Kaya

East Blue.

Syrup Village.

The village where Usopp was born.

Kaya, with light golden shoulder-length straight hair, bright eyes, fair skin, and a slender waist that could be grasped in one hand, was diligently studying the medical knowledge in the book she held.

Ever since seeing the back of Usopp's head on the bounty poster, Kaya had studied even harder.

At the thought of being able to bandage Usopp's wounds in the future, Kaya's heart filled with joy.

Just as Kaya was studying sweetly and happily.

Lin Yu had also arrived at Syrup Village for his future "happiness."

As a character who appeared at the beginning, Kaya had little screen time, but her outstanding looks and gentle nature had drawn the attention of many.

Naturally, Lin Yu was one of them.

Though he held no grudge against Usopp, what needed to be taken still had to be taken, and walls that needed to be dug through still had to be dug through.

Even Nami and Robin were his targets, so naturally, he could not let Kaya go.

As for gentle Kaya, he did not actually want to use force.

Unfortunately, his timing was wrong. Otherwise, if he had been the one to kill that scheming butler, he could have taken Kaya aboard his ship as a matter of course.

"Young Master, I just went to ask around. The villagers said Kaya lives over there."

Anna, dressed in a backless maid outfit, came to Lin Yu's side and reported what she had learned, taking the opportunity to shelter beneath the shade of the large umbrella Charloss held.

The weather was too hot today, and the sun was too harsh, so Charloss followed Lin Yu around holding a large umbrella.

Behind Lin Yu, Charloss, and Anna, Reiju, Nojiko, and Makino each held a parasol to block out the sun overhead.

"Good. Lead the way."

"Yes, Young Master."

Before long, Lin Yu and the others arrived outside a large house.

It had to be said that Kaya, as a wealthy beauty, really was rich.

That luxurious house alone had probably cost a considerable amount of money.

Not long after pressing the doorbell, Lin Yu saw an "old acquaintance," Merry.

Merry looked at the people before him and asked in confusion, "Hello, who are you looking for?"

Lin Yu smiled, walked straight into the house, and sat down on the sofa inside.

Charloss put away the large umbrella, swiftly took out a tea set and tea leaves from Makino, and poured Lin Yu a cup of chilled tea.

After a long period of training, Charloss and Anna had become proficient in everything a maid was supposed to do.

Reiju, Nojiko, and Makino also sat on the sofa, curiously looking around.

They wanted to know what kind of girl had made Lin Yu come here to "snatch someone away."

Anna grabbed Merry by the neck and pinned him against the wall, smiling as she said, "Call out your young lady. Our Young Master wants to see her."

Merry struggled a few times, only to find himself unable to break free from Anna's grip. He was slightly shocked by her strength.

"What exactly do you want with my young lady?"

Hearing Merry's words, Lin Yu took a sip of chilled tea and smiled. "I want to invite your young lady aboard my ship."

Merry had just been about to object when he turned to look toward the staircase on the second floor.

"I'll go with you, but please let Merry go."

Kaya, wearing an off-white long dress, descended the stairs and spoke to Lin Yu.

As someone who read the news every day, Kaya had recognized Lin Yu at once as the God Slayer who had once killed a Celestial Dragon. She also knew of his Bounty of 1.5 Billion.

The newspaper in her hand also described Lin Yu's attack on the East Blue Marine branch and his murder of the King of Goa Kingdom.

Taken together, these things made Kaya realize that he was a heinous criminal. If she did not want Merry to get hurt, she had no choice but to compromise.

What a gentle, adorable little darling.

The moment Nojiko, Reiju, and Makino saw the delicate and frail Kaya, their eyes lit up.

They finally understood why Lin Yu had come here.

Such a gentle little girl—forget Lin Yu, even they liked her very much.

Makino even hurried over to Kaya, took her hand, and asked, "Your body is a little too weak."

"Have you been eating properly?"

Perhaps Makino's gentle, motherly aura made Kaya feel that she meant no harm, so she instinctively answered, "Yes."

Lin Yu was a little stunned when he heard their conversation.

He felt that their exchange sounded somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Alright, since Miss Kaya has agreed, let's go."

"Makino, Anna, stay behind and help her pack her daily necessities."

After finishing his tea, Lin Yu stood and headed outside. Charloss, Reiju, and Nojiko quickly followed him.

Since Kaya had agreed to board the ship, he could not be bothered to stay any longer.

"Miss Kaya..."

Merry looked at Kaya and called out worriedly.

He had recognized Lin Yu's identity as well, and knew that resisting would only risk Kaya getting hurt.

"Merry, I know what to do."

"You don't need to worry about me."

Kaya came to Merry's side and smiled at him.

Perhaps because of Makino, she suddenly felt that they did not seem like they would hurt her.

"Don't worry, Mr. Merry. We won't hurt Kaya."

Makino had Anna release the hand pinning Merry down, then smiled at him.

She then looked at Kaya. "Miss Kaya, is there anything you need to pack?"

"There are some books."

Kaya looked at Makino hesitantly.

"Come on, I'll help you pack."

"Thank you."

When they arrived at Kaya's Study, Makino stored every book Kaya needed to bring into the Dimensional Storage Cabinet.

"Big Sister Makino, are you a Devil Fruit user?"

Kaya looked at Makino's ability in surprise.

"Hehe, you'll become a Devil Fruit user like me in the future too."

"You're so cute. Lin Yu will definitely help you choose a very powerful Devil Fruit."

Makino smiled and continued helping Kaya pack her things.

"Really?"

Hearing Makino's words, Kaya began to feel faintly expectant.

"Of course it's true."

Makino smiled and answered with great certainty.

Then Kaya looked at Makino curiously and asked, "Big Sister Makino, are you very familiar with Mr. Lin Yu?"

"Uh, I suppose we're quite familiar... maybe."

Thinking about Lin Yu teaching her Swordsmanship, Makino pursed her lips and answered uncertainly.

"Then when did Big Sister Makino board the ship?"

"Uh, just a few days ago."

"The report said Mr. Lin Yu killed a Celestial Dragon. Is that true?"

"I'm not sure, but it's probably true, because..."

"Because of what?" Kaya asked curiously.

"Because Miss Charloss, the one following Lin Yu, is a Celestial Dragon."

Only after Makino reminded her did Kaya remember that the maid beside Lin Yu wearing the Special Necklace seemed to be—perhaps, possibly, probably—the rumored Shalria who had been abducted.

Finally, Kaya asked her last question.

"Then why are you following Mr. Lin Yu, Big Sister Makino?"

"Uh... actually, I was snatched aboard his ship too."

Kaya: "..."