Chapter 29
Storms, Giants, and Unspoken Promises
Kai was enjoying Shakky's cooking like a king without a throne. The scent of grilled sea king meat and spiced vegetables filled the bar, warm and comforting, a strange contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Across the table, Rayleigh was glaring at him with narrowed eyes, chewing slowly as if the act itself required patience.
Kai tilted his head and smirked. "What?" he asked innocently, reaching for another serving. His tone was light, but the mischief in his golden eyes was unmistakable.
Rayleigh swallowed and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "When are you leaving?" he asked bluntly. His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous glint behind it.
Kai placed his chopsticks down dramatically. "That's bad manners, old man. How can you ask someone to leave?" he said, feigning offense as he clutched his chest.
"I was a pirate," Rayleigh replied dryly. "I don't care about manners."
"Well, good then," Kai said cheerfully. "I will be staying till I'm bored. Anyways, I don't have much to do."
He leaned back in his chair and turned toward Rayleigh, who was still eating with quiet irritation. Kai smiled innocently, far too innocently.
"If you are free," Kai continued, tapping the table lightly, "let's do some pirate work."
Rayleigh froze mid-bite. "What? Gonna go fight pirates or Marines?"
Kai waved his hand dismissively. "Nahh, the pirates and Marines are too weak here."
"Then what?" Rayleigh asked cautiously, already regretting the direction of the conversation.
Kai grinned wider. "Let's storm Holy Land or Marineford."
Rayleigh spat out everything he had just eaten and began coughing violently. He grabbed a glass of water and drank like a drowning man clinging to driftwood.
Shakky, Hancock, and the Boa sisters burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the bar. Even Shakky had to lean against the counter to steady herself.
"You damn madman," Rayleigh wheezed between coughs. "Shut your mouth. Sigh… why did I get tangled with you?"
"Come on," Kai insisted, leaning forward. "It's just storming. Not like we are gonna go to war."
"Please," Rayleigh groaned. "I was wrong. Let me eat in peace."
"Too late," Kai said, eyes sparkling. "Now I really want to do it."
Shakky stepped forward, placing her hands on her hips. "Hey, little brother. Not so fast. Or no food next time."
Kai gasped in exaggerated shock. "Hey, that's not fair!"
"No running off to do things you can't handle," she warned, though her tone held more affection than anger.
"Come on, big sis. You know I was kidding," Kai muttered, scratching his cheek.
"Yap," Shakky replied simply, raising a brow.
She then turned toward the Boa sisters, her expression shifting. "Kuja will be arriving soon. You ready to leave?"
The sisters nodded in unison. Hancock, however, hesitated for a fraction of a second. Her gaze drifted toward Kai, who was still bickering with Rayleigh about whether storming the Holy Land counted as a "small adventure."
Shakky caught that look instantly and smirked. She leaned closer to Hancock and whispered softly in her ear.
"Kai got a little girlfriend in Wano. She is a Mythical Zoan user and She also has all three types of Haki. You better train hard, little Hancock."
Hancock stiffened, her cheeks flushing instantly. "That's— not wh- what I was—"
"No need for explanation, little Hancock," Shakky teased gently. "But you better grow stronger. Kai will be doing many outrageous things in the future."
Hancock lowered her gaze, eyes shining with determination. "Hmm," she nodded firmly.
Just then, Kai turned toward Shakky with a casual stretch. "Hey, big sis. Is the Eternal Log Pose to Elbaf and Sleepy Hollow Town ready?"
Shakky blinked. "Yap. You going there, little Kai?"
"Yeah," Kai replied. "Heard Sleepy Hollow Town has a Devil Fruit. Possibly a Mythical Zoan."
Rayleigh's brows rose slightly. "And Elbaf?"
"Elbaf has strong giants," Kai said simply. "Need some sparring partners. Since I have a bounty, it will be difficult to find stronger opponents for fights."
Rayleigh nodded slowly. "Yah. Elbaf is a great choice. My friend is also there."
Kai's eyes sparkled mischievously. "You mean the strongest man, Gaban?"
"Strongest?" Rayleigh echoed carefully.
"Don't he married a giantess?" Kai added with a grin.
