Somewhere in East Blue — Aboard the Crimson Raiju
The sea was deceptively calm.
The Crimson Raiju cut through the waves like a crimson fang, its dark sails snapping with unnatural precision. The residual storm clouds from Kael's earlier summoning still clung to the horizon, chasing the ship like the promise of a reckoning.
At the helm, Kael D. Raen stood tall, his crimson bandana fluttering in the wind, one hand on the wheel as he adjusted their heading. The other gripped a worn, sea-stained chart.
Beside him, Yamato leaned on the railing, sharp eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Loguetown," Kael murmured, his voice carrying against the wind. "Where Gol D. Roger was born… and where Luffy's probably headed next."
Yamato's lips quirked. "Sounds like fate. You thinking of meeting him?"
Kael's gaze hardened. "Not yet. He needs to stand on his own for now. We're the storm behind the flame. Until he's ready."
A faint, unexpected flush warmed Yamato's cheeks. She'd known men who wore masks of strength. Kael wore scars of purpose.
Before she could answer, a lazy voice called down from the crow's nest.
"Ship sighted. Black sails. No Marine flag."
Smoothie lounged with one leg draped over the railing, sword resting against her shoulder. "Looks like trouble."
[Alert: Potential Hostile Encounter Detected.]
[Crew Identified: East Blue Pirate Crew "Sir Carnus the Collector"]
[Bounty: 32,000,000 Beli]
[Threat Level: Moderate | Targets: Female Combatants]
Kael's jaw clenched.
"They're after you and Smoothie."
Yamato cracked her knuckles, grinning. "Let them try."
"Careful, princess," Smoothie teased, smirking. "I command armies."
Yamato bristled instantly. "Tch. I'd fold you like laundry, Sweet Commander."
"Oh? You swing a stick, I command armies," Smoothie fired back coolly.
Kael didn't look away from the approaching vessel. "Both of you save it for them."
Flashback: Dawn Island — The Last Departure
Hours earlier…
The sun dipped toward the horizon over Foosha Village, painting the coastline in fiery orange and shimmering gold. From the cliffs above, two figures watched the Crimson Raiju slip beyond the reefs.
Makino's hand tightened on the edge of her apron.
"First Luffy… then Ace… now Kael."
Dadan snorted, arms crossed, her face rough as ever, though her eyes glistened.
"Damn brat. Always had the biggest chip on his shoulder. But he's the only one who didn't say goodbye."
Makino's smile was tight and sad.
"He did, in his way."
She pointed to the billowing crimson sails, to the insignia of a flaming compass.
"He sails with their dreams on his back."
Dadan grunted.
"You think we'll ever see them again?"
Makino's gaze softened.
"If we do… the world will probably be on fire."
Back to Present — First Battle
The grotesque warship closed in, lined with rusted iron teeth and chains. At its helm, a greasy, musclebound pirate with a cracked monocle sneered.
"Well, well," Sir Carnus purred, eyeing them like meat. "An exotic Oni and a Sweet Commander? Rare catches. I'll sell you both… or keep you."
Smoothie drew her blade with a sharp, metallic hiss. "You can try."
Kael stepped forward, voice cold, his power coiling like a storm around him.
Kael's voice dropped cold as the depths."You can fight… or you can kneel."
Carnus sneered. "I don't kneel."
[Hebi Hebi no Mi – Kuraokami Hybrid Form: Engaged]
Kael's skin shimmered with silver scales. Mist coiled. Storm wings unfurled.
"Thunder Pulse!"
A lance of compressed lightning shrieked across the waves, obliterating the enemy mast in a flash of blue fire.
Yamato grinned. "My turn."
With a roar, she vaulted into the air with a burst of power.
"Raimei Hakke!"
Her kanabō crashed down, shattering the ship's bow and sending Carnus's men flying like ragdolls.
Smoothie followed, moisture pulling from the sea into her blade.
"Let's drown the rest."
She unleashed a wave of liquid pressure, collapsing the remaining deck into splinters and bodies.
Within moments, the Trophy Maw was nothing but driftwood and regrets.
Kael landed softly amidst the wreckage and grabbed a drenched, wheezing Carnus by the collar.
"Your mistake," Kael growled, storm mist swirling around him, "was thinking anyone on my crew could be taken."
As he hurled Carnus into the sea. "Let the storm swallow you."
That Evening — Aboard the Crimson Raiju
Rain pattered softly on the deck, and the storm had eased to a tranquil drizzle. In the captain's quarters, Yamato sat opposite Kael, damp hair clinging to her cheek. A towel was draped loosely over her shoulders.
"You didn't have to do that for me," she muttered.
Kael glanced up. "I didn't."
Her brow furrowed.
"I did it for us," he added. "You believed in me before I had a ship. That matters."
Yamato flushed slightly. "You just said that 'cause I'm strong."
"No," Kael said. "Because you're purpose. And I'm not here for thrones or crowns."
His voice sank, stormy and sharp-edged, each word crackling with fierce intent.
"I'm here to build a family. A crew with no navy, no emperor, no god, can be torn apart. And I'll be the shield to make sure my little brother can chase his dream without fear."
Yamato's throat tightened.
"You… you're different from other pirates."
"Good," Kael said softly. "I plan to be."
The door slammed open.
"Ugh. Am I interrupting a feelings circle?"Smoothie snarked, biting into a pear.
Yamato sprang up, hair bristling.
Yamato sprang up, hair bristling.
"You want to settle this, wringer woman?"
"Anytime, club girl."
Kael sighed, hiding a grin.
[New Task Added: Bond of Rivals]
The Next Morning — Open Sea
[System Update: News Bulletin Available]
Headline: "Straw Hat Luffy Causes Chaos in Shells Town Pirate Hunter Zoro Joins Crew!"
Kael scanned the article with a twitch of pride.
"So… Zoro said yes."
Yamato peered over his shoulder. "Are you proud of him?"
Kael's gaze lingered on the misty horizon.
"I'm proud of the man he's becoming."
[New Major Task Unlocked]
Task: The First Court Recruit One Summon, One Legendary Blacksmith, and Establish a Port Base.
Reward: Ship Upgrade Tier II, Enhanced Summon Slot, and Rare Weapon Token.
Kael let out a long, low whistle. "Looks like the world's finally spinning in our direction."
Smoothie appeared at his side, arms crossed.
"Then let's burn our name into it."
Yamato leaned on her kanabō. "Yeah. And don't think you're stronger than me yet, smoothie stick."
"I don't need to be," Smoothie smirked. "I'm already prettier."
Lightning crackled faintly as the two squared off.
Kael grinned widely, taking the wheel.
"Next stop: Loguetown. After that, an abandoned vault.
Rumors say it holds a Devil Fruit so rare even the World Government buried its name."
Smoothie arched a brow.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Yamato grinned.
"I'll race you to it."
"Like hell you will."
The Crimson Raiju cut through the mist like a predator at dawn.
Kael's storm-wreathed voice rolled across the water.
"Let's carve our legend."