The noise of celebration echoed faintly outside.
Music.
Laughter.
Deception.
Inside a dimly lit room deeper within Whiskey Peak—
Four figures stood.
The door creaked open.
Vivi and Mr. 9 stepped in.
"Yo—"
A heavy voice cut through the air.
"So you're back, Miss Wednesday… Mr. 9."
Their eyes shifted forward.
A towering woman stood in the center.
Dark-skinned.
Muscular.
Imposing.
Her presence alone filled the room.
Miss Monday.
Beside her stood a man with a composed posture and a calm yet alert gaze—
Igaram, known here as Mr. 8.
Miss Monday crossed her arms.
"Did you collect the whale meat?"
Mr. 9 instinctively swallowed.
His throat felt dry.
"N-No…"
A step.
That was all it took.
Miss Monday moved forward.
Slow.
Heavy.
"Hmmm…?"
Mr. 9 took a step back.
"B-But we found something better!"
She stopped.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then—
"Let me tell you something, Mr. 9…"
Her voice dropped.
"If that 'something' isn't worth it…"
A pause.
Her eyes sharpened.
"I'll crush your brainless head right here."
Mr. 9 stiffened.
"O-Of course…"
Meanwhile—
Mr. 8 quietly moved closer to Vivi.
His voice lowered.
Concern evident.
"Princess… are you alright?"
"You're not hurt anywhere, right?"
Vivi turned to him.
Her expression softened.
"Don't worry, Igaram."
"I'm completely fine. Look."
He observed her carefully.
Relaxing slightly.
Igaram—captain of the royal guards of Alabasta.
A man who had devoted his life to protecting the princess.
And like her—
He had infiltrated Baroque Works.
A loyal shield hidden behind a mask.
Back at the center—
Miss Monday tapped her arm impatiently.
"Alright."
"Tell me about this 'something better' of yours."
Mr. 9 grinned nervously.
"A wanted pirate."
Miss Monday blinked.
Her fist clenched instantly.
"I see."
"So you lured some small-time pirate here…"
"…thinking that would make up for all the meat we lost?"
Sweat rolled down Mr. 9's face.
"W-Wait! Just listen!"
"It's not some small fry!"
He leaned forward slightly.
"It's the hottest commodity in the East Blue right now!"
A pause.
Miss Monday narrowed her eyes.
"You don't mean…"
Mr. 9 nodded quickly.
"Yes!!"
"Kael Sylvarion—"
"That 80 million bounty brat!!"
A slow smile spread across her face.
Sharp.
Cruel.
"Fufufu…"
On the other side—
Igaram frowned.
"Princess… what is he talking about?"
Vivi met his gaze.
"He's telling the truth."
Igaram blinked.
"…I see."
A brief pause.
"Is that pirate dangerous?"
Vivi shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Not even close."
Igaram froze.
"…What?"
Vivi smiled faintly.
A hint of warmth in her eyes.
"On the contrary…"
"He's the best pirate I've ever met."
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
Igaram stared at her, confusion deepening.
"Then why lure him here?"
"If he's innocent, we shou—"
"You'll understand soon."
She cut him off gently but firmly.
He hesitated.
Then—
"But Miss Valentine and Mr. 5 are coming."
For a brief moment—
A bead of sweat formed on Vivi's forehead.
But she steadied herself.
"…Don't worry."
"I believe in him."
Across the room—
Miss Monday scoffed loudly.
"Hmph!"
"An unknown brat worth 80 million?"
"Those marine fools must've lost their minds."
She laughed.
"If he were really worth that much…"
"…that rabbit wouldn't walk straight into a lion's den."
Her grin widened.
"What an idiot!"
Mr. 9 frowned slightly.
His gaze drifted to Vivi—
Whose lips trembled faintly.
Then back to Miss Monday.
He sighed internally.
Who's the idiot here…?
In this situation…
He's the lion.
And you're the rabbit.
He shook his head lightly.
Then spoke—
"Miss Monday… that crew might already be at the restaurant."
She stopped laughing instantly.
"Oh."
"Right."
She turned.
Her expression eager.
Predatory.
"Let's go."
Her eyes gleamed.
"…hunt some rabbits."
Vivi and Igaram exchanged a brief glance.
Then—
All four moved.
The door opened.
And quietly—
They left the room.
The restaurant was alive.
