"It's just a small favor, nothing serious—you'll find out soon enough."
'Not telling. Guess if you can.'
Seeing Rayleigh's constipated expression, Kavi felt instantly satisfied.
'Serves you right for dragging me into Roger's mess. Now it's your turn to suffer.'
Rayleigh quickly realized Kavi wasn't planning to elaborate, so he dropped the topic.
"Brother Kavi, then what brings you here?"
"Nothing urgent," Kavi replied, leaning back casually.
"Just showing little Robin around. Thought I'd drop by since we were in the area."
Rayleigh turned his gaze to little Robin, who was currently being spoiled with candy and attention by Shakky behind the bar. His brows rose.
"Wait… is that your daughter?"
"Heh… do we look alike?" Kavi deadpanned.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that? First Roger, now you. I'm still a pure old virgin, thank you very much."
Rayleigh chuckled, teasing, "You never know. Maybe someone set you up with a surprise. Stranger things have happened."
His words stirred a sour memory.
Kavi's original wife had been run with other man in his past life. Just thinking about it made his face twitch.
"Rayleigh! Get outside and fight me! Right now!"
"H-Hey! Brother Kavi, calm down! I was just joking!"
But it was too late. Kavi dragged the poor man outside, where a flurry of grunts and smacks echoed for over ten minutes.
When they returned, Rayleigh sported a fresh lump on his forehead and looked as if he'd just been mugged.
"…What a bastard…" he muttered bitterly, glaring at nothing.
Kavi, on the other hand, looked refreshed. Some people just needed to be beaten to keep balance in the world.
Shakky burst into laughter at Rayleigh's sorry state. "So, this is what karma looks like."
"Sister Shakky," Kavi said solemnly, "if Rayleigh ever gives you trouble, just tell me. I'll take care of him."
Rayleigh nearly choked on air. 'So, you just want another excuse to hit me?!'
He gave Shakky a pitiful look, silently pleading for her help.
She raised an eyebrow, amused, then said coolly, "Don't worry, Brother Kavi. If Rayleigh dares to misbehave, I'll make sure he can't get out of bed for a week."
Kavi raised a skeptical brow. 'Not from pain, I'm guessing. Tsk, the sickening stench of affection was unbearable.'
The Next Day – Departure
Kavi and little Robin left the tavern and returned home.
"It's still best at home…" Kavi muttered as he lounged in his recliner, watching clouds drift across the sky.
Meanwhile, little Robin—under Kavi's so-called "elder-respecting education"—was busy in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up and brows furrowed.
Despite being only eight years old, she was already proficient in using her Devil Fruit to cook with impressive finesse.
"Uncle Kavi! Dinner's ready!"
"Hehehe, little Robin is amazing," Kavi grinned, ruffling her hair.
Robin puffed her cheeks in mock anger. "It's all because you made me do it! How can you bully a child like this?"
Kavi pretended not to hear. Sweat now, bleed less later. This was all for her own good. And just like that, his guilt evaporated.
A Month Later – A Mysterious Visit
Peace passed quickly, until one afternoon, two figures arrived on the island.
"Senior Kavi! I've arrived!" a familiar voice called out.
Kavi opened his eyes, already knowing who it was. "Come in."
He welcomed them inside and served tea without fuss.
The speaker was none other than Monkey D. Dragon, and beside him stood a tall, imposing man with a calm expression and kind eyes—Bartholomew Kuma, the future Tyrant turned guardian.
Kavi smiled slightly. 'Good. Long found him early.'
After taking a sip of tea, Kavi asked, "Are the preparations complete?"
Dragon's eyes lit up. "Everything is ready. We can leave immediately."
Kavi nodded, then turned to little Robin. "Robin, go get Dr. Clover and the others."
"Okay!" she chirped and dashed out.
The Scholars' Escape
Dr. Clover, little Robin's archaeology mentor, soon arrived with several familiar faces from O'Hara.
Kavi had long allowed Robin to pursue archaeology under his guidance—he never stifled dreams. But now, dreams needed protecting.
Kavi explained the truth of the world to Clover and the scholars—the danger of their research, and the certainty that the World Government would not sit idly by.
To Kavi's relief, Clover agreed without hesitation.
The entire team would leave and join the Revolutionary Army, continuing their studies in secret. It was the best outcome—safe, supported, and still free to pursue the truth.
Dragon could hardly believe his luck. These were top minds, and now, they were under his banner.
Soon, a quiet evacuation began. Books, notes, scholars—everything of value from O'Hara was loaded onto the ships and disappeared into the sea under cover of night.
Robin also boarded the ship.
But at the last moment, she refused to leave.
"I don't want to leave you, Uncle Kavi!" she cried, hugging him tightly.
"…I'm sorry, Robin." He gently knocked her out and handed her to Clover. "Take care of her."
'What comes next is too dangerous for you.'
And just like that, Kavi was alone again.
Waiting for the Storm
The sky was clear, and seagulls circled lazily above the island.
All was calm.
But Kavi knew the calm wouldn't last. The Buster Call would arrive soon. Olivia would return. And with her, the fury of justice twisted into cruelty.
According to memory, only Olivia had survived. The rest of the scholars had perished.
Vice Admiral Jaguar D. Saul had defied orders and freed Olivia, unable to stomach the slaughter of innocents.
But even he had paid a heavy price—frozen in place by his friend, Aokiji.
Kavi's fists clenched slowly.
This time, things would be different.