A sudden wave of wind swept through, and like a curtain pulled away, all the weapons embedded in the tower door were ripped free, swirling off into the distance.
Kaito pushed the door open and slipped inside. Darkness greeted him — but that ant little. With his Sharingan, he could see perfectly even without light.
"Who's there? Soone… please…" a small, timid voice floated from deeper in the room.
Pat! A switch flipped. Light exploded into the room.
The entire chamber was pink: pink drapes, pink lamps, pink bed fra, even pink cabinets. It felt like walking into a fairy tale.
Sitting on the bed, Shirahoshi looked up at him, her expression fragile, frightened.
"You… who are you, and what are you doing here?" Her voice trembled softly.
Kaito stepped forward, gentle, reassuring. "You don't need to be afraid. I ca to rescue you."
"Rescue ?" Tears ford in her eyes, but a hopeful blush colored her cheeks. "Do you… really an that?" she whispered.
He nodded. "I know why you're here. I also know where Vander Decken IX is. I can take him down, so you can leave safely — and see the sea again."
Her hope flared, and she whispered back, almost inaudible: "Then… can you do it?"
"Of course." Kaito's voice was firm. "But there's one condition." He smiled gently. "By the way, my na is Kaito."
"Kaito?" Shirahoshi's eyes widened. "I… I don't know what you want, or how I can help — but if you need sothing, I'll do it. I promise I won't refuse."
Kaito's expression softened. "Good. When I need you, I'll co back. I just hope… you don't refuse ."
Shirahoshi nodded, her voice catching with emotion. "I won't refuse, Kaito-kun."
He cleared his throat, a little embarrassed, then added: "Actually… can I ask you sothing odd?"
"You can ask anything," she said quickly.
Before he could speak, shadows flickered through the door cracks. Figures leapt forward, aiming at her bed.
"Kaito, watch out!" Shirahoshi cried, panic in her voice.
"Foolish," he muttered with disdain. He extended his hand, and an invisible repulsive force erupted from his palm — Observation Haki manifested subtly in the air around his hand. The intruders were pushed back, crashing into the pink walls.
Click! The wall dented. Behind where they struck, hidden weapons fell free, daggers and blades revealing themselves.
"… I'm Vander Decken IX!" he said with cold certainty, his gaze unwavering.
"Vander Decken IX — I ca for you!" His calm tone held a sharp killing intent.
The intruders recoiled, and Kaito advanced.
When the danger passed, Shirahoshi trembled as she looked at him. "Kaito-kun… are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
He shook his head slowly. "I'm fine."
Relief washed over her. "You… you saved ." She exhaled, her small fra quivering. "Thank you."
He smiled softly. "Now… you said I could ask you anything, right?"
Kaito's eyebrows rose, but he asked gently, "rmaids on your island — how does your species grow up and reproduce?"
Shirahoshi's voice was quiet, almost shy. "When a rmaid matures, her tail can beco legs. Our reproductive system… activates normally. Also, we can control our height. It's… different than humans."
Kaito listened, stunned. That's… unexpectedly scientific.
He nodded slowly. "I see."
Relief softened her expression — then, she bowed her head naively. "Kaito-kun… if you like … I — I would wait until I grow up. For you."
His heart jerked. What is this? He tried to wave away the tension. "No, Shirahoshi — that's not what I ant." He rubbed his head awkwardly. "I asked out of curiosity."
Tears glinted in her eyes. "Then… you don't like ?"
"Of course I… I just… I have things to deal with right now," he said, voice flustered. "I ca here to stop Decken, not… this."
Shirahoshi's face fell, and she looked crushed. Then she bravely bumped her index fingers together. "Is it… because you don't like ?"
Kaito paused. She seed so sincere, so fragile. He swallowed. "I… will co back. After I take care of what I need to."
"When you co back… maybe… we can talk again?" she asked, faint hope in her voice.
He nodded, then disappeared in a blink.
Boom! Boom! The door closed behind him.
Outside, Kaito inhaled deeply. "Finally…" he whispered. "When this is all over, I'll talk to soone else about this."
He strode toward rman Street. He'd promised to help her — and he ant to keep it. He'd also help root out the new fish-man pirates, make sure this island wasn't disrupted again.
Reviews
All reviews (0)