After exiting the restaurant, Nico Robin turned back and took one final glance.
"…Looks like this is the end of this restaurant…"
She chuckled softly.
"So… no more fooling the innocents anymore?"
Turning away, she began walking toward the docks. Her expression gradually turned serious.
"There's one thing I'm curious about…"
"How did low-ranking agents like Mr. 9 know about the true face of Baroque Works…?"
She paused briefly.
"Could it be Mr. 5…?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"No… highly unlikely…"
"And Miss Valentine was clearly unaware of the truth."
She stopped walking.
"There's only one explanation then…"
Looking forward again, she resumed her steps.
"It must be him…"
A face appeared in her mind.
Kael.
She smiled faintly.
"But how…?"
"How many more surprises can you still give me, Kael…?"
Soon—
She arrived in front of the Sovereign Gale.
She stopped, a smirk forming.
"I'll find out soon enough…"
But just before boarding the ship, she hesitated—unusual for her.
"…Should I really go ahead?"
A brief pause.
Then—
A smile returned.
"Since I'm already here… there's no need to hesitate."
With that, she stepped forward.
Meanwhile—
Back on the ship—
Kael was passing by Nami's room when—
"WHAT? You three can hear it t—mmff?!"
He stopped instantly.
"…Vivi?"
Curiosity sparked.
Without thinking, he used his observation haki.
He sensed it clearly—
Nervousness from Nami, Tashigi, and Kaya.
Shock from Vivi.
He frowned and knocked.
"You four alright in there?"
Inside the room—
Tashigi stood, sighing helplessly.
Kaya was smiling, clearly amused.
Nami had her hand tightly over Vivi's mouth, whose eyes were wide in shock.
Hearing Kael's voice, all of them stiffened slightly.
Nami whispered harshly—
"I told you not to overreact!!"
Tashigi answered from inside—
"Don't worry, Kael-san, we're alright…"
Kael frowned.
"But I heard the princess scr—"
"JUST GO TO YOUR ROOM, IDIOT!!"
Nami shouted.
"Or are you so infatuated with your 'princess' that you can't even give us some space?!"
Vivi's face turned bright red instantly.
Kael blinked.
"What?? What are you—"
"GET OUT OF HERE!!"
Kael stood there, speechless.
Kaya chuckled softly.
"Don't worry, Kael-san. Nami is just jealous that you always call her by her name, but Vivi a princess."
"Kaya!!"
"I see…"
"THAT'S NOT TRUE, BASTARD!!"
"And are you leaving or should I come out…?"
Kael flinched.
"Alright, alright… I'm going."
"…Just don't do anything stupid."
"Wait—I'm coming out!!"
"Good night, ladies!!"
He immediately retreated.
After a few seconds—
Nami glanced at Kaya.
"…Is he gone?"
"Yeah."
Nami nodded, removing her hand from Vivi's mouth—
Then pinched her stomach.
"Ouch!!"
"Why did you do that, Nami?!"
"What were you blushing about earlier?!"
Vivi's face flushed deeply.
"T-That… I-I…"
Nami sighed.
"…Just leave it."
Vivi nodded, then asked quietly—
"But… were you telling the truth earlier?"
"You three can also… hear it?"
Tashigi nodded.
"…Yeah. We can also hear Kael-san's inner voice… just like you."
Vivi gulped.
"…I thought there was something wrong with me…"
Kaya chuckled softly.
"We all felt the same…"
"Come, let us tell you everything we know about it."
Vivi smiled and nodded.
Meanwhile—
Kael returned to his room.
He washed his face and hair—
Then dropped onto the bed.
"Sigh… guess it's my fault for worrying too much…"
[Pfft—]
His brow twitched.
(You bastard…)
Then he blinked.
…(Almost forgot.)
(Hey, you stingy system, show me the rewards I got from Whiskey Peak.)
[Are you sure you have rewards to claim?]
(Is that a bad attempt at a joke?)
[…]
[There are multiple mini rewards. Should I merge them?]
A grin formed.
(Of course.)
[Ding!]
[Defeated 100+ Baroque Works bounty hunters]
[Defeated a Baroque Works agent]
[Hidden Mission Completed: Help Miss Valentine complete her dream.]
[Merging rewards…]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host]
[You have received the Ultimate Skill: Desert Sovereign.]
Kael stared for a second.
(An Ultimate Skill…?)
(Show me its functions.)
[1. Sovereign's Presence: Allies feel calmer, enemies hesitate]
[2. Desert Resonance: Sand manipulation]
[3. Golden Mirage: Illusions to distract enemies]
[4. Royal Protection: Increased luck at critical moments]
Kael exhaled slowly.
(So that's why it's called an Ultimate Skill…)
(Amazing.)
[Amazing indeed, but don't expect much in the beginning. The stronger the skill, the longer it takes to master.]
(I already know that.)
[As long as you remember.]
He paused.
Then his lips twitched.
(By the way…)
[…?]
(Doesn't this reward feel… too intentional?)
The system paused.
[I don't know what you're talking about.]
(Oh really? You lying bastard. You said rewards are random—this is literally tailored for Vivi.)
[Uh… Host, calm down. It's just your good luck. It is random. I swear on your life—]
(YOU WHAT?!)
Before he could finish—
Knock.
He froze.
[…Looks like I'm lucky as well.]
(Shut up.)
Another knock.
He got up quickly—
Forgetting to wear his shirt—
And opened the door.
"Alright, wait a minute—"
He stopped.
It was Kaya.
Her expression shifted instantly—
From worry…
To deep blush.
Her eyes—
Locked onto his body.
His chest.
His abs.
His toned physique.
Completely unmoving.
