One month later...
On the vast open sea, atop a massive whale-shaped pirate ship, laughter echoed into the skies.
"Gurarara! My sons, it's time to party!"
"Yeahhh! Let's drink!!"
The Whitebeard Pirates were in full celebration. Ever since the fall of the Rocks Pirates during the Battle of God Valley, the once-feared crew had scattered. The surviving captains carved their own paths across the seas, vying for dominance.
Among them stood one man at his peak—Edward Newgate, a rising powerhouse already feared as one of the sea's greatest contenders.
But suddenly—
"Dad! Someone's walking on the sea!" a youthful Marco shouted from the starboard side. "He's headed straight for us!"
"Oh?" Whitebeard turned his gaze curiously. "A navy dog, maybe? Only monsters can walk the sea alone."
Marco squinted. "No… Doesn't look like a Marine!"
It was Kavi.
And for the love of the sea gods, how had he survived this past month?
Every day, he dashed across the waves with stamina fueled by sheer willpower and the Water Treading skill. When tired, he'd slow his pace, strolling over the endless ocean like it was a backyard path. With no map or eternal pose, he'd simply picked a direction and moved forward.
For weeks, he hadn't seen so much as a gull—until today.
At last, a ship. A huge one. Relief washed over him… until he got closer.
'The Moby Dick'.
"Of all the pirate crews to run into..." Kavi sighed. "Well, I'm here now."
When he reached the edge of the ship, he raised a hand casually and called out.
"Hey! I'm kinda lost. Mind if I come up for some food?"
On deck, Marco blinked. He looked at his crewmates, then back at the stranger with disbelief.
"Uh… Dad?"
"Gurarara! He's got guts! Let him up," Whitebeard bellowed, clearly amused. "Been a while since someone interesting dropped by."
With a nod, Kavi stepped across the water, leapt lightly, and landed with a solid thunk on the deck.
Standing amidst the crew, he immediately felt the difference. Towering above him was the man himself—Edward Newgate. His massive frame and golden mane of hair gave him the aura of a living titan. Even among pirates, he stood like a king.
Kavi wasn't short himself, but next to Whitebeard, he might as well have been a cabin boy.
"I'm Kavi," he introduced, giving a small bow. "Sorry to intrude."
"You come aboard a pirate ship just like that? Not afraid of dying?" Whitebeard asked with a grin.
Kavi shrugged. "I've heard of you. The name Edward Newgate isn't exactly obscure."
"Gurarara! At least you're honest." Whitebeard laughed heartily. "Alright boys! We've got a guest—let's party!"
Kavi blinked. 'This guy's actually welcoming me?'
But then again, Whitebeard was famous for his loyalty and generosity. As long as you weren't an enemy, you were family.
Still… "Young man?" Kavi muttered under his breath. "He's only, what, five or six years older than me...?"
But with the drinks flowing, he let it slide.
In no time, Kavi blended right in with the crew. With his easygoing nature and high emotional intelligence, he quickly earned the respect—and curiosity—of the Whitebeard Pirates.
After a few rounds of sake, the crew grew restless.
"Come on, Marco! Jozu! Let's spar a bit!"
And just like that, the deck was cleared for a friendly brawl.
Marco, with his Mythical Zoan Phoenix powers, faced off against Jozu, the future Diamond Man. They were still young their Devil Fruits barely scratched the surface of potential—but the sparks of future legends were already there.
Kavi watched, amused. 'Raw fruit power, weak development. Still kids... though promising ones.'
When the skirmish ended, Marco turned to Kavi with a glint in his eye.
"Hey, Kavi! You walked across the sea—got to be a Devil Fruit user, right? Show us what you've got!"
Kavi hesitated. "Well… kind of."
Marco frowned. "What kind of answer is that? Either you are or you aren't!"
Kavi sighed. 'I walked here using a skill, not a fruit… but try explaining game mechanics in this world.'
The rest of the crew jumped in, egging him on.
"Yeah, Kavi! Let's see what you're made of!"
Even Whitebeard watched with interest.
Kavi resisted for a moment. "I don't know… What if I hurt him?"
But to the crew, that just sounded like arrogance.
"Hahaha! Marco, he thinks you're weak!"
"I do not! I'll show you!" Marco's face turned red as he stomped into the center of the deck.
Surrounded by chanting crewmates, Kavi sighed again and stepped into the circle.
"Alright, alright. Just don't cry if you lose."
Marco grinned. "Bring it on!"
Without warning, Marco dashed forward and threw a punch—fast and confident.
Kavi tilted his head slightly, dodging with ease. His Observation Haki flared, effortlessly predicting each movement as Marco unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks.
Dodge. Shift. Step back. Dodge again.
Not a single blow landed.
"Damn it! Don't use Haki!" Marco shouted in frustration.
Kavi blinked. "...Do you hear yourself?"
The crew burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! He told him not to use Haki!"
"Marco, what are you thinking?"
Marco flushed even more, realizing how ridiculous it sounded.
Kavi smirked. "Alright. I won't dodge this time."
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