For the past three years, he had countless opportunities to easily seize the wealth of Kaya's family, yet he never did. He simply played around, never making a move.
Wait… could it be that today is the day that Kuro assassinated Kaya's parents?
With this thought in mind, he shifted his gaze to another merchant ship and spotted a man whose features bore a slight resemblance to Kaya.
However, the man was now gravely injured, barely clinging to life as Kuro mercilessly trampled him underfoot.
"Interesting. I happened to arrive just in time for this event… Looks like I won't need to go all the way to Syrup Village to deal with Kuro."
"You two, stop messing around and help me with Karina," Hikaru said with a faint smile as he stood up, motioning for the women to assist him in getting dressed.
Vivi and Nami quickly ceased their playful squabble and moved to Karina's side.
"Damn it, Onii-chan! She left me behind and went off on her own!" Nami muttered under her breath but avoided making eye contact with Hikaru.
Hikaru didn't respond. Once he was dressed, he disappeared from the princess ship in a flash of lightning.
—
In the blink of an eye, Hikaru reappeared near Kuro. Without any unnecessary words, he unleashed a powerful lightning attack, instantly electrocuting the entire Black Cat Pirates, sending them spiraling through the air.
"Cough… cough!!"
The man Kuro had just been stepping on coughed up several mouthfuls of dark blood. Yet, despite his injuries, he stubbornly pushed himself up and leaned against a nearby pillar.
Hikaru glanced at him and sighed. The people of this world sure are resilient.
Soon, the man noticed Kuro's lifeless body on the ground, black smoke rising from his charred remains.
"You… you are…? No matter who you are, brother, thank you for avenging us!" He struggled to suppress his pain as he expressed his gratitude.
A flicker of hesitation appeared in his eyes before he finally gathered the courage to ask, his voice shaky:
"Can I ask you for a favor? I know this is sudden, but I can't bear the thought of my daughter trying to survive in this chaotic world without me…"
"I have some savings at home, everything I've accumulated over the years. Take it, young man. Consider it your reward for raising Kaya…"
"She's a well-behaved girl, but she's been frail since childhood…"
Hikaru interrupted him, asking, "What's her name?"
Hearing this, the man's face brightened slightly. Realizing that Hikaru was willing to agree, he quickly responded:
"Her name is Kaya. She lives in Syrup Village, south of here…"
A handsome father indeed.
Hikaru pondered for a moment before deciding to record a video for Kaya. At the very least, it would serve as a final message from her father. He retrieved a Video Dial and let it float beside them.
"My name is God Hikaru," he stated. "I can agree to your request, but Kaya may not believe me if I simply tell her. It would be better if you spoke to her yourself."
"Leave your final words in this recording. When Kaya sees it, she'll understand your intentions… Consider this your last gift to her."
"Th-thank you, brother!"
The man fought back tears and straightened his posture. He knew he couldn't look too miserable—otherwise, Kaya would be heartbroken.
"Brother, I'm ready…"
Hikaru nodded.
"Kaya, if you're watching this video, it means I have already left this world. But don't be afraid—your mother and I will always be watching over you. From now on, you will live with Brother Hikaru…"
"Butler Kuro is the one who killed us. It was Brother Hikaru who avenged us. You must listen to him, eat well, and live a good life…"
The man spoke for as long as he could, his voice gradually weakening. When he felt his strength fading, he gave a final wave, as if bidding farewell to Kaya behind the recording.
Only after seeing Hikaru put away the Video Dial did he breathe a sigh of relief.
"Brother… I'll leave Kaya in your hands… If possible, please let my body rest in the embrace of the sea… along with my treasure ship…"
Before he could finish his words, he coughed up several mouthfuls of black blood. His body trembled, then collapsed onto the deck—his soul departing this world.
Hikaru stood in silence for a moment.
Then, he boarded the Black Cat Pirates' ship and retrieved Kuro's bounty poster before activating his Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, thick and ominous. Then, bolts of lightning struck down, igniting both ships in a fierce blaze. Flames consumed the vessels, reducing them to ashes before they finally sank into the sea's embrace…
—
One day later, Syrup Village.
"The pirates are coming! The pirates are coming!"
Usopp ran through the village, shouting as usual. The villagers had long since grown used to his antics, treating his daily proclamations as nothing more than amusing stories to pass the time.
"Everyone, believe me! Pirates are really coming this time! They're flying a spaceship straight toward us!!"
"Hahaha, Usopp, your lies are getting more and more ridiculous."
"A spaceship? Why not just say a dragon is flying toward the village?"
The villagers laughed and brushed off his words, paying him no mind as they returned to their work.
Meanwhile, Kaya's home— Yasuie Manor—stood apart from the village, a grand and elegant estate.
At this moment, Hikaru and his group had already arrived at its entrance.
"You… who are you?"
Merry, Kaya's loyal butler, looked at Hikaru and the others in alarm. If not for the kind expressions of Nami and the others, he would have shouted for Kaya to run.
"We're here to see Miss Kaya," Robin said gently.
Merry hesitated before wiping the nervous sweat from his forehead and raising his voice.
"I-I'll go inform the lady."
"No need."
Hikaru stepped past him without hesitation, heading straight for the manor's interior.
"T-This…" Merry instinctively wanted to stop him but found that his body wouldn't move.
"It's fine. He won't harm Miss Kaya," Robin reassured him at just the right moment.
Merry could only watch as Hikaru ascended the stairs, step by step.
—
In Kaya's bedroom, the young heiress lay on her bed, her fair skin almost luminous under the soft light. Her short, light blonde hair framed her delicate features, parting in the middle. She was dressed in a flowing, ankle-length light blue dress that outlined her slender figure, exuding a gentle and elegant aura.
When Hikaru entered the room, she looked at him with wide, curious eyes.
"Who are you?" Kaya asked softly, her voice tinged with confusion.
Hikaru took a few steps forward, his expression calm.
"My name is God Hikaru. Kaya, don't be afraid—I'm here at your father's request."
"My father…?"
Kaya blinked, her large, innocent eyes filled with surprise. Then, noticing Hikaru's striking features, she smiled softly.
"I'm not afraid, big brother. You're so handsome—you can't possibly be a bad person!"
As Hikaru approached, Kaya shifted slightly, making space for him to sit beside her.
Looking into her gentle, trusting gaze, Hikaru hesitated for a brief moment. He didn't want to shatter her innocence, but there were things she needed to know.
—
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