One Piece: I will become stronger by checking in

Walking along the village path, Zoro eyed Kai beside him with suspicion.

"Did you... cause the housekeeper to faint?"

"It wasn't me, don't talk nonsense! How could that even be possible?" Kai quickly responded, with three dismissive clicks.

"He must have fainted from something else! How could I have the strength to make him faint without even touching him?"

Kai looked at Zoro with an expression of, "I don't know anything, it's definitely not my fault."

Seeing Kai's expression, Zoro grew even more suspicious.

It felt like it had to be Kai's fault. Never mind that the housekeeper looked energetic despite being supposedly anemic.

Just the way Kai hastily denied it was enough to raise suspicion.

But this was merely his guess, with no solid proof—just a hunch that Kai was a bit suspicious!

Kai ignored Zoro's gaze, turned to Luffy and the others, and said, "I've got something to do, so I'll split off from you guys!"

"What? Kai , are you going off to play without me?" Luffy asked, pouting.

Hearing this, Kai's face darkened. He snapped back:

"Do you ever think about anything other than playing and eating?"

"So, what are you going to do?" Nami asked, interrupting.

"Secret!" Kai grinned and then vanished instantly.

"How weird...monster!" The three kids collapsed in shock at the sight.

Though they weren't very big, they'd never seen someone disappear like that!

"Hey, relying on your strength, you always do this mysterious stuff!" Zoro said disdainfully from the side.

But why did it feel like there was a sour smell in the air?

...

Some time later~

Kai arrived at a coast on the island.

A pirate ship was docked here, and from hundreds of meters away, Kai could hear shouts coming from the ship.

That's right, this was Kuro's old ship, and Kai had one clear purpose here.

Lately, his pockets had been running a bit dry!

He had been covering the food, clothing, and lodging for the entire crew out of his own pocket, and the little money he got from Alvida was running low.

Later, all the treasures from Morgan and Buggy were handed over to Nami. Although he could ask Nami for money if he ran out, he wasn't one to beg every time.

Money is something a man should manage himself!

Kai narrowed his eyes slightly, kicked off the ground, and dashed out in an instant.

Reaching the sky above the ship, Kai dropped directly onto the deck.

The sudden noise made all the pirates turn their heads.

Seeing an unknown person appear out of nowhere, they were stunned for a moment, but soon a pirate shouted:

"Who are you and why are you on our ship?"

As he spoke, he walked toward Kai .

"I'm a bit short on cash lately, so I'd like to ask for your help!" Kai said calmly.

Looking around, Kai Vane noticed that Jango wasn't here. The pirates on the ship were all unknown minions.

The surrounding pirates were stunned by Kai's words.

If they understood correctly, this kid was... robbing them?

It was a new experience for them. They were used to being the ones doing the robbing, not getting robbed!

It was their first time being on the receiving end!

"Hahaha..."

"Kid, do you know where you are? Do you know who we are?"

A pirate grinned viciously at Kai .

"Let me enlighten you, this is the ship of the Black Cat Pirates, and we are the Black Cat Pirates!"

"You dare to come and rob our ship, you're really brave!"

"If this ship is full of people like you, wouldn't it be normal for me to rob it?"

"Huh?" The pirate grew furious upon hearing this, glaring at Kai and saying:

"I hope you're still so cocky when I twist your head off!"

With that, he swung his fist and charged at Kai .

As the fist got closer, Kai didn't react at all. Only when the fist was about to hit him did Kai slightly raise his hand.

"Whoosh!"

A black shadow flashed.

The pirate who was standing in front of Kai flew into the sky and then crashed into the sea with a splash.

Seeing this, the surrounding pirates instantly took a few steps back, fully grasping the meaning of deep friendship.

They didn't even see how Kai made his move. Before they could react, their comrade was already airborne.

Thinking with their feet, they could tell that Kai Vane was far superior to them. As pirates, they knew one thing well:

Understanding the situation is key!

When facing an enemy you can't defeat, don't attack them recklessly, or you'll just get beaten for nothing!

"Hello!"

Kai suddenly called out, startling them all.

"Where's the treasure on your ship? Show me!"

Upon hearing this, the pirates looked at each other, no one stepping forward to show Kai Vane the way.

Helpless, Kai pointed directly at one pirate and said, "Show me the way!"

"Ah? Me?" The pirate looked around, hoping Kai was referring to someone else. He didn't want to take Kai to the treasure.

"Yes, you! Stop whining and take me there quickly, or I'll throw you into the sea to feed the fish later!"

Realizing Kai was definitely talking about him, the pirate had no choice but to step forward and prepare to take Kai to the treasure.

"Huh? Since when did the Black Cat Pirates' treasure become something outsiders can covet?"

As Kai Vane took a step, two figures leaped out from somewhere on the ship and landed behind him.

Kai Vane turned and saw the pair of fat and thin brothers, and ancient memories resurfaced. He asked uncertainly:

"Are you... the Cat Brothers?"

"Yes, I'm Sham!"

"I'm Buchi!"

"Since you know our names, you still dare to come here. You really don't know what you're doing..."

"Pfft!!!"

Before they could finish, the two figures were instantly blasted away, flying off the boat and landing on the island.

Kai waved his hand disdainfully and said, "Why do the supporting characters always add so many scenes for themselves?"

Then he turned back to the pirate.

"Let's go, keep leading me!"

"Yes!" The pirate shouted loudly, trembling.

He was lucky he hadn't sought death earlier, or he might have ended up like the Cat Brothers.

Even those stronger than him, like the Cat Brothers, were instantly defeated—let alone him.

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Afraid I can't hear you?" Kai's eyes widened, making the pirate shrink back.

Without further comment, Kai followed the pirate to the treasure.