Kael returned to his crew, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling within him.
Helping someone in need—
It felt… right.
As he approached, Nefertari Vivi stepped forward, concern evident on her face.
"Kael-san… I'm not questioning you, but…"
"…was it really a wise decision to let her go like that?"
Kael smiled calmly.
"I understand your concern, Princess."
He glanced back toward the door Mikita had just walked through.
"…But don't worry."
"She won't betray my trust."
Vivi studied him for a moment—
Then smiled softly.
"If you believe in her…"
"…then I don't need to worry."
Before the moment could settle, Nami chimed in, arms crossed.
"But was all that forgiving and sparing stuff really necessary?"
She clenched her fists slightly.
"She was part of a criminal organization, right?"
"Who knows how many people she's hurt…"
Kael nodded.
"Yeah."
"She has."
Nami frowned.
"Then why didn't you—"
"Nami."
His tone was calm, but firm.
"Not everything can be solved with violence alone."
She paused.
Thinking.
Just then—
[Copying Shanks now, huh?]
Kael's brow twitched.
(Who said only Shanks can say it?)
[…Fair enough.]
A faint grin tugged at his lips.
"And besides…"
"She's already suffered enough."
"No point in adding more to it."
Kaya spoke gently—
"Kael-san… did something happen to her in the past?"
Kael exhaled.
"…Yeah."
"It's a long story."
"I'll tell you some other time."
Kaya didn't push further.
She simply nodded in understanding.
Kael then turned toward Mr. 9.
"You know what to do, right?"
Mr. 9 straightened instantly.
"Yes!!"
"I need to hand them over to a Marine captain."
Kael nodded.
"Good."
Then pointed toward the unconscious Miss Monday.
"And after that…"
"Take her with you."
"Go to Mikita's café."
"Work there."
"Leave this life behind… and live peacefully."
Mr. 9 blinked, confused.
"…Mikita?"
Kael sighed lightly.
"Miss Valentine's real name."
Mr. 9 nodded slowly.
"I see… but…"
His expression turned conflicted.
Kael stepped closer.
"Look."
"I know you want to fight for Alabasta."
"But where has all that fighting led you?"
He gestured toward the battered bodies around them.
Then pointed again at Miss Monday.
"At least think about her."
Mr. 9 fell silent.
Still unsure.
Kael crouched down, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Daniel."
"Leave Alabasta to me."
"I'll save your kingdom."
"…Alright?"
Mr. 9 looked at him for a long moment.
Then—
Nodded.
"…I trust you, Kael."
"I leave Alabasta in your hands."
"Please… do what you need to do."
He exhaled, more resolved now.
"And I'll help Miss Valentine… Mikita… with her café."
Kael smirked, standing up.
"Good."
He turned toward the rest—
His crew, Vivi, and Igaram.
"Tired?"
Nami immediately sulked.
"…Yeah."
Kael clapped once.
"Alright."
"Back to the ship."
Everyone nodded—
But before anyone could move—
Nami jumped onto his back.
Clinging to him like a koala.
"Carry me."
Kael blinked.
"…What are you doing?"
"I'm your navigator."
"Carry me back."
"I'm tired."
Kael tried to pry her off.
"But I'm the captain—"
"Shut up!!"
"…No."
She tightened her grip.
Kael sighed.
Defeated.
"…Unbelievable."
And just like that, he started walking.
Carrying her.
Behind them—
Tashigi, Kaya, and Vivi chuckled softly.
Meanwhile, Igaram wiped sweat from his forehead and muttered—
"…This girl might be even more dangerous than Prince Kael…"
Vivi froze mid-step.
Her face flushed red.
Then—
She slowly turned.
A terrifying glare locked onto him.
"Igaram…"
"…did you forget what I said earlier?"
He stiffened instantly.
"N-No, Princess Vivi! You must have misheard—"
"I'll have Father prepare a group of Banana Gators."
"…Just for you."
Igaram paled.
"Princess Vivi!! Please forgive me!!"
But she had already turned away—
Walking ahead as if nothing happened.
And just like that—
They stepped out of the restaurant.
But just before leaving—
Kael paused.
His gaze shifted upward—
Toward the second-floor balcony.
A slow smirk formed on his lips.
"So… finally here huh?"
"Took you long enough."
Then—
Without another word—
He turned away.
And walked on.
Carrying Nami.
Followed by his crew—
Back toward the ship.
After the crew had left—
Mr. 9 lingered behind for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the bodies scattered around the ruined restaurant.
"…They won't be waking up for a few hours."
"Good."
He then turned and shook Miss Monday awake.
She stirred, groaning softly.
"…Huh?"
"Mr. 9…? What are you—"
Her eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly.
"Where are those pirates—"
Mr. 9's expression hardened.
"Don't you have more important things to notice?"
She frowned—
Then paused, looking down at herself.
"…My injuries?"
"They're… healed?"
Her eyes widened.
"Mr. 9… what's the meaning of this?"
He extended a hand, helping her to her feet.
"I'll explain everything on the way."
Then—
His tone turned serious again.
"But understand one thing clearly."
"We're leaving Baroque Works."
"…And from now on, we're working at a café."
Miss Monday blinked.
