One piece :I open the locks of the heart

As I adjusted my focus, I realized I had been so caught up in the gains I'd obtained that I hadn't accounted for the two beings that emerged after I plunged my Keyblade into Eisah's heart.

I leapt from the boat, ascending slightly to gain a better vantage point. When I straightened, a strange sensation coursed through me. I had been fixated on the Heartless I'd claimed, but something unusual lingered in the air. When I raised my eyes, I was struck by an unexpected sight: two identical figures stood before me.

Eisah's Heartless was a menacing figure. Its form resembled a twisted version of his human appearance. Its body was encased in a black, glossy carapace with glowing blue veins pulsing across its limbs. Its eyes were two vivid blue orbs, shining with an otherworldly intensity. In its hands, it wielded a black sword with jagged, almost organic edges, as though it were an extension of itself.

Opposite it stood Eisah's Nobody, a stark contrast to the Heartless. Its appearance was clearer, more refined, adorned with a silvery outfit that radiated a cold, metallic gleam. Its movements were fluid and deliberate, and it held a long, slender blade that shimmered like moonlight. Its eyes, void of emotion, reflected an icy intensity.

For a brief moment, the two entities stared at each other, as if sizing each other up. Then, without warning, the Nobody struck first. Its blade sliced through the air with surgical precision, aiming directly for the Heartless's torso. The Heartless parried with a harsh, jarring motion, its black blade emitting a guttural sound as it clashed with the Nobody's shining steel.

The ensuing battle was a violent dance. The Heartless fought with raw, brute savagery, its attacks wide and forceful, aiming to crush its opponent. The Nobody, in contrast, was methodical and precise, dodging the Heartless's strikes with uncanny agility and retaliating with quick, targeted blows.

As the fight escalated, their movements grew more destructive. The Heartless swept away the four unconscious bounty hunters still on the boat, tossing them into the sea with a brutal swing to make room. The Nobody wasted no time—it used the bodies as projectiles, hurling them at the Heartless to unbalance it. The two creatures seemed locked in mutual hatred, each intent on annihilating the other.

Realizing the battle was spiraling into uncontrollable chaos, I ascended higher, summoning my forces. Red Nocturnes, Blue Rhapsodies, and Yellow Operas gathered around me, forming an aerial squadron. With a wave of my Keyblade, I commanded a coordinated assault.

The Red Nocturnes launched fireballs at the Nobody, forcing it to retreat, while the Yellow Operas bombarded the area with lightning, disrupting its movements. Seeing an opening, the Heartless charged with renewed ferocity, its strikes growing more frenzied.

I joined the fray, striking the Nobody with my Keyblade. Despite my efforts, it continued to defend itself, its blade flashing like a shooting star with each parry. Finally, after a coordinated strike between my troops and the Heartless, the Nobody faltered. Its movements slowed, and I managed to disarm it with a precise blow.

The disarmed Nobody retreated to the edge of the boat. But instead of continuing to fight, it did something unexpected. It turned its empty gaze toward me, then toward the keychain on my Keyblade, where the symbol of the Nobodies faintly glimmered. With an air of strange resolution, it touched the keychain.

A blinding light enveloped the area, and a door appeared in the sky. The door was entirely white, framed with a silvery glow. The Nobody turned away, walking calmly toward the door before vanishing into the luminous portal.

"Fascinating..." I murmured, staring at the spot where it had disappeared. As I recalled my Heartless and left the boat, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets this power might reveal.

Afterward, I reverted to my original form and dove into the water, searching for the shipwreck. It didn't take long to find it. Upon exploring the vessel, I uncovered a considerable amount of gold and jewels. Unfortunately, the berries had been ruined by the fire and seawater.

When I landed back on the island, I saw Nami, beaming as she counted stacks of bills. Her face was lit by a rare, sincere smile. A little further away, Luffy was yelling as usual, loudly challenging Morgan to face him. Koby stood off to the side, quietly observing the ruins of the base, his expression thoughtful.

I approached Koby, placing a firm but reassuring hand on his shoulder. He flinched slightly before turning his troubled gaze toward me.

"What's wrong, Koby? Are you having second thoughts? Did you…" I paused, searching for the right words. "Did you kill anyone?" I asked calmly, trying to read his eyes.

He shook his head, a mixture of relief and determination crossing his face. "No, Jordan. I didn't take any lives. After training with you, they felt so weak… I made sure not to deliver any fatal blows. Besides, the Heartless had already taken out the worst of them. I didn't see the point in killing those who remained."

A smile crept across my face. His answer, though hesitant, reflected true maturity. "That's good, Koby. Very good. Take some rest—you've earned it." I patted his shoulder lightly before walking off to calm Luffy down.

I found my captain standing in the middle of a courtyard, his face serious as he scanned the area like a predator on the hunt. Before he could spot me, I snuck up behind him. Then, with a swift motion, I tackled him to the ground.

"Gotcha!" I exclaimed, laughing as Luffy struggled, caught off guard.

He groaned for a moment before recognizing my voice. "Jordan! That's not funny!" he grumbled, crossing his arms once he got back up.

I chuckled and offered him a hand to help him to his feet. "Were you still looking for Morgan and his son?"

"Of course!" he replied, clenching his fists, his voice brimming with energy. "I wanted to kick their butts after everything they did to the town!"

My smile softened as I rested a hand on his shoulder. "Sorry, Captain, but that won't be possible. I dealt with them when they tried to escape."

Luffy frowned, visibly frustrated. "What? But… I wanted to fight them!"

"Trust me, Luffy, you didn't miss much. They were weaker than a Darkside on easy mode. It wouldn't have been a real challenge for you."