Kael frowned.
"Kaya? What happened? Are you okay?"
No response.
Then—
He looked down at himself.
A smirk appeared.
(I see… you're way bolder than you look, Kaya…)
She snapped out of it instantly.
Embarrassed, cheeks puffed.
"Kael-san! It was you who came out like this!"
"…Not my fault for enjoying it!!"
Kael blinked.
"…Huh? But I didn't even say anything."
"Of course you didn't!!"
She huffed—
Then turned serious again.
"…Kael-san, can I come inside? I need to talk about something important."
"Of course."
She walked in. He closed the door.
Inside—
She asked directly.
"Kael-san, have you felt a presence on the ship?"
Kael blinked—
Then smiled.
"Oh? So you felt it too?"
"Your observation haki has improved."
He placed a hand on her head.
She brightened instantly.
"Yes! After training with Crocus-san, I can now sense any presence clearly!"
"Good."
"And about that presence—don't worry."
"It's not hostile."
She hesitated.
"…Are you sure?"
"What if they stay on the ship the whole night and—"
"Trust me, Kaya."
"She won't harm anyone here."
Kaya blinked.
"…She?"
"You know her?"
"You'll know soon."
She sighed.
"…Mysterious as always."
Kael smiled.
"Now go rest. You must be exhausted."
She nodded.
At the door—
She hesitated.
"…Kael-san…"
He noticed.
"…Yes?"
She gestured slightly.
He leaned closer, thinking she wanted to whisper—
Instead—
"You're looking very handsome."
Before he could react—
She tiptoed—
And kissed him.
Quick.
Soft.
Then ran away—
Face completely red.
Kael froze.
For a few seconds.
Then touched his lips.
…(This girl…)
[Tch—]
He paused.
Then smiled slowly.
(Oh… someone's jealous.)
[Host, you are wrong. I'm just disgusted by human behavior.]
(Yeah… sure.)
(Just admit it—you're jealous.)
[I'M NOT JEALOUS!!]
Kael laughed.
"HAHAHAHA—!!"
After the night passed and morning arrived, the Sovereign Gale set sail once again—this time toward its next destination—
Alabasta.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead, calm yet heavy with what was to come.
Kael stood by the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon, thoughts running quietly in his mind.
(I've decided not to travel to Little Garden… or Drum Island.)
(Let the Straw Hats handle the problems there.)
At that moment, Vivi approached him.
"Kael-san…"
He glanced at her briefly, sensing the hesitation in her voice.
"Still worried about Igaram?"
She nodded.
Kael let out a small breath.
"Don't worry. He chose to go ahead on his own."
Vivi hesitated.
"But… wouldn't it be better to travel together?"
Kael shook his head and gently placed a hand on her head.
"Trust me. It's better this way."
Under his touch, her tense shoulders relaxed slightly. She nodded, though a trace of worry still lingered in her eyes.
Kael sighed internally.
(You wouldn't believe me if I told you he was most likely going to play the sacrificial lamb for you… and end up exploding.)
Behind—
The women froze.
Nami, Kaya, Tashigi—and especially Vivi.
Vivi's heart skipped.
What…? Igaram would've exploded…?
Her eyes slowly shifted back to Kael.
Is that why Kael-san didn't stop him…?
I always thought it was strange… so this was the real reason…
Her expression softened.
Relief.
Gratitude.
A faint smile formed as she spoke again—
"…Yeah. You're right."
"It's better this way."
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Good that you understand."
The ship continued forward, slicing through the sea with steady momentum.
Time passed quietly—
The crew facing ahead, lost in their own thoughts.
And then—
Kael smirked.
A voice suddenly echoed from behind them.
"Nice ship."
Everyone paused.
For a single second—
Then turned around in unison.
And there she was.
Perched casually on the railing.
A woman in a flowing purple dress, a hat resting elegantly atop her head. One hand supported her chin, the other folded lazily.
Her expression?
Amused.
Smiling.
Kael's smirk widened.
Vivi, however, trembled.
"Y-You… you're…"
A brief pause—
Then recognition struck.
"Miss All Sunday!!!"
Tashigi reacted instantly.
Her hand shot to her sword—
Shing.
The blade was drawn in one swift motion, pointed directly at the woman.
At the same time, Nami's fists clenched tightly. A faint pressure stirred in the air around her—subtle currents forming, swirling—
Proof that her control over her ability, Stormborn, was steadily improving.
Kaya remained calmer, though her gaze sharpened.
So this is her…
Even so, she couldn't help but grow cautious.
Meanwhile—
Kael simply leaned back against the railing, arms relaxed, watching with quiet amusement.
Unbothered.
Completely at ease.
The woman—Nico Robin—closed her eyes slightly and spoke in a calm, almost bored tone.
"Would you mind not pointing such dangerous things at me?"
Before anyone could react—
Ting.
Tashigi's sword slipped from her hand and clattered onto the deck.
Her eyes widened in shock.
At the same time—
Nami lost her balance.
Her legs gave way as she dropped to her knees, the wind pressure around her vanishing instantly.
Kaya and Vivi stared in disbelief.
Nami's voice trembled.
"A-A Devil Fruit…?"
Tashigi clenched her fist.
"What kind of ability is this…?"
Every single one of them—except Kael—shared the same thought.
Their eyes locked onto Robin—
Now filled with absolute caution.
Meanwhile—
Robin's smile only deepened.
Slowly—
Deliberately—
Her gaze shifted.
Landing on Kael.
He met it without hesitation.
The two stared at each other—
Seconds passing in silence.
Unspoken tension.
Curiosity.
Interest.
A quiet clash of minds.
And neither looked away.