Kaya: "..."
Upon hearing that Makino had also been kidnapped onto the ship, Kaya felt her world crumble.
She began to seriously suspect that every beautiful girl around Sora had probably been forcibly taken as well.
"Even though Sora's methods of recruiting people are a bit villainous, he's actually very kind to us," Makino quickly defended, afraid she'd frightened Kaya too much.
Indeed, aside from forcibly bringing them aboard and his rather aggressive methods of teaching "swordsmanship," Sora genuinely treated them very well.
Even during those so-called sword lessons, he was actually quite considerate.
Makino's cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled those moments.
They chatted casually while packing Kaya's belongings.
When Makino saw Kaya carefully tuck a picture of a long-nosed man into her belongings, she frowned slightly.
"Kaya, I don't think you should take this with you."
Kaya was stunned. "Why?"
Makino sighed gently, looking earnestly at her. "Since you've agreed to board Sora's ship, you're essentially becoming his woman. He may not mind most things, but when it comes to this particular matter, he's extremely serious. You understand what I'm saying, right?"
Kaya's face turned pale at Makino's words.
Intelligent as she was, she fully grasped Makino's meaning.
After a painful internal struggle, tears streaming down her face, she finally tore the picture apart.
Seeing Kaya quietly crying, Makino embraced her gently, offering quiet comfort.
Despite her reluctance, Kaya soon found herself standing beside Makino on the shore where the Divine Slave was anchored.
"Merry, please take care of everything from now on," Kaya managed to say, forcing back her tears as she addressed Merry.
"Miss Kaya, please take good care of yourself. I'll always be waiting for you," Merry replied, his own tears flowing freely.
Though heartbroken, Merry knew he couldn't defy someone as powerful and ruthless as Sora. Kaya's only chance at safety was to comply.
"I know, Merry." Kaya wiped her eyes, forcing a smile. Then she added softly, "If you ever see Usopp, please tell him… I've found someone I truly like."
With that, Kaya turned toward the Divine Slave. The ship promptly extended a rope, gently wrapping around her waist and bringing her aboard.
Given Sora's overwhelming power, Usopp had no chance of reclaiming Kaya. Thus, cutting ties completely was the safest option for everyone involved.
As soon as Kaya stepped onto the deck, the Divine Slave set sail, heading toward the open sea.
Standing on the shore, Merry cried out desperately, "Miss Kaya, you must return someday!"
On the ship's deck, Reiju, Nojiko, and Makino watched Merry's fading figure and Kaya, who now sat crying quietly on the deck, and collectively sighed.
"I suddenly realize you're kind of a scumbag," Reiju remarked fearlessly to Sora.
"It's her good fortune that Young Master chose her," Anna countered protectively.
"Are you really going to start teaching her swordsmanship tonight? Kaya might not be able to handle it..." Makino expressed her concern for Kaya's fragile health.
"Of course, it's tradition," Shalria declared without hesitation.
"Will you give her a Devil Fruit first? I was here before her," Nojiko grumbled jealously, desperate for power herself.
Sora ignored their comments, approaching Kaya instead. Gently lifting her chin with his finger, he smiled at her tear-streaked face.
"Kaya, what kind of power would you like?"
Though he currently possessed the Zoan-type Bug-Bug Fruit, Model: Light Butterfly, Sora didn't want anyone important to eat it. To him, its abilities seemed trivial.
Though, admittedly, a butterfly-girl maid had its appeal—so he was saving it for another servant.
"What kind of power...?" Kaya was dumbfounded.
She was still grieving, and he suddenly asked what kind of power she wanted? How could she even think straight now?
"To put it another way, Kaya, what kind of Devil Fruit ability would you prefer?" Sora gently caressed her cheek.
Uncomfortable under his touch but forcing herself to stay calm, Kaya softly answered, "I'd like something that can heal and save people."
Healing abilities suited Kaya perfectly as the crew's doctor.
Sora swiftly considered the possibilities.
Marco's Mythical Zoan Phoenix Fruit was ideal—strong physical enhancement plus regenerative healing. Unfortunately, Marco was Whitebeard's right-hand man and beyond Sora's current reach, though perhaps Marineford would present an opportunity.
Next was Doc Q's Sick-Sick Fruit, another possibility for healing.
And as for Mansherry, the tiny princess with the Heal-Heal Fruit, Sora intended to capture her as a pet. Such an overpowered healing ability belonged strictly under his control.
A plan forming in his mind, Sora nodded thoughtfully.
"Kaya, I'll make sure you get the Devil Fruit ability you want. After that, maybe you can help heal me a little."
Smiling mischievously, he scooped Kaya into his arms and headed for the captain's cabin.
Since he'd already decided to claim Kaya, he saw no need to pretend otherwise. Hesitation and indecision simply weren't his style.
"M-Mr. Sora..." Kaya trembled slightly in his arms, utterly unprepared for how quickly things were progressing.
"Wow, he really is going to teach Kaya swordsmanship," Reiju shook her head, her cheeks flushed. She recalled her own experience vividly—Sora hadn't hesitated one bit back then, either.
"Hmph, I told you it's tradition," Shalria said confidently.
"I wonder if Kaya can handle it. Sora's swordsmanship is extremely intense..." Makino murmured anxiously.
"Then maybe you should help her out, Makino. It's not like it'd be your first time," Nojiko remarked sourly, still annoyed Sora hadn't asked her what power she wanted.
Anna chuckled lightly. "Hmph, given the Young Master's strength, even if you all went together, it wouldn't matter."
Anna knew best among them just how formidable Sora's "swordsmanship" truly was.
As soon as she finished speaking, ropes suddenly extended from the Divine Slave's deck, swiftly entangling each of the girls.
Having experienced this before, Reiju, Nojiko, and the others froze for a moment before their faces turned bright red.
Then, simultaneously, they glared angrily at Anna and shouted, "Anna, you jinx!"
Anna simply shrugged helplessly.
"How is that my fault…?"
(TL/n: Can I teach them my swordsmanship too 😏)
_____Important_____
I've spent all week translating and editing up to Chapter 150 because I love this book. Now let's play a game: if you think it deserves to reach the top of the Power Stone leaderboard within 24 hours, Give Power Stones—500 for one chapter per hour; 400 for one chapter every two hours; 300 for one chapter every three hours; 200 for one chapter every four hours; or 100 for one chapter every five hours. Do you think that's a fair deal?