While Hancock was locked in a bitter clash with World, a golden warship quietly descended from the sky.
By sheer coincidence—or perhaps fate—it landed directly where the fight between Boa Hancock and Brynndi World was taking place.
At the same time, Fujitora and Dracule Mihawk were closing in, less than a thousand meters away.
With their sharp senses, they both perceived the arrival of the Golden Thunder—Mihawk through his piercing hawk-like vision, and Fujitora through his refined Observation Haki.
"Kaelen Tsukishiro? What is he doing here? Could it be… for World?"
Mihawk rose slowly, arms folded, brows slightly furrowed.
During the Paramount War, he'd seen Kaelen from afar—just once—but it had left an impression. Since then, the name kept surfacing again and again.
For a swordsman of Mihawk's caliber, any powerful warrior naturally attracted attention.
"Heh…"
A soft laugh broke the silence beside him.
Floating leisurely through the air in her gothic dress and with her trademark parasol was a familiar figure—pink twin-tails bobbing with every movement.
It was none other than Perona.
Mihawk spared her only a glance, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"If you're thinking of approaching Kaelen over Moria… forget it," he said flatly.
Perona froze mid-air.
Mihawk continued, "Against someone of his level, your ability wouldn't even register."
The words were cold, blunt, and brutally honest.
"Hmph!"
Perona puffed her cheeks and floated off in a huff, clearly annoyed.
Mihawk shook his head slightly. Whether she listened or not, he had spoken the truth.
---
Aboard the Marine Warship
"Admiral Fujitora! We've spotted Kaelen Tsukishiro—he's aboard the golden warship!"
The call came from Vice Admiral Bastille, known as "The Chopper." A key figure in the Buster Call unit, his combat ability was nothing to scoff at.
With Fujitora commanding this vessel and Bastille acting under him, their ship carried considerable firepower.
"Ah… so it really is him," Fujitora replied calmly.
From the bow of the ship, he stood with arms crossed, his cloak of justice flapping in the wind.
"I sensed a powerful presence from afar. That pressure alone is... formidable."
Bastille blinked, surprised. Fujitora had sensed Kaelen from that distance?
"Can we really handle someone like him...?" Bastille muttered quietly.
Fujitora offered a small, unreadable smile.
"No need to worry. First, we secure Brynndi World. Then… we greet Kaelen properly."
Unlike many of his peers, Fujitora held no animosity toward Kaelen.
If anything, he was intrigued.
He had followed Kaelen's trail with interest—from the fall of Shiki the Golden Lion, to the defeats of Blackbeard, Doflamingo, and even Celestial Dragons...
None of Kaelen's targets were innocent. In fact, most were monsters that Fujitora himself wished he could've dealt with.
There are many forms of justice.
And swift retribution was one of them.
While Kaelen and Fujitora did not walk the same path, they shared certain ideals.
To hell with the World Government's orders.
---
Onboard the Golden Thunder
Standing at the edge of the deck, arms folded, was Kaelen Tsukishiro.
"Well… what are the odds?"
His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield below.
The Golden Thunder had landed just off the coast of Amazon Lily. From the sounds echoing across the bay, it was clear that World had already arrived.
Kaelen activated his Observation Haki, sweeping the island.
He immediately found Hancock and World locked in a brutal battle. The Island groaned beneath their power—upper decks had been torn apart, and craters pitted the landscape.
To Kaelen's surprise, Buggy was also there. And, as usual, things weren't looking good for him.
"Looks like he's being chased down again. Poor guy."
Kaelen chuckled.
"It'd be easy to earn some favor here… but should I bother?"
He tilted his head slightly, still observing the battlefield.
Knowing Hancock's pride, stepping in might only make things worse. He wasn't the kind to interfere just to win someone's favor.
When he'd saved Robin, it had been because she was truly helpless. Different story.
BOOM!
His train of thought was broken as the top cabin of the island fortress exploded.
Hancock and World shot out of the wreckage like streaks of light, their battle continuing midair with explosive speed. Each impact thundered across the sea, sending shockwaves in every direction.
Kaelen watched calmly as they exchanged rapid, powerful strikes.
But the presence of the Golden Thunder could not be ignored.
Its radiant hull gleamed beneath the overcast sky. It drew eyes like a beacon—impossible to overlook.
Both Hancock and World took note.
After another intense exchange, they paused and turned toward the golden ship.
Her eyes locked onto him.
"...Kaelen?!"
Hancock gasped, her voice trembling slightly as she covered her mouth in disbelief.
Her beautiful eyes widened. A soft blush spread across her cheeks.
It felt like a dream.
The man who had haunted her thoughts day and night… was suddenly standing before her.
---
"???"
Kaelen blinked.
Her reaction wasn't what he expected.
Why was she looking at him like that?
Wasn't she still in the middle of a fight?
---
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