After our return to Heartless Island, Luffy wouldn't stop puffing out his chest with his brand-new shield, banging on it like a kid with a shiny new toy. Every clang drew smiles from the townsfolk… and sighs from Nami, who eventually tugged at my sleeve."Jordan. Traverse Town. Now." she ordered, with that sharp glint in her eyes that left no room for negotiation.
I raised my hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. We'll go convert your treasure."
Deep down, though, I was satisfied for another reason. What no one else saw was that now, Zeus kept an eye on me whenever we went into the Coliseum. A sort of divine supervision… and trust me, with the grudge Hades must hold against me after I humiliated him twice, that was priceless.
So I took Sanji and Nami with me, opening a portal to Traverse Town. Sanji had tagged along "to carry the bags," but mostly to keep an eye on Nami, who counted every single munny with stars in her eyes. While we cut through the Heartless-infested districts, I let my companions have their fun: Nami blasted groups with her lightning, Sanji tested out new kicking combos against Soldiers and Large Bodies, and I stuck to handling the elementals like usual.
I always avoid Alice's dungeon—too long and not worth the effort. Instead, we cycled through Traverse Town, Destiny Island, and Deep Jungle. The pace was intense but efficient: in two days, I'd not only upgraded the crew's gear but also built up a comfortable stockpile of extra Heartless.
The loot was solid: new rings, bracelets, necklaces… enough that I even outfitted Kaya, Belle-mère, and Nojiko. Sure, they didn't need weapons, but I gave each of them a shell necklace, a little accessory that slightly boosted natural defense. Belle-mère accepted hers with a tender smile, Nojiko nodded with a serious air, as if already stepping into a "protector" role, and Kaya clutched the trinket to her chest, her eyes shining.
Sanji, for his part, was thrilled. "This is perfect, Jordan! We've got enough to protect the ladies. That's what really matters."
I rolled my eyes at his dramatic declaration, but inwardly, I agreed. My crew—my family—needed every bit of protection they could get.
(Equipment summary below, you can skip if you want.)
Luffy:
Zeus' Shield: Releases electricity when struck or when hitting something.
Horn of Bravery +: Greatly boosts vitality and moderately increases attack.
Apprentice Ring: Makes learning new skills easier.
Fang of the Beast +: Moderately improves learning, attack, and defense.
Nami:
Aeris' Staff: Fire/Thunder/Blizzard/Wind.
Shell Necklace +: Moderately boosts defense.
Glacier Ring: Halves ice damage and slightly boosts Blizzard spells.
Blaze Ring: Halves fire damage and slightly boosts Fire spells.
Jordan:
Keyblade: Basic / Twin Daggers / Sword / Steel Chocobo.
Royal Necklace: Allows transformation into Dark Sora and use of his abilities.
Munny Pouch: Earns extra munnies in dungeons for Huey, Dewey & Louie's shop.
Fang of the Beast: Slightly improves learning, attack, and defense.
Extra equipment slot gained.
Fang of the Beast: Slightly improves learning, attack, and defense.
Koby:
Scimitar: Aladdin's weapon + swordsmanship skill.
Atomnium Seal: Increases defense and halves fire damage.
Fang of the Beast: Slightly improves learning, attack, and defense.
Usopp:
Hunting Rifle + Ammo Bags: Unlimited lead bullets and gunpowder + Clayton's rifle.
Magic Bow: Arrows and string bound to magic.
Apprentice Ring: Makes learning new skills easier.
Shell Necklace: Slightly boosts defense.
Zoro:
2 Gladiator Sabers: Weak but unbreakable.
Shell Necklace +: Slightly boosts defense.
Horn of Bravery: Greatly boosts vitality and slightly increases attack.
Kuina:
Masamune (sealed): Sephiroth's powerful katana (unbreakable but sealed).
Horn of Bravery: Greatly boosts vitality and slightly increases attack.
Fang of the Beast: Slightly improves learning, attack, and defense.
Sanji:
Guardian Armor Boots: Boosts attack power of kicks.
Shell Necklace: Slightly boosts defense.
Blaze Ring: Halves fire damage and slightly boosts Fire spells.
We had decided to set sail directly from the beach of Heartless Island. The sails were already swelling gently, ready to catch the open sea wind, when Kaya took a deep breath and stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
"I want to come with you," she said firmly, though I could feel the nervousness behind her determination.
Usopp nearly jumped out of his skin."What?! No! Kaya, you have to stay here! Your place is at the clinic, people need you!" he insisted, his arms flailing like windmills. "And besides… the sea is dangerous!"
Kaya shook her head softly, her eyes shining with a light I had never seen before."My weakness… it wasn't mine. It was Kuro's poisoning, and that's long gone. I'm not fragile anymore. I want to be useful to my friends. To you. I can look after you as the ship's nurse."
