Kael turned toward the remaining Marines.
They were trembling.
Weapons lowered.
Fishmen lay wounded and barely conscious nearby.
Kael's voice was calm despite the blood running down his side.
"You have two options."
He pointed his blade toward the surviving fishmen.
"Arrest them."
"Take them and lead me back to your branch."
The wind shifted faintly around him.
"Or die."
No one tested him.
Chains were brought out immediately.
The Marines moved fast.
Very fast.
Outside the gate, the villagers watched in stunned silence.
Genzo removed his hat slowly.
Nami's knees finally gave out.
This time, she cried.
Quietly.
Not for Arlong.
But because it was over.
And Kael—
Still standing.
Bleeding.
Breathing hard.
A faint chime echoed in his mind.
[System Notification: Arlong Eliminated.]
[System Notification: Corrupt Marine Captain Nezumi Eliminated.]
[Rewards Available For Claim.]
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
Later.
[System: Host physical condition unstable. Immediate claim recommended.]
Wait.
A pause.
Then silence.
For once, it listened.
Footsteps rushed toward him.
"Kael!"
Kaya reached him first.
Her hands were already glowing faintly.
"You're hurt."
"I noticed."
Blood dripped from his sleeve.
Two cracked ribs. Torn muscle. Internal bruising.
Kaya didn't argue.
She placed her hands against his chest carefully.
Warmth spread.
Not explosive.
Not dramatic.
Just steady restoration.
The bruising faded first.
Then the deeper ache began to ease.
Outside the courtyard, villagers slowly stepped inside.
One by one.
Looking at the fallen body of Arlong as if expecting it to rise again.
It didn't.
An old man fell to his knees.
"It's over…"
Someone began crying.
Then another.
Then laughter broke through the tears.
Genzo stepped forward, stopping a few feet from Kael.
"…You did it."
Kael didn't respond.
He wasn't here for gratitude.
He turned instead toward Nami.
She walked up slowly.
Eyes still red.
Not fragile.
Just overwhelmed.
Nojiko stayed slightly behind her.
For a moment, Nami simply looked at him.
At the blood.
At the damage.
At the fact he was still standing.
"You idiot," she said quietly.
Then she stepped forward and hugged him.
Not dramatic.
Not desperate.
Just tight.
Careful of his injuries.
"You didn't have to get this hurt."
Kael let out a slow breath.
"It worked."
Nojiko approached next.
"…Thank you."
Simple.
Direct.
Genzo bowed his head slightly.
The villagers began thanking him too.
Voices overlapping.
Gratitude spilling in waves.
Kael endured it silently until Kaya pulled her hands back.
"You're stable now," she said. "But you still need rest."
He looked toward the Marines lining up the captured fishmen.
"I'm leaving."
The words cut through the noise.
Everyone turned.
"Leaving?" Nami frowned. "Where?"
"The Marine branch."
Genzo stiffened.
"Now?"
"You're injured," Kaya added. "At least wait—"
He shook his head once.
"I need evidence."
Blank stares.
"Evidence?" Nojiko repeated.
"Their corruption doesn't end with Nezumi."
The Marines nearby visibly paled.
Kael continued calmly.
"If this gets buried, another one replaces him."
Kaya stepped forward immediately.
"Then I'm coming."
"No."
It wasn't harsh.
Just firm.
"This won't take long."
Nami narrowed her eyes.
"What are you planning?"
Kael glanced at her briefly.
"We might gain a useful ally."
That made them pause.
Genzo frowned.
"A Marine?"
"Maybe."
That answer did nothing to reduce their confusion.
He turned toward the trembling squad.
"You're escorting me."
"Yes, sir!"
Too fast.
Too eager.
Kael began walking toward the gate.
Halfway there, he stopped and glanced back.
"Prepare a feast."
The villagers blinked.
"I'll be back in a few hours."
That finally broke some tension.
A few uncertain smiles appeared.
As he walked away—
A thought slipped through his mind.
(I hope you won't disappoint me, Smoker.)
Nami froze.
Kaya blinked.
They both looked at each other.
"…Smoker?" Nami whispered.
Curiosity burned stronger than fear now.
