"Ahem... So, Kyoma, have you rented a suitable house?"
Uncle Neil, was stopped by the two kids deadly look because his laughter had gotten out of hand.
He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Of course."
Kyoma pulled a house rental contract from his pocket.
The rental system in this world was unexpectedly comprehensive.
Not only were there rental agencies available, but after choosing a house and confirming the rental, the contract had to be taken to the Marine base for official stamping and a series of complicated procedures.
This was precisely why Kyoma and Kagura had spent their entire morning securing a place to live.
"I'm familiar with this place. It's close to the coast, has a pleasant environment, and it's very near both the shipyard and my home." Uncle Neil took the contract and examined it carefully as he spoke.
"When the time comes, Kyoma, you can not only visit the shipyard occasionally to check on your ship's construction progress, but also drop by my house for a drink."
"Have you already started building my ship?" Kyoma looked up in surprise. That's right, last night, Kyoma had requested a ship from him.
"Are we going to have a ship?" Kagura also cheered happily.
"Well, I went to the shipyard this morning while you were dealing with the rental paperwork. After the recent turmoil in the Sabaody Archipelago, the director was very happy to receive your order and has already begun preparations." Uncle Neil smiled and nodded, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes.
Kyoma caught the change in his expression, patted Uncle Neil on the shoulder, and spoke in a firm and resolute tone.
"Soon, after the ship is built, we'll go to Dressrosa with you and bring back your wife and daughter."
Uncle Neil was slightly stunned.
His body trembled, and tears filled his eyes as his voice cracked with gratitude and guilt.
"Kyoma, I really don't know how to thank you. I've dragged you into my troubles for no reason. I..."
Last night, after learning from Kyoma that his wife and daughter had been turned into toys and were suffering under Dressrosa's dark regime, he wanted to abandon everything immediately and go to the New World alone to rescue them.
But he'd built ships for countless famous pirates and had seen too many powerful individuals.
He was powerless before them, let alone before one of the Warlords of the Sea who stood near the pinnacle of pirate power.
In this desperate situation, he could only turn to this young man who had suddenly appeared and immediately seen through what had happened to his wife and daughter.
He knew that someone with such insight was definitely no ordinary person.
What he'd never expected was that Kyoma would agree instantly, with almost no hesitation, only asking him to wait until more of his companions arrived.
"There's no need for that, Uncle Neil."
Kyoma waved his hand and smiled warmly.
"We're just paying for last night's accommodation."
"Right, Kagura?"
Kagura understood immediately.
According to the tacit understanding they'd developed over the past few days, she should either respond with a passionate "Of course!" or snort and say "Hmph, is there any need to ask?"
Kagura decided on the latter option.
Just imagining herself saying it made her feel cool.
Then, under Kyoma's expectant gaze, Kagura smiled and opened her mouth to deliver the line, but just as she was about to speak—
Gurgle.
Her stomach spoke first.
The scene froze.
Kyoma's expression stiffened.
Kagura blushed, a rare occurrence, while Uncle Neil looked confused about what had just happened.
"Why are you hungry already? Didn't we just have breakfast?"
"It's because you dragged me everywhere stamping contracts. I used too much energy, so my stomach couldn't hold on."
"Alright, alright. Let's go to the new house and fill that bottomless stomach of yours. Uncle Neil, would you like to see our new place?"
"Not right now. There will be plenty of opportunities later. I'll show you the way, then head back to the shipyard to do my job and make sure your ship is built to the highest standard."
"Thank you, I really appreciate it."
****
The house was a two-story building located on the edge of the coast.
About a hundred meters away, on the other side, was the shipyard where Uncle Neil worked.
When they arrived at the entrance, Kyoma and Kagura exchanged glances, both seeing satisfaction in the other's eyes.
Their morning hadn't been wasted.
After entering the house, Kyoma saw it was fully equipped with electric lights, refrigerators, sofas, Den-Den Mushi projection televisions, and more.
For a moment, he thought he'd traveled back to his original world.
'The technological development of this world is really weird,' Kyoma mused to himself.
He was lost in thought until he heard Kagura's stomach growling again.
He stopped his musings and hurried to prepare food for her.
When he walked into the kitchen intending to show off his cooking skills for the first time in a long while, he found nothing but a dazzling array of kitchen utensils.
He'd completely forgotten they had no food yet.
With no other choice, he had to go out again.
When he returned to the living room to ask Kagura to come shopping with him, he found the girl had already fallen asleep on the sofa, mumbling "Kyo-chan, hungry" and "meat" in her sleep.
Kyoma shook his head with a wry smile, covered her with a thin blanket, and left the house alone.
****
Dozens of minutes later.
"Hey, Kyoma, you bought so many things. What are you planning to cook tonight?"
After buying several tons of food at the nearest market, Kyoma used the Sabaody Archipelago's unique bubble transportation to float the supplies behind him like balloons and set off for home with satisfaction.
However, just as he was about to reach his front door, he was stopped by the last person he wanted to see on this island.
The man was very tall, towering over Kyoma, who stood just over 1.8 meters.
He wore orange-tinted sunglasses and regarded Kyoma with a meaningful smile.
With such distinctive features, even passersby had recognized his identity.
They gave him a wide berth, their faces showing both admiration and fear.
'How could it be him?'
Kyoma's pupils contracted sharply.
His breathing caught, and cold sweat began sliding down his forehead.
'What do I do? Kagura isn't here. With my current strength, I'm like an ant before this man. I have no power to fight back.'
"Why aren't you speaking, Kyoma? You look nervous." The man tilted his head slightly, as if surprised by Kyoma's silence.
"No..." Kyoma shook his head instinctively, then suddenly realized something and asked in surprise, "Wait, how do you know my name? And how did you find this place, Admiral Kizaru?"