Plans forward!

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Kai smirked as he watched her shift nervously, weighing her options. "So, looks like you're done?" he asked casually, the challenge clear in his eyes.

Miss Valentine was already calculating her escape, eyeing the possible routes, the dark corners, and even the windows. But before she could make a move, Kai's sword was at her throat, close enough for her to feel its chill. In an instant, he'd closed the distance between them, pinning her with an intense gaze.

"Now, I know you're a good girl and won't consider running away, correct?"

Her laugh was a little too loud, too forced. "No, no! Of course not! I, uh… I realize I've made a mistake! Kiyahaha…so I'll just, you know, be leaving now."

She tried to turn, but Kai's grip caught the back of her collar, her feet dangling just above the ground.

"Did I say you could leave?" he asked, his tone calm but leaving no room for negotiation.

"N-no, sir! My apologies! Please, don't kill me!" she squeaked, sounding far less confident than she had a few moments earlier.

Kai released her collar, letting her drop back to the ground. "Relax. I don't kill unless it benefits me. Now, I need some information, so follow me." Without another word, he turned and walked away, trusting she'd have the good sense not to try escaping again.

Valentine hesitated, debating her options, but it didn't take long to realize that running was pointless. She sighed, resigning herself to follow him to the inn.

Inside, Kai poured himself a drink, his casual stance a stark contrast to the edge he'd shown before. He glanced at her, eyebrow raised. "Want some?"

She scowled, tossing her hair back defiantly. "Ugh! I don't drink cheap—"

Before she could finish, a Glintstone shard whizzed past her face, embedding itself in the wall a mere inch away. She went pale, swallowing hard. "Er, yes, sir! Please!"

Kai handed her a glass, smirking as she took a hesitant sip. After a moment, he looked her over thoughtfully. "What's your real name anyway?"

"M-Mikita," she stammered. After a moment, her eyes sharpened. "Why?"

Kai shrugged. "Just curious." He leaned back, swirling the drink in his hand. "Still got contact with your old boss? Or any of your old colleagues?"

Mikita's expression shifted, eyes darkening. She shook her head. "No. I haven't seen them, and I don't want to. I quit that line of work; it's not a life I want to go back to."

Kai narrowed his eyes, watching her closely. The bitterness in her voice was real. It wasn't his business, but he made a mental note of it anyway. He'd always believed in getting a clear read on people. Changing the subject, he asked, "Mr. 2. What's your opinion of him?"

Her face lit up at the mention of the flamboyant Bon Clay. "Bon Bon! He was sweet, the only one of the bunch I actually miss," she replied, a sincere smile tugging at her lips.

Kai grunted, amused. "I see. Maybe you're not so bad after all." He set his glass down, letting a moment of silence stretch before continuing, "I'll spare you for him. He's the reason I escaped Impel Down."

"YOU ESCAPED IMPEL DOWN?!" she shouted, loud enough to make Kai nearly spill his drink. He shot her an incredulous look.

"Are you insane? How did you not know that, especially when you're out here hunting for my bounty?"

Mikita blinked, her confusion as genuine as it was frustrating. "I thought I recognized you… You're that Elden Lord from the war! But… that can't be! He had blue hair and… stuff!"

Kai sighed, rubbing his temple. "It was a transformation, dumbo."

She opened her mouth to protest but seemed to think better of it. Kai's expression grew sharp again, switching back to business. "Anyway, I need information. You've been here long enough to know things, right? Tell me how to get to Skypiea—or, as people around here call it, the Sky Island."

She crossed her arms, giving him a dubious look. "Sky Island? You believe that myth? No one can go there, trust me! It's just a story."

Kai's Glintstone shard embedded itself into the wall beside her face with a sharp crack. She shrank back instantly, her eyes wide with terror. "I didn't ask for opinions. I asked for information," he growled.

"Okay, okay!" She raised her hands in surrender, practically vibrating with fear. "There's…there's an old man who lives on the edge of town. People say he's crazy, but he should know more about it."

