The World Outside the Window

"Do you remember what I was like when I was little, Merry?" Kaya asked as she folded the clothes in her hands.

"Back then, I'd run around and play in the mud just like a boy. Mud would splash all over my clothes and face, and I'd still laugh and laugh. I had no idea what it meant to be dirty. I used to climb over walls and climb trees, too. I still remember falling from the big tree by the window when I was about six. You immediately carried me, crying my eyes out, to the village clinic. Later, after I'd recovered, Father talked with me in his study for the whole night. After that..."

"I never did any of those 'dangerous' things again. I became a quiet, well-behaved 'lady,' hiding in the house day after day. Even though I longed to see the world outside, I didn't dare open that window..."

"Miss..." Merry was deeply moved.

"Even though K... Ratbar had his own motives, those days felt as if a bright little crack had opened in my heart. Later, the stories Usopp told me painted such a wonderful world. I found that the window in my heart kept opening wider and wider. I knew his stories were all made up, but that feeling was like a seed taking root and sprouting on the windowsill, pulling the window open..."

"Miss, I always thought I understood you better than anyone. I never imagined..." Merry nearly sobbed aloud. "I realized I don't know what you want at all!"

"Don't be like that, Merry. Aside from my father and mother, you're the person I respect most. Thank you for everything you've done for us all these years." Kaya turned and bowed deeply to Merry. "So please, treat me like an adult who can stand on her own."

"I understand, I understand!" Merry covered her face and wept. "I'll support you, Miss!"

"Thank you, Merry. Thank you for understanding me."

Kaya finished packing her things. "How is Usopp?"

"He's still resting in his room. He looks like he's sleeping soundly." Merry was still emotional and spoke through her sobs. "Would you like to see him?"

"No, let's not disturb him. He's exhausted. He must be having a lovely pirate dream right now."

Kaya tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and looked out the window at the birds and flowers, taking in the beautiful scenery. "He probably won't support me, will he? I don't want to cry and make a fuss with him like a little girl. Otherwise, the resolve I've just found might crumble all over again."

On the rocky shore along the East Blue coastline, aboard the Big Top.

Buggy stood alone on the deck, looking at the traces of battle on the rocky beach and slope. The Cat Claw marks on the rock face and the shattered ground were proof enough of how fierce the fight had been.

During yesterday's battle, he had kept a close eye on Kuro's movements and expressions each time he used "Scoop." Both "Shave" and "Scoop" demanded considerable strength in the legs, but "Shave" relied on explosive power, while "Scoop" depended on changing one's trajectory.

In battle, Kuro's body seemed to be in a relaxed state. The swaying motion he made beforehand seemed designed to help him enter that state. His steps were light during the fight, and he focused all his strength on his Cat Claws.

The first time Kuro used Scoop, his expression was blank, as if he'd attacked without even realizing it. The second time, he seemed even closer to acting on pure instinct, unleashing all his accumulated combat experience without thinking.

Comparing the two uses of Scoop, which had been performed at different levels of intensity, Buggy felt he'd grasped something.

It was the rhythm. Kuro's feet struck the ground in a regular rhythm. Even when he sped up, the rhythm never faltered. That was what set it apart from Shave, which focused on rapid, repeated steps.

That said, combining rapid steps with rhythm and finding the right balance to create a whole new martial art wasn't as simple as it sounded.

Buggy rubbed his forehead. You had to take things one bite at a time. He'd just have to figure it out through practice later...

Kaya came down the path alone, carrying a bundle. She stopped to catch her breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and continued resolutely toward the shore.

As Buggy watched Kaya make her way to the shore, step by step, he couldn't help feeling surprised. Her complexion had still been terrible that night, and she'd looked so sickly she might die at any moment. But from yesterday to today, her health seemed to have improved dramatically. The flush on her face from exertion was certainly real.

What kind of Devil Fruit had she eaten...?

Kaya soon reached the ship. Buggy detached one hand, then used it to pull Kaya and her bundle aboard. "Welcome, Kaya."

"That's amazing..."

Seeing Buggy's detached hand again, Kaya wasn't as frightened as before, though she still exclaimed in admiration. Then she bowed deeply to everyone. "My name is Kaya. I look forward to working with you all."

Shuma rubbed his chin and muttered, "Kaya looks so much like the Great Matriarch!"

"Shut up, Shuma..." Buggy's right eye twitched. The Great Matriarch of the Cannibal Tribe looked about as much like Kokoro, who had transformed into a mermaid in Water 7, as anyone could...

"I'm Cabaji, the swordsman. If you're coming aboard, you'd better be prepared. This isn't some pirate game for children," Cabaji said calmly. "Take it as advice from someone who's done everything he can just to survive on these seas..."

Buggy smacked Cabaji on the head. "Don't steal my lines!"

Cabaji hurriedly lowered his head. "Sorry, Captain Buggy!"

"All right. There are private cabins below deck, so you can choose one..." Buggy spoke slowly. "But before that, I'll say this: you and I are both bound by our agreement. If you don't live up to my expectations, I'll put you off the ship. Likewise, if you're unhappy, you can leave whenever you want before we reach our destination. That's a gentleman's agreement."

"I'll do my best, Uncle Buggy, but..." Kaya seemed timid, but she still spoke up. "Please don't let this ship disappoint me, either!"

Buggy gave a sly grin. "Of course..."

"Kaya!!!"

A weak voice came from the shore, abruptly cutting Buggy off. He turned to look and saw Usopp standing on the slope.

Then Usopp came stumbling toward them.

"Kaya..." Usopp looked at Kaya, who was about to set sail, then turned to Buggy with an accusing look. "Uncle Buggy, why are you taking her out to sea? She's not suited to being a pirate at all. She's just a poor girl who lost her parents..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Usopp realized he shouldn't have said them and couldn't help swallowing.

Buggy shook his head at Usopp's irrational words. "Kaya, I'm the one who approved you coming aboard. You understand that, right? If you want to grow, try saying no to the past. Tell yourself that you're no longer a girl who has to stand on tiptoe just to look out at the world!"

Kaya took a deep breath. "Uncle Buggy, I understand!"