The 16th Marine Branch of East Blue:
The Marine Branch wasn't far.
The building felt smaller without Nezumi's arrogance filling it.
Kael entered first.
Boots echoing against wood.
The Marines followed like condemned men.
He stopped in the center of the room.
"I need a recorder Den Den Mushi."
One Marine swallowed.
"A-At once."
He nearly tripped over himself retrieving it.
Kael placed it on the main desk.
"Now," he said calmly, looking at the assembled Marines.
"You're going to repeat every bribe taken. Every report altered. Every civilian complaint ignored."
Silence.
His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword.
The room temperature seemed to drop.
One Marine broke first.
"We—We accepted payments monthly—"
Another followed.
Nezumi's ledger was brought out.
Documents.
False entries.
Recorded statements.
The Den Den Mushi captured everything.
Kael listened without expression.
When it was done, he picked up the receiver.
"Connect me."
The nearest Marine hesitated.
"T-To who?"
Kael's gaze sharpened slightly.
"The White Hunter."
The room froze.
One Marine stammered.
"W-White Hunter? You don't mean—"
Kael looked at him flatly.
"Is there another one?"
Silence.
Shaking hands reached for the communication line.
A connection attempt began.
And every Marine in the room felt something very clear:
Whatever happened next—
Their world was about to change.
The Talk:
The Den Den Mushi clicked.
Static.
Then—
A deep, controlled voice answered.
"This is Captain Smoker of the Loguetown Marine Base. Overseer of East Blue operations. State your identity and reason for contacting this line."
The Marines around Kael stiffened.
Even through the small snail, the presence on the other end felt… imposing.
Kael lifted the receiver calmly.
"…So this is the White Hunter."
There was a pause.
Smoker's tone sharpened.
"Who is this?"
Kael's voice came through steady.
"Kael Sylvarion."
Silence.
Then—
"…Kael Sylvarion?"
"The swordsman who defeated Kuro?"
A few Marines near Kael went pale.
Kael raised a brow slightly.
"You've heard of me? I'm honored."
Smoker exhaled smoke on the other end.
"You made noise in Syrup Village. A rookie who cut down a pirate captain in a single exchange isn't something we ignore."
"…Why are you calling a Marine headquarters?"
Kael didn't waste time.
"I've defeated the Arlong Pirates."
A chair scraped violently on the other end.
"What?"
"I killed Arlong."
The room around Smoker went silent.
Even the air felt tense.
Kael continued evenly.
"And Captain Nezumi."
The next sound was explosive.
Furniture shattered.
A desk cracked.
Smoker's voice roared through the Den Den Mushi.
"You WHAT?! How dare you—killing a Marine Captain—!"
Kael cut him off coldly.
"Listen first."
Silence.
"Do you truly think," Kael continued, voice calm but sharp, "that I would call the White Hunter after killing a Marine captain without reason?"
That stopped him.
There was breathing on the other end.
Heavy.
Angry.
"…You have thirty seconds," Smoker growled. "Speak before my patience runs out."
But beneath the anger, something else stirred.
How did a rookie kill Arlong?
That monster?
Kael's voice lowered.
"For eight years, Cocoyashi Village has been enslaved."
And then he told the story.
Arlong's occupation.
The forced tribute.
The executions.
The fear.
And finally—
Bell-mère.
A former Marine.
A woman who once wore the same uniform Smoker wore.
Executed in front of her daughters for refusing to abandon them.
On the other end—
Something shattered.
Wood splintered.
Tashigi burst into Smoker's office.
"Captain—?!"
Smoker didn't look at her.
"Quiet."
His jaw was tight.
Smoke coiled violently around him.
Tashigi stood still… but her hand trembled as she listened.
Kael continued.
Nezumi's corruption.
Bribes.
Eight years of silence.
Eight years of betrayal.
When Kael finished—
There was only breathing on the other end.
Long.
Measured.
Smoker finally spoke.
"…You expect me to believe this?"
His tone was calmer.
But it was the calm of a storm.
"You killed a Marine captain. Destroyed an entire branch. And I should accept your word that they were corrupt?"
Kael didn't hesitate.
