Chapter 27 – The Town of Mockery: Shadows on the Horizon

The Grand Line was never silent.

The winds, the waves, and the pulse of countless pirate crews echoed across its waters. Dreams collided. Ships vanished. Legends rose and fell like tides.

The Queen's Grace cut steadily through the sea as Kaito's crew approached their next destination—Jaya, the infamous pirate haven known for its lawlessness and its graveyard of dreamers.

But this was no detour.

It was the next checkpoint in Kaito's quiet rivalry with the Straw Hat Pirates.

And unbeknownst to him, Luffy's crew was also sailing toward Jaya—carrying their own ambitions, now sharpened by the growing legend of the "Thunder-Blade Kuina" and her fearsome crew.

Kaito's Crew – Approaching Jaya

"Land ahead!" Nojiko called out, adjusting the Log Pose and scanning the coastline that curved like a scythe into the sea.

The island of Jaya sprawled before them, its main port visible even from afar—a tangled web of crooked wooden buildings, leaning towers, and haphazard docks swarming with pirate ships of all sizes.

A place where dreams were mocked, and the strong devoured the weak.

Kaito stepped forward, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Mock Town. Let's tread carefully. This isn't just another lawless port."

Khalifa adjusted her glasses, her sharp eyes already tracing potential ambush points. "Information says Blackbeard's been seen around here. He might already be moving."

Kuina's hand sparked faintly. "I want to see what kind of swordsmen gather in a place like this."

Conis clutched her harp nervously. "Will we… meet the Straw Hats here?"

Kaito smiled. "If we do, I'd like to see how much they've grown."

The Arrival in Mock Town

The Queen's Grace docked in the quieter southern pier.

Unlike other pirate crews, Kaito's crew disembarked in disciplined formation—eyes sharp, steps deliberate. They weren't here to cause trouble, but they wouldn't shy away from it either.

As they entered the winding streets of Mock Town, laughter echoed from taverns and gambling halls, blending with the clashing of blades in drunken duels.

It was a town that fed on arrogance, where talk of dreams was met with fists.

Kaito's crew quickly drew attention.

Kuina, with her twin swords and quiet thunder aura.

Carmen, her chef's knives glinting at her belt.

Khalifa, walking with dangerous elegance.

Aisa, small but sharp-eyed, her Observation Haki quietly scanning the crowds.

Pirates whispered as they passed, recognizing the ship from rumors: "That's Kaito's crew… the ones that clashed with Luffy's people in Skypiea."

Some admired them.

Others wanted to test them.

Luffy's Crew – On the Same Island

Meanwhile, on the northern pier, the Going Merry had just arrived.

"Land ho!" Usopp shouted, his telescope clattering as he called out to the others.

Luffy grinned, adjusting his straw hat. "Let's get some meat and find adventure!"

Zoro crossed his arms, already eyeing the nearby bars. "Tch. This place smells like trouble."

Nami scowled, holding her treasure map tight. "We're here to find the next clue to the Grand Line's routes. Don't start fights."

Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes scanning for women as usual. "Mock Town… looks filthy, but maybe there's some good food here."

Robin, calm as ever, smiled. "There's an interesting energy here… like the island's waiting for something."

Chopper clung to Usopp nervously. "I don't want to get robbed…"

They set off into town, unaware that Kaito's crew had arrived just hours before.

But it didn't take long for the two crews' paths to cross.

First Crossroads – The Quiet Encounter

It was Aisa who first sensed them.

The moment Kaito's crew entered a crowded market square, her Observation Haki trembled.

"They're here," she whispered, tugging Kuina's sleeve.

"Who?" Kuina asked, though part of her already knew.

Aisa pointed across the street.

There, moving casually between stalls of food and weapons, was Luffy's crew.

Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin—all together.

Both crews locked eyes across the square.

The air shifted.

But instead of charging toward each other, they simply watched.

It wasn't time yet.

Luffy's grin widened. "Yo, Kuina! Kaito! Long time no see!"

Kaito raised a hand in greeting. "You've grown stronger."

Zoro's eye narrowed slightly, a silent promise passed between him and Kuina.

Nami sighed. "We just got here. Can't we have one peaceful island?"

Khalifa smirked. "Perhaps we're just passing through… unless you're planning to pick a fight?"

Sanji's cigarette twitched. "You're with the 'thunder woman' now, huh?"

Kuina's thunder flickered faintly in her palm. "Care to test me?"

But Luffy only laughed. "We're not enemies. Not yet. Let's meet again at the next challenge."

With that, the Straw Hats moved on.

The encounter was brief, but the weight of it lingered.

A silent agreement.

Both crews would continue their journey, meeting at crossroads where their dreams—and their rivalry—would naturally collide.

The Shadow of Blackbeard

That night, as Kaito's crew gathered in a quiet tavern near the docks, a low-ranking pirate limped into the building, breathless and panicked.

"B-Blackbeard's crew… they've been spotted near the west forest. They're challenging anyone with bounties to a fight."

Kaito's eyes sharpened.

This was the man who had tested them briefly in Jaya before, but this time, the confrontation would not be as simple.

Kuina's fingers drummed against the hilt of her sword. "Are we going after them?"

Kaito considered it. "No. Not yet."

Carmen raised an eyebrow. "Why wait? They're practically inviting us."

"Because Blackbeard doesn't pick fights without a reason. Let's watch first. See who he's after."

Nojiko tapped the Log Pose. "If we linger too long, the Knock-Up Stream's alignment window will close. We need to decide soon."

Kaito leaned back. "We'll wait. One more day. We'll track Blackbeard's movements—and if he targets someone important, we'll intervene."

Luffy's Side – The Growing Rivalry

On the other side of the island, the Straw Hats sat around a campfire outside of town.

Usopp poked the fire nervously. "Why are they always one step ahead of us?"

Nami sighed. "It's like fate keeps pulling our paths together."

Zoro sharpened his swords, his mind replaying Kuina's stance. "She's changed."

Sanji, arms crossed, watched the flames. "We've changed too."

Chopper munched quietly on some bread. "Do you think we'll fight them again?"

Robin smiled knowingly. "It's inevitable."

Luffy grinned, stretching his arms behind his head. "We'll get stronger. They'll get stronger. That's what makes this fun."

The two crews, though distant by campfire and tavern walls, thought of each other that night.

Not as enemies.

But as rivals.

Both pushing each other toward the impossible seas ahead.

Closing: The Choice at Dawn

As the sun began to rise, Kaito's system chimed in his mind.

[Blackbeard has engaged a high-bounty crew in the west forest.]

[Chance of major incident: 85%]

Kaito stood, his crew immediately following.

"Change of plans," he said, voice sharp. "We move. Let's see what kind of storm Blackbeard is stirring."

Kuina's thunder crackled softly. "And if we meet Luffy's crew again?"

Kaito smirked. "We'll deal with it when it happens."

The Queen's Grace crew set out toward the forest, where Blackbeard's shadow loomed.

Somewhere not far behind, the Straw Hats were also moving—drawn by the same tremors shaking Jaya's fragile balance.

The Grand Line was about to ripple again.

And this time, it would be Kaito's crew and Luffy's crew shaping the waves.