The next morning was quiet. The Going Merry glided over calm seas, sunlight sparkling on the waves. But Kai could feel it — that familiar tension that came before something big.
He was sitting near the mast, sipping coffee and scrolling through his Stream logs.
[Total Followers: 142 Million]
[Recent Donations: "Kai, marry me!" – 200,000 Berries / "Streamer King 🔥" – 50,000 Berries / "When's the merch drop?" – 30,000 Berries]
He chuckled softly. "Man, I really turned piracy into a full-time gig."
Nami walked by, checking the maps. "You'd better not forget to share those Berry tips with me."
He grinned. "You get a cut when you stop calling them 'weird snail donations.'"
[Chat (Offline Replay): "Nami catching Kai's money habits 😂" / "Couple energy already 💀"]
At the bow, Vivi stood quietly, her face serious.
The morning breeze played with her hair, and Kai noticed she hadn't smiled since they left Little Garden.
He walked over. "You okay?"
She hesitated before nodding. "Yes… just thinking. Alabasta's not far now."
"Home?"
"Home," she said softly. "But it won't be the same. It's falling apart."
Kai leaned beside her. "Then we'll help you fix it. You're not alone in this."
She gave him a faint, grateful smile.
[System: Vivi Affection +3 | "Bond Deepened: Trust"]
[Stream: LIVE — "Heading Toward Alabasta! Desert Secrets Incoming!"]
[Viewers: 16.9M]
[Chat: "Vivi arc beginninggg 🔥" / "Kai x Vivi moments incoming 😳" / "Alabasta is about to pop off!"]
Luffy was lying on the figurehead, arms spread. "Can't wait to see the desert! I'm gonna wrestle a sand monster!"
Usopp groaned. "Please don't."
Zoro yawned. "As long as it's not another island full of wax."
Sanji twirled his cigarette. "As long as there are beautiful ladies, I'm fine."
Kai pointed at him. "You say that every arc."
Sanji winked. "Consistency is my charm, brother."
Hours later, a large shadow appeared on the horizon — a ship with black sails.
It moved fast. Too fast.
Nami frowned. "That's no merchant ship."
Kai squinted, using his camera zoom. "No flag… Wait. There's writing—"
A cannonball fired before he could finish.
"Pirates!" Usopp screamed.
Kai laughed under his breath. "Finally, some content."
[Stream Title: "Surprise Pirate Attack!!"]
[Viewers: 18.1M]
[Chat: "Action time baby!!" / "Kai's way too chill about being shot at 😭" / "Luffy bout to solo again lol."]
The cannonball hit the sea near them, spraying water high.
Zoro drew his swords. "Guess it's fight time."
Luffy grinned. "Let's take their food!"
Kai cracked his neck, his system interface glowing faintly.
[System: Temporary Quest — "Repel the Raiders." Reward: Random Viewer Gift + EXP Boost.]
He leapt across the deck, landing on the enemy ship with a bright thud.
"Surprise! You're live!"
The pirates blinked. "You're what—?"
He smirked and swung his staff, knocking three overboard.
[Chat: "HE SAID YOU'RE LIVE 😭😭😭" / "Kai streaming mid-battle again 💀" / "Streamer energy unmatched."]
Luffy punched through a mast, laughing like a kid.
Zoro sliced the cannon in half.
Usopp hid behind a crate, yelling encouragement.
Within minutes, it was over.
Back aboard the Merry, Kai wiped sweat from his forehead. "Okay, that was fun. Who wants lunch?"
Nami rolled her eyes. "You act like we didn't just get attacked."
"Eh," he said with a grin. "It's good for engagement."
[System Notification: Viewer Gift Received — "Mystery Snack Pack." Effect: Restores 50% stamina to crew when used.]
He raised a brow. "Hey, that's actually useful."
Usopp leaned in. "Wait, snacks just fell out of the air."
Kai smiled. "Miracles of modern streaming."
[Chat: "Snack Drop!! 😂" / "Kai feeding the crew from donations 💀" / "This story writes itself."]
Later that night, the stars blanketed the sea, and Vivi joined Kai at the railing again.
"You really do bring light into strange places," she said softly.
He looked at her. "You mean chaos."
She smiled. "Same thing sometimes."
The ocean breeze carried the laughter from the deck behind them — Luffy shouting about meat, Sanji arguing with Zoro, Nami counting her maps.
Kai closed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Yeah… this feels right."
[System Log: "Vivi's Trust Deepens." Hidden Stat Unlocked — "Crew Bond." Buff: +5% Morale / +5% Team Coordination.]
Tomorrow, Alabasta would be waiting.
And the real chaos was about to begin.
[End of Chapter 26 — "Rumors of the Desert Princess."]