Kael's jaw twitched.
(You said your purpose was to help me…)
(Is this what you call helping?!)
The system responded calmly, almost unfazed by his irritation.
[Host, calm down.]
[I already explained that sharing system rewards requires a strong bond between you and the recipient.]
Kael frowned, irritation still lingering in his eyes.
(You should have explained the exact requirement earlier!)
[…]
The silence from the system only made him more annoyed.
For a brief moment, he considered arguing further—but then he exhaled slowly, forcing himself to regain composure. Getting worked up wouldn't change anything.
When he looked up again—
He realized three pairs of eyes were staring at him.
Especially Nami.
Her gaze was sharp. Suspicious.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that?"
Her grip tightened slightly around the map.
"…Are you not going to give me that skill?"
Kael straightened immediately.
"No—no, of course I will."
He waved his hand lightly, a bit too quickly for his usual composed self.
"I fully intend to give you the skill."
He paused.
"…It's just that…"
Now all three women looked confused.
Kael Sylvarion hesitating like this—
was rare.
Nami frowned.
"Huh? What's the problem, Kael? Just say it."
Kael rubbed the back of his neck before forcing his usual calm expression back into place.
"Sigh… there's just a small condition required for me to bestow a skill on someone."
All three women blinked.
Nami tilted her head slightly.
"…And what is that?"
Kael inhaled deeply.
A bead of sweat slowly traced down his temple.
Then—
he said it.
"I need to kiss you."
Silence.
Complete, absolute silence.
The wind continued to sweep across the deck.
The sails fluttered.
Waves brushed gently against the hull.
But among the four of them—
not a single word was spoken.
Seconds passed.
Then a full minute.
Then another.
The first thing that broke the stillness—
Thud.
Kaya's book slipped from her hands and hit the wooden deck.
The soft impact echoed louder than it should have.
Tashigi flinched violently.
Her face turned bright red as she immediately looked down.
"…I-I must have misheard…"
Meanwhile—
Nami's brain finally restarted.
Her face instantly flushed a deep red.
"Y-Y-Y-YOU—"
Her voice cracked midway.
"You bastard!!"
She immediately started punching Kael in the chest.
"Pervert! Idiot! Shameless pirate!!"
Kael didn't even try to block.
He simply stood there, letting her vent.
(Honestly… this reaction is better than I expected.)
Meanwhile—
Kaya slowly bent down and picked up her fallen book.
When she stood back up—
She looked calm.
Too calm.
A gentle smile rested on her lips.
Her eyes were closed.
"Kaaeel-san…"
Her voice was soft. Sweet.
Dangerously sweet.
A chill crawled down Kael's spine.
He slowly turned toward her.
"Y-Yes, Kaya…?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Are you absolutely sure the 'condition' you mentioned is real?"
Her smile didn't waver.
"And not just… a perverted fantasy?"
Kael immediately started sweating again.
"Kaya, believe me!"
"It really is a condition!"
(Dammit! My image is completely ruined because of this!)
(Even my sweet Kaya is doubting me now…)
The women heard his thoughts.
Their expressions softened slightly.
It did seem like he was telling the truth.
Kaya remained quiet for a moment.
Her smile stayed.
But inside—
her thoughts were far from calm.
You call me your sweet Kaya…
And then talk about kissing another girl in front of me…
I was here before anyone else.
She inhaled slowly.
Then said sweetly,
"I believe you, Kael-san."
Kael immediately relaxed.
"But…"
Her smile sharpened—just slightly.
"Don't you think it's unfair to give something to only one person?"
Kael blinked once.
Then quickly nodded.
"Of course not."
"I have something good prepared for you and Tashigi as well."
Tashigi instantly lifted her head.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Really?!"
"You have something for me too?!"
But the excitement lasted only a second.
Then her face turned red again.
Wait…
If Kael-san gives me something…
Does that mean we also have to…
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword.
She lowered her gaze shyly.
But… if it's with him… that's fine… right?
Meanwhile—
Kaya's dangerous smile vanished.
A bright, cheerful one replaced it.
She clasped her hands together happily.
"Good!"
"Then go ahead and start already."
"Don't make a lady… or ladies… wait."
