The approaching vessel cut cleanly through the water before slowing to a halt beside the Sovereign Gale.
For a brief moment—
Stillness.
Then—
Two figures leapt.
Landing directly onto Kael's ship without hesitation.
The man moved first.
Dressed in a ridiculous green outfit, topped with a small crown.
He spun one of his baseball bats dramatically before pointing both toward the crew.
"Hehe… nice ship you got there…"
His grin widened.
"Load all your supplies onto our ship…"
"…and we might not kill you!"
Behind him—
The blue-haired woman stood quietly.
Trying to look intimidating.
Trying.
But something was off.
Her eyes weren't on the crew.
They were locked onto Kael.
And the more she looked—
The worse it got.
No…
A bead of sweat rolled down her temple.
No, no, no…
Her fingers clenched tightly.
It can't be…
Her breathing turned uneven.
Why is it him?
That face…
That presence…
Her pupils trembled.
That's him.
The man from the bounty poster.
She forced herself to stay calm.
Calm down, Vivi.
Don't panic.
But the realization had already settled.
The man standing in front of her—
Was worth 80 million.
And beside her—
Her partner was still talking.
Clueless.
"…just some rook—"
"Uh… Mr. 9."
Her voice cut in, strained.
"Let's… not bother these people."
She stepped closer, subtly trying to pull him back.
"We should go."
Mr. 9 blinked.
"Huh?"
He looked at her, confused.
"What are you saying, Miss Wednesday?"
He laughed.
"There's nothing to be scared of—"
He didn't finish.
Because the next moment—
He was on the ground.
Face down.
Arms twisted behind his back.
A sharp gasp escaped him.
"Wha—?!"
He hadn't seen it.
Hadn't felt it coming.
Tashigi stood over him.
Calm.
Composed.
Her grip precise.
Controlled.
She hadn't even drawn her sword.
Vivi's eyes widened.
So fast…
Her heartbeat spiked.
He's stronger than me… and he got taken down instantly…
A chill ran down her spine.
I don't stand a chance.
Her knees gave in.
She dropped to the deck.
Hands clasped together.
"We're sorry! Plea—"
"Stop."
Tashigi's voice cut through sharply.
Cold.
Measured.
"Don't even try to beg."
Vivi froze.
"You approached us with hostile intent."
"You don't get to act like victims now."
Vivi flinched.
Silence followed.
Behind Tashigi—
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Amused.
Nami crossed her arms, smirking slightly.
Kaya blinked, surprised.
Mr. 9 struggled under the hold.
Then shouted—
"Run, Miss Wednesday!"
"I'll hold them off—!"
Tashigi's grip tightened.
"Are you sure about that?"
A sharp groan escaped him.
She wasn't even trying.
Then—
Without looking away—
She spoke.
"Kael-san."
"What are your orders?"
The shift was immediate.
Authority passed.
All eyes turned.
Mr. 9's expression changed instantly.
"W-Wait…"
His eyes widened.
"…Kael?"
Realization hit him.
"…Kael Sylvarion?!"
Vivi shut her eyes briefly.
Now you realize…?
I told you to leave…
She looked back at Kael.
This time—
No act.
No disguise.
Just fear.
And a quiet plea.
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He watched.
Thinking.
(Wow…)(Tashigi…)(I like this side of yours.)
Behind him—
Nami's smirk deepened.
Kaya nodded faintly.
It suits her…
Tashigi—
Froze.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Her grip—
Tightened.
Unintentionally.
"Gah—!"
Mr. 9 winced.
But Vivi—
Didn't react.
Because something else caught her attention.
Her eyes widened slowly.
She stared at Kael.
Confused.
Uneasy.
What… was that?
Her brows furrowed.
He didn't say anything…
So why did I hear—
She swallowed.
A strange tension rising in her chest.
That voice…
Behind Kael—
Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi exchanged glances.
Uncertain.
"…Did she just…?"
The question lingered.
Unanswered.
Control
Kael finally spoke.
"Alright, Tashigi."
His tone was calm.
"Let's not be that aggressive."
A pause.
"Let him go."
Tashigi didn't move immediately.
Her brows furrowed.
"But they—"
"Just trust me."
His voice didn't rise.
But it didn't need to.
Tashigi hesitated.
Then exhaled softly.
"…Understood."
Reluctantly—
She released him.
The moment the pressure vanished—
Mr. 9 scrambled away, crawling back toward Vivi.
Panic clear on his face.
But even then—
He didn't relax.
Because Tashigi was still watching him.
Closely.
Coldly.
Like a hawk watching prey.
He shivered.
Kael chuckled lightly.
Then shifted his gaze to Vivi.
"So…"
His tone carried faint amusement.
"It seems you two have some explaining to do."
Both stiffened instantly.
Vivi straightened, trying to regain composure.
"W-we were just…"
She stopped.
Nothing came.
No lie.
No excuse.
Kael sighed.
"…Forget that."
He waved it off.
"Just tell me—where were you going?"
Mr. 9 answered instantly.
"We were heading toward the Red Line."
He pointed behind them.
"There's this huge whale there. We were gonna kill it and take the meat ba—"
He stopped.
Mid-sentence.
Because something changed.
The air.
The temperature.
A chill crawled up his spine.
Slowly—
He turned his head.
And saw them.
Nami.
Tashigi.
Both staring at him.
Eyes sharp.
Burning.
Not metaphorically—
It genuinely felt like flames flickered behind their gaze.
Killing intent.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
Mr. 9 froze.
"…Uh…"
Before things escalated—
Kael stepped forward.
