19 The Bald and the Beautiful
*CAW * *CAW*
Kasper sat on the deck of the ship, his thoughts drifting back to his past. He hailed from the modern world, where his days were filled with the routine of classes and part-time work. Ambition wasn't his driving force; he simply went with the flow. He wasn't affluent, but neither was he destitute. There were no tragic accidents that left him an orphan.
Rather, he found himself estranged from his parents due to his father's infidelity, which shattered his family. His mother, hurt and disillusioned, embarked on a series of fleeting relationships before settling with a new partner, severing ties with her previous life.
Despite his father's descent into alcoholism, Kasper acknowledged his efforts to hold things together. He carried the weight of this knowledge with him.
When he got this new chance at life, he grabbed it. He knew his dad would be left alone, but he saw it as a way to start over for his father - no more reminders of past mistakes.
'I'm free now, able to make my own story,' he thought. 'That's probably why I don't feel like changing the world. I just want to live without anyone holding me back. Making friends, discovering the mysteries of these new worlds - that's what I think the 'Big Guy' wanted for me.'
*CAW* *CAW*
Pausing his thoughts, he looked up to the sky. There, he spotted a 'News Coo' - a bird that carried news about pirates and bounties, reaching almost everyone in this world. The 'World Economics News Paper' it delivered was distributed by Morgans, a figure who held sway over the Underworld, earning him the moniker of 'Emperor'.
Signaling it down, Kasper slipped some money into the pouch strapped to its neck before retrieving the newspaper. "Hey, Robin, come check this out. The latest paper's here! Who knows, we might even make the front page," he teased.
Responding to Kasper's call, Robin emerged from her quarters, her hair still damp from a recent shower. Water droplets glistened on her face as they trickled down, and her clothes hugged her figure, highlighting her graceful curves.
"What's the news?" she asked, joining Kasper to glance at the papers in his hand.
'STRAW HATS TAKE DOWN CROCODILE, THE HIDDEN DICTATOR OF ARABASTA KINGDOM!
In shocking news, it is confirmed that the new rising rookies known as the Straw Hat Pirates have thwarted a sinister plot by the now-infamous Warlord Crocodile. In scandalous news, it has been revealed that the Warlord had created unrest within the Kingdom due to his control of 'Dance Powder', causing droughts and controlling the import of goods.
Riots and resistance units were close to an uprising before it was discovered that Princess Nefertari Vivi had infiltrated his agents and exposed all of Crocodile's vile deeds.
The Straw Hat Pirates are said to have left the Casino that Crocodile owned, carrying a severely wounded Warlord, missing a few of his limbs. The Marines and World Government have yet to issue their remarks!'
Robin, reading the news article, turned to Kasper. "Seems like your actions are flying under the radar. But Luffy and his crew are in for a tough time with the Marines now, even if they deny any involvement."
"No worries," Kasper replied, sifting through the bounty papers. "I'm sure they'd have done the same if they beat us to it." He then exclaimed, pulling out two bounties.
The first bounty Kasper pulled out, placing it on the table in front, read: 'Nico Robin; Devil Child. 100,000,000 Beri. Wanted dead or alive.'
Grinning from ear to ear, Kasper laughed out loud. "Well, at least they captured your good side! You look like a poisonous flower, beautiful but deadly."
"Ah, so you think I'm pretty? Is that a compliment from the little wolf pup I met all those years ago?" Robin retorted, sarcasm dripping from her words.
"If I don't remember it, it never happened! But enough about you, it's my turn," Kasper said, embarrassed, before turning to his bounty paper.
'Saitama; The Bald. 200,000,000 Beri. Wanted dead or alive. Avoid if possible, capable of defeating a Marine ship by himself.'
"Pfffffftttt-."
"MOTHERFUCKER! THEY USED THAT JOKE NAME AND MISHEARD MY WORDS? I'LL KILL THE FUCKER WHO MADE THIS DECISION!" Kasper screamed out loud, the absolute shock and disappointment in his debut being turned into a joke radiating from his body.
"Hahahahaha! 'The bald'! That's even worse than 'Buggy The Clown'!" Robin collapsed onto the deck of the ship, clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her face from laughter.
Kasper turned to her, seeing her still laughing at his embarrassment, and said, "Fuck it, let's head to Marineford now. I'm going to kick Sengoku in his Buddha balls, shave his head, and string him up!" With that, he turned away, his face flushed with anger and shame.
"Haha, okay, okay. It's not that terrible. Think of it as your stage name," Robin said, still trying to stifle her laughter. "At least your picture shows you with hair, and it's quite imposing too," she remarked, glancing at the photo.