I crossed my arms, hesitating, my gaze locking with hers."Are you sure, Kaya? You know very well we won't always be able to protect you. Fighting isn't a walk in the park."
But she didn't look away. On the contrary, she smiled gently, with an unexpected confidence."I already have someone to protect me."
I frowned. "Who are you talking about?"
The sea suddenly stirred a few meters from the shore. Bubbles burst on the surface, and then an immense dark silhouette slowly rose. The Sea King, Meumeuh, emerged in a majestic movement, his scales glistening with a dark shine under the setting sun. His massive jaws should have inspired terror, but instead, he simply fixed his enormous eyes on Kaya.
Without the slightest fear, the young woman stepped closer, her blonde hair fluttering in the sea breeze. She extended her delicate hand toward the towering beast, and to everyone's astonishment, Meumeuh inclined his head slightly. His rough scales brushed against her fingers, and he allowed her to pet him timidly, like a giant kitten seeking affection.
The contrast was striking: this fragile human figure tenderly caressing a creature capable of swallowing an entire ship whole. Strange, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
"There's my friend," Kaya said softly, a peaceful smile on her lips. "As long as he's here, I have nothing to fear."
Usopp stood speechless, unable to muster a single argument. Even Zoro, leaning against the mast, straightened up, impressed. Nami placed a hand on her hip and shook her head, half disbelieving, half amused.
As for me, I couldn't help but smile at Kaya's determination, her hand still resting on Meumeuh's scaled back."Alright, Kaya. As long as we're at sea, it'll be fine. But I imagine Usopp will be thrilled to accompany you every time we go ashore." I turned to her, adding with a sly grin: "And as soon as I get another Zoan-type Heartless, I'll give it to you."
Kaya nodded, grateful, her eyes sparkling with a mix of gratitude and excitement.
Then I turned to Luffy. "But it's always the captain's decision," I said with a mischievous smile.
Luffy puffed out his chest as if the entire ocean had just entrusted him with its authority."Alright!" he said with a big grin, before becoming more serious. "Anyway, we're still in East Blue… and with the beginnings of our Haki training, we should be fine."
He raised his hand to wave at Charyzax, who stayed behind on the beach. The man had told me he preferred to remain here, and I had agreed — I could return anytime to train, so there was no problem.
"So I finally get to relax a little?!" Luffy exclaimed with a delighted look, thrilled at the thought of escaping sparring for a while.
I patted his shoulder with a sly smile. "I kept Eisah. That way, you can keep training your Observation Haki."
"What?! But… but that's betrayal!" he shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at me, his eyes wide with despair.
That dramatic face triggered a burst of laughter from everyone. Nami had to clutch her sides, Sanji nearly choked on his cigarette, and even Zoro—who rarely laughed—allowed himself an amused smirk. Kuina covered her mouth to stifle her own giggles, while Koby chuckled discreetly.
Usopp, on the other hand, slammed his fist on the railing, howling with laughter."Ahahah! Luffy, the look on your face!!"
Kaya, still a little embarrassed to be at the center of it all, began to laugh softly too, carried away by the crew's energy.
We set sail in the opposite direction of Goa, heading toward Kotzia Island. Luffy wanted to see the whole of East Blue, and since Nami knew these seas well enough, it wasn't a problem.
For two days, we had returned to our training routine. Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Koby swam behind the ship, tied to ropes, competing in speed. Kuina and Kaya trained together as a pair, Kaya using a Fang of the Beast lent by Usopp, with Eisah lurking in her shadow to help her develop her Observation Haki. In turn, Eisah did the same with Kuina, giving her an impressive precision in her movements.
As for me, I was towing the Merry while swimming, all while dodging arrows Usopp shot from the deck. His projectiles had evolved—he could now modify their tips, even shaping them in odd ways. He worked on his endurance and accuracy, while I trained my strength and Haki.
That's when a surprising sight interrupted our routine. In the distance, a colossal bridge stretched across the ocean, an aberration of steel and stone."Tequila Wolf…" I whispered in shock. "I didn't think it was in East Blue…"
Barely had we processed the sight when four ships without flags closed in tightly in formation."Pirates, don't move! You're being requisitioned for the construction of the bridge!" bellowed a burly man with a wild beard. "Surrender peacefully, and maybe we'll spare your lives!"
I raised a brow and glanced at my comrades."I'll let you guys have your fun. Nami and I will stay on the Merry to counter the cannons."
Luffy quickly counted the silhouettes."Four ships." But before he could say more, Meumeuh burst out of the water and obliterated one with a massive headbutt."Three ships!" Luffy corrected with a laugh, as if nothing had happened. "Sanji, with me! Koby and Usopp, take one, Kuina and Zoro the other—sound good?"