Or at least—
It looked alive.
Laughter echoed.
Music played loudly.
Plates clattered.
Voices overlapped in exaggerated cheer.
At the center—
A large table overflowed with food and drinks.
And seated there—
Kael and his crew.
Kael leaned back slightly, eyes moving across the table before settling on the three women.
"Enjoy yourselves."
His tone was calm.
Firm.
"But don't overdo it."
All three nodded.
More dishes arrived.
More drinks were poured.
The celebration grew louder.
More chaotic.
Dancers spun.
Musicians played harder.
The entire place felt like a festival—
Or rather—
A performance.
At the table—
Kaya smiled softly, pouring wine into Kael's cup with careful hands, her movements natural, almost intimate.
Beside him—
Tashigi ate quietly.
But her posture remained straight.
Alert.
Her eyes moved constantly—
Watching.
Measuring.
Not trusting a single soul in the room.
And then—
There was Nami.
Holding two bottles.
Already swaying slightly.
"Kaaael…"
Her voice dragged.
"You damn womaniser…"
She pointed at him accusingly.
"Always finding new women… you never care about my feelings…"
"You bastard—"
Before she could continue—
Kael snatched both bottles from her hands.
"Damn it, Nami!"
His voice sharpened.
"I told you not to overdrink!"
"You're not getting another sip!"
"N-Nooooo!!"
She reached out dramatically.
"My beer!!"
"Kael, you thief!! Give it back!!"
Her face was flushed red.
Eyes unfocused.
Completely gone.
Kael stared at her for a moment.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
He held the bottles up.
"You can have them…"
A pause.
"But you won't get a single berry for the next week."
Silence.
Nami froze.
Her expression went blank.
Then—
Her drunkenness vanished.
Instantly.
"Y-You villain!!"
She shot up halfway from her seat.
"How can you say something so evil?!"
"You have no heart!!"
Kael didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just stared.
Unyielding.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
She slowly sank back into her chair.
Defeated.
"…You're the worst…"
She muttered, crossing her arms and sulking.
The party continued.
But cracks were beginning to show.
At the side—
Two men whispered.
"Why the hell aren't they getting drunk?"
The other clicked his tongue.
"That orange-haired one was…"
"But that swordsman snapped her out of it."
The first frowned.
"We're already short on supplies…"
"If this keeps up, we'll have nothing left."
The second didn't reply immediately.
Instead—
He glanced toward the door.
Then—
A slow grin spread across his face.
"…Looks like our problem just solved itself."
His companion followed his gaze.
And smirked.
"…Yeah."
Back at the table—
Kael paused mid-sip.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"They're here."
That was enough.
Nami and Kaya both turned toward the entrance.
Tashigi—
Didn't turn.
She already knew.
Her hand rested lightly on her sword.
Her expression—
Cold.
The door creaked open.
And four figures stepped in.
At the front—
Miss Monday.
Behind her—
Vivi.
Mr. 9.
And Igaram.
The moment she entered—
Her gaze locked onto Kael.
She walked forward without hesitation.
Each step heavy.
Confident.
Predatory.
She stopped right in front of their table.
Frowning slightly.
"So…"
"You're the brat worth 80 million?"
The words echoed.
And the "townspeople" nearby froze.
"…80 million?"
"That guy?"
"Have the Marines gone insane?"
"Throwing random numbers on posters now…"
Murmurs spread.
Doubt.
Disbelief.
Mockery.
Miss Monday ignored them.
Her eyes moved over Kael.
Judging.
Measuring.
Then—
"…Hmmm."
A smirk formed.
"You're probably the most handsome man I've seen."
Kael paused mid-bite.
"…Thanks."
"I guess."
Her smile widened.
Dangerous.
"Too bad…"
"…that pretty face is going to be ruined today."
Her arm moved.
Fast.
Powerful.
Straight toward his head—
Clang.
Stopped.
Midway.
A sheath blocked her strike.
Miss Monday's smile didn't fade.
In fact—
It grew.
"What do you think you're doing…"
"…little girl?"
Her gaze shifted.
To Tashigi.
Standing now.
Her sheath pressed firmly between Kael and danger.
Her eyes—
Ice cold.
No hesitation.
No fear.
"…You're not worthy."
Miss Monday frowned.
"Huh?"
"What did you—"
"I said…"
Tashigi's voice cut through cleanly.
