The Genshin Traveler in the World of Pirates

The next day, at the Loguetown harbor, Smoker and Tashigi stood there once more.

Unlike yesterday, this time they were here to see someone off. Of course, Garp wasn't there; the old geezer was still sleeping. However, his subordinate, Bogard, had come.

"Kong, we'll see you off here. Loguetown is close to the Red Line, and from here to the nearest Red Line port, with a following wind, it'll only take three hours. Take these fruits; they're ripe and will help pass the time on your journey."

Smoker handed Kong a bag of fruit. For someone who frequently sails, this was the most practical gift.

"Thank you, Smoker-san. I look forward to meeting you again on the Grand Line in a month."

"Yeah, I'll be counting on you to guide me then, Kong."

"Absolutely! Haha, I won't keep you any longer. Please take good care of Garp."

"It's our duty. The Admiral's ship is already under repair and will be finished within a week."

Kong and Paimon boarded their small boat. Bogard stepped forward, his demeanor as cold as ever.

"Kong, the Admiral asked me to give you a message."

"Please, Commander Bogard."

"Um...The Admiral said that the area above the Red Line is where the Celestial Dragons live. It's not Marineford, so even though you have the necessary documents to pass through, it's best not to have unnecessary conflicts with them."

Kong chuckled.

"Rest assured. Although I usually use a warship to traverse the Calm Belt, I've traveled the Red Line several times with my old man. I know what the Celestial Dragons are like. I'm prepared."

"No, this time is different. The lord of this section of the Red Line is Lord Bucar. He...he has a... peculiar fondness for children. Paimon...it's best if she wears a hood."

Instantly, Kong's fists clenched unconsciously.

Bogard frowned but didn't say anything.

"Just remember your identity. Even Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, is powerless against the Celestial Dragons."

Kong smiled.

"Don't worry, I understand. Besides, this place is so vast. We're just passing through, we might not even encounter them. I'll keep Paimon hidden."

"...."

After speaking, Kong lowered the small boat's single sail.

"Then, Commander Bogard, Sergeant Tashigi, and Smoker-san, there's no need to see me off. I'm leaving now."

"Fair winds!"

The sea breeze filled the sail, carrying the small boat further and further away. Once they were far from the harbor, Kong went below deck.

"Kong, come quickly! This pear is so sweet!"

Paimon was already eating inside. She was so small, yet her appetite was enormous, rivaling even Luffy's.

"Yeah, eat as much as you like if you enjoy it."

Paimon sensed Kong's troubled mood and offered him a pear as big as her face.

"Kong, what's wrong? What did they tell you?"

Kong pondered for a moment.

"Paimon, don't follow me on this trip."

"Eh!? Why! Is it because I eat too much? I...I'll eat less next time, okay?"

Seeing Paimon's dejected face, Kong affectionately pinched her cheek.

"Yah! Don't pinch! I won't grow taller!"

"I haven't seen you grow taller in the past four years, yet you still eat so much."

"You're so mean! Kong, why won't you let me follow you...we've always been inseparable!"

Kong said,

"Because I need a capable assistant to help me. Look, Kaeya can't manage money, Razor can't either, and Lisa's standards are too high. I'm afraid she'll spend money lavishly. I want someone I trust to help me keep an eye on things. If you don't want to, then forget it."

At the mention of managing money, Paimon's eyes lit up.

"No, no! This arduous task must be given to me! I'm best at managing money!"

"Huh? But you just said you were inseparable from me."

Paimon looked a little embarrassed.

"Oh...I'm your best partner, shouldn't I be the one doing this? Kong~ please let me go!"

"Okay, okay, I'll let you go. After we reach the Grand Line, I'll come get you, alright?"

"Mm-hmm! It's a deal! Let's pinky swear!"

"Okay, pinky swear, a hundred years won't change!"

Seeing Paimon's happy expression, Kong felt relieved.

As a time traveler, he understood that Bogard's words were a foreshadowing of trouble. If he took Paimon to the Red Line, something bad would definitely happen.

Therefore, he decided to nip the problem in the bud.

It's like in a horror movie, if the protagonists had just listened to the warnings, maybe things wouldn't have turned out so bad.

