About fifteen minutes later.
While Kai was still casually chatting with Rosede IV, Lucci finally stepped out of the treasury.
He was holding a sword with both hands.
At a glance, it was clearly valuable—its entire blade gleamed with a lustrous golden sheen. Even someone who'd never touched a sword in their life could tell this weapon had been forged from rare, high-grade materials.
Lucci wasn't a swordsman.
But even he could tell—
This thing was worth a fortune.
That was exactly why he'd chosen it.
"Ah, that…"
The corner of Rosede IV's mouth twitched violently.
His heart…
Started bleeding again.
Yet another heavy loss.
This sword was also one of the crown jewels of the royal treasury.
"Grade Blade—Sansui Ryotei," Rosede IV said at last, letting out a long, helpless sigh.
He'd spent seventy million Berries to get his hands on this sword back then.
Its value didn't quite match the Paramecia-type Bomb-Bomb Fruit in Kai's hands…
But it was definitely close.
If Kai had been the one to pick this blade, Rosede IV wouldn't have felt quite so bitter.
The real problem was—
You, Lucci… what are you even worth here?
If it hadn't been for Kai, Lucci wouldn't have had the right to even look at the vault doors, let alone walk in.
And now?
Not only had he gone inside…
He'd walked back out with a Grade Blade that was anything but ordinary.
No wonder Rosede IV felt like someone was wringing out his heart.
Handing Sansui Ryotei to Lucci felt like…
Putting a priceless crown on the wrong head.
But no matter how much it hurt, Rosede IV still wasn't going to go back on his word.
After all, Lucci was a CP operative sent by the World Government.
Even as the king of a member nation, he didn't dare slap that face. To him, Lucci was still a high-level "special envoy" he could not afford to offend.
"Gentlemen, now that you've both chosen your treasures…" Rosede IV composed himself and smiled again. "Would you care to attend a banquet with me?"
"As the saviors of Rosede Kingdom, I wish to personally host a grand feast in your honor and invite all the nobles and important figures of the kingdom."
"I want everyone to properly recognize the two peerless geniuses who saved Rosede Kingdom from calamity today."
He paused a moment, then added a little more eagerly.
But his gaze, his tone—
Were clearly directed at Kai.
Lucci, as far as he was concerned, could stand wherever the breeze was cold and lonely.
"No need," Kai refused without hesitation.
He had zero interest in wasting time entertaining some group of nobles.
If he had that kind of time to spare…
He'd rather spend it training.
"Now that this matter is resolved, it wouldn't be right for us to keep disturbing Your Majesty any longer," Kai said. "We'll be heading out."
He raised a hand in a casual wave, clearly intending to leave immediately.
"I'll see you off," Rosede IV said quickly.
He personally led the way as they walked out of the palace, talking non-stop along the way, constantly trying to close the distance between himself and Kai with flattery and small talk.
Finally—
Just as they were about to part ways at the palace gates.
Rosede IV gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and decided to put everything on the table.
He looked at Kai with a solemn expression and spoke in an uncharacteristically serious tone.
"Mister Kai, I wonder…"
"Would you have any interest in joining Rosede Kingdom?"
"I can promise you…"
"A position as Captain of the Royal Guard."
"In terms of status and authority, you would be on par with, if not above, any of my ministers. In addition, you would directly command thirty thousand soldiers."
"And if you agree to join us, I can promise you an enormous annual stipend in Berries."
"What do you think, Mister Kai?"
His intentions couldn't have been any clearer.
He wanted to recruit Kai—
To make this monster the shield of Rosede Kingdom.
Because a four-year-old with this level of combat power…
Even a blind man could see what kind of terrifying force he'd become in the future.
If he could tie someone like that to Rosede Kingdom early, then no matter how prosperous the kingdom grew, no matter how tempting its wealth became—
Pirates would think twice before targeting it.
Because…
Rosede Kingdom would have a monster capable of suppressing the entire sea.
For the chance to recruit Kai, Rosede IV was more than willing to lower himself and beg.
What Rosede Kingdom lacked the most—
Were monsters like him.
If he could succeed—
Then everything he had done today would be worth it.
For a future powerhouse who could shake the entire world…
No price was too high.
That was how highly Rosede IV valued Kai.
"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty," Kai replied, his tone polite but firm. "I'm used to living free."
"If I'm tied to one place too long, I feel like I can't breathe."
"These seas are too vast."
"In the future, I plan to sail all of them—not anchor myself to one country."
He turned him down again, without hesitation.
Captain of the Royal Guard?
