The next morning, the Going Merry glided smoothly through calm seas. The storm was gone, and for once, there was peace — or as close to peace as the Straw Hats ever got.
Kai stretched lazily on deck, his camera snail hovering nearby.
[Stream: LIVE — "The Calm Before Something Dumb"]
[Viewers: 10.1M]
[Chat: "Let me guess, filler episode?" / "Kai looks too relaxed, danger inbound 💀" / "Streamer tan incoming ☀️"]
He yawned. "It's been twelve hours since someone tried to kill us. I think that's a new record."
Zoro was snoring in the corner.
Luffy was trying to fish — with his bare hands.
Nami was mapping the sea currents with Vivi's help.
Sanji was humming while cooking something that smelled suspiciously like heaven.
Kai grinned. "Perfect. Chill vibes, good food, zero drama."
[System: Passive Stream Engagement — +2% Experience Gain.]
Half an hour later, Kai was proven wrong.
A strange shadow moved under the water — long, dark, and impossibly fast.
Usopp screamed first. "SEA MONSTER!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Cool!"
Kai blinked. "No. Not cool. Never cool."
The sea exploded. A giant creature burst out, its teeth gleaming, its body covered in scars and coral.
Kai turned the stream instantly.
[Stream Title Updated: "Monster in the Calm Belt?!?!"]
[Viewers: 13.4M]
[Chat: "HOLY—" / "Luffy boutta punch it" / "Kai's camera work is elite 📸🔥"]
The monster lunged at the ship.
Kai activated Momentum Burst Lv4, sprinting to grab the anchor chain and yank it toward the side. The Merry jerked hard, narrowly dodging the first strike.
"Everyone hang on!" he shouted.
Zoro was already up, blades drawn. "Finally, some action."
Sanji jumped beside him. "Try not to cut the ship this time, marimo."
Luffy stretched his arms. "Gomu Gomu nooooo…"
Kai sighed. "And here comes the chaos."
"PISTOL!"
The punch connected — the monster roared, crashing back into the water with a massive splash.
[Quest: "Defend the Merry."]
[Reward: +700K Berries | Random Item Drop.]
Kai jumped to the railing, energy flaring around his arms. "Let's give chat a show."
He leaped off the deck, landing on the creature's back as it thrashed. Water sprayed everywhere, the camera snail floating above to capture every insane angle.
[Chat: "KAI WHAT ARE YOU DOING 😭" / "HE'S LITERALLY SURFING A SEA MONSTER" / "BEST STREAM EVER 🔥🔥🔥"]
Kai braced his stance. "Okay, big guy, time to nap!"
He channeled energy into his fists and slammed down, his system synchronizing with the impact.
[Critical Hit!]
[Adrenaline Sync Triggered.]
The beast howled and dove beneath the surface, vanishing into the depths.
Kai flipped back onto the Merry, landing with a soaked grin.
"Still think I'm just the camera guy?"
Luffy laughed. "You're awesome!"
Nami screamed, "Don't jump into the ocean again, idiot!"
Kai winked. "Can't promise that."
[System: Random Item Acquired — "Tidal Core Fragment."]
[Effect: Enhances stamina regeneration by 10%.]
After the chaos, the crew sat dripping wet but victorious.
Vivi handed Kai a towel. "That was reckless… but impressive."
He smiled. "Thanks. I aim to impress recklessly."
She giggled softly.
[System: Vivi Affection +2]
Sanji glared. "Oi! Don't flirt with the princess while I'm serving food!"
Kai laughed. "Then hurry up, Chef of Simpdom."
The crew burst out laughing — even Zoro cracked a smirk.
Later that night, under a sky full of stars, Kai started another quiet stream.
[Stream: LIVE — "Night Over Calm Waters"]
[Viewers: 11.2M]
He spoke softly.
"You know, I used to think adventure was all about the thrill. But this… sitting here with friends after a fight, watching the stars? This might be better."
[Chat: "Real talk moment 🥹" / "Kai's character growth arc is showing fr" / "Streamer turned philosopher 😭"]
He smiled faintly.
"Tomorrow's gonna be wild again. But for now… this is enough."
He turned the camera snail upward, capturing the shimmering stars reflected in the calm sea.
[End of Chapter 21 — "Shadows in the Calm."]