The next two days passed quickly.
Almost too quickly.
Life aboard the Sovereign Gale settled into a steady rhythm—training, routine, and the occasional chaos that seemed to follow Kael wherever he went.
Most of the time was spent training.
Tashigi refining her swordsmanship with relentless focus.
Nami practicing her control over the subtle currents of wind she could now manipulate, her progress becoming more noticeable with each passing hour.
Kaya observing, assisting, and occasionally stepping in—whether as a healer or simply as a quiet presence that kept everyone grounded.
And Vivi—
She trained too.
Not just physically, but mentally.
Her resolve had only strengthened after everything she had learned.
And then—
There was Kael.
Who, instead of maintaining the image of a serious captain, spent a good portion of his time teasing the girls.
A remark here.
A comment there.
A perfectly timed line that left them flustered more often than not.
Blushes became common.
Embarrassed reactions even more so.
And naturally—
Nami made sure he didn't get away with it.
Her method?
Simple.
A well-placed punch.
Or two.
Sometimes more.
"Kael, you damn show-off…!"
"Oi! That hurts!"
"Good. It should."
And just like that—
The days passed.
Light.
Lively.
Almost peaceful.
—
At that moment—
"KAEL!!"
Her voice cut across the deck.
"Come here, quick!!"
Kael didn't hesitate.
He appeared beside her almost instantly, concern evident.
"What happened, Nami? Are you alright?"
She pointed toward the sea.
"Look!! Someone's drowning!"
Kael's gaze followed.
There—
A man.
Wearing an extremely… unusual outfit.
Flailing dramatically in the water.
Calling for help with exaggerated gestures.
The others quickly gathered as well.
Kael frowned slightly.
(Sigh… I almost forgot about him.)
The women blinked.
He knows this weirdo?
Then he must be important…
Kaya glanced at him.
"Kael-san, what should we—"
Kael had already moved.
His coat came off.
Then his shirt.
"We save him, of course."
And without another word—
He dove.
The women heard his thought as he disappeared beneath the water.
(Can't let a good guy die…)
Nami crossed her arms.
"So the weird guy is a good person."
Tashigi nodded.
"That's a relief."
Kaya smiled softly.
When they turned toward Vivi—
They froze.
Her face was completely red.
Steam might as well have been rising from her ears.
Tashigi panicked instantly.
"Vivi?? What happened?!"
Kaya chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax, Tashigi."
"It's the first time Vivi has seen Kael-san shirtless."
"…Oh."
Tashigi crossed her arms and nodded.
"That makes sense."
Meanwhile—
Nami gritted her teeth.
"Kael… you shameless show-off…"
—
A few minutes later—
Splash!
Kael emerged from the water, carrying the unconscious man with ease.
He landed smoothly on the deck.
Water dripped from his hair.
From his body.
Calm.
Composed.
And—unfortunately for certain people—
Visually… striking.
Vivi, who had just calmed down, immediately looked away again, blushing.
Kaya chuckled softly and walked over, handing him a towel.
"Here, Kael-san."
"Thank you, Kaya."
He gave her a small smile.
She returned it gently.
"Dry yourself quickly, you shameless idiot!!"
Nami snapped.
Kael replied flatly—
"If you don't like it, look away."
"You—!"
—
After drying himself and putting his clothes back on, Kael's attention shifted to the man he had saved.
The stranger slowly regained consciousness.
Pink and bluish outfit.
Two swans perched on his shoulders.
Heavy makeup.
Unmistakable.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
(Mr. 2… Bon Clay.)
(Even someone like me… almost emotionless… had tears watching that particular episode…)
A faint smile formed.
(But not this time.)
(I have plans for you, Bon Clay.)
The man's eyes shot open.
And the next second—
He leaped forward.
"MY SAVIOR!!!"
The women flinched as he latched onto Kael in an overly dramatic hug.
Tashigi's hand moved toward her sword—
But Kael raised a hand, stopping her.
Reluctantly—
She held back.
