Chapter 83

Suddenly, Kairos Flint's figure appeared beside Perona, his blade pressed coldly against her neck.

"Do you have any idea what it costs to attack me?" he asked calmly.

"But... he'll die," Perona stammered.

Her fear was real. Very few people could stare death in the face and still stand their ground. Perona, only 23 and still young at heart, wasn't one of them.

"You hurt Lord Moria," she said, gritting her teeth despite her trembling. "That's why!"

Moria had raised her since she was a child. He was like a father to her. Seeing him nearly killed by Kairos Flint filled her with rage and helplessness. How could she stand by and do nothing?

"I gave him a chance to back down," Kairos said coldly. "But he chose to fight. I merely helped him reach his end faster."

"You're no better!" she snapped, though her voice shook.

Kairos could see she was scared. But what she didn't realize was that he rarely struck down innocents, especially those without a bounty.

He didn't know much about Perona, but he knew enough. She'd been raised by Moria, treated like his own daughter. And despite being part of the Moria Pirates, she didn't have a bounty. Not because she was a saint—but because Moria had kept his crew hidden from public notice after his humiliating defeat at the hands of Kaido.

Since then, Moria had thrown himself into building a zombie army, keeping his head low until he rose again as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. His crew had remained largely under the radar, without significant crimes on record.

That left Kairos uncertain.

The people he killed were always either major criminals or direct threats to him and his allies.

Back in Water 7, he hadn't attacked CP9 until they tried to capture Robin. When he did kill one of their members, it was to send a clear message—not just vengeance, but deterrence.

But Perona?

She didn't seem to fit either category. And that gave him pause.

Then a hoarse voice interrupted.

"S-Stop... Stop."

Moria struggled to his feet, blood pouring from a deep gash on his chest.

He was severely wounded.

It was hardly surprising. Moria's strength had declined—he was barely on par with a Marine Major General, maybe a Vice Admiral at best. If Kairos couldn't injure him with one slash, then all his power was meaningless.

"Well?" Kairos asked, his eyes cold. "Do you regret picking a fight with me, Moria?"

Moria's breathing was heavy. "Let Perona go," he said with great difficulty. "I'll give you everything on this ship—my treasure... even my life."

Kairos blinked. "So generous?"

He didn't really care about treasure or even lives. He was far beyond such simple motivations. But still, to offer his own life just to save Perona?

Clearly, Kairos had underestimated how much Perona meant to Moria.

Perona wasn't just a crew member. She had the powers of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit—another Devil Fruit user. That meant Moria had likely given her the fruit directly. He wouldn't have wasted that kind of power on someone he didn't love like a daughter.

"Fine," Kairos said without hesitation. "But I want one more thing. The Black Blade—Shusui."

He knew Moria could command the zombie samurai Ryuma, who wielded the blade. Rather than waste time hunting it down, he'd simply have Moria summon the undead swordsman.

"Deal," Moria agreed immediately.

He knew he had no chance against Kairos. He'd been overwhelmed in a single blow. More resistance would only get him killed.

So, he gave up.

His only goal now was saving Perona. And to do that, he'd give up anything.

Using his Devil Fruit powers, Moria summoned Ryuma and the treasure hoard from the depths of the ship. Soon, gold and jewels were piled high like a small mountain. Just the treasure alone could buy several hundred million Berries worth of cannon shells.

Kairos turned to Uta and tossed her the black katana. "Uta, it's yours."

Shusui was one of the 21 Great Grade Swords—a masterpiece, second only to the Supreme Grade Blades.

But just then...

Buzz!

The Kitetsu III sword in Kairos's hand began to hum, as if whining with hunger.

It wanted to devour Shusui and absorb its power.

Kairos sighed. "Greedy bastard."

Kitetsu III always wanted to consume anything that could make it stronger. But Kairos ignored it this time.

"It's all here," Moria said, leaning against the wall. "Now keep your word."

"I always do," Kairos said with a smirk.

With a wave of his hand, he stored all the treasure and jewels in his dimensional space.

"You better not hurt Lord Moria!" Perona suddenly stepped in front of Moria, shielding him despite her fear.

Kairos chuckled. "Relax."

In a flash, he appeared beside her, scooped her up with one hand, and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

"If you love protecting Moria so much, then you're coming with me. From now on, you'll be a maid on my ship. In exchange, I'll let Moria live."

He sheathed his sword and gave Perona a playful smack on her rear. The sharp slap echoed in the air, making her face turn beet red from anger and embarrassment.

But she didn't fight back.

She'd heard him clearly—becoming a maid was a small price to pay to save Moria's life.

"Perona!!" Moria roared, trying to stand, fury etched into his battered face.

But he was helpless.

Kairos looked back with a grin. "I'm taking your crewmate. If you ever want her back, get stronger. Then come find me."

With that, Kairos, Nami, and the others turned and left.

The treasure was his. A new maid joined the crew. And Moria? Kairos couldn't care less.

Once, killing Moria might've given him a valuable Devil Fruit ability crystal or maybe one or two legendary-grade ones.

But now?

He had more crystals than he could use.

Epic Physique Crystal x2.

Epic Soul Crystal x1.

Epic Talent Crystal x8.

Epic Martial Arts Crystal x3.

Epic Swordsmanship Crystal x2.

Moria was just another name on a long list. Letting him live cost nothing.

After all, the World Government had already placed a massive bounty on Kairos. They called him a pirate—fine. He'd wear the title with pride, until the day came when he forced the Five Elders themselves to revoke it.

On the way back, his crew couldn't help commenting.

"Another one, huh?" Nami said dryly.

"Kairos, maybe... don't be so greedy?" Vivi added with a raised eyebrow.

"Try using a little restraint next time," Uta chimed in.

"Is this just manly instinct or what?" Robin teased, smirking.

Kairos stood tall. "Strong back. Strong kidneys. What's the problem?"

After all, in this world, kings and nobles had dozens of wives. He only had four women on board—Nami, Vivi, Uta, and Robin. Was that really so outrageous?

The girls just rolled their eyes, but said nothing more. Deep down, they knew how rare Kairos's ability crystals were. Any woman in the world would throw herself at him if he offered one.

So how could they really complain?

——

At the harbor, Kairos summoned his ship from his portable space.

The group boarded and set sail without a hitch. No door on the infamous Thriller Bark could stop Kairos. One slash, and the massive gates fell like paper.

Smooth and swift, they sailed away.

Their next destination: the Sabaody Archipelago.

As for Perona?

The girl who had been treated like royalty was now... a maid.

Tea-making, laundry, cooking, cleaning—she did it all. No one pampered her. When she tried to cry or go on strike, Kairos only said one thing:

"If you don't want to work, I can always send you back... after I kill Moria."

Perona froze. Then silently got back to work.

In her eyes, Kairos had become the devil himself.

——

A few days later, they arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.

Kairos stepped onto the dock and muttered to himself, "I hear the Celestial Dragons like to hang around here. Since the World Government already branded me a pirate... wouldn't it be fun to kill a couple of them too?"

He smiled darkly.

His war was just beginning.