"Yeah, Kiana, your ability makes it feel like you can do all kinds of crazy stuff. What kind of power is it, exactly?"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with pure curiosity as he leaned forward, staring at me with excitement.
"My ability? Hmm… absolutely nothing. It's a secret."
I rolled my eyes and looked away from Sanji, refusing to answer. He stood there stunned for a moment—then quickly understood. Telling someone about your Devil Fruit power isn't something you should do casually. That kind of knowledge changes everything, and sometimes… it's the difference between life and death.
But honestly, Sanji was thinking way too hard. I wasn't hiding my ability because I was afraid. I just didn't want to explain it. Too many questions lead to accidental revelations, and I really don't want anyone finding out I'm actually a reincarnated guy trapped in Kiana's body. One wrong word… and everything might unravel.
Sometimes silence is the safest answer.
Just as I turned to leave, a trembling voice called out:
"Kiana… I'm sorry, but could you please at least return our leader's head? Please—let him keep a whole corpse… I beg you!"
Akin was kneeling on the deck, tears streaming down his face. He had finally come to terms with Krieg's death, and the last thing he could do as a subordinate… was to plead for the body.
"…That's not possible," I answered flatly. "I'm a bounty hunter. Killing pirates is my job. Their heads are my salary. Still—thanks for not interfering in the battle just now. You could've helped the Krieg Pirates… but you didn't."
My face remained expressionless. Akin valued loyalty more than his own life—but that didn't change the fact that Krieg's head had a price. And even though I didn't know his exact bounty, it definitely wasn't small. Arlong from the Fish-Man Pirates was worth 20 million. Krieg, who was far more infamous, had to be above that—at least 30 or 40 million minimum.
"Miss Kiana, please. I beg you."Thud.
Akin bowed deeply, head slamming against the deck. The sea was calm—but his desperate kowtow shook even the quiet salt air.
"I know what I'm asking is rude… but Captain Krieg was our leader. I can't let him be dishonored. As for the bounty—take my head instead. It's not worth as much as the captain's… but I'm at least worth nine million! Please…"
Everyone fell silent.
Even the pirates tied up nearby looked at Akin in disbelief. Their expressions softened—but also showed fear. This man was ready to die for his captain.
"Captain Akin, don't!""Captain, if you die too, who's left to lead us?"
They begged him, panicking. Krieg was gone—and throwing his own life away wouldn't save him.
I stepped forward and stood over the kneeling Akin.
"How much is your captain's bounty? How much is yours? Do you seriously think I'd accept such a bad deal?"
"…Hey, Kiana, wait—"Luffy's voice wavered. "You're not really going to kill Akin, are you? I won't let you do that!"
…When did I ever say I was going to kill him?
I shot Luffy a glare. Then I turned back to Akin, who was still kneeling with his forehead pressed to the wood, trembling.
Why the hell was Krieg blessed with such a loyal subordinate?
Even now… Akin was still protecting his captain.
"I really can't help you…" I finally muttered, sighing.
I reached into my material storage space…
…and tossed Krieg's severed head beside Akin.
Was it stupid? Yeah—maybe. If I were colder, more ruthless… I'd have walked away with tens of millions of berries. But I couldn't.Guess I'm just too soft-hearted.
"Hey, Akin. Remember this—you owe me. Big time. And I expect you to pay it back."
"Yes… I will! However much Krieg's bounty was—I'll make sure to return it all! I don't have any money now, but I'll gather it—I swear!!"
Akin wrapped Krieg's head carefully in his shirt, his eyes red but full of resolve. Then he carried the body onto his shoulder—Krieg was huge compared to him. Most of the weight dragged against the deck as he struggled to lift it.
"I'm sorry for the trouble… but now our leader is dead. We'll stop fighting."
With great effort, he climbed up to the top deck with Krieg's body in tow.
"If that's your decision, then both sides should cease fire," Zeff said. "Take your men and leave. And don't come back to Baratie again."
"Thank you," Akin replied sincerely. He set Krieg down and began untying the ropes of his remaining crew.
"Captain!!""Captain Akin!"
The pirates broke into tears. Many thought they wouldn't survive today.
Sanji ran over and helped them untie their ropes.
"We can lend you a ship," he said. "It's not big, but it floats."
"Mr. Sanji… thank you. Our pirate ship is practically scrap now—it can't sail anymore."
The ocean around us was just scattered wood and wreckage. Without some kind of boat, they'd be lost.
I watched without stepping forward. Instead… I pulled out my phone and checked my latest mission update.
Main Quest:Retrieve the Dragon Balls.Location: First Half of the Grand Line.Quest Items: Zoan-type Devil Fruit on Tatalia Island — Persian Cat Fruit.
My eyebrow twitched. Seriously? A Devil Fruit this time?A Persian Cat Fruit? What the hell kind of power is that? Do I get a tail? Whiskers? Super cuteness in exchange for dignity?!
Suppressing the urge to scream, I opened my inventory and sold the bloodstained alloy armor and diamonds I stripped from Krieg.
"Blood-stained alloy armor and uncut diamonds detected. Sell?"