"I never expected blind trust."
He glanced at the recorder Den Den Mushi beside him.
"I have recordings. Confessions. Evidence."
"And the remaining fishmen have been arrested."
Another long silence.
Smoker leaned back slowly.
"I see…"
The young man sounded strong.
Decisive.
Prepared.
After a moment, Smoker spoke formally.
"If everything you've said is true… and your evidence supports it…"
"Then as the highest-ranking Marine in East Blue… I thank you."
The Marines around Kael stiffened.
Smoker continued.
"And I will owe you a favor."
A beat.
"But you took justice into your own hands."
His voice hardened.
"You killed Marines. By Navy law, that makes you a criminal. I cannot ignore that."
Kael's expression didn't change.
"That's fine."
The Marines around him looked at him in shock.
"If the world calls me evil because I removed trash the so-called 'justice' system failed to… I can live with that."
Silence.
"I only stepped in because the Marines didn't."
On the other end—
Smoker's grip tightened.
Tashigi's heart pounded.
Kael's voice grew colder.
"And I will do it again."
"If it's a pirate, a Marine, a revolutionary, the World Government… even Celestial Dragons."
Both rooms went numb.
"If you consider me a criminal," Kael finished calmly, "feel free."
Smoker opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
For the first time in years—
He had no rebuttal.
Tashigi felt something shake inside her.
Isn't this… what justice is supposed to be?
Then Kael added casually,
"By the way. You still think I killed every Marine in this branch?"
Smoker blinked.
"…You didn't?"
"I killed two men today."
"Arlong. And Nezumi."
"The rest live."
"The Marines here are beaten but alive. They followed trash—but I didn't sense evil intent from them."
"They'll face proper trial."
Smoker exhaled slowly.
Relief flickered through him.
"…Thank you."
Even Tashigi visibly relaxed.
Then Smoker narrowed his eyes.
"You said you couldn't sense evil intent."
A pause.
"…That means—"
"Yes."
Kael answered simply.
"I can use Haki."
The word hung heavy.
Smoker leaned forward.
"…Haki…"
So that's how.
Respect flickered in his tone.
Shame too.
Fifteen years in service, yet he himself didn't have it.
And this boy already wielded it.
But stronger than both—
Determination.
"…I'll send a unit to collect the prisoners and your evidence."
"Good."
Kael's lips curved slightly.
"Now let's discuss that favor."
Smoker sighed.
"…You're bold."
"I don't go back on my word. Ask."
Kael's answer came immediately.
"When I arrive in Loguetown, I want a private conversation."
"Just you and me."
"Regardless of my bounty."
Smoker frowned.
"…A conversation? That's it?"
"What are you planning—"
Kael moved slightly aside so the Marines near him couldn't hear.
His voice lowered.
"I'll be direct."
"I want you as my ally."
Silence.
Total.
Smoker and Tashigi both froze.
"…You what?" Smoker asked slowly.
"I'm not asking you to betray the Marines."
"What I'm planning… you'll understand in Loguetown."
"You can decide after hearing me."
Smoker's voice hardened.
"Why me?"
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Because you still remember why you joined."
He continued evenly.
"There are still Marines who pursue real justice like you. Tashigi. Kuzan. Garp…"
Names that carried weight.
"You protect civilians first."
"You listened instead of attacking."
"You got angry at a fellow Marine."
"You even thanked and apologized to someone who, by law, is already a criminal."
Silence filled the room again.
"You sensed justice in my actions," Kael finished softly.
"Why wouldn't I want someone like that as an ally?"
Smoker's hand trembled slightly around the receiver.
He didn't deny it.
After a long pause—
"I'll send a unit to Cocoyashi."
"And when you reach Loguetown… we'll talk."
His voice turned sharp again.
"But if you disappoint me—"
"You'll be captured and imprisoned."
Kael smiled faintly.
"Fair enough."
"Thank you, Captain."
Smoker didn't reply.
The line went dead.
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
The Marines in the branch stared at Kael as if he had just challenged the world itself.
Outside, the wind shifted.
And somewhere in Loguetown—
Smoke coiled heavier than before.
The game had changed.