Mt. Colubo — Dawn Island Hidden Bay
Golden sunlight speared through narrow gaps in the cliffside, casting shafts of light onto the cavern floor. The walls of the hidden cove had been reinforced with reclaimed beams, standing as a crude but resilient bulwark against storm and age.
Cannon barrels sat stacked beside crates of stolen supplies, weather-worn charts, and weapon racks.
At its heart rested the skeleton of a ship, Kael's labor of solitude and obsession. She was rough, patched together from sun-bleached driftwood, scavenged iron, and timbers torn from wrecked vessels. A vessel born of desperation, built with fury.
Now, with Yamato standing at his side, curious and eager, it was time to bring it to life.
Kael raised his hand, the familiar glow of the system interface flickering to life before his eyes.
[Ship Core Initialization Detected]
[Would you like to summon your Starter Ship?]
[Warning: This will overwrite the existing vessel frame with a personalized construct.]
His grin stretched wolfishly. "Do it."
The earth beneath the ship roared. Crimson and obsidian runes ignited, forming a massive summoning circle that bled raw power. The air howled, the cavern walls vibrating as Yamato gripped her kanabō, her instincts flaring.
With a thunderclap, the rough frame splintered apart, the pieces rising into the air as if weightless. Summoning sigils spat forth new timbers: demon steel-plated ribs, blood-hued wood, and obsidian-tipped masts. A dragon-headed prow jutted forward, its fanged maw open in a silent snarl.
Broad sails unfurled, dark crimson emblazoned with a flaming compass sigil, the mark of Kael D. Raen.
She was the Black Pearl's menace, married to Jackdaw savagery. Lean and fast like a predator, broad-decked and war-forged, a ship meant for raiders, outlaws, and gods.
[Starter Ship Unlocked: The Crimson Raiju]
Type: Raider-Class Summoner Vessel
Features: Demonsteel Hull, Oni Ward Sails, Summon Integration Bay, Upgradeable Storage Decks
Status: Ready to Sail
Yamato's mouth hung open slightly. "Okay… I didn't think your power was this flashy."
Kael barked a laugh. "You haven't seen anything yet."
[Quest Complete: Ignite Your Path]
[Reward Dispensed: One Random Mythical Zoan Fruit]
[Item Acquired: Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Kuraokami (Rain Serpent Dragon)]
Kael blinked. "Kuraokami? That's…"
Yamato stepped closer, wide-eyed. "A storm dragon from the Wano myth. That's a god's name."
The fruit appeared in his hand, deep indigo, marked with silver storm-sigil patterns. It shimmered with mist and pulsing pressure.
No hesitation.
Kael took a vicious bite.
The taste hit like salt, lightning, and searing metal. Pain ripped through his body, bones creaking, muscles tightening. Silver-blue energy crackled over his skin, his pupils narrowing into slits. Storm clouds rolled in above the cavern.
His hands flexed, silver scales shimmering briefly across his arms.
[Mythical Zoan Activated: Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Kuraokami]
Powers Unlocked:
• Zoan Form – Rain Serpent (Hybrid/Full Transformation)
• Weather Manipulation (Localized Storms, Rain Torrent Breath, Thunder Pulse)
• Unique Water Affinity (Rare for Devil Fruits)
Kael exhaled a thin stream of mist. "I can control storms…?"
Yamato grinned. "Captain, you just got a hell of a lot more interesting."
New Summon Token Available: Use Now?]
Still crackling with residual power, Kael nodded. "Let's add someone who'll make waves."
[Searching… Candidate Found: Charlotte Smoothie – Big Mom Pirates, Sweet Commander]
[Compatibility: High Willing to Join if Summoned Through Pact System]
[Summoning Charlotte Smoothie…]
The storm above crackled, pink lightning lashing the cavern floor. From a vortex of mist and liquid energy stepped a statuesque woman, tall and blade-laden, her epaulets and high boots speaking of both war and elegance.
Charlotte Smoothie took one look around and smirked.
"Well… you're not Big Mom, but I've been summoned to worse."
Kael inclined his head. "Welcome to the crew. Care to make history?"
Smoothie's smile curved darkly. "Only if there's blood, wine, and chaos."
[New Crew Member Acquired: Charlotte Smoothie — Role: Blade of the Court]
Later That Day, Hidden Cove, Foosha Village Outskirts
Kael sat cross-legged on the main deck, a jug of sake in hand. Beside him, Yamato and Smoothie shared the circle of firelight, the warmth of battle and storm lingering in the air.
Yamato finally spoke, voice softer than before. "You… you know Ace, don't you?"
Kael's eyes lingered on the mist-choked horizon. "Yeah. More than know him."
He tapped the frayed red cloth around his wrist.
"He's my big brother."
Yamato's jaw clenched. The firelight caught in her eyes, turning them molten.
"He was… my only friend in that hellhole."
A beat. Kael met her gaze. "And Luffy's my kid brother."
He raised the jug. "I'm not here to steal his throne. I'm here to be the shield that clears the way. So that when he reaches Laugh Tale, there's no one left standing to stop him."
Kael's voice roughened, tinged with unyielding fire.
"I don't want a kingdom. I don't want treasure. I want a family. One that no navy, no emperor, no goddamn World Government can ever touch again."
Yamato blinked, then grinned widely. "Yeah… I can follow a captain like that."
Smoothie lifted her cup with a sly smile. "Family's a dangerous thing to build on the sea. But it's the only thing worth bleeding for."
Kael poured a measure into their cups, then into his own.
"To new blood."
"To freedom."
"To family."
They clashed their cups together, the sound crisp as thunder.
"Kanpai!"
The three drank deeply.
Then, with a slow, dangerous smile, Kael began to sing. His voice was low, gravel-laced, and carried a tune old as the sea.
🎶 Leave her, Johnny, leave her…
For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow…
And it's time for us to leave her. 🎶
Yamato picked up the second line. Smoothie followed suit. The song carried over the water, a pirate's lullaby, once sung by Shanks' crew when storms threatened and the horizon burned.
The Fourth Flame had risen. And the world would soon learn to fear his name.