"No worries—she already agreed to be our companion."
With full confidence, Luffy thumped his chest in response to Zoro's question.
"Wait, what I said was that I won't—"
"Just leave it to us. We'll help you solve it."
Luffy spoke as if my decision had already been set in stone, and a bad feeling crawled up my spine. If I'd known it would snowball this fast, I should've never agreed so quickly.
"Uh… you can't really help me with this. So—I'll handle it myself."
I turned away, trying to hide my discomfort. It wasn't that they couldn't help. Technically, they could. But how was I supposed to explain… that I'm actually a guy reincarnated into Kiana's body? Everyone here sees me as a girl. If they find out I used to be a man—!
No. Absolutely not. This secret dies with me.If they found out, it'd be social suicide.
I made up my mind—no one must ever know.
Meanwhile, Usopp sneaked up to Luffy and dragged him toward the bow of the ship, whispering urgently:
"Luffy! I know that woman is crazy beautiful—way prettier than Nami the tigress—but she's from the Navy, isn't she?! What if she's an undercover agent sent to trap us?!"
"Calm down. She said she's a bounty hunter—not Navy—and I don't think she's the type to deceive people."
"You're basing that on feeling?! Feelings don't count, idiot! What if you're wrong?! We'll be arrested before we even set sail!"
Usopp smacked Luffy on the head. Hard.Relying on instinct alone? That was too reckless, even for him.
"Huh? She's a bounty hunter too?"
Nami's voice suddenly cut in behind them.
Usopp and Luffy spun around.
"N-Nami?! When did you get here?!"
Usopp's voice cracked with guilt.
"I've been here since the moment you said she's prettier than a 'tigress' like me."
Nami smiled sweetly—too sweetly—and her expression didn't change at all.
"…!"
She definitely heard that. The 'tigress' comment… she heard it all!Usopp paled. Nami's smile wasn't threatening—yet the danger level felt off the charts.
But—she simply walked away.
"Phew…"
Usopp exhaled in relief. Thankfully, Nami wasn't that petty. Still—he should apologize, or else he wouldn't be a man. He decided he'd treat her to a meal later. A very expensive one.
It's just… his wallet…
He patted his pocket. Then again. Then again.
"Hey… where's my wallet?"
His blood ran cold. It was gone.
Suddenly, enlightenment struck.
"NAMI YOU LITTLE THIEF-CAT! GIVE IT BACK!"
Usopp bolted after her like a madman. The sudden reversal of events left Luffy speechless.
"…Yeah. As expected of the Straw Hat crew," I muttered, stifling a laugh. "Chaos follows them everywhere."
I removed the three swords from my waist and rested them against the wall. Carrying all three while walking around was exhausting.
Zoro's gaze instantly fell on the swords.
"Why does one of your blades look… different from before?"
He noticed immediately. One of the blades was new—unique—and carried an unusual aura.
Naturally, he was referring to the old Pulse Tachi, which I'd already replaced with Raikiri.
"I put the other sword away. Since I'm a Devil Fruit user, I created this weapon just now using my ability."
Zoro raised an eyebrow."A Devil Fruit user?"
Johnny and Yosaku were stunned. Nami and Usopp—who were still busy with their chase—paused as well.
"Yes. I am," I said plainly. "Is that… strange?"
I shot a disdainful look toward them—especially Usopp, whose ignorance was palpable.
Zoro lifted Raikiri experimentally and swung it once. His eyes widened.
"Can you mass-produce weapons like this with your ability?"
"Yes. Not just swords—other kinds of weapons too."
"…This ability is incredible."
For the first time, Zoro looked like he genuinely desired a Devil Fruit. This blade—Raikiri—had clearly captured his interest.
But seeing that look in his eye made me a little amused.
"So—you're Roronoa Zoro, the Three-Sword-Style bounty hunter, right? I've heard your name. That's why I'm giving you these two swords."
I tossed Yuki-Onna and Guiche into his hands. My original plan had been to give them to him after his duel with Mihawk—after his old swords broke. But now that I'd somehow become half a crew member… it no longer felt strange to give them early.
"You're giving these to me?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah."
Zoro thought hard for a moment—then pushed the two swords back toward me, hugging Raikiri instead.
"…Could I… have this one instead? I really like it."
"…"
Oi… little boss, you've got good taste—but if I gave you Raikiri, what would I use?! It was obvious—the five-star weapon had completely captured his swordman's heart. Yuki-Onna and Guiche couldn't even compare.
"No can do. I need that one for my own battles," I answered flatly. Shadow-Dance's graduation weapon just arrived—why would I hand it over?!
"…Fair enough."
Zoro sighed, but didn't push further. He picked up Yuki-Onna and Guiche, examining them closely—and after testing their swing, nodded with approval.
"They're not as sharp as Raikiri… but these are no ordinary blades."
"Did you make them with your ability too?" he asked.
"No. I bought them in Rogue Town. I just happened to find a good deal."
"I see."Zoro nodded casually, then formally sheathed the two swords.
"Thanks. The name was… Kiana, right?"
"Yep."
He walked off to test the blades. Nami watched with disbelief.
"Seriously… two random swords bought him off just like that?"
Meanwhile—
"Nami!! Give back my wallet!"
"No way! Who told you to call me a tigress?!"
Nami bit Usopp's hand viciously, and he cried out in agony.
"AAAGH!! I'M SORRY! LET GO!"
"I won't let go—unless you don't want your wallet anymore!"
"F-Fine! Keep the money! Just give me the wallet back—it was a gift from Kaya!"
Usopp's voice trembled as he remembered Kaya's smile. The memory alone nearly melted him.
Nami immediately removed all the money from the wallet and tucked it safely into her chest—then returned the empty pouch.
"…"
You actually put the money THERE?! How terrified are you that I'll take it back?! Usopp's jaw dropped.
"Hey, errand boy! Time to get back to work!"
Sanji shouted from below deck. Luffy instantly responded,
"Coming!"
He jumped off the Merry.
"Wait—I still don't have a place to sleep!" I called after him.
But without even turning, Luffy shouted,"Just sleep with Nami, Kiana! I'll go work first!"
"…!"
I glanced at Nami.
Me… sleeping with Nami?This was the kind of situation I used to fantasize about as a boy.
Now it was actually happening?!
"You should know this first," Nami said bluntly. "Even if Luffy and the others accept you, I still don't trust you."
Her eyes were sharp. After all—she'd just seen me dining with Admiral Captain Hobodi earlier. And she was a pirate. Her suspicion was justified.
"Relax. I'm not close with that Marine. I just used his ship to get here to Bharati."
I waved it off casually—but it wasn't going to change her mind so easily.
"And I haven't decided whether I'll join your crew yet," I added. "I have my own mission. I'm only staying here temporarily."
"That's fine," she replied coldly. "Stay as long as you want."
"Miss Kiana! If Miss Nami won't let you sleep with her—then you can sleep with us! We trust you VERY MUCH!"
Johnny and Yosaku immediately volunteered—with wide grins and drooling faces.
"…Go die."
I kicked both idiots clean off the ship—into the sea—without hesitation. Not a flicker of emotion appeared on my face.