Kael slipped back through the opening and into Laboon's vast interior, water trailing behind him as he landed lightly on the worn stone path.
He exhaled.
"…That was exhausting."
Not the race itself—
But the control.
The bursts of speed.
The constant push beyond what his body was used to.
Still…
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
(Worth it.)
Laboon had needed that.
Not just hope—
But distraction.
Something—anything—to pull him out of decades of grief.
Kael rolled his shoulders, easing the stiffness as he walked toward Crocus' house.
The familiar wooden door came into view.
And just beside it—
His coat.
His shirt.
Neatly hung.
Kael blinked.
"…Huh?"
He stepped closer and noticed a small note pinned to the fabric.
He pulled it off and read:
[Only enter after wearing your clothes properly, you shameless idiot!!]
His lips twitched.
(Nami…)
For a second, he just stood there.
Then—
Slowly—
He lifted his gaze toward the nearby window.
From the outside—
It looked empty.
Quiet.
Normal.
But Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
He could feel it.
Presence.
His eyebrow lifted, amusement flickering.
"Who's the shameless one now?"
Inside—
A faint rustle.
Then—
"Shit—!"
A hurried set of footsteps retreated from the window.
Kael snorted.
"Thought so."
He picked up his clothes, slipped them on without hurry, adjusting his collar before pushing the door open.
The atmosphere inside was calm.
Warm.
Peaceful.
A sharp contrast to everything that had happened earlier.
At the table—
Tashigi sat upright, posture as neat as ever.
But her expression—
Confused.
Her eyes were fixed on Nami.
Who sat beside her.
Completely red.
Face turned slightly away.
Avoiding eye contact.
With him.
Kael blinked.
"…What did you do?"
Nami stiffened.
"Nothing!"
Too fast.
Too loud.
Too defensive.
Tashigi glanced between them.
"…Right."
On the other side of the room—
Crocus sat comfortably, explaining something to Kaya, who listened attentively with a notebook in hand.
"…and if the bleeding doesn't stop, pressure alone won't be enough. You'll need—"
The door creaked.
All four turned at once.
"You're back!"
Kaya stood immediately, relief clear on her face.
Crocus rose as well, walking toward Kael with a thoughtful look.
"Looks like you had quite a fun time with Laboon…"
Kael blinked.
"…Ah."
He scratched his cheek.
"Yeah… we had a lot of fun."
Crocus raised an eyebrow.
Suspicious.
"Oh really?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Then why do I feel he's annoyed?"
Kael froze.
Just for a fraction of a second.
(Damnit.)(Forgot this old man has Observation Haki.)
He coughed lightly.
"Probably… a bad stomach or something."
"Don't worry too much about it."
Inside his head—
(Of course he's annoyed.)(He just lost ten races in a row…)(In his own territory.)(Honestly… even I didn't expect my speed to be that high.)
Behind him—
Three pairs of eyes widened.
"Ohhh…"
Tashigi murmured.
"So that's what happened…"
Nami crossed her arms.
"Hmph!"
Kael glanced at her.
"What?"
She smirked.
"Bullying a poor creature now, are we?"
Kael stared.
"Wait—how do you even—"
"Shut up!"
She snapped instantly, face still slightly red.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Suspicious.
But said nothing.
The next two days passed quickly.
Laboon, now far more energetic, called Kael out repeatedly.
For races.
And every time—
He lost.
Spectacularly.
The massive whale tried everything.
Sharp turns.
Sudden dives.
Explosive bursts of speed.
But Kael—
Still won.
Again.
And again.
And again.
By the end of the second day—
Laboon would sulk for a few minutes after each loss…
Before immediately challenging him again.
Crocus simply watched.
Amused.
Meanwhile—
Kaya spent most of her time with Crocus, absorbing everything he taught her.
From basic treatment techniques—
To advanced emergency responses.
Even Observation Haki.
Though only the basics—
It was more than enough to push her forward.
Tashigi trained relentlessly under Kael.
Refining her breathing.
Sharpening her control.
Her sword movements growing cleaner.
More precise.
More fluid.
And Nami—
Handled navigation.
Charts spread across the table.
Routes mapped.
Wind patterns studied.
All while—
Annoying Kael at every possible opportunity.
Departure
Now—
It was time to leave.
They stood outside Laboon once more.
The sea was calm.
The sky clear.
On one side—
Crocus and Laboon.
On the other—
The Sylvarion Pirates, aboard the Sovereign Gale.
Silence lingered.
Then—
Crocus spoke.
"Why don't you stay a few more days, young man?"
Laboon let out a soft cry.
Agreeing.
Asking.
Hoping.
Behind Kael—
The three women remained quiet.
Their expressions—
Reluctant.
They didn't want to leave either.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"I'd like to, old man."
He looked at Laboon.
"But I have things I need to do."
A pause.
"I hope you understand."
Laboon let out a low sound.
Not protesting.
Just…
Sad.
Crocus sighed.
"…Then I won't stop you."
"Go do what you must."
Kael nodded.
"Thanks."
Crocus looked at him one last time.
"I hope you achieve your dreams, Kael."
