in tow, pretending to be angry as she spoke.
"Come on! We're all going to see you off together!"
Nojiko turned back to Kaito with a hopeful look.
"Tch... troublesome bonds," Kaito muttered, pretending to be annoyed, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.
"Hmph! Jerk!" Nami had already seen through everything with an insight that could rival the Rinnegan.
Kaito shot her a glare, then stepped forward and picked up the now teary-eyed Nojiko.
"H-Hey, Kaito..." Nojiko was clearly embarrassed and squirmed a bit.
"What? I'm leaving—can't I at least get a hug?" Kaito said with a straight face.
"O-Of course you can..." Nojiko quieted down immediately, though her tightly clenched fists gave away her nerves.
"Hmph! Biased jerk!" Of course, Nami had to throw in her usual snark at a moment like this.
Kaito ignored her this time. It was time to go.
"Let's head out."
...
When they reached the shore, Kaito turned to everyone.
"Alright, this is far enough. Thanks, everyone. Let's say our goodbyes here."
"Here?" Bell-mère looked around at the empty surroundings and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Right here."
As soon as he said that, Kaito's body began to float up into the air before their stunned eyes.
"So... you really aren't human?" Bell-mère finally asked, taking a deep breath. Nami and Nojiko nodded solemnly beside her.
Kaito didn't answer. After all, his body had already begun evolving toward the Otsutsuki clan. Saying he wasn't human anymore wasn't even a stretch.
After thinking for a moment, Kaito pulled out a uniquely shaped kunai from his robe and handed it to Nojiko.
"If something dangerous ever happens in the village while I'm gone, hold this and call my name in your heart. Got it?"
Nojiko held the kunai carefully and nodded seriously.
Kaito gave her a gentle pat on the head.
The kunai was, of course, the Flying Thunder God kunai from Naruto—the one used by the Fourth Hokage. With his immense chakra and Rinnegan enhancements, Kaito could instantly teleport to the kunai from any distance as long as he sensed its signal.
He'd left another one with Grandma Lisa as well. Just in case, he'd prepared a few backups—after all, in a few years, the Fishman Pirates would become a real threat.
Now that he felt at ease, Kaito's body slowly began rising again, floating steadily upward.
"Well then, goodbye everyone. Nojiko, Nami—you two better eat properly. Next time we meet, I don't want to see two little shrimp, got it?"
"Mhm! I promise, Kaito! You have to come back, okay?" Nojiko's face was already soaked with tears as she shouted up at him.
"Hmph! Like I'm gonna listen to you! Just go already! No matter how much I change, you wouldn't care anyway! You biased jerk, Kaito!" Nami wiped her eyes in secret, puffing up her cheeks as she yelled defiantly.
"Go get 'em, Kaito! I'm looking forward to the day you become not just an admiral—but a fleet admiral!" Bell-mère shouted toward the sky.
Taking one last look at everyone below and the village of Cocoyasi, Kaito's eyes were filled with resolve. He unleashed a powerful Almighty Push and vanished from sight in an instant.
"Marine, here I come!"