Bon Clay continued his emotional outburst for a few seconds—
Until—
"Alright, that's enough."
Kael pushed him back slightly.
"No need to be melodramatic."
Bon Clay instantly sat down obediently.
"To think I was saved by pirates who are complete strangers…"
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you!! I will never forget your kindness for the rest of my life!"
Then—
He looked up at Kael.
Licking his lips.
"And I certainly won't forget your face either…"
Kael visibly flinched.
Behind him—
Nami smirked.
"Oh? Looks like being too handsome has its downsides too."
Flick.
"Ow!!"
"Shut up, Nami. It's not funny."
"You bastard—!"
Before she could continue—
Bon Clay raised a hand.
"By the way…"
"May I have a bowl of warm soup?"
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT??"
All the women shouted in unison.
Kael covered his mouth.
"Pfft—"
Kaya sighed, though a smile remained as she approached Bon Clay.
If Kael-san says he's a good person… then he is.
And no good person should suffer while I'm here.
"That's my responsibility too… Kael-san entrusted it to me."
She knelt slightly.
"We do have some warm soup."
"But first, let me check if you're alright."
Bon Clay clasped his hands dramatically.
"Oh my!! Are you the reincarnation of a goddess, young lady?!"
The others rolled their eyes.
Kaya chuckled.
"I'm no goddess."
"I'm just a doctor."
Before he could respond—
Tashigi stepped forward.
"Why can't you swim?"
"Did you eat a Devil Fruit?"
Bon Clay immediately began shaking dramatically.
"Yes!! I did!!"
Nami leaned forward.
"Yeah? What ability?"
Bon Clay didn't answer.
Instead—
He reached toward Kaya.
But—
Before his hand could touch her—
Kael appeared between them.
Grabbing his wrist.
His smile—
Dangerous.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
Bon Clay froze.
Took a step back.
Even the others felt it.
That pressure…
He's actually angry…?
Rare.
Very rare.
Kael sighed and let go.
"Forget it."
He turned toward the crew.
"His Devil Fruit is the Clone-Clone Fruit."
"He can copy the full appearance and voice of anyone he touches with his right hand."
"And return to normal with his left."
They nodded—
Then froze.
Wait.
Copy… appearance…?
Their eyes snapped toward Bon Clay.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
He pointed at Kael dramatically.
"You know my power?!"
"Are you a fortune teller?!
"A goddess and a fortune teller on the same ship??!! Oh my—!"
He began bowing again.
Kael ignored him.
(He almost touched Kaya…)
The women stiffened.
Then his next thought hit—
(Even if he's not interested in women… if he touched any of you…)
(He could replicate your bodies… completely…)
A chill ran through them.
(I won't let that happen.)
(Not to my women.)
(Only I get to see what's mine.)
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then—
Nami snapped.
"This narcissistic bastard!!"
"Who said we're your women?!"
She turned toward the others.
"Look at this delusional—"
She stopped.
Blinking.
"…What?"
Kaya.
Blushing.
Tashigi.
Blushing.
Vivi.
Blushing.
Nami stared.
"WHY ARE YOU THREE BLUSHING??!!"
Vivi muttered softly—
"…Does Kael-san really consider me that way…?"
Nami turned back, utterly exasperated.
"You idiots are way too easy!!"
Kaya smiled teasingly.
"Oh? Then why are you blushing, Nami?"
Nami instantly turned away.
"I-I'M NOT!!"
Meanwhile—
Back at the center of the deck.
After bowing a few more times, Bon Clay finally stopped, straightened up, and wiped the imaginary tears from his eyes.
"Oh yeah!! There's another feature of my power you haven't mentioned!"
He puffed his chest proudly.
"So it's—"
"Oh yeah, he can also—"
"NOOO!!"
Bon Clay instantly dropped to the ground and grabbed Kael's leg, clutching it tightly as if his life depended on it.
"Let me explain!! Please, please, PLEASE!!"
Kael looked down at him, visibly annoyed.
