Vivi's gaze lingered on Kael.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Just warmth.
A quiet certainty settled in her heart.
He is a good person…
And… definitely not an enemy.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides—
Then she stood up.
"Kael-san—"
Her voice was clear.
Earnest.
"If there's anything we can help you with… just say the words!!"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Kael froze.
Nami blinked.
Kaya looked up from her book.
Tashigi's sword halted mid-motion.
Mr. 9's jaw nearly dropped.
Kael slowly tilted his head, raising an eyebrow—amused.
(From "Mr. Kael" to "Kael-san"… huh?)
"Miss Wednesday… you…!!"
Mr. 9 stared at her in disbelief.
That's when it hit her.
Vivi stiffened.
Her face turned red instantly.
"I—I am sorry!!"
"I-I can—"
She fumbled over her words, trying to backtrack—
But Kael cut her off.
"What are you apologising for?"
His tone was light.
Genuine.
Vivi paused.
Caught off guard.
Kael smiled faintly.
"You can call me whatever you like."
A brief pause.
Then—
(I mean… not everyone is lucky enough to be called like that by a beautiful princess, right?)
Vivi froze.
Her mind went blank.
Her cheeks deepened in color as she slowly looked down.
"…okay."
Behind them—
Kaya's eyes softened slightly.
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, gaze sharpening.
(So she really is a princess…)
Nami crossed her arms and scoffed.
"Hmph… idiot."
Kael blinked.
Then pointed directly at her.
Without even turning his head fully, he spoke—
"Except for that."
He glanced back at Vivi.
"You can call me anything."
Vivi stared at him.
For a second—
Then—
"Pfft—"
A small laugh escaped her lips.
Light.
Unrestrained.
"You are funny, Kael-san."
Kael smirked.
"I try my best."
The atmosphere shifted.
Subtly.
The tension that once lingered between them—
Gone.
Replaced by something softer.
Something real.
But then—
Kael's expression changed.
The smile faded slightly.
Not completely—
But enough.
His eyes grew sharper.
Focused.
"Now…"
He leaned back slightly, gaze settling on both Vivi and Mr. 9.
"Let's talk about what I need you two to do."
The shift was immediate.
Vivi straightened.
Her expression turned serious.
The warmth remained—
But now it was paired with resolve.
"I'm listening."
Mr. 9 gulped, then nodded quickly.
"Y-Yeah… same here…"
Behind them—
Nami narrowed her eyes slightly.
Kaya closed her book.
Tashigi lowered her blade.
All three of them watched.
Curious.
Attentive.
Kael's gaze lingered on the two in front of him for a brief moment.
Measuring.
Calculating.
Then—
He spoke.
"So here's what you're going to do…"
Kael's gaze shifted between the two.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Once we reach our destination," he began evenly, "you two will get off our ship."
Vivi straightened instinctively.
Mr. 9 listened closely.
"You'll inform the agents in control of that town—Miss Monday and Mr. 8…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…that you've lured in a big fish worth 80 million."
Vivi swallowed.
Mr. 9's eyes widened.
"As expected," Kael continued, "their lackeys will try to fool us. The usual act. Hospitality, drinks… a warm welcome."
A faint smirk appeared.
"And we'll play along."
"Pretend to be fooled…"
"Until they show themselves."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Conflicted.
Mr. 9 stared at him.
"How do you…?"
His voice trailed off.
Behind Kael—
The three women exchanged confused looks.
Tashigi stepped forward slightly.
"Kael-san… we don't understand."
Kaya nodded softly.
Nami frowned.
Kael glanced back at them.
Then—
He smiled.
"You already know that Baroque Works is an organization of bounty hunters, right?"
They nodded.
"Yes."
Kael's smile faded.
His tone turned colder.
"But that's only on the surface."
"…Huh?"
The confusion deepened.
But the loudest reaction—
"WHAT?!"
Mr. 9 spun toward Vivi.
His voice cracked.
"Miss Wednesday—what is this man talking about?!"
"Why aren't you saying anything?!"
Vivi looked down.
Her fists clenched tightly.
She said nothing.
That silence—
Was louder than any answer.
Kael turned toward Mr. 9.
His tone almost amused.
"Oh? Surprised?"
A pause.
"Well, I suppose that makes sense."
"You agents ranked from Mr. 6 to Mr. 12…"
"…aren't meant to know."
Mr. 9 froze.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"You all believe your leader—Mr. 0—is trying to create an 'ideal nation.'"
Mr. 9's breathing grew uneven.
His gaze trembled.
Kael continued, voice steady—
"Truth is… only the top agents—Mr. 1 to Mr. 5 and their partners—know the real objective of Baroque Works."
Silence.
Then—
A quiet, broken voice.
"…Miss Wednesday."
Mr. 9 looked down.
His fists shook.
Then slowly—
He turned toward Vivi.
Realization dawning.
Fear.
Doubt.
"…Please answer me."
His voice lowered.
"Everything Kael said…"
"…is it true?"
Vivi didn't answer immediately.
Seconds passed.
Heavy.
Painful.
Then—
"…Yes."
Just one word.
But it shattered everything.
Mr. 9 stood still.
No outburst.
No immediate reaction.
Just—
Stillness.
Then slowly—
He exhaled.
"Let's get this straight…"
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
"So all this time…"
"I was running around… gathering resources…"
"Doing everything I was ordered…"
His voice trembled slightly.
"In seas…"
He raised a hand and pointed at Kael—
"…where monsters like him exist…"
"But still…"
His gaze returned to Vivi.
Sharp.
Pained.
"I kept going."
"I believed in it."
His fist tightened.
"I believed we were overthrowing a corrupt ruler…"
"Freeing Alabasta…"
"Creating an ideal nation…"
His voice rose—
Not in rage.