He stared at me for a moment, then his expression relaxed. "Hmm… maybe. But I still wanted to let off some steam!" he admitted with a slight grin.

Before I could respond, a piercing cry rang out. "Jordan!!" I didn't even have time to react before Nami tackled me to the ground, nearly knocking the wind out of me. Her grip was firm, almost desperate, as though she feared I might disappear again.

"I was so scared, you idiot!" Nami murmured, her voice trembling. "You didn't come back right away, and even though Luffy said we should trust you, I was terrified..."

I felt her hands trembling slightly against my back. I smiled softly, returning her embrace to calm her anxious heart. "Nami, I'll always come back. You know that, right? I'll do whatever it takes to protect you and Luffy."

She blushed slightly, but her arms stayed firmly wrapped around me. "You could at least warn us before diving into that kind of danger..." she muttered.

I couldn't help but tease her. "Though, you did seem pretty happy counting all those stacks of cash earlier." An impish grin spread across my face.

Her face turned bright red instantly, but she refused to release her hold. "This isn't the time for that, idiot!" she snapped, though her voice softened with relief.

I gently patted her back. "I'm back, Nami," I murmured warmly.

"That's so cool!" Luffy's enthusiastic voice shattered the moment. Nami and I turned to him, still a bit flustered, to see him bouncing around like a child.

"Hey, no fair! I want a hug too!" he joked, earning a shared laugh from us.

In that simple but precious moment, I realized just how essential this strange family of ours had become to me. No matter what dangers lay ahead, I knew we'd face them together.

After taking a moment to catch my breath, I explained to my crewmates how my battle with Eisah had unfolded. I talked about the challenge of facing unknown enemies and introduced a new concept to them: Haki. "It's a unique form of combat, a technique that relies as much on willpower as raw strength. Eisah mastered the Haki of Observation, which allowed him to anticipate my movements. If we want to survive against stronger foes, we'll need to learn how to use these kinds of techniques."

Luffy listened with an unusually focused expression, while Nami furrowed her brows slightly, contemplating what this might mean for our future. Koby seemed captivated, mentally noting every word I said.

I shifted the conversation to discuss the Nobodies, explaining their enigmatic nature. "They are beings created from the remnants left behind when a heart becomes a Heartless. Unlike Heartless, they possess intelligence and distinct forms, though they are incomplete. The one I encountered was particularly tenacious."

I tapped my keychain, and a white glow illuminated the area. The door of light opened once more, revealing Eisah's Nobody.

The Nobody was a strange and elegant replica of Eisah, but his appearance was altered. His skin seemed slightly translucent, almost silver under certain lights, and his eyes had a cold hue—a blend of blue and silver, devoid of the emotion the original human displayed. His movements were precise and fluid, almost too perfect, as though every step was part of a calculated dance. He stood straight, his hands behind his back, exuding a glacial calm.

Before he could speak, I raised a hand to interrupt him. "To others, you will always be Eisah. You'll occupy the position your human counterpart held. But to me and my friends," I said, gesturing toward Luffy, Nami, and Koby, "you will be Xaheis."

The Nobody inclined his head slightly in respect. "Thank you for the new name, Jordan. And it's a pleasure to meet you." His voice was polite, devoid of the arrogance of the original, but it carried a note of controlled curiosity.

I crossed my arms, observing him carefully. "However, there will be a change of plans. You possess all of his combat skills and experience, but you lack his temperament and specific knowledge, correct?"

Xaheis nodded slowly. "Exactly. I can fight as well as he did and play his role in appearance, but I don't have his detailed memories."

I thought for a moment before proposing an alternative. "Alright, here's what we'll do: avoid their main bases and focus on less monitored areas. Infiltrate the bounty hunter association and gather as much information as possible. But don't stop there. Once we have more… collaborators like you, you'll establish an intelligence network. We need an organization capable of providing us with information on our enemies, their alliances, and their strengths."

Xaheis smiled faintly, an oddly subdued but effective expression. "That's within my capabilities. I'll ensure this mission is accomplished." He inclined his head again before vanishing with supernatural grace. His footsteps made almost no sound, and he seemed to dissolve into the shadows, disappearing before Luffy could even come up with a joke.

Nami spoke up after a moment of reflection. "So, that's what you meant by, 'He's not the same as the one who attacked you?'" she asked, intrigued.

I nodded. "Exactly. He has all the skills of the original Eisah, but he's a completely different entity. No deceit, no arrogance. Just a loyal and precise tool." I paused, glancing in the direction where Xaheis had disappeared. "He'll be essential for what we're planning."

Luffy crossed his arms, a grin spreading across his face. "So cool! We have a spy now? We're really a pirate crew!" he exclaimed, his childlike enthusiasm cutting through the serious conversation.

Koby, however, seemed thoughtful. "Do you really think he'll stay loyal? He said he doesn't have human memories or temperament. How can you be sure he won't betray us?"

I answered calmly, meeting Koby's gaze. "Nobodies like Xaheis are bound by the bond of creation. They won't betray us without a reason. And if that ever happens, it'll be more my failure than his."

Nami sighed, but a sly smile softened her expression. "Let's just hope your 'network' doesn't bring us more trouble."

I shrugged with a grin. "It's guaranteed to bring trouble. But that's what being a pirate is all about."

(Author's Note: If you're familiar with Kingdom Hearts, you might have guessed it—(Eisah + X = Xaheis). I've adopted the way Nobodies are named from the series. I haven't fully decided where this will lead yet, but I plan to use it to enhance the role of Nobodies beyond combat since the MC already has the Heartless to handle that.)