The next morning broke calm, with faint mist on the water. Nami had allowed Kairos to stay, if only to row while she rested.
But calm didn't last long.
A distant boom echoed across the waves. Kairos sat up, eyes narrowing as a small black ship came into view. It was crude, patched-together, and flew a jolly roger with a shark fin.
Nami stiffened. "That's one of Arlong's patrol boats."
"Friendly bunch?"
"They'll kill us. Or worse."
Kairos stood and cracked his neck. "Guess it's showtime."
"What are you doing?!"
"Helping."
Nami looked at him like he'd gone mad. "They'll outnumber you. They're armed."
He grinned. "Then they're gonna be disappointed."
The small pirate vessel pulled up alongside them, and three rough-looking men jumped aboard. They were clearly low-rank muscle—cocky, scarred, and smirking.
"What do we have here?" one sneered. "Nami and .....her boyfriend?"
Kairos stepped forward, hands in his pockets. "Why, You jealous?"
"You got a death wish?"
"No, but I do have very limited patience."
One of them lunged. Fast. But Kairos moved faster. He sidestepped, caught the man's wrist, and flipped him over the railing with a splash far into the distant ocean.
The other two hesitated.
"Still want to play?"
They looked at each other, then bolted back to their ship and sped off, leaving their crewmate somewhere in the sea.
Kairos exhaled and dusted off his sleeves. "Amateurs."
Nami stared at him, speechless.
"Told you I was helpful."
"You... you really fought them off. Just like that."
He looked at her, serious now. "You shouldn't have to fight alone. Not always."
Something in her expression softened, just a little.
"You're still weird," she muttered.
"Yeah. But now I'm your weird, sky-falling bodyguard."
She actually laughed.
And for the first time, the sea didn't feel quite so cold.
As the pirate ship disappeared into the morning mist, Nami leaned over the railing, watching the ripples fade. Her grip on the oar had loosened, and for the first time in a long while, her shoulders weren't so tight.
Kairos settled down near the mast, arms behind his head, soaking in the sun like a lazy cat. "You ever think about what you'd do if you didn't have to fight anymore?"
She blinked, caught off guard. "What kind of question is that?"
"A curious one. Humor me."
Nami stared at the sky. The clouds were light today, drifting. "I'd travel the world. I'd make maps just for the joy of it. Not because I have to. Just because it's beautiful."
"That's a good dream," he said, eyes closed. "And someday, when you're not weighed down by all this... I hope you get to chase it without looking over your shoulder."
A long silence stretched between them. Then, softly:
"Why are you really here, Kairos?"
He opened one eye. "Told you. I go where I'm needed."
"But why me?"
He smiled faintly. "Maybe because you forgot how to ask for help. Maybe because the universe thinks you deserve a break. Or maybe because you remind me of someone. Doesn't really matter. I'm here now."
She looked away quickly, hiding something in her expression. "You're a strange guy."
"So I've been told."