Yes.
She was extremely happy.
Not about the skill.
Kael held his forehead.
"Sigh…"
"What is even happening today…"
After a moment, he turned toward Nami again.
She was still blushing intensely.
"Nami."
He spoke more gently this time.
"You don't have to do thi—"
"I'LL DO IT!"
Her answer came instantly.
Kael blinked.
"You… agreed?"
Nami immediately crossed her arms, trying to look composed.
"D-Don't misunderstand!"
"This is only for the Sovereign Gale!"
She pointed at him.
"And if this skill of yours turns out to be useless—"
"You'll regret it!"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Don't worry."
"This might be the most useful skill you'll ever receive."
"Hmph."
"It better be."
Then—
came the quiet moment.
Kael stepped forward.
Nami instinctively tensed.
He stopped right in front of her.
Since she was slightly shorter, he lowered himself just enough to meet her at eye level.
Their gazes met.
For a brief second—
neither spoke.
Behind them—
Tashigi covered her eyes.
"Ah—!"
…though her fingers didn't quite close all the way.
She was definitely peeking.
Kaya didn't even try to hide it.
She watched openly.
Her gaze held curiosity, a faint blush… and something deeper.
The distance between Kael and Nami slowly disappeared.
Nami's heartbeat raced uncontrollably.
Why is my heart beating this fast…?!
She shut her eyes tightly.
It's just for the skill.
Just for the ship.
That's all.
Kael lifted his hand.
His fingers brushed lightly against her cheek.
Nami's breath hitched.
Then—
their lips met.
Soft.
Careful.
A brief moment that lingered just a little longer than expected.
Neither rushed.
Neither pulled away immediately.
It wasn't overwhelming—
just a quiet, unfamiliar warmth shared between them.
Nami instinctively held onto his coat, steadying herself.
The contact remained gentle, natural… before slowly easing apart.
Behind them—
Tashigi's face was completely red.
"Th-They're really doing it…"
Kaya's expression tightened slightly—
but her cheeks flushed as well.
After a few seconds—
Kael pulled back.
Nami stood frozen.
Her thoughts clearly lagging behind reality.
Her cheeks burned.
Her fingers still clutched his coat.
Then—
[Skill Transfer Complete.]
[Stormborn Skill successfully granted.]
Nami blinked.
A powerful sensation surged through her.
Wind.
Currents.
Pressure shifts.
Her senses expanded.
Her eyes widened.
"…What…?"
She turned instinctively toward the sea.
Everything felt clearer.
Sharper.
"This power…"
Her voice trembled.
"…It's incredible."
The excitement from Nami's transformation had barely settled when Kael turned his attention toward the next crewmate.
"Tashigi."
The swordswoman immediately stiffened.
Her face, which had only just begun to calm down, turned red again the moment his gaze landed on her.
"Y-Yes?"
She stepped forward nervously.
Nami crossed her arms nearby, still blushing faintly but now watching with great interest.
Kaya remained leaning lightly against the railing, her sweet smile firmly in place as she observed everything.
Kael spoke calmly.
"The skill I'm giving you is different from Nami's."
Tashigi's eyes widened.
"Different?"
Kael nodded.
Kael spoke calmly.
"The skill I'm giving you will help your swordsmanship a lot."
Tashigi's eyes lit up with curiosity, but the memory of the condition immediately returned and her face turned bright red again.
"S-So that means…"
She couldn't finish the sentence and lowered her head, embarrassed.
Kael rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah… unfortunately."
After a few seconds, Tashigi nodded nervously.
"I-If it's necessary… then I'll do it."
She stepped closer, though her legs were visibly trembling.
The moment she stepped forward, nervousness was written all over her.
Kael steadied her gently.
"Relax."
"I-I'm fine!"She clearly wasn't.
So this time—
Kael didn't rush it.
He simply leaned in gently.
The kiss was brief.
Soft.
Barely more than a fleeting touch.
Tashigi froze completely.
If Kael hadn't been holding her, she might've collapsed.
[Transfer Complete.]
[Water Breathing successfully granted.]
Tashigi's eyes widened instantly.
A strange rhythm entered her lungs as unfamiliar movements and sword forms flowed into her mind.
