Needless to say, Luffy and his crew had become the very embodiment of Smoker's frustration.

Time passed like flowing water, and five days slipped away in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Kaito remained in Loguetown. One reason was to await the arrival of Doflamingo's subordinate, Gladius. The other was to prepare for the impending hunt from Momousagi and her division.

Smoker knew where Kaito was but chose not to engage. Instead, he sent a Marine to tail him discreetly, while he continued his relentless pursuit of Luffy.

The day the skies turned dark, lightning crawling through the clouds like serpents of light, was the day everything changed.

On the execution platform once used to end the Pirate King's life, Luffy now stood shackled. Beside him, the clown Buggy held a long knife, grinning wickedly — ready to recreate Roger's legendary execution twenty years later.

Below, Alvida, Smoker, Tashigi, and countless townsfolk watched in collective disbelief.

"I said, you've got to have a limit to how far you take a joke!" a loud, furious voice roared from behind.

Everyone turned instinctively. Sanji and Zoro were standing there, confident smirks on their faces.

"Get them!" Alvida barked. A wave of her followers rushed forward, charging straight at the two.

Above, Buggy raised his sword high, lightning reflecting off the blade. Luffy's grin widened, that same fearless smile as his idol's once was.

"Sanji! Zoro! Looks like I'm dying!" he shouted.

From within the crowd, Kaito watched the spectacle and exhaled softly.

"I didn't think I'd get to witness this in person…" he muttered, narrowing his eyes toward the roiling sky. "That storm… could it be the work of Dragon?"

A deafening boom split the heavens.

A blinding bolt of lightning shot down from the clouds, striking Buggy's blade directly. The current surged through him, his entire body glowing as if lit by a thousand suns.

Another explosion followed — and the execution stand that had towered over Loguetown for decades shattered in an instant. Buggy crashed to the ground, charred black and barely conscious.

"So it really was Dragon's doing," Kaito murmured, the corner of his lips curling slightly before he turned to leave.

[Ding Dong! System upgrade successful!]

[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the following rewards:]

1. Access restored: You may now use abilities from the Shinobi World.]

[2. Training space expanded fiftyfold.]

[3. Acquired: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki.]

Kaito closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath. The familiar surge of chakra coursed through his body once again, blending seamlessly with his Haki. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

He hadn't expected to regain his full strength here, nor did he anticipate the system's generosity. Seems it can be playful when it wants to be.

He exhaled and focused. "Time to find a quiet place to train my Conqueror's Haki."

Kaito-kun! Kaito-kun, are you there?

Kaguya's anxious voice echoed in his mind.

"I'm here, Kaguya. What's wrong?"

Kaito-kun… thank goodness! I can't manifest outside your body freely anymore!

"What do you mean?" Kaito frowned.

A voice in my mind said I can only remain outside for three hours a day.

"Three hours?" He clenched his jaw slightly. "Looks like the system did something again…"

"Can you still act like before, when we were in the Shinobi World?"

No. I can only channel chakra to you, like a tailed beast. If I touch anyone, I'll instantly be pulled back inside your body. She sounded displeased.

"I see. That's just how the rules of this world work," Kaito lied smoothly, unwilling to mention the system's restrictions. That secret would remain his alone.

The rules of this world? So, Kaito-kun… you've really crossed into another realm?

"Yeah," Kaito replied calmly. "I'll find an isolated place and let you out soon. You should see this world for yourself — and we'll test whether that voice in your head was telling the truth."

Okay. Her voice carried a hint of excitement. After all, this was a completely different reality from the one they'd once ruled.

As their mental exchange ended, the chaos around them erupted to a new level.

Marines clashed with pirates, civilians screamed and scattered, and the streets of Loguetown descended into total disorder.

Then came the sharp rhythm of boots striking cobblestone — dozens, no, hundreds of Marines closing in from every side.

They moved with precision and intent, surrounding the pirates like a tightening noose.

Seeing the reinforcements, Smoker finally exhaled. "Looks like Vice Admiral Momousagi's here."

A heavy silence fell over the battlefield.

"These Marines aren't from East Blue…" Sanji muttered, cigarette between his lips, his eyes narrowing. "They're on a whole different level."

Zoro nodded grimly. "Yeah. Be careful — I can feel their killing intent."

Nami's voice trembled slightly. "Vice Admiral Momousagi… she's the one who fought Kaito, remember? We can't fight her!"

Even Buggy and Alvida looked uneasy as the approaching presence grew closer. Each step carried a weight that pressed down on everyone in the square.

Finally, Momousagi appeared — tall, graceful, but exuding an authority that silenced even the wind.

"Vice Admiral Momousagi!" Smoker saluted sharply. "You're finally here. If you hadn't come, this place would've been torn apart!"

Momousagi's eyes swept across the pirates coldly. "You said Kaito was here. All I see are ordinary criminals."

"He was here," Smoker replied, gritting his teeth. "The intel I received said he's been staying at a hotel nearby, keeping a low profile. It's as if…" — his jaw tightened — "he's waiting for you."

Momousagi's lips curved into a small, amused smile.

"Oh? Waiting for me? Interesting."

Her expression quickly hardened. "Marines! Capture every last one of them!"