On the deck of the disguised Merry, Kong Tai stared blankly at the horizon where the sky met the sea.
It was the warmest, most brilliant time of day, with an indescribable clarity to the uniform azure above. Occasionally, a few playful large fish would leap out of the water, their splashes, intertwined with the morning sun filtering through the mist, glittering like cool-toned transparent blue sapphires.
However, even the most beautiful scenery couldn't capture Kong Tai's attention now.
Creak!
Creak!
Creak!
The sound of wood being compressed echoed from the ladder. Kong Tai set down his cup and turned to look at Kuina, who was ascending the stairs. A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes. Having just finished her morning training and showered, Kuina’s deep blue hair, which shone with a cold light, was as smooth and lustrous as the sea.
Kuina approached Kong Tai and handed him a comb, her voice gentle. "Kong Tai, comb my hair for me."
Seeing the adoration in Kong Tai's eyes, she knew all her efforts were worthwhile. Ever since she learned Kong Tai liked kimonos, she had worn them exclusively. Knowing he preferred long hair, she had grown hers out. Even though kimonos and long hair were inconvenient for combat, she did it without hesitation, for she loved Kong Tai so deeply. Her entire being had transformed into whatever Kong Tai liked.
Kong Tai took the comb and, looking at her kneeling form before him, gently ran it through her soft, silky hair. He was fully aware of Kuina's changes, and he could only repay this affection with his entire life. After smoothing her hair, he picked up a red ribbon and tied it into a ponytail for Kuina. He cupped her head and looked at her with satisfaction. Yes, his skills were quite good.
"All done, Kuina."
Kuina stood up, turned around, and met Kong Tai's captivated gaze. She happily twirled in front of him, like a pink butterfly, freely displaying her beauty. Seeing the woman who only wished to show him her charm and tenderness, Kong Tai pulled her close, making her lie on him. Holding her soft, delicate body, he breathed in the scent of her post-bath freshness and her unique girlish fragrance, and said with deep emotion, "Kuina, wait two more years until you're eighteen, and we'll get married!"
Hearing Kong Tai's words, Kuina suddenly lifted her head, staring in disbelief at the gentle face so close to hers. Tears welled up like springs, dripping one by one onto Kong Tai's chest. She had thought he was waiting for her to confess her love first.
Kong Tai smiled at Kuina, his smile like ripples on a clear spring, overflowing from the dimples at the corners of his mouth and spreading across his face. He reached out his right hand to wipe away her tears and teased, "What? You don't want to?"
Kuina quickly nodded, "I do, I do." How could she not want to?
"Hahahaha…" Looking at Kuina's adorable expression, unrestrained laughter burst from Kong Tai. In his past life, he hadn't even had a girlfriend, and in this life, at seventeen, he already had a fiancée. It felt incredibly fulfilling, didn't it?
Listening to Kong Tai's laughter, Kuina buried her head in his chest, her face flushed. She gently punched his arm a few times. Her cheeks burned as she quietly listened to Kong Tai's strong heartbeat. At this moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
Kong Tai, his face beaming, looked at Kuina tenderly. They had spent so many years together, and he had indeed always treated Kuina like a sister. But as this sister gradually grew up, became more and more dependent on him, and eventually fell in love with him, willing to change so much for him, he couldn't remain indifferent. For such a beautiful and lovely girl, he didn't believe anyone could resist. He must clarify, he wasn't a lolicon or playing the long game of raising a child.
Stroking Kuina's hair, which was as smooth and silky as satin, Kong Tai looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with unprecedented determination. This promise made him more mature and stronger.
…
Sailing was indeed not a simple task. They had been at sea for three days. The first two days were filled with excitement and novelty. However, after two days, even the most beautiful scenery became dull. All they saw was sea, sea, and more sea, with not a soul in sight. It was no wonder pirates loved to party; it was born out of boredom. On the sea, one could only train or lie around like a salted fish.
Kong Tai, fishing at the bow of the ship, stared blankly at the sea. In the manga, wasn't it easy to catch fish? Why was it that for him, there was nothing? Clearly, manga was full of lies.
"Sigh!"
At that moment, Kuina approached with two cups of cola. Hearing his sigh, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Why is it that after three days, we still haven't seen another ship?" Wasn't this the Great Age of Exploration? Weren't pirates as common as leaves on a tree? Why hadn't he encountered any? Was the East Blue too vast, or were the other pirate ships just too lucky? He accepted the cola Kuina handed him with a dejected expression.
He shook the cup a few times. Clink clink clink—! The ice cubes hitting the glass created a pleasant, crisp sound. He raised the cup, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp. The icy cola went straight down his esophagus to his stomach. He let out a burp, then exhaled a puff of white mist.
"Ah, refreshing!"