Rayleigh coughed lightly but gave Kai a knowing smile. Before either could continue, Shakky stepped forward and smacked both of them on the head.
"Stop speaking nonsense," she scolded.
"Yes, yes," they both muttered obediently.
Kai stood up and stretched lazily. "Well, I'm gonna go and sleep. Bye."
---
The next morning, Kai watched quietly from the side as Rayleigh began training Hancock. The sun filtered through the trees of Sabaody, casting golden light over the clearing.
"Focus," Rayleigh instructed calmly.
"Slave Arrow!" Hancock shouted, launching a barrage of pink arrows infused with her power.
"Too slow. Predictable," Rayleigh replied as he dodged effortlessly.
"I know!" Hancock snapped, frustration creeping into her voice.
"Then try harder," Rayleigh said, swinging a stick coated in Armament Haki toward her shoulder.
Kai's mouth twitched. "Hey, old man. Stop playing. That little tickle will never teach her."
He stepped forward and snatched the stick from Rayleigh with casual ease. His presence alone shifted the air.
"Now come at me with everything you have," Kai said, his eyes sharpening. "Or be prepared for the consequences."
Hancock charged without hesitation. "Slave Arrow!"
Arrows rained down like a storm as she followed with a swift "Perfume Kick!" aimed at Kai's head.
Kai dodged the arrows with fluid movements, stepping aside as if dancing. He blocked the kick with the stick coated in Armament and slammed it down with precise force.
Hancock was sent flying backward, crashing into the sand.
"Again," Kai said firmly.
Hancock stabilized herself, her injuries already healing slowly due to her Seraph contract. She wiped the blood from her lip and launched again.
"Kick! Slave Arrow!" she shouted, mixing ranged and close combat seamlessly.
Kai dodged once more but spoke mid-movement. "Your timing is better. But your intent wavers."
"I will not kneel!" Hancock shouted, flaring her Conqueror's Haki instinctively.
A wave of pressure burst outward, clashing against Kai's own as he released a measured surge in response. The ground cracked beneath them.
"Good," Kai said with a grin. "Resist it. Don't let my will crush yours."
She gritted her teeth, pushing harder. "I won't!"
Rayleigh watched carefully. "He's forcing her growth through pressure," he muttered.
Hancock lunged again, faster this time. She predicted Kai's sidestep with Observation Haki and redirected her kick mid-air.
Kai's eyes gleamed. "That's it!"
He parried, then struck her mid-guard with enough force to send her sliding across the ground—but not flying this time.
"Better," he acknowledged.
"Damn it," Hancock hissed, rising again. "Don't look down on me!"
"I'm not," Kai replied evenly. "The sea won't go easy on you. I won't either."
They clashed again, Armament-coated blows colliding with sharp cracks. Each strike grew heavier, faster.
"Predict!" Kai barked as he swung.
Hancock dodged by instinct. "I saw it!"
"Then act on it faster!" he countered, sweeping her legs.
She flipped backward, landing roughly but steady. Her breathing was ragged, sweat dripping down her chin.
"Again!" she demanded.
By nightfall, her movements had sharpened dramatically. She began activating Conqueror's Haki on command, clashing briefly against Kai's without collapsing.
Rayleigh stared, astonished. "That really works?"
"Yap," Kai replied casually. "Learned from the greatest teacher in the world—Kaido-sensei."
"You mean that Kaido?" Rayleigh asked, deadpan.
"Yap. His Thunder Bagua is the best shortcut. If you survive, you will be stronger than before. Hundred percent guarantee."
Shakky laughed softly while Rayleigh sighed deeply.
When Kai finally left to prepare for his journey, Hancock stood silently, staring at the horizon. Her eyes burned with resolve.
She turned toward Rayleigh. "Can you teach me like Kai? I want to grow stronger. But Kuja don't have many strong warriors."
Rayleigh studied her carefully before nodding. "When you are the strongest in Amazon Lily, send me a message."
Hancock bowed deeply. "Thank you."
Shakky laughed from behind the counter. "Don't thank him, girl. Kai made that deal with Ray."
Hancock's cheeks turned pink once more as she nodded shyly.
Shakky smirked softly. "Ahhh… youth."