It had been two weeks since Kael summoned his first mate, Yamato. Kael said his goodbyes to Dadan, Makino, and the mountain bandits under Dadan's care.
Afterward, Kael and Yamato moved his half-finished ship to an abandoned island off the coast of Foosha Village.
The two had battled sea kings, fought off small-time pirates, and worked tirelessly on the ship, which Kael had named the Crimson Raiju. The bond between him and Yamato had only grown during this time, and Kael couldn't help but feel proud as he watched Luffy's journey unfold. Luffy had already recruited Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and Usopp.
Kael grinned as he stood on the edge of the island, staring at the sea with a sense of pride. "Give them hell, Luffy," he muttered under his breath.
After they finished dispatching the last pirate group, the System chimed.
[Ship Core Initialization Detected]
[Would you like to summon your Starter Ship?]
[Warning: This will overwrite the existing vessel frame with a personalized construct.]
A wolfish grin spread across Kael's face. "Do it."
The earth beneath the ship roared in response. Crimson and obsidian runes ignited, forming a massive summoning circle that bled raw power into the cavern. The air howled, and the very walls of the cave vibrated with the pressure. Yamato's instincts flared, and she gripped her kanabō tightly, sensing the storm that was about to be unleashed.
With a thunderclap, the frame of the ship splintered apart, the pieces rising into the air as if weightless. Summoning sigils spat forth new timbers from the Adamwood tree: 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.
Yamato's mouth hung open slightly. "Now that's a ship."
Kael barked a laugh. "You can say that again."
[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 whistled, impressed. "That's one hell of a ship."
Kael grinned, looking at the newly constructed vessel. "It's more than just a ship. It's our starting point."
[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 as the fruit appeared in his hand. "Kuraokami? That's…"
Yamato stepped closer, her eyes wide with recognition. "A storm dragon from the Wano myth. That's a god's name."
The indigo fruit glimmered with silver storm-sigil patterns, shimmering with mist and pulsing energy. Without hesitation, Kael took a vicious bite.
The taste hit him like a violent storm, a mix of salt, lightning, and searing metal. Pain ripped through his body as his bones creaked and muscles tightened. Silver-blue energy crackled over his skin. His pupils narrowed into slits as storm clouds rolled above them, thick and ominous.
[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 as the power flowed through him. "I can control storms…?"
Yamato's grin was wide, eyes alight with excitement. "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 our third crewmate to 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, a statuesque woman stepped forward. Her tall form was steel-kissed, and her elegant epaulets and high boots spoke of both war and refinement.
Charlotte Smoothie surveyed her surroundings, taking in the cavern, the new ship, and the two figures before her. She smirked. "Where the hell am I? Last thing I remember, I was on Totto Land back on Whole Cake Island."
Her gaze shifted to Kael, then to Yamato. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you two related? You're not Kaido's kid, are you?"
Yamato's voice was calm but sharp. "That bastard is my father. Why do you ask?"
Smoothie chuckled, eyeing the hybrid-oni before her. "Never knew he had a kid. Interesting."
She turned her attention back to Kael, who had been silently watching her the entire time. "You're a hybrid of oni and buccaneer blood. Huh."
Kael's grin widened. "I plan on starting a crew that's a family. Not ruled by fear, but respect."
Smoothie scoffed. "So, you kidnap two Yonko daughters and think there won't be consequences?" She glared, her voice dark. "I don't know about Kaido, but Big Mom doesn't take kindly to people taking her children."
Kael met her gaze with a challenge burning in his own eyes. "Face me in a pirate duel. If you win, I'll let you hand me over to Big Mom. But if I win... You join my crew. Unless the daughter of Big Mom is scared to fight me."
Smoothie's lip curled into a predatory smile. "You've got balls, kid. But when I win, I'm taking you back to Mama. Might even ask to keep you as a toy for personal use."
With that, the duel began.
The Duel: Kael vs. Smoothie
The tension crackled in the air, both Kael and Smoothie standing poised for the fight. The lightning above them echoed their rising energy.
Smoothie's sword, an elegant yet deadly blade, glimmered in the dim light. She moved first, closing the distance between them with a speed that would have caught most off guard. Her sword was a blur, slicing through the air with precision, aiming to catch Kael off guard. But Kael was ready.
With a low growl, Kael used his Observation Haki, sensing the attack before it came. He dodged smoothly, the sword missing him by a hair's breadth. He retaliated immediately, swung his blade with precision and speed.
Smoothie, using her Shibo Shibo no Mi powers, turned the blade's momentum into an overwhelming pressure, trying to drain Kael's vitality with each strike. Kael gritted his teeth as the force of her attack rattled through his bones, but he countered, his Haki flaring once more to read her next move. The battle raged, each attack faster than the last.
Kael's movements were fluid, his hybrid body a perfect blend of speed and power. His newfound Zoan abilities crackled through him, adding an electric edge to every strike. Thunder Pulse shot through the air, striking Smoothie's sword, sending a jolt of energy through her. She stumbled, momentarily thrown off balance, and Kael took advantage of her momentary weakness.
The storm above them intensified, as though reacting to Kael's newfound power.
Smoothie adjusted, her smirk never faltering as she launched a brutal series of strikes aimed at Kael's vital points. He blocked and parried with a grace and skill that surprised her. His sword flashed, cutting through the air with a deadly precision that matched her own.
Finally, Kael saw the opening he had been waiting for. Smoothie's sword was slightly off-center after a powerful overhead swing. With a swift motion, Kael disarmed her, knocking her blade to the ground.
She took a step back, breathing hard. "You've got guts. Fine, I'll join your crew."
As Kael extended his hand to help her up, a notification from the System rang in his mind: [New Crew Member Acquired: Charlotte Smoothie — Role: Blade of the Court]
Kael nodded, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Welcome to the crew. Care to make history?"
Smoothie's smile curved darkly. "You're going to regret stirring this storm, Kael. But for now, I'll play along."
Later that day, the three of them gathered around the fire on the deck of the Crimson Raiju, the storm in the air still palpable as the night settled around them. Kael sat cross-legged, a jug of sake in hand.
Yamato and Smoothie sat beside him, the warmth of battle still lingering in the air.
Yamato spoke first, her voice softer. "You remind me a lot of Ace. He used to brag about his two younger brothers, saying they would shake up the world."
Kael's eyes lingered on the mist-choked horizon. "Yeah. That sounds like my big brother." He tapped the frayed red cloth around his wrist, a silent tribute to the man who had shaped his path.
Yamato's jaw tightened. "He was my only friend back in that hellhole."
Kael met her gaze. "And Luffy is my kid brother."
Raising his jug, he added, "I'm not here to steal his throne. I'm here to be the shield that clears the way. So when he reaches Laugh Tale, there's no one left standing to stop him."
His voice hardened 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, her eyes bright with understanding. She 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 clinked their cups together, the sound crisp as thunder.
"Kanpai!"
Then, with a slow, dangerous smile, Kael began to sing. His voice was low, gravel-laced, carrying a tune older than 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, and Smoothie followed suit.
The song carried over the water, a pirate's lullaby, Keal heard 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