Without hesitation: Yes.
"Total sale amount: 90 million berries. Convert automatically to crystals?"
Yes again!
A bright flash—then around 60 more Crystals appeared in the corner of my screen.
"Robbery," I muttered under my breath. "The exchange rate is insane—it takes almost a hundred million for barely any crystals. How long till I can pull ten rolls, huh? Next century?!"
BOOM!!
A blinding bolt of lightning struck from the sky—straight onto me.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
I collapsed, twitching violently, foam dribbling from my mouth.
In my mind, a smug voice giggled:
"Talking behind my back again, Kiana-chan? I'm always watching you… ehehe~!"
…Bastet.The creepy Honkai goddess.
"YOU—!!"
I wanted to scream, but my body wouldn't move. Everyone stared at the sky. It was a clear day, not a cloud in sight.
Thunder on a sunny day. How convenient.
"…Did she just get struck by lightning?""I think so…""Do you think it's her punishment for killing Krieg?"
Whispers spread. Luffy and Sanji ran over immediately.
"Kiana! Are you okay!?""Kiana-chan, don't die!!"
Sanji checked for breathing—then looked relieved.
"Luffy, she's alive—but… it's serious. Artificial respiration is needed!"
"You mean CPR? My grandpa taught me that—I'll do it!"
Luffy immediately reached for my clothes.
"BACK OFF!"
Sanji kicked him aside and puckered his lips, leaning toward me with a smug grin.
Hehehehe… hehehehehehe…
"THE ONE WHO'S ABOUT TO DIE IS YOU!!"
I shot up and kicked Sanji square in the face, launching him into the sea.
"Hah! That was close—almost lost my first kiss."
I patted my chest as the cooks watched in awe.
Paddy whispered, "She's a devil…"
After things settled, Sanji returned from the sea, face swollen and suit soaked. I glanced at him coldly.
"If you try something like that again… I won't be so gentle."
"…Yes. I'm very sorry. It won't happen again."
He sounded like a scolded child. Seeing he was at least sincere, I sighed and walked over. I gently touched the side of his cheek.
"Does it still hurt?"
He immediately melted. "It doesn't hurt at all! Nothing Kiana-chan does to my heart could ever hurt!"
"…Oh? Let's test that."
YANK.
"GAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
"That's so you'll remember."
Everyone thought the same thing:
This woman is terrifying.
Time passed. The Krieg Pirates departed on a small Baratie vessel, cramped like stacked hamburgers on a dinner plate.
"We won't return this ship, will we?" Akin asked.
"If a battle like this happens again, it's yours for free," Sanji replied.
Akin turned to Luffy. "Your goal is the Grand Line too, right? The leader is gone now—so I'll be taking his legacy. See you out there someday."
"Sure!" Luffy grinned. "Let's have a feast together then!"
Akin waved goodbye—and sailed off into the horizon.
I didn't go outside to see them off. I sat inside the restaurant, slowly finishing my wine. The next main quest had already been issued.
It was time to leave.
Luffy and Sanji entered, arguing as usual.
"I said I won't join your crew—but listen to me—""I don't care! I want you to be my ship's cook!"
Sanji hesitated—but then thought of Zeff. "…I have a reason to stay here."
Luffy looked baffled. "You're refusing… even with Kiana on board?"
I nearly choked on my wine.
Oi, Straw Hat… are you using me as bait?
I headed to the kitchen. There was something I needed to ask.
When I found Zeff, he was chopping vegetables. His movements were quiet and steady.
"Uncle Zeff," I said, "can I ask you something?"
Zeff paused. "What is it?"
"When I used my ability earlier… did you notice? It slowed everyone except you and Sanji."
"I felt it a little. Not much," he replied.
"That's why I'm asking you—you know Armament Haki, don't you? Can you teach me?"
He went silent.
Then shook his head.
"…I can't," he said. "My armament is self-learned and incomplete. If I tried to teach you, it would only mislead you. If you want to learn true Haki… you need someone better."
So there was someone else.
Zeff stared into the distance as if reliving old memories.
"There's a woman. The best armament user I've ever seen… Aisha. I don't know where she is now—but she should still be somewhere on the Grand Line."
"Aisha? What's she like?"
"…She used to be a great beauty. Now she'd be in her sixties. She's also… my benefactor."
"Are you sure she'd still remember you? What if she refuses to teach me?"
"I don't know. But tell her… I sent you. She'll understand."
And that was all he would say.
Zeff shooed me out of the kitchen. Luffy was still desperately trying to convince Sanji outside.
"Kiana! Help me convince him! He'll listen to you!"
"…Why don't you ask WHY he wants to stay first?" I replied. "Ask Zeff."
"…Oh." Luffy blinked. Then—"Kiana, you're so smart!!"
I smirked. Luffy ran off. I found a seat… and let myself fall asleep.
Soon, the cooks' voices softened.
"Kiana-chan's sleeping face is so kawaii…""I know…"
Sanji silently approached, then took off his suit jacket…
…and gently draped it over me.
End of Volume 2.