But in something deeper.
"…and you're telling me—"
"All of that…"
"…was a lie?!"
Silence crashed down.
His chest rose and fell heavily.
Not just anger.
Pain.
Betrayal.
Everything he worked for—
Everything he believed in—
Gone.
Destroyed.
By truth.
And the worst part?
It came from a man he met just hours ago.
Vivi couldn't meet his eyes.
Conflict filled her expression.
Regret.
Guilt.
But no denial.
Mr. 9's voice dropped again.
"…Miss Wednesday."
Softer this time.
But heavier.
"Answer me."
A pause.
Then—
The question that mattered most.
"…you knew from the beginning, right?"
Vivi exhaled slowly.
"…Yes. I knew."
Mr. 9 went still.
"I see…"
A hollow laugh escaped him.
"So you don't trust me… right?"
Vivi's head snapped up.
"N-No, it's not like that—"
His voice cracked.
"Then why…?"
His fists trembled.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
"WHY?!"
Vivi flinched.
Her words caught in her throat—
But before she could respond—
"Alright. That's enough."
Kael's voice cut through the tension.
Both of them turned.
Vivi looked at him—
Silent relief in her eyes.
Mr. 9 looked confused.
Hurt.
Angry.
Kael's gaze remained steady.
"She didn't tell you to save you."
Silence.
Mr. 9 frowned.
"What do you know about her?!"
"You're just a stranger!"
He stepped forward, losing control.
Behind him—
Tashigi's hand instinctively gripped her sword.
Vivi panicked.
"Mr. 9, what are you—"
Kael sighed.
Then casually—
He placed a hand on Mr. 9's shoulder.
And pushed him back down.
Effortless.
Natural.
Mr. 9 didn't even realize when he sat.
Kael leaned slightly forward, his voice dropping—
Cold.
Heavy.
"This 'stranger' knows far more than you can imagine."
A chill ran down Mr. 9's spine.
"Now sit quietly… and listen."
No resistance.
No argument.
Just silence.
Kael straightened.
"Baroque Works is a massive organization."
"If you had known the truth…"
"You would've acted."
"Even a slight change—hesitation, suspicion…"
"…would have exposed you."
He paused.
Then smirked faintly.
"And what do you think happens then?"
Mr. 9's eyes widened.
His breath hitched.
Realization hit.
"…They would've—"
"Rearranged everything," Kael finished calmly.
"Shifted plans. Covered tracks."
"Vanished before anything could be uncovered."
Mr. 9 looked down.
His fists clenched tightly.
"…I'm…"
His voice faltered.
"…I'm ashamed of my actions…"
"I—"
A hand rested on his shoulder.
Warm.
Steady.
He looked up.
Kael.
"You really love the kingdom of Alabasta… don't you?"
Mr. 9 froze.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Then—
His vision blurred.
Tears streamed down his face.
"…Yeah…"
His voice broke.
"The real motive of Baroque Works…"
He looked at Kael.
"It's something evil… isn't it?"
Kael exhaled quietly.
Then nodded.
"…Yeah."
Vivi's chest tightened.
A bitter feeling settled in her heart.
Mr. 9 wiped his face roughly.
"The higher agents…"
"They know the truth…"
"But still…"
He looked at Kael again.
"…why?"
"Why are they doing this?"
"Why do they hate Alabasta so much?"
Vivi also looked at Kael.
Waiting.
Kael's gaze shifted toward the sea.
Calm.
Distant.
"It's not always hate."
"People have their own reasons."
"Some do it for fun."
"Some… to build a foundation for bigger ambitions."
He paused.
Just slightly.
"…and some…"
His eyes dimmed faintly.
"…for survival."
Silence.
The word lingered.
Survival…?
Something about the way he said it—
Felt different.
But no one asked.
Mr. 9 slowly nodded.
Understanding.
Or at least—
Accepting.
He turned toward Vivi.
"…Miss Wednesday."
"I'm sorry."
"I doubted you."
A pause.
"I hope you can forgive me."
Vivi blinked.
Softened.
"There's no need to worry, Mr. 9."
She smiled gently.
"I should apologize too…"
"For not telling you the truth from the start."
Mr. 9 let out a breath.
Then smiled faintly.
He turned back to Kael.
Bowed his head.
"Kael… you'll have to forgive me too."
"I acted like an idiot earlier."
"I hope you don't take it to heart."
Kael watched him quietly.
(You passed the test of loyalty, Mr. 9.)
Vivi heard it.
And smiled brightly.
Kael shook his head lightly.
"No hard feelings."
He extended his hand.
Mr. 9 grabbed it instantly.
Firm.
Genuine.
Kael smiled.
"You're a good man…"
"…Daniel."
Silence.
Everyone blinked.
"…Daniel?"
Mr. 9's jaw dropped.
Kael barely held back his laughter.
"What?"
"Me knowing your real name shouldn't be surprising at this point… right?"
Mr. 9 blinked helplessly.
Then sighed.
"…You really are a mysterious man, Kael."
Then suddenly—
He turned toward Vivi.
Pointing.
"But that's unfair!"
"We're not supposed to know each other's real names!"
"Miss Wednesday—you have to tell me yours too!"
Vivi froze.
Kael grinned.
"Oh? That's fair."
Mr. 9's eyes lit up.
"Kael! You know everything, right?"
"Tell me her real name!"
Kael shook his head immediately.
"I don't know her real name."
"WHAT?!"
Behind him—
Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi all rolled their eyes.
Vivi's lips trembled slightly.
(Kael-san really likes teasing people…)
Kael turned toward her.
A mischievous smile forming.
"Miss Wednesday…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Would you be kind enough to tell us your real name?"
Vivi stood there—
Completely frozen.
Sweat forming.
Heart racing.
Caught.
With nowhere to run.