He wasn't interested.
More importantly—
He didn't want to be bound by the rules of any kingdom.
"You misunderstand, Mister Kai."
"I'm only asking you to join Rosede Kingdom in name," Rosede IV explained quickly. "I don't intend to chain you here forever."
"Even as Captain of the Royal Guard, you would still be perfectly free to travel and sail as you please."
"All I hope is…"
"That if Rosede Kingdom ever faces true danger again—if we are truly on the brink—you might be willing to return and lend us your strength."
"That is all."
"This kingdom will not try to bind you too tightly."
"Even I, as king, will never order you in a commanding tone. If we require your help, I would only ever request it from you as an equal."
"Your status would never be beneath mine."
He laid everything out at once.
Lucci, off to the side, remained silent.
So that's how it is, huh.
He wasn't even thinking about recruiting me, was he?
Was he really that uninterested in me?
Well, whatever.
It wasn't like Lucci had any intention of becoming some country's guard captain anyway.
If I stay next to this monster Kai much longer, he thought, my confidence might never recover…
Am I really that unimpressive?
"I'm sorry, King Rosede. I've made up my mind," Kai said, shaking his head.
He actually hadn't expected Rosede IV to be this persistent.
Nor had he expected the king to keep stacking on the conditions, each more generous than the last.
If not for his obsession with growing stronger…
He really might have been tempted.
But unfortunately—
The path he wanted to walk required more power.
And for that…
He had to go to Marine Headquarters.
That was something Rosede Kingdom could never give him.
"That is truly a pity," Rosede IV murmured, breathing out slowly.
Seeing how Kai's expression hadn't budged from start to finish, he knew.
This four-year-old monster…
Was not someone who could be swayed with gold and titles.
And just as he thought—
Kai's will was like iron.
From beginning to end, he hadn't been moved by any of the offers thrown his way.
Someone like this—
Was destined for the summit.
Talent, potential…
Mental fortitude, willpower…
In every aspect, he was almost flawless.
This was the kind of person born to stand at the top.
For a moment—
Rosede IV's mood turned complicated.
A monster like this simply couldn't be kept.
"King Rosede, we'll be on our way," Kai said at last.
"There's no need to send us any farther."
"In a few days, the Marines will send people to escort those pirates to Impel Down at the bottom of the sea. Until then, I'll have to trouble Your Majesty to deploy more troops and keep a very close watch on them."
"We wouldn't want any accidents."
After leaving that reminder, Kai turned and left the palace with Lucci at his side.
Watching their backs grow smaller in the distance, Rosede IV stared blankly for a long time.
Only after a while did he finally come back to his senses and look away, letting out another heavy sigh.
What a pity.
Rosede Kingdom had just watched a terrifying monster walk out of reach.
An opportunity like this…
Might never come again.
They had lost their best chance to become a truly top-tier kingdom on the sea.
A moment later—
Rosede IV turned and headed back into the palace, his figure disappearing behind the tall doors.
At the same time—
Elsewhere on the island.
It was almost time for Kai and Lucci to part ways as well.
Just before they split up—
A thought flashed across Kai's mind.
He suddenly remembered something… interesting.
So, with a faintly mischievous smile, he turned to Lucci.
"In the future," Kai said, "you'll run into a kid named Luffy."
"When that happens, make sure you beat him black and blue for me."
"Smash his little pirate dream into pieces."
"But…"
"Remember to keep him alive."
"Otherwise, I'll have a real headache."
When he finished speaking—
Lucci just stared at him.
His face was a picture of pure confusion.
He had no idea what Kai was talking about.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucci muttered.
"Don't think too hard about it," Kai said, waving a hand. "You couldn't understand even if I explained it now."
"All you need to do is remember what I told you today."
"That's enough. I'm off."
He lifted his hand in a lazy wave, then turned and headed toward the harbor where the warship was waiting.
He didn't look back.
All he left Lucci with—
Was a retreating back that seemed impossibly deep and unreadable.
Lucci stood there, watching that small figure grow ever more distant.
He opened his mouth slightly.
But no words came out.
"What was that about?"
"A kid named Luffy? Who even is that?"
"There's actually someone like that on this sea, and I've never heard of him?"
"And what's his connection to Kai?"
The more he thought about it, the more tangled it all became.
His thoughts were a complete mess.
"…Forget it."
"I should just head back and file my report."
Shaking his head, Lucci forcibly scattered the questions crowding his mind.
He turned around—
And started walking back toward the CP base, ready to report everything that had happened today.
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