Notice this chapter isn't canon to the story. I want some feedback from the fleet.
The Crimson Raiju rocked gently on the open sea, the moon high and silver above a mirror-flat ocean.
The chaos of Moonfang Isle was behind them, the vault treasures safely stowed, and for the first time in days, the crew had a moment to breathe.
Kael stood at the center of the main deck, arms crossed, Bekka resting against his shoulder. Around him the crew had gathered in a loose circle: Yamato sitting cross-legged with Richie's massive head in her lap, Maki leaning against the mast with her blade across her knees, Betty perched on a barrel with her flag-spear beside her, Gorran wiping grease from his hands, Carmen sipping coffee from a chipped mug.
Kael cleared his throat.
"Listen up. We've got gold, we've got relics, we've got two Mythical Zoans nobody's claiming yet… but the one thing we don't have is time to waste."
He tapped the deck with his boot.
"This ship carried us out of Loguetown. She held together through Cipher Pol and Smoker. But the Grand Line isn't going to be that forgiving. We need to make her stronger, faster, deadlier, before Reverse Mountain."
He looked around the circle.
"I'm not deciding alone. This is our home. So I want to hear what upgrades you want?"
He held up a hand, ticking off categories on his fingers.
"Gorran's forge is coming online. We can mount new cannons, reinforce the hull, add hidden compartments, lightning rods for my storms, whatever. Carmen galley upgrades, cold storage, bigger oven? Yamato training deck, reinforced railings for Richie? Maki sharpening station, weapon racks? Betty signal tower, Revolutionary comms array? Speak now."
The crew exchanged glances.
Yamato was first, scratching Richie behind the ears.
"I want a proper training yard on the upper deck. Something that can take my full swings without breaking. And maybe a reinforced cage for Richie when he gets… excited."
Richie huffed, almost offended.
Maki twirled her blade once.
"Weapons locker below deck locked, fireproof, organized. And a dedicated sharpening bench with the best whetstones we can buy. I'm not dulling my edge on garbage."
Carmen took a long sip of coffee.
"Galley needs cold storage ice-based or Devil Fruit-powered, I don't care. Double ovens. Spice racks that don't rattle apart in storms. And a proper pantry the size of a small house. I'm not cooking masterpieces in a broom closet."
Gorran grunted, arms crossed.
"Forge expansion. Bigger bellows, better ventilation, a dedicated smelting furnace. Mount for the Thunderstrike Battery prototype. And a reinforced deck plate so I don't burn holes through the ship when I'm working."
Betty tapped her flag-spear against the deck.
"Comms tower high enough for long-range signals. Maybe disguise it as a mast. Hidden observation post up top and a small printing press for propaganda leaflets if we ever need to stir up trouble."
All eyes turned back to Kael.
He looked at each of them, then at the deck beneath his feet.
"Alright. We've got a list."
He tapped his temple, as though mentally filing it away.
"Gorran forge and cannons first. Carmen Galley next. Yamato training yard after that. Maki and Betty's weapon storage and comms tower can run parallel."
He grinned, slow and dangerous.
"But we're not stopping at 'good enough.' This ship is going to be a legend. So tell me…"
He spread his arms.
"What else? Anything I missed? Dream big. We've got the gold and the will."
The crew looked at each other, grins slowly spreading.
Yamato raised her hand like a schoolkid.
"A hot spring bath on the stern deck. For morale."
Carmen snorted. "I'm not heating water for your lazy ass."
Maki smirked. "A quiet corner for meditation. Or knife-throwing practice."
Betty laughed. "A bar. Proper one. With stools bolted down."
Gorran grunted. "A reinforced brig. For when we start taking prisoners."
Kael laughed low, genuine.
"Write it down. We'll vote on priority once we hit Alabasta."
He looked up at the moon, then back at his crew.
"But one thing is non-negotiable."
He planted Bekka point-first into the deck. Lightning crackled briefly along the blade.
"This ship is our home and it will never bow. Not to Marines. Not to Emperors. Not to the World Government."
He met their eyes one by one.
"So tell me, right now what do you want the Crimson Raiju to become?"
The deck went quiet.
Then Yamato stood, Takeru over her shoulder.
"A storm no one can outrun."
Maki stepped forward.
"A blade that cuts through fate itself."
Betty raised her flag.
"A symbol that makes tyrants tremble."
Carmen smirked.
"A floating restaurant that feeds legends."
Gorran cracked his knuckles.
"A fortress that forges the future."
Richie let out a low, approving growl.
Kael's grin widened.
"Then that's what she'll be."
He turned toward the bow, staring into the dark horizon.
He looked back over his shoulder.
"So… any last requests before we turn this beauty into a legend?"
The crew laughed, shouted ideas, and argued good-naturedly.
But under the banter, something solid had
formed.
A promise.
A ship.
A family.
And the sea ahead waited.
Kael raised a hand to quiet them again.
"One more thing before we scatter."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, faintly glowing token case.
The crew stilled.
"I still have some summon tokens left. One from the dead back in their prime. One Great Pirate Era legend. And one Current Era slots still open."
He looked around the circle.
"I've got ideas for the Current Era… but I'm not saying who yet."
Yamato's grin faltered slightly. She stepped closer, voice quieter than usual.
"Captain… every time you summon someone strong, it hits you hard. Do you remember how you felt after summoning Betty and Maki? If you pull someone from the dead or a legend… you'll be down for days. Maybe worse."
Kael met her eyes. The worry there was more than just concern for a captain.
He gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"I know. That's why we're talking about it first."
Maki tilted her head, arms crossed.
"So… the dead one. You're bringing someone back from the grave, full strength, prime condition. Who do you even pick for that?"
Betty leaned forward, intrigued.
"And the Great Pirate Era slot. Someone from Roger's time… or Rocks. That's a heavy choice."
Kael nodded slowly.
"Exactly. I want your input. Who do we bring back? Who's worth the cost?"
He looked at each of them.
"Dead and in their prime. Legends from the Great Pirate Era. Or Current Era powerhouses. Speak freely. No wrong answers."
He spread his arms.
"This isn't just my decision. It's ours."
The deck went quiet again.
Then the suggestions started tentatively at first, then faster.
Yamato spoke softly.
"Someone who'd fight for family… like you do."
Maki's voice was sharp.
"Someone who'd understand being from another world. Or at least wouldn't care.
Betty smiled faintly.
"Someone who'd burn the World Government down with us.
Gorran grunted.
"Someone who can take a hit and keep swinging."
Carmen shrugged.
"Someone who can eat my cooking and not complain."
Richie just growled approvingly.
Kael laughed.
"Alright. I'm listening."
He looked out at the crew his family.
"So tell me… who do you want to see again? Who do we summon back to their prime? And who from another world might fit with us?"
He grinned.
"Drop your picks below. Top suggestions get priority consideration."
The night air crackled with possibility.
The sea waited.
And the crew began to dream aloud.
Author's Note:
Crew meeting time! What upgrades do YOU want to see on the Crimson Raiju?
• Hot spring bath?
• Hidden brig?
• Propaganda print shop?
• Lightning rod array for Kael's storms?
• Something else entirely?
Crew summon vote time!
Who should we bring back from the dead in their prime?
Who from the Great Pirate Era (Rocks/Roger time)?
Who from the Current Era?
And who from another anime/manga world (cross-verse anomaly like Maki)?