At Kael's words—
"Tashigi, call Smoker."
A ripple of curiosity spread through the group.
Nami tilted her head slightly.
"Smoker? You told us about him, right? Your Marine frie—"
Her words were abruptly cut off.
Kaya had covered her mouth.
Nami's eyes widened.
"Mmff—?!"
Kaya quickly pulled her hand back.
"…Why did you do that?"
Kaya didn't answer immediately.
She simply pointed ahead.
Toward Miss Valentine, still trembling on the ground, tears streaking down her face.
"Even if she's not in the right state…"
"…it's better to be careful."
Nami blinked.
Then it hit her.
She had almost exposed it—
Kael, a pirate, having ties with a Marine.
That wasn't just risky.
That was dangerous.
Nami exhaled, then nodded with a small smile.
"…Thanks."
Kaya returned it gently.
Behind them, Igaram frowned in confusion, while Nefertari Vivi grew even more curious.
Click… Click…
After a few rings—
The Den Den Mushi connected.
Smoker picked up.
Kael took the snail from Tashigi.
A deep voice came from the other side.
"I guess it's something important, if you're calling this late."
Kael smirked.
"Oh? Don't tell me you were resting."
Smoker's tone turned irritated instantly.
"Just tell me why you called already."
Kael leaned back slightly, amused.
"Well… I happened to collect some trash at Whiskey Peak."
"Thought you'd like to pick it up."
A pause.
"…Huh?"
"You caught some pirates?"
Kael chuckled.
"Nope."
"Even better."
"I caught the so-called bounty hunters."
Silence.
Then—
"…What?"
"Don't tell me you—"
"Yeah."
"I'm talking about Baroque Works."
Smoker took a slow puff before replying.
"Kael…"
"You're going to need to explain why you captured bounty hunters working for the Navy."
Kael's smirk deepened.
"You really think they're helping the Marines?"
A brief pause.
"Let's say… if I told you what they've been doing behind that façade…"
"…you'd want to teleport here and beat the hell out of these already half-dead people."
Smoker went quiet.
Then, slightly amused—
"And what makes you think I'd personally come handle it?"
"I'm still in the East Blue."
Behind Kael, Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi all nodded.
That sounded reasonable.
Kael, however, didn't hesitate.
"Who are you fooling, Smoker?"
"I know you're already entering the Grand Line… chasing the Straw Hat pirates."
The three women blinked.
"…Huh?"
Tashigi muttered under her breath—
"Smoker-san is coming to the Grand Line too?"
On the other end—
A pause.
"…How do you even know that?"
Kael shrugged lightly.
"…Secrets."
"You and your damn secrets!!"
Smoker snapped.
Then exhaled slowly.
"…Fine."
"It'll still take me a few days to reach there."
"You'll have to hold them until then."
Kael glanced back at his crew.
"…Sorry to disappoint you, Smoker."
"But we're leaving early tomorrow morning."
Smoker frowned.
"Then—"
"Don't worry."
Kael cut in calmly.
His gaze shifted toward Mr. 9 and the unconscious Miss Monday beside him.
"I'm leaving the trash in the hands of two trustworthy people."
"They'll hand them over to you."
Mr. 9 straightened instinctively, a hint of pride flashing across his face.
Smoker groaned.
"Kael Sylvarion…"
"If you cut me off one more time…"
"I'll beat the crap out of you the next time we meet."
Kael grinned.
"Oh?"
"You bringing Kuzan-san along or something?"
"Because you'll at least need him to beat me."
CRACK.
The sharp sound of something breaking echoed from the other side.
"YOU ARROGANT BASTARD!!"
"Just wait there—I'll show you whether I need Kuzan or not!!"
Kael laughed lightly.
"Yeah… now I'm even more convinced not to stay."
"…Bastard."
Smoker muttered.
Then, more composed—
"If you don't have anything else to say, I'm cutting the call."
Beside him, Tashigi's expression fell instantly.
Kael noticed.
"…C'mon, Smoker."
"It's been days, and you're not even going to ask about your ex-subordinate?"
Tashigi looked at him softly.
A pause followed.
"I don't need to—"
Before Smoker could finish—
Kael shoved the Den Den Mushi back into Tashigi's hands.
"Talk to her, bastard."
"You—"
But Kael had already turned away, walking toward Miss Valentine.
Tashigi blinked, then spoke hesitantly—
"Um… Smoker-san…"
"Kael-san is already gone…"
Silence.
Then—
A long exhale.
"…Tell me."
"How have you been lately?"
Behind her, Kaya and Nami exchanged amused smiles.
So he does care.
Meanwhile—
Tashigi's face lit up.
"Yes!!"
Tashigi didn't hold back.
The moment she got the chance, she began talking—quickly, eagerly—telling Smoker everything about her recent days, her training, the people she met… even the small, trivial things she normally wouldn't say aloud.