Placing one hand on Nami's head.
The other on Tashigi's.
A light press.
"Relax."
Their shoulders eased.
The tension didn't vanish—
But it softened.
Vivi swallowed.
"…Did he… upset you somehow?"
Kael looked back at her.
Then smiled.
"You see…"
"That huge whale you were talking about?"
He tilted his head.
"…He's family."
Silence.
Absolute.
Mr. 9's eyes widened.
"…WHAT?!"
Vivi's eye twitched.
Slowly—
She turned toward him.
Her expression dark.
Have you decided to get us killed today?
Without wasting a second—
She turned back to Kael and bowed slightly.
"Mr. Kael, please ignore him."
Her voice tight but polite.
"He's… mentally challenged."
"I've been dealing with his strange habits for a long time now."
Mr. 9 blinked.
"…What are you saying, Miss Wedne—"
THUD.
Her fist connected cleanly.
A bump rose instantly.
"Shut up!"
She snapped, forcing a smile.
"We'll take him to a doctor soon."
Mr. 9 whimpered.
"…It hurts…"
Behind Kael—
Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi watched.
Expressions mixed.
Confusion.
Amusement.
Disbelief.
Kael couldn't hold it.
"Pfft—"
A short laugh escaped him.
He shook his head.
"Alright."
"That's enough."
His gaze sharpened.
"Drop the act."
The air shifted instantly.
Heavier.
"You two…"
He looked between them.
"…are Baroque Works agents."
Silence.
Total.
Nami's eyes widened.
Kaya blinked.
Tashigi's hand moved to her sword.
All three stared.
Meanwhile—
Vivi and Mr. 9 stood frozen.
Their thoughts—
Perfectly aligned.
We're doomed.
This time… for real.
The Breaking Point:
Kael watched them for a moment.
Then—
He smiled.
"Relax."
His tone lightened.
"Don't worry too much."
They blinked.
Relief crept in—
For exactly one second.
"…at least for now."
His grin turned mischievous.
Both stiffened again.
Inside—
Kael nearly laughed.
(This is actually fun.)
Behind him—
Nami rolled her eyes.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
Kaya sighed softly.
He's enjoying this…
Vivi steadied her breathing.
Her eyes stayed on him.
It's real…
That voice…
I really did hear it…
And more importantly—
He's not serious.
He's playing with us.
She gathered herself.
Then spoke carefully.
"Uhm… Mr. Kael…"
"What are you… going to do with us?"
Kael paused.
Looked at her.
(Straight to the point, huh.)
"For now?"
"You'll travel with us."
They exchanged a glance.
Helpless.
Confused.
"Help us lure our next targets."
Silence.
Then—
Kael added lightly—
"Oh, and…"
Something about it felt dangerous.
"Don't try anything funny."
His eyes locked onto them.
"You're under my watch."
"Twenty-four seven."
Both swallowed.
"…Yes."
"Understood."
Kael turned toward his cabin.
Then stopped.
Glanced back.
"By the way…"
"That ship of yours."
He pointed casually.
"…stolen, right?"
Mr. 9 nodded.
"Y-Yeah."
Kael tilted his head.
"And the original owner?"
Mr. 9 answered without thinking.
"Dead, of cour—"
THUD.
Another hit.
Second bump.
"Think before you speak!"
Vivi snapped.
Then she turned—
Toward the crew.
Nami.
Tashigi.
Kaya.
All watching.
Coldly.
Misunderstanding forming.
Then—
She looked at Kael.
His expression calm.
Too calm.
And somehow—
That made it worse.
"N-No, Mr. Kael!"
She spoke quickly.
"The owner was already dead when we found the ship!"
"We didn't kill him!"
"We've never harmed an innocent—let alone killed one!"
Her voice carried urgency.
"Please… believe me."
Kael held her gaze.
A moment passed.
Then—
He nodded.
"Alright."
Simple.
Final.
(If I didn't already know you…)(Things would've gone very differently.)
Behind him—
The tension eased.
Nami relaxed.
Tashigi's grip loosened.
Kaya exhaled.
If Kael trusted them—
That was enough.
Vivi blinked.
Relief washed over her.
But confusion followed.
Personally know me…?
How?
Her thoughts raced.
Did we meet before?
No… impossible…
Then—
A worse thought.
Her eyes widened slightly.
If he knows me…
Does that mean—
My identity—
She shook her head subtly.
No.
That can't be it…
Meanwhile—
Kael stepped toward their ship.
Studying it briefly.
"…If the owner's gone…"
"Then let it rest."
Before anyone could react—
He drew his sword.
No stance.
No buildup.
Just—
One motion.
Then another.
One vertical.
One horizontal.
Effortless.
Clean.
The blade returned to its sheath.
Silence.
For half a second—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The ship split.
Perfectly.
Into four sections.
Wood cracked.
Structure gave way.
The vessel sank—
Slowly.
Inevitably.
Gone.
Tashigi's eyes lit up.
"…Amazing…"
Kaya stared, wide-eyed.
"…So precise…"
Nami huffed, turning away.
"Hmph. Show-off."
A faint blush betrayed her.
Meanwhile—
Vivi and Mr. 9 stood frozen.
Shock.
Fear.
Disbelief.
Mr. 9 broke first.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
His voice cracked.
That wasn't normal.
That wasn't human.
That was—
Terrifying.
Vivi said nothing.
Her gaze remained on Kael.
This strength…
This level…
A thought formed.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Should I…
Ask for his help…?
The idea lingered.
Unspoken.
Unresolved.
As the sea swallowed the last remains of the ship.