Kuina smiled gently at Kong Tai. Her smile was like a faint ray of dawn drifting from the corner of her lips. She took the cup from Kong Tai's hand and placed it on the coffee table beside them. "No need to rush. It's only been three days, and we should reach the Baratie, the sea restaurant, today." She paused, licked her lips, and continued, "I heard Baratie is a restaurant on the sea, with the best chef in the entire East Blue."
"Little glutton." Kong Tai gently tapped Kuina on the head. Kuina pretended to be in pain, clutching her head with both hands and gazing at Kong Tai with her large, misty eyes. "Hmph! You dare say you don't want to eat?"
Kong Tai swallowed, turned his head to look at the sea, and stubbornly declared, "I'm only interested in people who can open a restaurant at sea, not their cooking!" Kong Tai nodded affirmatively as he spoke. "Yes! That's right, exactly."
Seeing through Kong Tai's pretense, Kuina didn't call him out. She gently took Kong Tai's hand and held it to her chest, accompanying him as he fished. Ever since their engagement, she had become increasingly gentle and playful. This change had caused Ah Hua and the others to exclaim that Kuina was possessed, as she actually smiled at them—the first time she had ever done so. This had made them hesitant to show themselves for the past two days, feeling as if they were about to face misfortune.
"Whoa!"
Just then, the fishing rod in Kong Tai's hand suddenly bent, and the line went taut. "Did I get a bite?" Kuina immediately let go of Kong Tai, walked to the ship's side, and leaned over the railing, gazing at the sea below. Kong Tai gripped the fishing rod with both hands and yanked hard.
The calm sea surface around the ship began to churn violently, causing the ship to rock and sway. Instantly, the sea below the fishing line was pushed upward. Then, under the force of gravity, a wall of water collapsed back into the sea, revealing a massive, greenish-yellow shadow. The front of the shadow loomed high beside the ship, casting a large shadow. It had a broad skull, a wide mouth revealing sharp fangs, and blood-red eyes that gleamed menacingly, staring intently at Kong Tai, who held the fishing rod.
Kong Tai stood in the shadow, looking up at the magnified sea eel and shouting, "It's you, the King of the Near Sea." He then dropped the fishing rod, stroked his chin, and said earnestly to it, "You know, there's one outside of Fuusha Village, that one is really fierce too. It actually bit off Red-Haired's arm. Though that was over a decade ago, it's enough for it to brag about for a lifetime." He then extended his right hand, held it in front of him, and gave the King of the Near Sea an encouraging look, his chuunibyou soul erupting. "Come on! I'll bet my hand on the East Blue too."
The King of the Near Sea genuinely couldn't understand what the little brat in front of it was saying, but it seemed to sense an insult in its eyes. Its head paused slightly in the air, then, like a falling meteor, it smashed down with all its might.
Bang—!
The King of the Near Sea felt as if it had hit steel, its eyes going starry. After a moment, it recovered. Shaking its head, it looked down at the tooth that had fallen by the ship, a look of grievance on its face. It had been leisurely accompanying its sea fish girlfriends when suddenly, a fishing hook had caught in its mouth without its knowledge. It thought, *Fine, hook me. With my size, the King of the Near Sea, I doubt anyone could pull me up.* To its surprise, before it could swim far, this guy pulled it up. And not only that, it had broken off its coolest tooth. Who could it complain to?
…
"Kong Tai, stop playing. Three o'clock, a ship spotted." Arlo shouted down from the crow's nest.
"Where, where?" Ah Hua, who had been slacking off in the kitchen, rushed out with a cleaver and leaned over the ship's railing to look ahead. They weren't concerned about the King of the Near Sea at all. Instead, they were filled with curiosity about other ships, especially pirate ships.
"Mmm!" Kong Tai's eyes flashed red as he sensed it. It was indeed a large ship, much larger than their own. He looked up at the King of the Near Sea and apologized, "Sorry, I can't play anymore. I'll have to send you on your way."
The King of the Near Sea sensed something and its heart tightened. It quickly retracted its head, trying to dive back into the sea. And a second before Kong Tai finished speaking, a sharp, rapid grinding sound echoed.
Zing—!
A silver-white slash cut through the air, across the King of the Near Sea's neck, and continued onward into the sky with undiminished force.
Ding—!
Kuina sheathed her sword. She had drawn her blade the moment Kong Tai finished speaking.
Boom—!
The King of the Near Sea's massive head plunged into the seawater. After bobbing for a few moments, it finally sank. Through the shimmering water, its eyes still held a look of unwillingness and grievance. Its lower half remained floating on the surface, as if it hadn't realized its head was gone. The viscous,腥 blood had already begun to surge from the smooth cut. A gust of wind blew, and its stubborn lower half could no longer support itself, toppling backward.
Boom—!
It splashed even higher than when it had appeared.