Kairo's answer caught Crocodile completely off guard.
He had never imagined that Kairo had actually been hired by the King of Alabasta to be a teacher.
At that moment, Crocodile finally understood why Kairo had insisted on teaching him the Three Character Classic and why he had even taught those Kung Fu Dugongs radio calisthenics.
Do all teachers enjoy teaching people that much?
But this was taking it way too far.
Teaching the princess of a kingdom? Sure, he could understand that.
Teaching Kung Fu Dugongs radio calisthenics? Strange, but still understandable.
But forcing him to memorize the Three Character Classic?
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Did Kairo think he needed discipline?
Thinking of that, Crocodile's mouth twitched violently.
He cupped his fists decisively.
"Farewell."
...He actually bought it?
Watching Crocodile leave, Kairo barely managed to suppress his laughter.
"Goodbye, Crocodile!"
Kairo was certain that Crocodile was still a one-man operation at this point.
Although he had already established Baroque Works, none of the numbered officers that appeared in the original story had joined him yet.
Judging by the timeline, Crocodile would spend nearly another six months gradually putting together his ambitions and plans.
The man's patience was remarkable.
As soon as Crocodile left, Perona and Robin emerged from the perfume shop carrying bottles of their favorite fragrances.
"Kairo!"
Clearly delighted with her purchases, Perona skipped over to him.
"Where are we going to play next?"
Kairo looked around before answering decisively,
"Let's find a hotel first."
With that, he picked a direction and led the way.
They checked into a hotel not far from the royal palace.
After changing into local Alabastan clothing, Perona and Robin happily went shopping together.
Kairo didn't accompany them.
Although Crocodile had now recognized Robin, Kairo wasn't worried in the slightest.
Robin had already mastered both Armament Haki and Observation Haki, was highly proficient with the Six Powers, and had also taken her Devil Fruit abilities to another level.
Combined with the seemingly harmless little Perona...
Even without Kairo stepping in, the two of them could handle Crocodile without losing.
So after they left, Kairo enjoyed the rare moment of peace.
It also gave him time to think about how to complete his third mission.
After giving it some thought...
He decided to head to the royal palace himself.
But there was no hurry.
The mission rewarded Travel Points, but there was no time limit forcing him to complete it immediately.
Even if he spent another ten days or half a month relaxing in the capital first, nothing would happen.
The hotel they had chosen combined lodging, dining, and leisure facilities all in one.
Everything one could need was available.
Of course, Kairo hadn't picked this hotel because of its amenities.
Nor because it was luxurious.
Nor because it was close to the palace.
The real reason...
There were simply too many beautiful women here.
Whether they were hotel attendants or female guests, every one of them was stunning.
Their exotic charm reminded Kairo of the beautiful singing and dancing girls from Xinjiang in his previous world.
"Mr. Kairo, here's the coffee you ordered."
A glamorous waitress with an appearance that reminded Kairo of Dilraba from his previous world walked over and gently placed a cup of coffee before him.
Before leaving, she even shot him a flirtatious glance.
Kairo casually placed a small stack of Beli onto her serving tray and smiled.
"Bring me some desserts as well."
The beautiful waitress looked at the generous tip.
Her smile immediately bloomed like a flower.
"Thank you! Thank you very much, Mr. Kairo!"
"Please wait just a moment."
"She's really beautiful..."
Watching the delighted waitress leave, Kairo narrowed his eyes as the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward.
As a traveler...
Coming to a place overflowing with beautiful women without enjoying a little romance would simply be a waste.
And Kairo had never liked wasting resources.
So he decided that tonight...
He would have a little fun before worrying about the royal palace.
Just as Kairo's thoughts began wandering, a woman seated alone at a table by the café window looked over at him with visible surprise.
The moment he sensed her gaze, Kairo tilted his head and turned toward her.
"Huh?"
The instant he saw the familiar figure, he froze briefly before breaking into a smile.
"Long time no see."
As he spoke, Kairo stood up, walked over to her table, and sat down across from her as though they were old friends.
Before the woman could even react, he continued,
"This definitely isn't a coincidence, is it?"
The woman sitting there...
...was none other than the mysterious woman Kairo had encountered back in West Blue.
She was evidently just as surprised to see him here.
Only after Kairo had taken a seat opposite her did she regain her composure.
Her red lips parted slightly.
"Long time no see, Mr. Kairo."
"It certainly has been."
Kairo nodded.
"Although fate brought us together a little later this time, that doesn't matter."
"After all, fate doesn't distinguish between fortunate encounters and unfortunate ones."
"Nor does it care whether they come early or late."
"You seem to believe strongly in fate, Mr. Kairo."
The woman's beautiful eyes remained fixed on him.
Her calm demeanor carried an innate regal aura.
"Or perhaps..."
"You've already decided that there's a bond of fate between us?"
"Fate is everywhere."
Leaning comfortably against the sofa, Kairo smiled as he met her gaze.
"Besides, as a traveler, meeting anyone isn't particularly strange."
"After all..."
"...I wander the four seas with the world as my home."
"Is that so?"
The woman blinked gently before naturally lifting her coffee.
Her tone remained as calm as ever.
"That is indeed how you've lived."
Kairo paused slightly.
Although she had phrased it subtly, he could still tell.
This mysterious woman had already investigated his travels across the seas.
Interesting.
She actually looked into my movements.
Smiling faintly, Kairo said,
"It seems you're quite familiar with where I've been."
"That's not a very nice thing to do, young lady."
"Young... lady?"
Hearing Kairo suddenly address her that way, the woman's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Then she introduced herself calmly.
"Eva."
"Eva Maria."
"Is that... your name, young lady?"
Kairo looked up at her in surprise.
Then, all of a sudden, a thought flashed through his mind.
Eva Maria...
Imu... Mary Geoise...
No way...
Could she really be Imu, the one who sits upon the Empty Throne?
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