Her hands trembled.
"W-Water Breathing…?"
She looked toward Kael with astonishment.
"…Is it like your…?"
Kael smiled slightly.
"Yeah. It's a breathing technique just like Wind Breathing."
Tashigi's hands started trembling again.
But this time—
From excitement.
"Thank you, Kael-san!!"
Kael immediately shook his head.
"You don't have to thank me."
"That's what I'm supposed to do."
His expression became more serious.
"What matters now is how you use it."
"Train with everything you've got."
"And keep pushing the technique forward."
Tashigi nodded firmly.
"I will!"
Then suddenly she frowned slightly.
"Kael-san…"
"Yes?"
"Does Water Breathing only have two forms?"
Kael blinked.
Then realization crossed his face.
"Oh."
"So it's like that."
He looked back at her.
"No."
"Water Breathing actually has ten forms in total."
Tashigi's eyes widened again.
"Ten?!"
"You'll unlock more forms gradually through training and real combat."
Kael folded his arms.
"Even I can currently use only five forms of Wind Breathing."
Tashigi absorbed the information quickly.
Then she nodded with determination burning in her eyes.
"I understand."
"Training!"
"I need to train more and get stronger!"
She immediately turned as if preparing to rush off and begin practicing right away.
But Kael grabbed her shoulder before she could move.
"Wait."
Tashigi blinked.
"Huh?"
"I'll explain the proper way to train the breathing technique later."
Then Kael slowly turned his head toward the final crewmate still waiting nearby.
Kaya.
She was still smiling sweetly.
But there was a very noticeable glint in her eyes.
"Oh?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"I almost thought you forgot about me, Kael-san."
Kael chuckled lightly.
"Haha."
"You must be joking."
His gaze softened.
"I could never forget you, Kaya."
She was still leaning lightly against the railing, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her usual gentle smile remained on her face, though there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Well then," she said softly.
"What about me, Kael-san?"
Kael chuckled faintly.
"You were waiting for that, weren't you?"
Kaya tilted her head.
"Of course."
Her smile widened just slightly.
"You promised something for me as well."
Kael nodded.
"Right."
Unlike the previous skills, this one required an actual object.
He reached into the invisible space of the system storage.
A moment later—
A fruit appeared in his hand.
It was beautiful.
The surface carried elegant swirling patterns, its color a mix of deep violet and pale silver that shimmered slightly under the sunlight. Even the stem curled in an unusual spiral.
The moment it appeared, all three women stared at it.
Kael held it up casually.
"This," he said calmly, "will allow you to awaken Observation Haki."
The reaction was immediate.
Tashigi's jaw dropped.
"O–Observation Haki?!"
She stepped forward in shock.
"Just like that?!"
Her eyes were locked onto the fruit.
"How is that even possible?!"
Even Nami looked stunned.
"H-Haki?!"
She pointed between the fruit and Kael.
"Isn't that the power you use sometimes?!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to Kaya.
"That's amazing, Kaya!"
Kaya smiled and nodded gently.
"Yes… it really is."
But inside—
Her thoughts were not entirely peaceful.
I'll gain the ability after eating the fruit…
Her gaze slowly drifted toward Kael.
But that means…
Her cheeks puffed slightly.
He doesn't have to kiss me for this.
She looked at him with a resentful little glare.
Kael noticed immediately.
"…Ah."
Then—
"I almost forgot to kiss you, Kaya. Come here."
She blinked.
"But… you don't really need to."
Kael scratched his head.
Then said quietly—
"Do I need a reason?"
That was enough.
Her face flushed instantly.
This time—
she stepped forward herself.
Not rushing.
Not hesitating.
Her hands lightly rested against him as she leaned in.
The kiss was warm.
Gentle.
A little longer than the others—
but still soft, filled with quiet emotion rather than intensity.
When she pulled back—
her face turned completely red.
Reality hit.
Without a word—
she grabbed the fruit—
turned—
and ran.
The door slammed.
Silence returned to the deck.
Nami blinked.
Tashigi slowly lowered her hands.
Both looked at Kael.
He sat there, slightly disheveled.
Completely drained.
After a few seconds—
he sighed.
"What a day…"