"…What?"
"Have you lost your mind?! What are you—"
"You're the one who's lost it!!"
She flinched.
Stunned.
This—
This wasn't the Mr. 9 she knew.
He clenched his fists.
"Kael gave you a second chance at life."
"…You better make it worth it."
His voice softened, just slightly.
"Please."
"I don't want to see you suffer anymore."
She stared at him.
"…Mr. 9… you…"
He turned away.
"Let's go."
"I'll tell you everything about this so-called 'ideal nation' façade of Baroque Works."
Her eyes widened.
"…Façade?!"
"You mean—"
"Yeah."
"We've been fed lies this whole time."
"By that bastard Mr. 0… and the high-ranking agents."
Her fists clenched tightly.
"…I had my doubts."
"You're telling the truth, aren't you?"
Mr. 9 nodded.
"…I see."
Her expression darkened.
"I'll kill th—"
"No!!"
She froze.
"We're not doing anything."
"…Mr. 9."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Don't tell me you're scared."
He didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"I am."
"Scared of losing you."
Silence.
Miss Monday froze.
A faint blush crept onto her face.
"W-What are you even saying…?"
"Have you completely lost your mind—"
"Listen to me."
His voice cut through her words.
"We need to accept something."
"…We're weak."
She stopped walking.
He continued.
"We've always been weak."
Miss Monday let out a quiet, helpless laugh.
"…For once, I agree with you."
"I got taken down by a no-bounty little girl… without even putting up much of a fight."
She looked at him again.
"…So what now?"
"We just stand by and watch our kingdom fall?"
Mr. 9 smiled faintly.
"No."
She frowned.
"Then what do you mean?"
"Kael won't let that happen."
"He promised me."
"…He'll save Alabasta."
She blinked.
"…Huh?"
"But why would he do that?"
Mr. 9's expression softened.
"Because he's a good man."
She immediately shot back—
"But he's a pira—"
"A good pirate."
He cut her off.
"Think about it."
"If he was like the rest…"
"…we'd all be dead by now."
"We attacked him first."
Miss Monday paused.
Then slowly—
Nodded.
"…Yeah."
Mr. 9 took a step forward.
"Let's go."
"Leave Alabasta in his hands."
She watched him for a moment—
Then smiled.
"…Alright."
"Let's go."
Together—
They began tying up the remaining bounty hunters, securing every last one of them.
Then—
Lifting and dragging over a hundred unconscious bodies—
Along with the lifeless form of Mr. 5—
They made their way toward the exit.
As they walked—
Miss Monday glanced sideways at him.
"…You mentioned a café earlier."
"We're really doing that?"
Mr. 9 smirked slightly.
"Yeah."
"And it's owned by someone we know."
She blinked.
"…Wait, what?"
"Who?"
"Tell me already!!"
He chuckled.
"You'll see."
And just like that—
The two of them stepped out of the restaurant.
Leaving behind their past.
Walking toward something new.
Together.
The restaurant fell into complete silence.
Broken tables.
Shattered walls.
Bloodstains across the floor.
And not a single soul left inside.
Or at least…
That's how it seemed.
Because a few minutes after their departure—
A presence appeared.
On the second floor of the restaurant.
A woman stepped forward from the shadows.
She wore a flowing purple dress, elegant and refined, paired with a wide-brimmed hat that cast a soft shade over her face—only enhancing her already striking beauty.
Calm.
Composed.
Graceful.
She walked toward the railing and leaned against it lightly—
One hand resting on the wood.
The other supporting her chin.
Her eyes drifted downward—
Taking in the destruction below.
And yet—
A faint smile formed on her lips.
Not shocked.
Not disturbed.
Amused.
Silence lingered for a few seconds—
Before she finally spoke.
"More than a hundred bounty hunters… utterly defeated."
Her voice was smooth, measured.
"Clean… precise… lethal cuts all over their bodies…"
Her gaze shifted slightly.
"One high-ranking agent—Mr. 5—confirmed dead."
"The other…"
"…Miss Valentine, missing."
A pause.
Then—
"Two agents—Mr. 9 and Miss Monday…"
"…have abandoned Baroque Works."
Her smile deepened just a fraction.
"Mr. 8… and Miss Wednesday…"
"…or rather—Princess Vivi…"
"…have chosen to side with the enemy."
A soft exhale escaped her lips.
"And finally…"
"The two fighters."
"Minor bruises… for the woman."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"But the captain…"
"…not a single injury."
Silence followed once more.
Then—
She reached into her coat.
Pulling out a bounty poster.
Holding it up in front of her eyes.
Studying it.
A quiet, knowing smile spread across her face.
"As expected…"
"…you are a dangerous man, Kael Sylvarion."
The paper lowered slightly—
Revealing her eyes beneath the shadow of her hat.
Sharp.
Intelligent.
Unreadable.
Yes—
This was Nico Robin.
Also known as—
Miss All Sunday.
The second-in-command of Baroque Works.
She had arrived too late to witness the battle—
And could only observe its aftermath.
But for her—
That was more than enough.
Her gaze lingered on the wreckage one last time.
That same faint smile never leaving her lips.
Then—
She turned.
And disappeared into the shadows.