Chapter 16

The dust had settled over Thriller Bark. The Straw Hats were unconscious, scattered across the ruins like discarded toys. Kuma was gone. Moria was defeated.

Kurumi walked through the shattered remains of the mansion's guest wing. Her body ached, the caloric cost of the Toki Toki no Mi leaving her feeling hollowed out, but she had one final objective before she could rest.

She needed a navigator. Or at least, someone who could fly and scout.

She pushed open a heavy oak door that was hanging off its hinges. Inside, the room was a chaotic explosion of pink frills, stuffed animals, and packed suitcases.

"Kumacy! Where is the gold?!" a shrill voice screamed.

Perona, the Ghost Princess, was floating in the air, frantically stuffing jewels into a bag held by a terrified zombie bear. She looked disheveled, her mascara running slightly from the stress of Moria's defeat.

"Going somewhere, Princess?" Kurumi leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms.

Perona shrieked, dropping a ruby necklace. She spun around, her eyes widening. "You! The Marine! The one who blew up Absalom!"

"He’s still alive," Kurumi shrugged. "Unfortunately. But that’s not why I’m here."

"Stay back!" Perona summoned three Negative Hollows. "Hollow-Hollow Ghosts! Make her depressed! Make her want to be a sea cucumber!"

The ghosts passed right through Kurumi.

Kurumi didn't even blink. She didn't drop to her knees. She didn't apologize for being born.

"Eh?!" Perona’s jaw dropped. "Why aren't you negative?! Even the swordsman and the rubber guy fell for it!"

Kurumi smirked, tapping her temple. "I’ve seen the depths of hell, Princess. And right now… I’m too hungry to care about self-esteem."

In truth, her Haki—specifically her hardened will—was flaring to protect her mind. It was a mental fortitude built on the knowledge of a past life and the weight of her mission.

"You… you monster!" Perona panicked. She tried to float up through the ceiling to escape.

"Oh no, you don't."

Soru.

Kurumi vanished. She reappeared in the air, grabbing Perona’s ankle.

"Let go! Unhand me!" Perona kicked wildy.

"Come down here," Kurumi yanked.

The Accident

The problem was, Kurumi underestimated her own exhaustion. She pulled too hard, and her grip on Geppo (air walk) failed at the exact same moment.

Gravity took over.

"KYAAAA!"

Both girls plummeted from the high ceiling. They crashed onto the massive, plush four-poster bed that sat in the center of the room. The mattress, weakened by the earlier tremors, groaned under the sudden impact.

Kurumi landed on her back. Perona landed directly on top of her.

Crash.

The bed frame snapped. The mattress folded.

In the chaos of limbs and frills, faces collided.

It wasn't a graceful movie moment. It was a collision. Perona’s lips smashed against Kurumi’s.

Time seemed to freeze—without the fruit's help.

Perona’s eyes went wide, her parasol clattering to the floor. Kurumi, usually composed, blinked in surprise, feeling the softness of the Ghost Princess against her.

For a moment, neither moved. The shock held them paralyzed. Then, instinct—or perhaps the latent desires of the reincarnated girl—took over. Kurumi didn't push her away. Instead, her hand instinctively moved to Perona’s waist to stabilize them, deepening the contact.

Perona gasped into the kiss, a sound that was half-squeak, half-moan.

It lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.

The Aftermath

Perona scrambled backward, falling off the broken bed and landing on her bottom. Her face was bright red, glowing like a stoplight. She touched her lips with trembling fingers.

"Y-You…" Perona stammered, her voice an octave higher than usual. "My… that was my…"

She looked at Kurumi with watery eyes. "That was my first kiss! You… you pervert Marine!"

Kurumi sat up slowly, adjusting her collar. Her heart was beating faster than it had during the fight with Moria. She touched her own lips, tasting the faint strawberry gloss Perona wore.

"An accident," Kurumi said, though her voice was husky. She looked at Perona, who was now hugging her knees, looking completely flustered and vulnerable.

The "accident" had shattered Perona’s bratty persona. Underneath, she was just a lonely girl who played with dolls.

"You took it…" Perona whispered, burying her face in her hands. "Moria-sama lost… and now I've lost my purity to a Marine…"

Kurumi stood up, walking over to the pouting ghost girl. She knelt down, reaching out to lift Perona’s chin.

"Don't cry," Kurumi said softly, her red eye glowing with a dangerous warmth. "It wasn't so bad, was it?"

Perona looked away, biting her lip. "I… I hate you."

"Hate is a strong word," Kurumi smiled. "But since I've compromised you… I suppose I have to take responsibility."

Perona blinked. "Re… responsibility?"

"Moria is finished," Kurumi stated, her tone turning serious. "The Government will strip him of his title. He will be hunted. If you stay here, the Marines will capture you. Or worse, you’ll wander the sea alone until some savage pirate crew finds you."

She extended her hand. "Join me."

"Join… a Marine?" Perona looked at the gloved hand.

"I am not just a Marine," Kurumi leaned in, whispering in Perona’s ear. "I am going to break the world. And I need a ghost to haunt the enemies I can't touch."

Perona looked at Kurumi’s face. She saw the strength, the beauty, and the lingering heat of that accidental kiss. She felt a strange flutter in her chest—not fear, but excitement.

"You… you really will take responsibility?" Perona asked, her voice small. "You'll protect me? And buy me cute clothes?"

Kurumi chuckled. "All the cute clothes you want. And all the strawberry cake you can eat."

Perona hesitated for one second more, then grabbed Kurumi’s hand.

"Fine!" she huffed, standing up and dusting off her skirt. "But only because I have nowhere else to go! And… and you better be a good master! I'm high maintenance!"

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Kurumi grinned.

Departure

An hour later, as the Straw Hats were still sleeping off their battle fatigue, a small Marine sloop slipped away from the fog of Thriller Bark.

On the deck stood Kurumi, looking back at the island one last time. beside her, floating with her parasol, was Perona.

"Where are we going?" Perona asked, clutching her Kumacy doll.

"To the summit," Kurumi said, looking at the horizon. "But first… we need to get you a uniform that matches mine."

Perona blushed, remembering the bed. "Don't think this makes us a couple! It was just an accident!"

Kurumi didn't answer. She just smiled at the ocean.

Crew member acquired: Perona (The Ghost Princess).

Role: Scout / Crowd Control / Emotional Support.

"Next stop," Kurumi thought. "Sabaody Archipelago. The War is coming."