Kasper was captured mid-punch, his face contorted in a sneer, his eyes narrowed with determination. The muscles in his arms looked like they were about to burst with strength.
"You're right... We're close to Water 7 anyway; we might as well enjoy a little holiday and find a nice place to relax for a bit before we head back out to sea."
Confirming his photo was quite imposing, a hint of pride returned to Kasper's ego.
"We'll be there shortly. Get your stuff ready, and make sure you've got something to cover your face, or the holiday will be cut short," he said.
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Water 7 boasts a distinctive layout and aesthetic. Its waterways function akin to streets, flanked by pathways along the canals. The architecture is vibrant, with walls and roofs often adorned in hues of tan or peach, while roofs are predominantly red and curved. Structures are tiered, maximizing space and accounting for the city's sinking nature.
Certain canals accommodate ships, adding to the city's unique charm. Overall, Water 7's design evokes the image of a colossal fountain within a volcanic crater, owing to its tiered housing system.
A small ship eased into the port, its darker hue distinguishing it from the others anchored nearby. Kasper and Robin descended from the vessel, a faint shimmer enveloping it before it turned transparent, revealing its locking mechanism.
"So, have you been here before, or do you want to just walk around and figure out where we should go then?" Kasper inquired, turning to his companion.
"Let's explore the town for a bit and take in the sights. Plus, you mentioned wanting to try some of the local food, right?" Robin suggested, adjusting their slightly askew black face mask.
As they ventured into town, one word summed up the atmosphere: bustling. People hurried about, engrossed in their tasks and routines. "You wouldn't think this place had pirates visiting it all the time, would you?" Kasper mused, more to himself than to Robin.
Robin paused, considering the observation before responding, "If only there weren't Marines around every corner, this place would be heaven."
Kasper's eyes darted from one point of interest to another, his attention snagged by a stall selling candied apples. Hastening over, he placed an order for two. "I can't believe they have these here! I adored them when I was younger," he exclaimed, a small smile gracing his face.
"Did you have them a lot before you got lost on the island?" Robin inquired, noting Kasper's rare mention of his past.
Realizing his slip, Kasper chuckled lightly, admitting, "Uh, yeah. But it was so long ago I barely remember now."
They pressed on with their exploration, pausing at anything intriguing. Robin, predictably, gravitated towards a bookstore, disappearing for an hour while deciding on her purchase. Meanwhile, Kasper found himself drawn to a flashy weapons shop, though nothing surpassed the sword he already possessed.
Afterwards, Kasper located a small rental shop where they could secure lodging for the week. Excitedly, he returned to Robin's side, announcing, "I found a quaint cottage just two streets away. Let's go check it out!" With that, he took her hand and led the way.
Feeling Kasper's hand in hers, Robin couldn't help but blush slightly. She couldn't deny his attractiveness, both in personality and appearance, but she also wanted to maintain their current dynamic. After all, they had only known each other for a few weeks.
Arriving at a small, single-story cottage, the duo stepped inside. They were met with a cozy living room and a modest kitchen equipped with the essentials. Two doors at the rear of the house indicated their respective bedrooms.
"It's not bad for a temporary place. We might as well make the best of it," Kasper remarked.
"Mhmm," came Robin's slightly meek response. "I'm going to take a bath first, and then we can have dinner before we figure out what to do next," she continued as she headed towards one of the bedrooms.
'Weird,' Kasper questioned as he went to the kitchen to prepare for dinner.
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After dinner, they both retired to their respective bedrooms. Despite the late hour, Kasper found himself wide awake. He decided to leave the cottage for a midnight stroll, hoping to experience the town in a different light.
The streets were quiet, save for the lively laughter emanating from the taverns Kasper passed. He eventually found himself back at the docks, where he kicked off his shoes and walked towards the water's edge. The sensation of sand between his toes and the gentle rhythm of the waves offered a moment of tranquility.
As he gazed out at the water, thoughts raced through Kasper's mind. "If my guess is correct, after I beat those Marines they must have returned to report to headquarters. Water 7 being the closest location would mean they might send someone to investigate here. Perhaps a Vice-Admiral or CipherPol?" His mind worked quickly, trying to anticipate their next moves. "Regardless," he concluded, "I'll deal with the situation as it comes."
Deciding he had pondered future issues long enough, Kasper retraced his steps back to the cottage. The brief respite and silence had helped him untangle his thoughts. Upon returning, he headed straight for his bed, feeling the weight of accumulated fatigue settling in.
'Hmm?' A faint tug in his mind caught Kasper's attention, his Haki and instincts alerting him to someone nearby on a rooftop, their gaze fixed on the cottage. 'Heh, it seems my guess was right. CipherPol is here,' he mused to himself. 'They'll likely make a move tomorrow.'
