Looking at the three "great beings" sitting neatly across from him, Kairo couldn't help but feel the urge to laugh.
Droopy dragged his long ears behind him. Though he sat upright, his eyelids drooped so heavily that he looked seconds away from falling asleep.
The green rabbit appeared overly cautious, nervously scanning the café from time to time—occasionally sneaking glances at a cup of coffee sitting on the table.
Da Hong, on the other hand, had already crossed one leg over the other on the sofa, sitting there like some arrogant underworld boss.
Kairo had to give the system credit.
Just to push him out to sea and make a name for himself, it had actually summoned these three absurd beings.
Because of the sudden appearance of a droopy dog and two rabbits, the café staff and customers had all turned their attention toward the table.
Some people were even pointing and whispering.
"Excuse me, sir," the café manager said politely as he approached.
"Pets are not allowed inside the café."
"If you'd like, we can arrange for an employee to look after them outside."
Before Kairo could respond, a man suddenly stood up from a nearby booth.
"What do you mean look after them?!" he shouted sharply.
"Tell him to take his pets and get out immediately!"
The speaker was a well-dressed middle-aged man in a suit.
Not satisfied with just shouting, he strode over to Kairo's table and said arrogantly,
"Sir, please leave at once. Your pets have ruined everyone's mood."
Faced with the aggressive man, Kairo surprisingly didn't get angry.
Instead, he replied calmly,
"Perhaps there's been some misunderstanding."
"They're not my pets."
"…What?"
The man froze.
"They're… not your pets?"
"No, no, definitely not," Kairo said quickly while shaking his head.
"I was just sitting here drinking coffee and listening to music. They suddenly ran over."
"I have no idea what's going on either."
Seeing that Kairo didn't appear to be lying, the man immediately turned to the manager.
"What are you standing around for? Throw them out!"
"Y-yes, right away!"
The manager hurried toward the three "animals."
He reached out to grab the rabbits by their ears.
SMACK—
Before his hand could even touch them, a loud crack echoed through the café.
The next moment—
The manager spun 360 degrees in midair before crashing onto the floor three meters away.
Then he promptly passed out.
Before anyone could react, the middle-aged man was sent flying as well.
He shot backward through the air and landed squarely back in his booth.
Watching the two men fly away one after the other, Kairo struggled to suppress his laughter.
He gave Da Hong a big thumbs-up.
After casually knocking both men away, Da Hong dusted off his hands.
Then he picked up the newspaper beside Kairo and started reading it calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Seeing this, Kairo spoke silently in his mind.
System, they don't seem able to communicate with me.
"They can, honored father!"
"They simply haven't spoken because Droopy is naturally aloof, the green rabbit is rather shy, and Da Hong belongs to the 'few words, heavy fists' category."
"But please rest assured—since the moment they saw you, they have been absolutely loyal."
Hearing that, Kairo quietly relaxed.
Communication didn't matter.
Loyalty was enough.
Besides, he didn't really doubt the system.
Over the past few days, it had practically showered him with rewards just to get him out to sea.
If it was willing to summon Droopy and those two rabbits, it would certainly handle something as basic as loyalty.
Thinking this through, Kairo slowly narrowed his eyes.
He had already grown bored staying in this small town.
Now he possessed overwhelming strength and three concept-level crew members.
It was about time to leave and explore the world of pirates.
Punch the Four Emperors?
Kick the Admirals?
Become king of the world?
He had zero interest in that.
What he wanted was simple—
To sail freely across the Grand Line and enjoy a romantic adventure.
Right now he was in East Blue.
That meant he could pass by famous locations like Foosha Village, Syrup Village, Cocoyasi Village, and Shimotsuki Village.
The scenery alone would make the trip worthwhile.
Once he made up his mind, Kairo acted immediately.
He stood up.
Facing the half-asleep Droopy, he smiled warmly.
"Droopy, stop dozing."
"Let's go."
With that, Kairo left the booth and headed toward the café exit.
Droopy jumped down from the sofa and followed without hesitation.
The red and green rabbits glared at the trembling staff and customers before swaggering out behind them.
At the Port
Soon after arriving at the town's harbor, Kairo quickly found his ship with the help of the system.
It was indeed a large vessel.
But something about it was strange.
It wasn't a sailing ship.
There were no masts and no sails on the deck.
Kairo didn't care.
Even if there were no sails—
Even if there was no road ahead—
Droopy could probably create one out of thin air.
The cabin was spacious and well-stocked with supplies: food, drinking water, and daily necessities.
It was practically move-in ready.
After touring the ship's rooms and cabins, Kairo returned to the deck feeling quite satisfied with the system's arrangements.
Looking at Droopy—who was holding a whip—he said,
"Alright."
"Let's go to the nearest island."
Then Kairo sat down at a round table on the deck and watched curiously.
He wondered what method Droopy would use.
Space folding?
Teleportation?
Under Kairo's gaze, Droopy calmly walked to the bow.
Then suddenly—
The rope in his hand shot toward the sea like lightning.
CRACK!
The ocean exploded with a loud splash.
A moment later—
Seven or eight sea beasts surfaced, staring at Droopy in pure terror.
Before they could react, several lassos descended from the sky and looped around their bodies.
Once they were tied up, Droopy somehow produced a conductor's baton like a magician.
With a single wave of the baton—
The sea beasts immediately began pulling the ship forward.
They swam at astonishing speed.
The vessel shot across the water as fast as a three-masted sailing ship.
"…Yep."
Kairo shook his head with a laugh as the ship sped out of the harbor.
"That's definitely Droopy."
Even though he already knew about Droopy's abilities, the sight still felt unbelievable.
When Kairo boarded the ship earlier, he had briefly scanned the surrounding sea.
He was certain there were no sea beasts within at least ten meters below the surface.
Yet Droopy had casually cracked his whip and summoned seven or eight out of nowhere.
It was practically creating something from nothing.
The green rabbit was also fascinated by what had just happened.
Once the ship left the harbor, he ran over to Droopy.
When he saw the sea beasts desperately pulling the ship at full speed, his eyes widened in shock.
Meanwhile—
Da Hong remained as aloof as ever.
From the moment he boarded the ship, he had sat beside the round table with a newspaper, reading with complete concentration.