"Cheers!"
Being a pirate isn't such a bad profession—as long as you're not burning, killing, and looting.
Unfortunately, pirates like that are rare. Truly rare.
Kavi wasn't surprised. The world of pirates wasn't nearly as innocent or romantic as the anime made it seem.
Not everyone was like Luffy and his crew, chasing dreams with hearts full of freedom and fire.
No, most pirates in this world just used "freedom" as an excuse to do whatever they wanted—especially the worst things.
But Kavi couldn't entirely blame them either. This world was too dark. Too broken. Some people simply didn't have a choice but to take to the sea, labeled as criminals just for trying to survive.
After all, if you wanted to live freely in this world, you either needed immense strength...
...or be born a Celestial Dragon.
Since the second option was impossible—and disgusting—only the first path remained.
"Uncle Kavi! Thanks for the food!"
Two kids ran over with juice in their hands.
The future "Face-Face Fruit" user (totally not a real Devil Fruit, just a meme for fun), Red-Haired Shanks.
And the future Emperor blessed with bottomless luck, Buggy the Clown.
Two children… destined to shake the world.
Kavi reached out and ruffled both of their heads.
"You two better remember this and pay me back in the future, okay?"
"Don't worry! I, the great King Buggy, always repay my debts! Just ask and I'll be there!" Buggy declared proudly, puffing out his chest like a full-grown man.
"Hahaha, Buggy, you're hilarious!" Shanks laughed so hard he nearly dropped his drink.
"Shanks, you bastard! You're asking for it!" Buggy screamed and pounced on him.
The two tumbled into their usual squabble, drawing laughs from nearby crew.
All was peaceful.
At least, it was—until Kavi noticed the quiet figure seated in the corner.
A broad-shouldered, brooding young man sipping alone from a mug. Totally out of place in the merry atmosphere.
Kavi narrowed his eyes. Bullet, wasn't it?
The future "Demon Heir," Douglas Bullet. A walking natural disaster. A ticking time bomb. A lone wolf.
'Tch. Another problem child.'
It made sense why Roger decided to change venues for the banquet. There was always something missing when they partied on the ship.
Soon, the Oro Jackson arrived at a nearby uninhabited island. By then, night had fallen, and a bonfire crackled in the middle of the beach.
Roger Pirates—always partying. Kavi couldn't help but wonder: 'Don't these guys ever get tired?'
"Kavi! Who are you really?" Roger called over, waving a jug of sake, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
Kavi smiled faintly. "Me? Just a wanderer."
Which wasn't a lie. He was neither a pirate nor a marine. No title, no bounty, just a mystery man drifting through the New World.
Roger and Rayleigh shared a look, clearly unconvinced by the casual answer.
Then Roger stood up, his expression turning solemn.
"Kavi! Join my crew!"
The firelight danced across his face. His tone was earnest. His presence—commanding.
Kavi was genuinely a little moved.
But he still shook his head.
"You're the second person to ask me that, but… I'm not interested in being a pirate."
Even the Pirate King's personal invitation couldn't sway him.
Roger sighed. "Damn… I'm not the first?"
"Sorry," Kavi replied with a grin. "Whitebeard beat you to it. I turned him down too."
The entire crew went silent for a moment.
Then Roger burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! That old bastard! So, he got rejected too! I have to rub this in next time I see him!"
Rayleigh, on the other hand, wasn't laughing.
He was doing math in his head.
Fighting with Whitebeard and living to tell the tale? That wasn't something just anyone could do.
And as if to confirm that thought—
"I want to challenge you!" a deep, youthful voice called out.
Everyone turned.
Bullet stood up, eyes burning, fists clenched. He pointed at Kavi.
Kavi sighed.
'Here we go again.'
"You?" Kavi raised an eyebrow. "Go practice for another ten years, kid."
He didn't even try to hide the disdain in his voice.
Bullet's eyes twitched with fury. "Tch!"
With a roar, the teenage juggernaut charged, the ground shaking under his feet.
Even at this age, his raw physical power was terrifying.
"Shanks! Uncle Kavi's gonna get wrecked!" Buggy yelled in panic.
Uncle Kavi had fed them. He couldn't just be beaten up like this!
"Relax," Shanks said calmly, sipping his juice. "You don't see the captain or Rayleigh panicking, do you?"
On the other side of the fire, Rayleigh chuckled.
"Roger, how many moves do you think Kavi needs to take him down?"
Roger sipped from his jug and replied without hesitation. "One."
Rayleigh blinked. "Really? Bullet's young, but he's not weak."
Roger raised an eyebrow. "How many moves would you need to beat him?"
"…Three. At most."
Roger grinned. "Exactly."
At that moment, Bullet's fist was already inches from Kavi's face.
Kavi moved.
No flash. No special technique.
He just raised his arm… and punched.
BANG!!!
A shockwave exploded across the beach.
Bullet flew through the air like a cannonball, crashing into the ground dozens of meters away with a thunderous boom.
A massive crater formed around him.
Silence.
"Damn! Bullet's dead!" Buggy cried, sprinting toward the crater.
He leaned over and checked.
"…Phew. Still breathing."
"Incredible! Uncle Kavi's the best!" Buggy whooped, jumping up and down. "Now Bullet won't bully me again!"
Kavi scratched his head sheepishly. "Oops. I might've used a little too much force. Roger, you don't mind, right?"
Roger laughed heartily. "Not at all! These punks need to learn what real power looks like."
Then, his tone shifted.
"…But still. You knocked out my crewmate. If I don't respond, I'll lose face."
Kavi narrowed his eyes slightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh? So, what are you suggesting?"
Roger's eyes lit up like fire.
"Let's fight!"
Rayleigh groaned, palming his face.
"I knew it…"