"…Let go."
"NO!! This is my moment!!"
Kael sighed and shook his leg.
"Alright, alright—you explain."
That single motion—
Sent Bon Clay flying.
He tumbled across the deck and landed with a small thud, bumping his arm in the process.
"Ow—!"
But—
He ignored it completely.
Jumping back to his feet as if nothing happened, his excitement returned instantly.
He turned toward the women, eyes sparkling.
"Alright!! Listen carefully!!"
"The other ability of my power—"
"Is that I'm equipped with a memory feature!!"
He raised his hand dramatically to his face.
And then—
Shift.
His face changed.
Another face.
Then another.
Then another.
Rapidly cycling through different appearances with exaggerated flair.
"Here we go!!"
Each transformation was smooth.
Accurate.
Almost unsettling.
The women watched—
Not impressed.
Not amused.
Just… staring.
Bon Clay paused mid-performance.
"…Eh?"
Then suddenly—
He switched to another face.
Vivi's eyes widened instantly.
Her breath hitched.
That face—
She recognized it immediately.
Her expression paled.
That's—
Why… does he have that face…?
Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
Meanwhile—
Bon Clay looked around at the completely underwhelming reaction.
Silence.
No applause.
No shock.
No admiration.
"…No…"
His lips quivered.
"NO!! WHY AREN'T YOU REACTING?!"
He spun toward Kael, tears streaming dramatically.
"Aren't I amazing?!"
Kael looked at him for a second—
Then smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
"You're awesome."
Bon Clay froze.
Then—
His entire face lit up.
"OH MY GOD!! YOU REALLY THINK SO?!"
He rushed forward again, eyes sparkling with pure emotion.
"YOU ARE MY REAL FRIEND!!"
He pointed accusingly at the women.
"These cuties are bullies!!"
Behind him—
Nami's eyebrow twitched.
"…What is this bastard talking about?"
—
After a bit of chaos—
And a bit more dramatic crying—
Bon Clay finally calmed down.
Though he still sniffed occasionally.
That's when—
Kael's expression changed.
The faint amusement faded.
Replaced by something more serious.
"Now…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"Let's talk about something important, shall we?"
The shift was instant.
The atmosphere—
Changed.
The women straightened unconsciously.
Their expressions turning serious as well.
Even Bon Clay felt it.
His playful demeanor faltered.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
"U-Um… my friend… what are you—"
"Don't worry."
Kael cut him off calmly.
"I just want to ask a few questions."
"Can you answer them?"
Bon Clay hesitated.
His instincts screamed at him.
Danger.
This man—
Was dangerous.
Earlier—
He couldn't even follow Kael's movement.
And when he grabbed his leg—
A casual shake sent him flying like nothing.
If this man wanted to hurt him—
There would be no escape.
None.
His only option—
Was cooperation.
"…Okay."
He swallowed.
"As long as you don't hurt me."
Kael nodded once.
A small smile returning.
"Good."
Then—
He took a step forward.
Eyes locking onto Bon Clay.
"So first question…"
A slight pause.
"What should I call you?"
"Mr. 2—"
"Or Bon Clay?"
Silence.
Behind him—
The women froze.
"…What?"
Tashigi's grip on her sword tightened.
"This is weirdo is Mr. 2?!"
Kaya's eyes widened in disbelief.
"A Baroque Works agent…"
Nami's expression hardened instantly.
"I knew something was off…"
Vivi—
Closed her eyes for a moment.
Her earlier suspicion—
Now fully confirmed.
So that face he showed earlier…
He is really someone from Alabasta…
Her fists clenched slightly.
Meanwhile—
Bon Clay stood there.
Frozen.
Sweating.
His eyes locked onto Kael—
Who was still smiling calmly.
But to Bon Clay—
That smile looked like the edge of death itself.
I'm going to die.
I'm definitely going to die.
Someone save me!!!
The wind brushed across the deck.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
And at the center of it all—
Kael Sylvarion stood quietly.
Waiting.