East Blue — Loguetown Harbor
The Crimson Raiju sailed into Loguetown like a storm riding silent winds, crimson sails gleaming like fresh blood against the dawn. Seaspray clung to the dragon-headed prow, as though the ocean itself bowed in deference.
At the helm stood Kael D. Raen, crimson-streaked black hair tied back, storm-bright eyes scanning the bustling port. His obsidian horns caught glints of early sunlight like jagged steel.
Beside him, Yamato grinned, her kanabō slung over one shoulder.
Smoothie leaned lazily over the railing, pretending not to care as she sipped from a flask of spiced wine, though her sharp gaze cataloged every Marine patrol and pirate flag in sight.
They felt it:
Every eye in the port turned toward them.
Whispers rippled like a wave.
"Who the hell's that crew?"
"Is that… a Sweet Commander?"
"That's Kael D. Raen. The Fourth Flame. Word is, even Big Mom wanted him dead."
[System Notification: Historical Landmark Detected — Loguetown]
[EXP Gain Enhanced: +10% for All Crew During Events]
Marine Base — Observation Tower
Vice Admiral Smoker clenched his jaw, binoculars tracking the Crimson Raiju.
"Straw Hat Luffy's here… and now this Oni-blooded pirate with him, with the Sweet Commander that disappeared from Big Mom's fleet."
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"That tall one… Kael… he's not normal."
Smoker exhaled a plume of smoke, eyes hard as flint.
"No," he muttered. "He's not."
Storm Court's Inn — That Evening
Kael, Yamato, and Smoothie claimed a battered table in a smoky, half-empty tavern. The air smelled of salt, firewood, and cheap spiced rum. A faint system interface shimmered at their table's center.
[Item Purchased: Rokushiki Combat Manual – 150,000 Beli]
Techniques unlocked for practice.
Kael smirked. "Now we fight smarter."
Yamato leaned in, lips brushing the rim of her cup. "I like a captain with foresight."
Smoothie rolled her eyes. "Stars above, get a room already."
Yamato's brow twitched. "What's your problem, juice girl?"
Smoothie "You mouth off like you're first mate when you haven't even proved you can outfight me."
Kael's grin widened. "Good. Settle it tomorrow. The winner gets the first pick of our next Devil Fruit haul."
Smoothie grinned sharply. "You're on you, Oni princess."
[Summon Token Used — Legendary Blacksmith Search…]
[Summoning: Shimotsuki Kozaburo — Will Echo Format]
The air shimmered as the spectral form of a wiry old man appeared, ancient fire gleaming in his sharp eyes.
"Summon me for cheap blades and I'll gut you where you stand," Kozaburo barked.
Kael smirked.
"I need swords that split storms."
The old ghost paused.
A grin tugged at his lips.
"…Now you're speaking my language."
Roger's Bar — The Next Day
Dust motes floated through old sunlit beams as Kael opened the door. The familiar scent of spiced wood, old rum, and memory hit him like a punch to the chest.
"KAEL?!"
A stretch-arm tackle hit him square in the ribs.
Kael laughed, pulling his idiot brother into a bear hug.
"You didn't even write."
Luffy grinned widely.
"I've been busy. I've got a crew now!"
Pride shone in his eyes as he pointed.
"This is my big brother — Kael D. Raen! Strongest of us all!"
Zoro arched a brow.
"Stronger than Ace?"
"Way stronger," Luffy confirmed.
Kael ruffled his brother's hair, then met Zoro's stare with a smirk.
"You swing a good sword. Not bad, Pirate Hunter."
"We'll see about that," Zoro grunted.
Sanji's eyes bulged at the sight of Smoothie and Yamato.
"Are you both his crewmates?"
Smoothie smirked.
"Unfortunately."
Yamato winked.
"Gladly."
Nami's sharp eyes scanned Kael warily.
"You're trouble."
Kael's grin widened.
"Only if you're a coward."
Weapon Shop — Blade & Fang
Later, while Luffy dragged Sanji to search for meat, Kael and Yamato ducked into a weapon shop lined with ancient blades.
Tashigi was already there, testing the edge of a katana.
She paused, sensing Kael's presence.
Her gaze drifted to his horns, then his storm-hardened stare.
"You're not ordinary."
"Neither are you," Kael said. "That sword on your hip's got history."
Tashigi's brow furrowed.
"You're a pirate."
"I'm a storm that sinks tyrants."
He let the words hang before moving past, testing the balance of a jagged cutlass.
Street Market — Later
Kael crossed paths with a fiery young woman fussing over cooking ingredients.
"Oi, watch it, musclehead!"
She snapped.
He blinked, then laughed. "Carmen? Weren't you the girl who entered that cook-off against some curly-browed a few hours ago?"
She scowled.
"Yeah, he cheated with some stupid love-cooking thing."
Kael chuckled.
"If you ever want to sail with a crew that eats like gods and burns flags, look me up."
She rolled her eyes but smirked. "I'll think about it, storm boy."
Outside a Cage Merchant's Tent
A giant lion sat, bored, in a crude cage.
Richie.
Kael met its golden eyes, both of them sensing something kindred. Without a word, Kael smashed the cage lock.
"C'mon, king. Join a real hunt."
Richie padded after him, a low growl of satisfaction rumbling from his throat.
[New Crew Member Acquired: Richie — Battle Beast]
Execution Platform — Sunset
The sun bled red across the horizon as Kael and Luffy stood at the same platform where Gol D. Rogerwas executed.
"This is where Roger died," Luffy whispered.
Kael nodded. "And where you'll one day stand free."
Their moment was shattered by cannon fire.
"STRAW HAT LUFFY! FACE ME!"
Buggy descended on a makeshift airship, bombs in hand.
Marines swarmed. Smoker charged, smoke blazing.
Kael cracked his knuckles. "Yamato. Smoothie. Let's show them why we don't kneel."
Geppo. Thunder Pulse. Raimei Hakke. Wave Crush.
The docks erupted in chaos.
Kael intercepted Buggy in midair, blasting him apart in a storm surge.
Smoothie and Yamato fought back to back, cleaving through marines.
"You're not bad for a barmaid," Smoothie taunted.
"Your aim's sloppy for a Commander," Yamato snapped back.
They clashed for a moment, kanabō against Greatblade, before grinning.
"After this," Yamato said, "we settle it properly."
"Damn right," Smoothie smirked.
From the Rooftops
A cloaked figure watched.
Monkey D. Dragon exhaled softly.
"Luffy… you've found a storm of your own."
Later That Night — Crimson Raiju
With the storm clouds finally dispersing, the crew came together beneath the open, star-strewn sky.
[New Quest Unlocked: Vault of the Devils]
A forgotten Devil Fruit vault lies on an uncharted isle. The first crew to claim it keeps the loot.
Reward: One Mythical Zoan, Two Random Fruits, One Summon Token.
Kael held up the weathered treasure map.
"Tomorrow… we sail to claim it."
Yamato cracked her knuckles.
"I'm taking the prize."
"Not before I leave you both behind," Smoothie smirked.
Lightning flashed faintly in the distance.
Kael grinned.
"Let's carve our legend."
The Crimson Raiju sailed into the dark.