"You're not worthy to touch him."
The air tightened.
Then—
She moved.
A sharp pivot.
Her body turned fluidly—
And—
Boom.
Her foot slammed into Miss Monday's stomach.
No warning.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Miss Monday's eyes widened—
Too late.
Her body lifted off the ground.
Sent flying.
Crashing straight into the wall behind—
BANG.
The entire room shook.
She dropped to the ground—
Coughing.
Blood spilling from her mouth.
Her vision blurred.
Her mind struggled to catch up.
"What…?"
Her voice trembled.
"…What happened?"
Her eyes widened further.
"WHAT HAPPENED JUST NOW?!"
At the table—
Nami shot up.
"TASHIGI!! WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Kaya clapped excitedly.
"That was amazing!!"
Tashigi straightened slightly.
A hint of pride on her face.
Kael finally stood.
Calm.
Unbothered.
He placed a hand gently on her head.
"All that training…"
"…is paying off."
A small smile.
"I'm proud of your progress, Tashigi."
Her face turned red instantly.
"…It's because of you, Kael-san."
He waved it off.
"Nah."
"That's all you."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Complete.
Because across the restaurant—
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Every single person—
Stared.
Stunned.
Frozen.
Silence held for a second longer—
Then it cracked.
A whisper.
"...H-Hey… pinch me."
Another voice, shaky—
"Am I hallucinating… or did Miss Monday just get sent flying by that girl?"
A pause.
"What the hell is happening…?"
"No… no, that can't be real, right?"
"RIGHT?!"
The murmurs spread.
Confusion turned into unease.
Fear began to creep in.
At the side—
Vivi and Mr. 9 exchanged awkward smiles.
Vivi exhaled softly.
"Thank God you didn't attack them when we first met."
Mr. 9 didn't respond.
His eyes were fixed ahead—
On Miss Monday.
Bleeding.
Standing.
Barely holding herself together.
Beside them—
Igaram slowly raised a trembling hand.
His finger pointed toward Kael and his crew.
"P-P-Princess Vivi…"
His voice shook.
"…where did you find these monsters…?"
Vivi gave a helpless smile.
"…I know."
Across the room—
Miss Monday staggered to her feet.
Her breathing was heavy.
Her body trembled—
Not from fear.
From rage.
Her eyes locked onto Vivi and Mr. 9.
"Mr. 9…"
"…Miss Wednesday…"
Her voice dropped.
Sharp.
Furious.
"YOU LIED TO ME!!"
Both of them flinched instinctively—
But then—
A hand rested gently on Vivi's shoulder.
Warm.
Steady.
She froze for a second—
Then relaxed.
Kael.
"You did a great job, Princess."
Her shoulders eased.
She looked down slightly.
"…mm."
A faint blush spread across her face as she nodded.
Behind her—
Igaram stared.
Wide-eyed.
Princess Vivi…
He said nothing more.
Because nothing needed to be said.
Meanwhile—
Kael's hand moved.
Resting on the hilt of his sword.
Tashigi stepped forward immediately.
"Kael-san."
Her voice was firm.
"You don't need to trouble yourself."
"I'll handle her."
Kael looked at her.
Then smiled.
"Don't worry."
"She's all yours."
His gaze shifted past her—
Toward the rest of the room.
The "townspeople."
Or rather—
The bounty hunters.
"I'll deal with the small fries."
Nami rolled her eyes from behind.
"As if she isn't a small fry for you."
Kaya let out a soft laugh.
Tashigi smiled.
Bright.
Excited.
"Okay!!"
She stepped forward without hesitation.
Her sword slid free.
Steel gleamed under the dim light—
As she approached Miss Monday.
Meanwhile—
The atmosphere shifted completely.
No more music.
No more laughter.
No more pretense.
Weapons came out.
Blades.
Clubs.
Guns.
Every single person in the restaurant dropped their act.
Their eyes locked onto Kael.
Hostile.
Cautious.
Afraid.
Kael stepped forward.
Slow.
Unhurried.
His hand drew his sword—
Shing.
The sound alone made several of them flinch.
A few even stepped back.
Instinct.
Fear.
Recognition of something far beyond them.
Kael smiled.
Not wide.
Not loud.
But enough—
To send a chill down every spine in the room.
"Alright, gentlemen…"
His voice was calm.
Almost polite.
"You have two options…"