Besides, similar things had happened before. When encountering particularly dark events in the past, Kong would always find ways to keep Paimon away. Although he knew Paimon wasn't ordinary, he just didn't want her to experience these dark things firsthand. Having him relay the information and having Paimon witness it herself were completely different experiences.

He, an ordinary person, was able to survive in this world, and Paimon was the light that guarded the last line of defense in his heart.

"Hey hey, but Kaeya and the others are still in Loguetown?"

Kong opened the cabin window.

"They're here."

"Eh!?"

On the sea, a thirty-meter-long twin-masted ship was sailing towards them. A blue flag fluttered from the top of the mast.

"Goodness! That's the Mondstadt flag!"

Kong sighed.

"Kaeya that guy...is he planning to restore his nation in the world of pirates?"

As the ship approached, the crew were all Hilichurls, and there was even a flamboyant woman in a purple robe—that was the Cryo Cicin Mage from the Fatui.

"Hey! Boss!!"

Kaeya grabbed a rope, swung down like a pirate, and landed on the small boat.

"How is it? Isn't the Westwind Guardian a fine ship?"

"It's great. You managed to get such a large ship in such a short time, amazing!"

Kaeya stopped swinging.

"Lucky break! Loguetown's shipyard happened to have one. This ship is sturdy and large enough to get through the Reverse Mountain you mentioned."

"You've worked hard. Where are Razor and Miss Lisa?"

Kaeya sighed.

"Miss Lisa...well, she's been very sleepy ever since we left Loguetown. She's still resting in the cabin. Razor is guarding the entrance. That master and apprentice pair are something else...Luckily, the Hilichurls and that Cryo Cicin Mage helped, and the Anemo Slime provided the power, otherwise I really couldn't have managed this ship."

Kong looked up at the Cryo Cicin Mage measuring the weather at the bow.

"That Cryo Cicin Mage, how strong do you think she is?"

"Strong. A little weaker than us, but more importantly, she knows a lot, especially about sailing...tsk tsk, I have to say, their Snezhnaya training is truly comprehensive."

Kong patted Kaeya.

"Alright, this isn't Teyvat. You can put aside the grievances between Snezhnaya and Mondstadt. Here, we're all family."

"Haha, that's true. By the way, you sent a message telling us to meet you here. Is there something you need?"

Kong pulled out a scroll from his backpack.

"This is my plan. After passing through Reverse Mountain, you'll see a lighthouse. There's an old man there, and a whale. Don't disturb them. Give them the tranquilizers and extra supplies I asked you to buy."

"An old man? Is he a relative of yours, Boss?"

Kong shook his head.

"No, he's someone with a very deep background. In short, even if you don't like him, don't be hostile. If he asks who sent it, tell him the truth, but don't mention my name. It's not time to reveal our connection yet."

"I understand. I'll handle it."

"Okay. After you pass the lighthouse, go to a place called Whisky Peak. That's where the bounty hunters gather. They specialize in intercepting pirates heading to the Grand Line. Set up your first base there. Don't be too ostentatious. My plan details how to proceed. Once you're stable, gradually advance towards Alabasta. We'll meet up there."

The notes in Kong's hand were written up all night. Of course, he'd already mentally blamed everything on Dragon. Right now, he felt no guilt whatsoever.

Kaeya looked over the notes with admiration.

"Amazing...as expected of the Boss, the information on the Hundred Million Elders is incredibly detailed."

Kong had nothing more to say; the next steps would be discussed once they reached Alabasta.

"Then, that's all. Oh, and Paimon's with you guys too."

Paimon stood with her hands on her hips, looking very proud.

"Humph! I'm here to manage the accounts!"

"Uh...manage the accounts?"

Kaeya didn't quite understand. As a subordinate, he knew the relationship between Paimon and Kong. With them separated, Kong would be losing his biggest support.

Kong didn't explain further.

"Anyway, I'll leave Paimon in your care."

Kaeya, quick-witted, understood the implication in Kong's words.

"I understand. Don't worry! We'll definitely protect Paimon!"

"Then, we'll see each other again on the Grand Line."

Paimon followed Kaeya onto the Westwind Guardian. After watching the ship depart, Kong turned his gaze towards the majestic red mountains in the distance.

"Red Line...Celestial Dragons...let me see just how dark you truly are..."