Meanwhile—
Kael walked up to Miss Valentine and crouched in front of her.
She didn't move.
Didn't resist.
Didn't even flinch.
She had already accepted it.
There's no point in struggling… right?
I'm so scared… I can't even use my Devil Fruit…
A weak, defeated laugh escaped her lips.
My dream…
My miserable life…
It all ends here.
She looked at him.
At least… I'm dying at the hands of a good-looking man.
Her fists clenched.
I'm really pathetic… aren't I?
Kael's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Good."
"You followed my orders and stood here quietly."
"…without hurting my crew."
A hand gently rested on her head.
She froze.
"…Huh?"
Kael sighed softly.
"This world hasn't treated you too kindly, huh… Mikita?"
Her eyes trembled.
Tears spilled uncontrollably.
"Y-You even know my past… don't you?"
A hollow smile formed on her lips.
"What do you think?"
"Pathetic life… right?"
"I should thank you for ending it all to—"
Kael raised a finger—
And placed it lightly against her lips.
Stopping her.
"Who said it's ending here?"
Her eyes widened.
"…What?"
"You're… not killing me?"
Kael smiled.
"Of course not."
She looked shaken.
"But… why?"
Kael stood up, pulling her to her feet as well.
"Well… it's too soon for you to die."
A faint smirk formed.
"And you still have your dream to achieve."
Mikita froze.
Her eyes reddened further.
"But… all those people I hurt…"
Her voice broke.
"I DON'T DESER—"
She was cut off again.
This time—
By a heavy bag.
Kael pulled it from his coat and tossed it toward her.
She instinctively caught it, stumbling slightly.
"…What are you—"
"Go."
"…Huh?"
"Go open a café or something."
"Bake all the cakes you want."
"Live the life you were supposed to have."
She went still.
A life I was supposed to have…?
Do I even deserve anything?
She looked up at him again, tears flowing freely.
"Why…?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You could've just killed me and—"
"Yeah."
"I could."
Kael's voice remained calm.
"But earlier, I gave myself two choices."
He raised a finger.
"First—kill you for your crimes."
Then a second.
"Second—give you a second chance."
Her breath hitched.
"And I chose the second one."
She stared at him, stunned.
"…But someone like me?"
"Do I even deserve that?"
Kael stepped closer.
"We'll find out."
She looked up.
He stopped right in front of her.
Close.
"By now you should understand…"
"…there's nothing hidden from me."
His voice lowered slightly.
"So if you ever make me regret this decision…"
"…you already know what happens."
She lowered her gaze again.
One hand clutching the bag.
The other tightening into a fist.
Her shoulders trembled.
Tears hit the floor one by one.
Kael sighed.
"…Stop crying already."
"Go live your life, Mikita."
That only made it worse.
Her sobs broke through completely.
Kael shook his head—
Then pulled her into a firm embrace.
She froze for a second—
Then clung to him tightly.
Crying without restraint.
Letting everything out—
All the pain she had carried for years.
Behind them—
Nami groaned, pointing at Kael.
"Hey… I don't know what they're talking about…"
"But was that hug really necessary?"
Kaya smiled softly.
"There must be a reason."
Nami snorted.
"Yeah. A perverted one, for sure."
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"We'll understand soon enough."
Nami nodded—
Then suddenly bit her finger.
"…But he's never hugged me like that."
Kaya's smile turned teasing.
"Oh?"
"Someone's jealous."
"Kaya!!"
Back at the center—
After a while—
Her sobs slowly faded.
Kael pulled back slightly, looking at her.
"Finally calmed down?"
She nodded lightly.
"…Mmhm."
"…Thank you."
Kael gave a small nod.
Then turned around.
"Alright."
"It's a goodbye, then."
She flinched.
"Wait—Kael!!"
He paused and looked back.
"Hm? Something else?"
She hesitated.
Her cheeks slightly flushed.
"…Will I… see you again?"
Kael blinked.
Then broke into a wide grin.
"Of course."
"Once I'm done with my stuff, I'll come visit your café with my crew."
She blinked again.
He continued casually—
"I still need to try all the cakes you'll bake, right?"
Her eyes shimmered.
Then—
Kael added with a mischievous smile—
"But I'm not paying for anything."
"That fine with you?"
She quickly wiped her tears.
And smiled.
A real one this time.
Bright.
Warm.
"Then I'll serve you the best chocolate cakes you've ever had."
Kael chuckled.
"Deal."
Then he waved his hand lightly.
"Now go."
She nodded.
Looked once at his crew.
Gave a small bow.
Then looked back at him—
One last time.
A gaze filled with gratitude…
And something softer.
Then—
Without another word—
She walked away.
Leaving it all behind.
To finally chase her dream.