Kael smiled.
"I will."
The wind shifted.
Time to depart.
But just as they were about to move—
Kael paused.
"…Wait."
He turned.
Reached into his coat.
And pulled out—
A paintbrush.
Before anyone could react—
He jumped.
Straight off the ship.
"Kael—?!"
Nami shouted.
But he was already airborne.
Landing lightly atop Laboon's massive head.
Everyone froze.
Watching.
Kael glanced down.
"Before we go…"
He lifted the brush.
"I'll leave our mark."
He looked at Laboon.
"What do you say?"
Laboon's eye lit up instantly.
A loud, joyful cry echoed.
Kael nodded.
"Good."
He dipped the brush.
And began painting.
Bold strokes.
Confident lines.
Slowly—
The symbol took shape.
The Sylvarion Pirates' Jolly Roger.
Clean.
Striking.
Unmistakable.
Kael leaned back slightly.
"…Perfect."
Then—
He moved to the other side.
And wrote:
"Draw yours here."
No explanation.
No elaboration.
Just a quiet smile.
Then he jumped back down—
Landing smoothly on the deck.
The three women looked up.
Then—
Smiled.
Crocus chuckled softly.
Laboon let out a delighted cry.
But then—
Confusion.
Crocus tilted his head.
"Young man…"
"Why leave space on the other side?"
"And what do you mean by 'draw yours here'?"
The others nodded.
Curious.
Kael turned slightly.
A smirk forming.
"In a day or two…"
"A bunch of idiots will come."
Nami blinked.
"…Idiots?"
Kael shrugged.
"Their captain—"
He grinned.
"An idiot with a straw hat."
Crocus paused.
"…Straw hat?"
Kael nodded.
"Yeah."
Then added—
"It's your captain's hat."
Everyone froze.
"…What?"
Crocus' eyes widened.
"Could it be… Roger's—"
Kael cut him off.
"No."
"It was given to him by Shanks."
Silence.
Then—
Understanding.
Crocus nodded slowly.
"…I see."
"That makes sense."
But still—
"Why?"
Kael turned away.
"You'll understand soon enough."
Crocus watched him.
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
He didn't press further.
Kael stepped forward.
Raising his hand.
"Let's sail."
The crew moved instantly.
"AYE!"
Sails unfurled.
The ship shifted—
Catching the wind.
Moving forward.
As the distance grew—
Crocus cupped his hands and shouted—
"When you meet Brook—!"
"Help him get his shadow back!"
"And send that bastard straight here!!"
Kael chuckled.
Behind him—
Nami leaned over the railing.
"Bye-bye, Laboon!"
"We'll meet again!"
Kaya waved both hands.
"Thank you, Crocus-san!"
"I'll make you proud!"
Tashigi smiled softly.
Waving in silence.
He was part of the Roger Pirates…And yet…He didn't feel like a villain at all.
The Sovereign Gale sailed onward.
Cutting through the sea.
Getting smaller.
Further.
Until—
It vanished beyond the horizon.
Crocus stood quietly.
A faint smile on his face.
Beside him—
Laboon.
Tears gathered once more in his eye.
But this time—
They weren't born from despair.
They were warm.
Hopeful.
Alive.
He let out a soft cry.
A farewell.
To the crew that had given him back his future.
And as the sea calmed once more—
One thought remained.
This time…
He wouldn't be alone for long.
The Wind Ahead:
The Sovereign Gale sailed smoothly across calm waters, leaving behind the Red Line—and the echoes of farewell.
For a while—
No one spoke.
The wind carried a quiet sense of satisfaction.
Then—
Nami stepped forward, unfolding the map with practiced ease.
"Alright, Captain," she said, glancing at Kael. "Where to next?"
Kael stood at the helm, eyes fixed ahead.
"…Whiskey Peak."
Simple.
Calm.
Certain.
Nami nodded.
"Got it."
"Setting course."
The ship adjusted.
Catching the wind as it turned.
The Grand Line stretched ahead.
Unpredictable.
Dangerous.
Exciting.
Time passed quietly.
Until—
"Ship approaching."
Tashigi's voice cut through the calm.
Everyone turned.
In the distance—
A small vessel moved toward them.
Fast.
Too direct.
Nami squinted.
"…Seriously?"
As it got closer—
The figures became clearer.
A blue-haired woman stood at the front.
Beside her—
A short, wiry man gripping two baseball bats.
Both—
Staring at the Sovereign Gale with clear hostility.
Nami clicked her tongue.
"Kael, look at those idiots."
Tashigi stepped forward, hand resting on her sword.
"Kael-san, allow me to handle them."
Kaya stood slightly behind.
Watching.
Then—
She sighed softly.
Kael-san's bounty poster should be everywhere by now…
Did they seriously not see it?
Her expression turned faintly sympathetic.
I hope they're smart enough to retreat…
Meanwhile—
Kael stood still.
Watching the approaching ship.
And for a moment—
He struggled.
Not with tension.
Not with caution.
But with laughter.
(Took you long enough…)
Behind him—
The three women blinked.
"…Huh?"