Everyone nodded with feral grins."Then let's go!" he shouted, grabbing Sanji by the arm before launching himself with a Gum Gum Rocket toward the ship on the right.
Nami steered the Merry skillfully, weaving between cannon fire. Usopp climbed into the crow's nest, shooting down shell after shell with his magic projectiles, which I supported with precise bolts of lightning that detonated the cannonballs midair.
Koby leapt onto the first enemy ship, his boots slamming against the wet planks, while Usopp covered him from above. Facing him, the ship's officer—a hulking man with a square jaw—burst into laughter."You think you can take me on, brat?!"
His body suddenly warped, swelling with the cracks of bones and flesh. Long ears sprouted, his legs thickened, and he transformed into a grotesque humanoid dwarf rabbit, massive and imposing."The Usa-Usa no Mi, dwarf rabbit model!" he roared, his incisors gleaming like blades. But instead of a cute appearance, it was a monstrous caricature.
Koby gripped his sword, his face resolute."You may be big and ugly, but I'm not who I used to be."
The officer suddenly lunged, his speed multiplied by his animal form. He hammered Koby with rapid kicks and bites, each impact splintering the ship's planks. But Koby activated his Observation Haki just in time, narrowly dodging several strikes. A claw grazed his cheek, leaving a bloody mark.
"Not bad… but I can leap too!" Koby shouted, channeling energy into his legs.
He feinted sideways, slipped under the next attack, and slashed at the creature's tendons with surgical precision. The rabbit screamed, but retaliated by striking with both hind legs in a monstrous blow that hurled Koby against the railing.
"KOBY!" Usopp shouted from the Merry, firing a volley of arrows to divert the Zoan's attention.
Seizing the opening, Koby leapt forward again, his sword gleaming."I'm not afraid of you!"
In a furious burst, he unleashed a rapid flurry of strikes, finishing with a deep slash across the throat. The officer staggered, wavered, and collapsed onto the deck with a final growl.
Silence lasted for a heartbeat, before the enemy sailors erupted into panicked screams and scrambled to flee.
At the same time, Zoro and Kuina were turning their ship into a slaughterhouse, cutting down men as if they were made of paper, while Sanji and Luffy tore through their target with perfectly synchronized strikes.
After scanning the skies to make sure no new threat was approaching, I dove into the deep waters. Around me, dark silhouettes emerged as I released several Torpedoes. They streaked through the sea like aquatic lightning bolts, slicing through the waves with surgical precision. Seconds later, all enemy vessels fell silent: their terrified crews were swallowed by darkness, transformed into common Heartless that I immediately absorbed into my shadow.
Only the officer, bearer of the Zoan, was different. From him emerged two entities: a Reflection (a Nobody) and a tiny new Heartless shaped like a rabbit—so absurdly cute it clashed violently with the monstrosity of its former master.
"He's so cute!!" Kaya and Kuina shouted in unison.
Realizing what she'd just done, Kuina instantly coughed into her palm, her face flushing red as she tried to regain her composure. Zoro stared at her in silence, a vein throbbing on his temple, before sighing and looking away.
I couldn't help but smile."Looks like we've already found your Heartless, Kaya."
The young woman stepped forward, her blue eyes gleaming with a new light as the little creature hopped curiously toward her. When I slid it into her shadow, an elegant transformation unfolded.
Kaya's appearance shifted: her figure remained graceful and slender, but hybrid traits began to emerge. Her ears lengthened, covered in a soft black down, contrasting with her flowing blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her skin took on a darker, almost ashen tone, yet her heart literally shone with a bright blue light at the center of her chest. Her eyes, an intense azure, seemed to reflect the stars' glow even in broad daylight. Altogether, it gave her an aura both mysterious and regal, as if she belonged to another world.
Usopp, mouth wide open, forgot to breathe. A string of drool escaped before he hastily wiped it away, blushing as red as a tomato under the amused gazes of the rest of the crew.
I let out a soft laugh."Beautiful and dangerous… a true hybrid Heartless."
Then I turned to the captain."Luffy, Nami… keep heading toward Kotzia. Sora has to visit that slave bridge." My tone had grown darker.
Luffy crossed his arms, his face unusually serious, before nodding."Do what you have to, Jordan. But come back, alright? Your dream matters to us too."
A smile tugged at my lips despite myself. "Thanks, captain."
I waved to the crew before letting myself fall back into the sea. In the depths, Meumeuh was waiting for me. I stroked his massive scales before bidding him farewell with a gesture. Then I swam toward the cyclopean foundations of the bridge.
That's why the Sea Kings don't leave the Calm Belt—the depth isn't the same everywhere at sea, or at least, the seafloor in East Blue isn't deep enough for them.
(Author's note: That's it for this weekend! I've attached three images with this chapter—the rabbit Heartless and the hybrid versions of Kuina and Kaya.)