But it's fine… it's fine even if you don't know me at all. As long as we can talk, that's good enough.
"I heard your name is Kiana, right? Incredible. I wonder—would I have the honor of inviting you to lunch? Maybe we could get to know each other better."
"…"
I quickly shook my head. Way too direct. I might look like Kiana Kaslana now, but I'm still very aware of how dangerous that charm can be. This guy—he's at least 90% interested in sleeping with me.
"...Could you reconsider? It's just lunch. I honestly just want to meet such an enchanting lady like you."
"No."
I didn't even pause. Becoming a girl is one thing—but actually dating men now? No way. Not happening. The thought alone makes my stomach twist.
Hobodi was getting desperate. Can't blame him. Most men wouldn't let a beauty like this walk away so easily.
"I can take you to the famous ocean restaurant—Baratie. The food there is incredible. It's well-known across the seas."
"I'm sorry, I really don't—wait. What did you just say? Baratie?"
"You've heard of it? It's a sea-going restaurant. One of my men has been there—says the food is definitely the best in the entire East Blue. Interested?"
He didn't expect it, but I instantly perked up. His eyes lit with joy when he saw it. To him, I must look like a beauty and a foodie—cute combo, I guess.
"Well, I'd like to go. Please take me."
I accepted in a hurry. Honestly, this was perfect timing. I'd been racking my brain over how to get to Baratie—and suddenly Hobodi just handed me the chance on a silver platter.
Only then did I remember exactly who he was. Isn't this the same Navy officer who appeared at Baratie with Luffy in the anime? No way… too coincidental, right?
Wait—could I actually bump into Luffy this time? No… probably not. That would be way too convenient. Still… Smoker is supposed to still be stationed in Loguetown. If Luffy had already passed through here, Smoker would've tried to capture them. That matches the timeline too…
"Kiana, I'm back—Hobodi? Why are you here?"
"Oh, Miss Tashigi, what a pleasure to see you again."
Another beauty arrived—but Hobodi's tone changed. He was clearly restraining himself. No way would he flirt with Tashigi in front of me. He wasn't that stupid. Besides, if he had to choose, it was obvious who he'd pick—me and Tashigi weren't even on the same level in his eyes.
Tashigi was beautiful too—but nowhere close to the kind of heart-stopping beauty Kiana's face had.
"Kiana, here's the bounty reward. You earned it."
She didn't even spare Hobodi a glance. Clearly, he'd made a bad impression on her… and his reputation wasn't great to begin with.
"I'm warning you—don't get involved with that guy."
Tashigi leaned in and whispered in my ear. I smiled and nodded politely. You don't even have to tell me. Dating a man? Thanks, but I'd rather fight Honkai beasts barehanded.
"Miss Kiana, it's getting late. Shall we head out? I'm really looking forward to lunch."
"Sure. No problem."
"...Wait—Kiana, are you actually going to eat with him?"
Tashigi looked stunned.
"Well, I want to check out Baratie. And I heard the food is really good."
"…"
She sighed. Clearly, she knew I'd ignored her warning entirely—but in the end, it was my choice. She couldn't forbid me from eating with Hobodi.
"Then let's go, Miss Kiana. I'll guide you."
With a slight smile, Hobodi took the lead—and then threw a brief, smug glance at Tashigi.So you don't want anything to do with me? Fine. But why act like you know what's best for Kiana? Mind your own business.
Of course, he only complained in silence. No way would he let Kiana see that ugly side of him. He wanted to preserve his "gentlemanly" image.
Too bad his image had already died the moment I recognized him from the anime. I knew this type of man all too well—thin-skinned and petty.
"Alright. Sorry to trouble you."
I followed behind him, while nearby Navy recruits stared in open jealousy and heartbreak. Damn it! Why him?! Wasn't he just a low-ranking Navy officer? How did he manage to invite Kiana-chan to lunch?!
They all felt the crushing injustice of the world. They wanted to eat with Kiana-chan too.
"…Ugh."
Tashigi watched our backs as we walked out of the Navy base, sighing helplessly. She just hoped I'd be careful. She'd already said her piece—if Hobodi caused trouble, she'd step in to defend me, even if it meant turning against him.
All the way out of the base, Hobodi wouldn't stop boasting about his achievements and heroic past. I played along—nodding occasionally, pretending to be impressed. His ego inflated with every compliment.
Grandpa, he must have thought smugly, did you see that? Even a gorgeous woman like this is captivated by me.
But when we passed a weapons shop again, I stopped in front of it.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"…I want to buy something."
"Oh."
He froze for a moment—then his eyes gleamed with understanding. Ah. That kind of 'something.'If you want a woman, you have to pay the price. That was his logic. But he didn't mind. If buying her something meant getting closer, it was worth it.
As a lieutenant in the Navy, he had money to spare.
"Tell me—what do you want, Miss Kiana?"
I didn't answer him. I walked straight into the weapons shop. The interior looked familiar…Was this the same shop where Zoro bought his swords? Hard to tell. Loguetown probably has more than one weapon store.
I weighed the bounty money in my hand—and a plan formed in my head. I'd buy Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu for Roronoa Zoro. He'd been one of my favorite characters in my past life. If I ran into him at Baratie—perfect. If not, I could wait for him here when I returned to collect more bounties. Eventually, he'd show up.
"Kiana-chan, what are you planning to buy?"
"I want to buy a sword."
I went straight to a wooden barrel in the corner and rummaged through it. I clearly remembered what Sandai Kitetsu looked like—and before long, I found it: the demon blade.
"As expected of a cursed sword… it really feels different."
As my hand grasped the hilt, a wave of bloodlust washed into my mind—an urge to destroy everything in sight. But I crushed the sensation instantly.
Yes. This was the one.
"Boss! I want to buy this blade!"
I called toward the old man snoring at the counter.
Pop!
The bubble at his nose burst, and he jolted awake. He saw me—and suddenly his eyes sharpened.
"Oh? You want to buy a sword, miss?"
"Yes. How much for this one?"
I lifted Sandai Kitetsu slightly. The old man froze when he saw it. He hesitated. Should he sell it? It was better to get rid of an unknown cursed blade quickly… but…
Ah—so troublesome.
"Miss… perhaps you should choose another. That sword isn't for sale."
"No. I want this one."
"…No. I'm not selling it."
He finally stood his ground.
"Huh? You own a shop and don't sell swords?"
Hobodi couldn't help saying it. Was there something wrong with this old man's head?
"It's not that… it's just that sword—"
"A demon blade, right? I know. I'm buying it anyway."
"…"
The old man stared at me. She knows it's cursed—and still wants it?
"I know a swordsman whose future will be extraordinary. I want to give this blade to him."
"You'll be dooming him."
His voice turned stern—but I only smiled and shook my head.
"No. I'll be helping him. I believe this blade will shine in his hands—especially since he's the kind of man who once said that a scar on the back… is a swordsman's shame."
"…A scar on the back… is a shame… for a swordsman?"
The old man fell silent. Someone who could say such words—his resolve must be real. Perhaps… just maybe… he really could tame this blade.