Kaya was a Young Miss with an elegant Aura, her long hair smooth and golden, warm and captivating like the morning sun.
Her face was delicate, her skin fair as jade, revealing a fragile beauty due to her illness.
Her light blue eyes were like a calm sea, clear and gentle, exuding endless tenderness and kindness.
Her figure was slender, dressed in a pure white long dress that gently fell to her ankles, swaying slightly with her steps, like a pure white lily.
A light shawl draped over her shoulders, making her appear exceptionally dignified and graceful. Although slightly thin due to her delicate health, she exuded a gentle beauty that needed to be protected.
"I never imagined Klahadore was such a ruthless pirate."
Kaya saw Kuro brought to justice, and although she knew the truth of the matter, she was still very sad.
"He's just a narrow-minded scoundrel, Young Miss Kaya doesn't need to dwell on him."
Kai also understood the whole story and Kuro's background; he was just a stray dog, scared witless by the Marine, wanting to hide. He had completely lost his ambition, wishing to whitewash his past and barely survive in a village. Kai expressed disdain for this.
"Although that's true, if it weren't for you all, our village would have been utterly destroyed, and I would have been killed by him."
Kaya felt a lingering fear as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly.
"Don't worry, Kaya, even without them, I would still protect you..."
Usopp boasted to Kaya, successfully making her laugh.
"I'm truly sorry that I can't host everyone at home today," Kaya said softly with an apologetic look. "However, the village restaurant is excellent, and I'd like to treat everyone to a good meal there!"
Because Kuro was executing his plan, he had given the mansion's guards and servants time off in advance, which prevented Kaya from hosting guests.
But Kaya had a flash of inspiration and thought of the village restaurant, then immediately suggested it.
"A restaurant?" Luffy's eyes lit up, his stomach already empty. He practically jumped up and clapped his hands, "Great! I'm starving!"
Nami helplessly covered her forehead, "This glutton..."
Kaya saw this scene and covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Her delicate face and cute demeanor completely captivated Usopp next to her.
Due to long periods of practicing the Body Tempering Technique on the ship, with high intensity and no meat to eat, only apples were available, Luffy had been craving meat for a long time. Not just Luffy, but Kai and Zoro also couldn't help but swallow when they heard about the restaurant.
Soon after, led by Kaya and Merry, they arrived at a restaurant in the center of the village.
The restaurant was small but had a cozy atmosphere. The wooden tables and chairs were polished smooth and bright, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly roasted meat.
"Usopp, your sea adventure stories are really interesting!" Luffy listened to Usopp recount his exaggerated "sailing exploits," laughing heartily.
Usopp puffed out his chest and said proudly, "Of course! I am the brave Sea Warrior Usopp! Mere Sea Kings are nothing but my defeated opponents!"
Kaya listened to Usopp's narration, covering her mouth with a soft chuckle, her eyes filled with tenderness.
On the other side, Kai, Zoro, and Luffy demonstrated their "enthusiasm" through their actions.
The dining table was laden with steaks, chicken legs, roasted fish, and various fresh vegetables. The three of them devoured the food, each movement showing an Aura of sweeping everything away.
Kai focused on cutting a large piece of roast meat, tearing it directly with his hands, and taking a bite, the juices overflowing.
This was much tastier than the roasted meat Kai made himself on the deserted island. It was clear that for future voyages, he needed to find a reliable chef.
Zoro was not to be outdone, chewing on a steak and glancing at Luffy, "Tch, don't grab that last piece, I'm not full yet."
Luffy, meanwhile, had entered party mode, stretching his arm to grab a distant piece of roast meat and shouting, "Ten more plates of roast meat!"
"Are you three reincarnated hungry ghosts?!" Nami finally couldn't help but bang on the table, her eyes full of helplessness, "Please watch your table manners a little!"
Usopp and Kaya watched dumbfounded, especially Usopp, who couldn't help but mutter, "How do they do it? Is their stomach a bottomless pit..."
Nami looked at the mountain of empty plates and shook her head helplessly, "I should be used to it by now, these guys are complete gluttons."
Nevertheless, laughter filled the entire restaurant.
After a hearty meal, everyone walked out of the restaurant.
Kaya smiled slightly and said to Kai and the others, "Thank you all so much for your help today; you saved me and the entire village.
I have nothing to repay you with... but I hope this gift can help you."
"A gift?" Luffy's eyes widened as he asked expectantly, "What is it?"
Subsequently, Kaya and Merry led everyone towards the dock, where an old-fashioned light sailboat was moored.
"This ship is called the going merry; the style is a bit old.
It's a ship I designed when I was young. Although it's not big, it's sturdy and flexible, suitable for long voyages."
Merry's voice carried a hint of reluctance, "I hope it can be useful in your adventures."
"going merry!" Luffy jumped up excitedly, his eyes shining, "What a great ship! Now we have a real pirate ship!"
Kai carefully examined the ship and nodded; this was indeed a pleasant surprise.
"It's indeed a good ship, thanks."
Kai and the others originally needed a ship suitable for long journeys, and it was as if their wishes had come true.
"Young Miss Kaya, this is truly wonderful, thank you!" Nami showed a genuine smile and said gratefully.
"I'm going to the forest to get some wild game. We need to stock up on a lot of meat on the ship, otherwise, it will affect our training progress."
Although Kaya said that a large amount of supplies had already been prepared on the ship, Kai felt that the meat reserves were still insufficient.
"I'm coming too!" As soon as Luffy heard about meat, he volunteered to go with Kai.
"I'll help too!" Zoro also responded, ready to show off his skills in the forest.
After all, the few of them had just started practicing the Body Tempering Technique, and their physical fitness was increasing rapidly, so meat was an indispensable energy supplement.
"Alright, Luffy, Zoro, and I will go together. We'll set sail once we get back!"
Kai instructed Nami, and the three of them walked towards the forest.
An hour later, Kai and the others, laden with their haul, returned to the going merry.
Sunlight spilled onto the calm sea, and the sea breeze blew. The going merry was moored at the shore of Syrup Village, its sails billowing in the wind, making a flapping sound.
Just then, a familiar figure appeared on the shore, carrying a heavy backpack, approaching the ship step by step.
It was Usopp. His backpack almost bent his back, but his steps were firm, as if each step carried a sense of farewell.
He stopped at the shore, looked at the moored ship, then at the people on the deck, a complex expression on his face.
"Hey! Usopp!" Luffy was the first to spot him, shouting excitedly, "What are you doing? Where are you going?"
Usopp heard the voice, looked up, and forced a confident smile.
He put down his backpack and waved, "Hehe! Luffy, of course I'm going out to sea!
This ship looks good, but I'm already prepared; I'm going on an adventure by myself!"
Luffy stared at Usopp for a few seconds, then suddenly broke into a brilliant smile, "Then don't go alone! Come to our ship, Usopp!"
Usopp was startled, "Huh? What did you say?"
Luffy laughed louder, jumped onto the ship's railing, and waved at Usopp, "Get on board! We just need a sniper like you."
Kai, standing at the bow, saw Luffy invite Usopp onto the ship and did not stop him, as the ship was indeed short on crew members.
Usopp's eyes gradually brightened, and his hesitation and unease were replaced by excitement and emotion.
He took a deep breath and said loudly, "Alright! Since you need me so much, I'll graciously join you!
From today onwards, I, Usopp, will be your Captain!"
"I'm the Captain!" Luffy retorted loudly.
The going merry slowly left the shore, its stern churning the clear blue seawater, leaving a gradually extending white wake.
The outline of the shore gradually blurred in the morning mist, and a few seabirds circled low, their cries fading with the wind.