New World – Naval Headquarters
In the Marshal's office, the new Fleet Admiral, Akainu, sat at his desk, a cigar clenched between his teeth. The air around him felt heavier now — his new position came with an even greater burden of power and pressure.
Across from him, slouched on a couch, sat Admiral Kizaru, also known as Borsalino.
Boom!
With a loud crash, Akainu slammed his fist onto the desk. The wood creaked under the force, and had he not held back, it might have splintered entirely.
"That guy Kaelen... he's already reached that level?!"
"If we don't suppress him soon, he'll surpass even the heights Whitebeard and Roger once stood upon."
His voice was low, heavy, and grim. There was no exaggeration in his tone — only raw concern.
The latest intelligence weighed heavily on his mind. The Blackbeard Pirates — once considered the most dangerous rising force in the New World — had been utterly annihilated by Kaelen alone.
Blackbeard was dead.
Catarina Devon, the Crescent Moon Hunter, dead.
The rest were either killed or scattered.
In a single strike, a crew nearing the level of a Yonko had crumbled, no longer a threat to the world.
Even more frightening was that Kaelen had displayed more than three distinct abilities during the battle. His threat level had long surpassed that of Blackbeard.
Akainu's head throbbed. Trouble like this, right after he took office?
It felt like monsters were sprouting from every corner of the sea.
Things were more stable under Sengoku. Constant skirmishes, yes — but the balance of power remained intact.
To govern is to bear the burden of order.
Now, as the one seated in Sengoku's former chair, Akainu finally understood just how difficult his predecessor's role had been.
"Oh, that's terrifying..."
Kizaru's voice drifted lazily from the couch. One leg crossed over the other, he sounded as nonchalant as ever, but his words carried weight.
"It hasn't even been that long since the Paramount War, and that guy's already stirred up this much chaos."
"I think he's already surpassed Roger and Whitebeard — at least in terms of raw power."
For all of Kizaru's elusive personality and aloof tone, his insight was razor-sharp.
Akainu's scowl deepened.
He was confident in his strength. He had battled Aokiji for ten days straight to secure the Admiral position.
Blackbeard was certainly no weaker than Aokiji.
Yet Kaelen had taken him down in under an hour.
And no one could say for certain whether he had even used his full strength.
After a moment of silence, Akainu asked hoarsely, "How much combat power do you think we'd need to capture Kaelen?"
"Hmmm..."
Kizaru gave him a long look, then leaned back even further, fingers interlaced behind his head.
"Even if we sent out the Navy's top forces... I doubt it would work."
"His power is beyond conventional limits. And don't forget — he's inherited the Golden Lion's abilities. If he chooses to flee, I couldn't stop him even if I tried."
Akainu was silent.
The Navy was strong — undeniably so. They had legends like Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru. Alongside them were Admiral-level powers: himself, Kizaru, Fujitora, Ryokugyu, and even the candidates like Tsuru's student Momousagi and Chaton.
Nine high-level combatants in total. A force strong enough to challenge two Yonko crews at once.
But strength alone didn't guarantee flexibility.
The Navy had territories to protect, borders to watch, and criminals to suppress. Mobilizing even three Admiral-level fighters at once could destabilize their control.
And worse, political friction ran deep.
Garp and others didn't always support Akainu's methods — they might not follow him willingly.
This complicated things.
"Hmph..." Akainu sneered, voice low and bitter. "You can't tell me the Five Elders aren't worried."
"Kaelen clearly doesn't care about the Celestial Dragons at all."
"Oh, that's true," Kizaru replied, still reclining casually.
---
New World — First Half of the Grand Line
News of the Blackbeard Pirates' destruction rippled across the seas like a tidal wave.
Kaelen's name once again landed on the desks of every major power. From Yonko to warlords to royalty — everyone was talking about him.
A storm was coming. Everyone could feel it.
Some rumors claimed that Kaido was preparing to confront Kaelen directly.
Others whispered that Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, wanted to marry off a daughter to him — to form an alliance through blood.
More outrageous still were the tabloid-style tales of young women claiming to be carrying Kaelen's child...
Wild stories spread like wildfire.
But the one responsible for this chaos?
He was smiling.
---
Kaelen looked across at Marco with a cheerful grin.
"Are you serious... Kaelen san?"
Marco's expression was conflicted, even a little pained. Normally composed and gentle, he now looked baffled.
Kaelen had asked for a favor. Marco had agreed.
But being knocked unconscious?
That wasn't what he expected.
Even for someone like Marco, who had seen much of the world, this request was beyond bizarre.
Still, Kaelen had killed Blackbeard — Marco didn't want to make an enemy of him.
"Ahem, I'm not joking," Kaelen said sheepishly. "Think of it as a tiny bit of affection on my part."
Marco frowned. Kaelen's tone made it sound... off.
"Don't worry, I'll be quick. You won't feel a thing."
Marco: "..."
Something still felt wrong about all this.
Sigh.
"Well then... go ahead, Kaelen san."
With a resigned breath, Marco closed his eyes, steeling himself.
Thud!
One quick blow — Marco collapsed, unconscious.
"Sorry about that. I'll help heal you right after," Kaelen muttered, reaching out toward Marco.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for 'touching the body' of Marco. You've acquired the ability of the Mythical Zoan: Phoenix Fruit.]
The system's voice rang out.
Kaelen closed his eyes, letting the new power settle within him.
After a few seconds, he raised his right hand.
A pale blue flame flickered to life.
It was the Phoenix Flame — regenerative fire that could heal wounds.
Just as promised, Kaelen used it to mend Marco's injuries.
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