Kai tilted his head, interest piqued. "His name?"

"Mont Blanc Cricket," she said, relief flooding her face as she finished.

Kai nodded 'oh yeah, him' , filing the name away. He downed the rest of his drink "Get some sleep, tomorrow we'll go visit him, Oh and don't think about running away, one wrong move and you're dead"

"Yes sir!"

.....

The sun was barely cresting over the horizon when Kai and a very reluctant Mikita started down the dusty road. Kai was all focus, silent and stoic, while Mikita trailed behind, huffing and muttering under her breath.

"So…are you ever going to tell me what your deal is?" Mikita finally broke the silence, her voice laced with impatience. Kai kept his eyes on the road, not giving her so much as a glance.

Mikita groaned. "I mean, what are you exactly? Some kind of warlord, a fugitive, maybe? You have this crazy sword, magic, and—oh, yeah, you escaped Impel Down, right? Who even does that?"

Kai just continued walking, ignoring her with a practiced indifference that made Mikita grind her teeth. She hated being ignored. She was used to being the one people feared, the one who held the upper hand. But with Kai? She was a tag-along prisoner with no real say, and it was driving her insane.

"Fine. Be mysterious. It's not like I wanted to know anyway," she muttered, kicking a stone as they walked. The silence stretched on, with Kai paying her even less attention than before.

Finally, as the road crested a small hill, they saw a modest, weathered house standing alone, leaning slightly as if it had weathered one too many storms. Kai's face softened just a little as he looked at the place, remembering stories he'd heard about an old man who lived here, someone known for tall tales and just enough wisdom to make you listen.

They approached the door, and Kai knocked, three hard raps that echoed in the quiet of the morning. A moment later, the door swung open, and Mont Blanc Cricket stepped out. His face was rugged and lined, his gaze as hard as the wood on his front door. He looked Kai up and down, sizing him up with a hard squint.

"What do you want?" Cricket grumbled, leaning against the doorframe, his tone as uninviting as possible. "I don't take kindly to strangers on my land. Beat it."

Kai, entirely unfazed, met his gaze. "I'm here about Sky Island. I want to know how to get there."

At that, Cricket snorted, scratching the stubble on his chin. "Sky Island, huh? And here I thought I'd heard all the crazy talk there was." He smirked, shaking his head. "You know what's waiting for you up there? A one-way ticket to death. Ain't worth the trouble."

Kai didn't so much as flinch. "I know someone who's been there."

The old man's expression shifted, a glint of interest breaking through his gruff exterior. "Oh yeah? And who might that be, huh?"

"Straw Hat Luffy," Kai replied evenly, watching Cricket's reaction carefully.

For a moment, Cricket's eyes widened, and then he let out a surprised laugh. "Straw Hat, eh? Now that's a name I wasn't expecting, so you are familiar with him"

Kai nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And I plan on getting there too."

Cricket folded his arms, eyeing Kai with a new level of respect. "Well, maybe you're crazier than I thought. You want to get to Sky Island? Then you'll need the help of the Knock Up Stream."

Mikita, who'd been silent until now, let out a mocking laugh. "Oh please, everyone knows that's just a fairy tale! This old man's a descendant of a famous liar, you know. Figures he'd sell you on that nonsense."

Before she could say another word, Kai flicked her on the forehead, hard enough to make her yelp. "Show some respect," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "I didn't ask for your commentary."

Cricket chuckled, clearly amused as Mikita grumbled, rubbing her forehead.

"Knock Up Stream's real, alright," Cricket continued. "But you're early. The stream won't happen again for another few months. Might as well make yourself comfortable if you're planning on waiting around for it."

Kai shook his head. "I don't wait for oceans. I make them listen."

Cricket looked him over, intrigued. "Oh, yeah? And how are you planning on doing that?"

Kai's eyes glinted with quiet confidence. "The Elden Lord always finds a way"

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If you wish to read up to 5 Chapters Ahead! or simply support me just because? then check out my patréon at

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