After a few rings, the transponder snail clicked.
Then—
A loud, energetic voice burst through.
"Moshi Moshi! I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I will become the Pirate King!!"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Kael simply shook his head.
(I'm not even surprised…)
Behind him, Kaya let out a soft chuckle.
"He's as energetic as ever."
Tashigi nodded, adjusting her glasses.
"I'd say he's over energetic."
Nami sighed deeply, already exhausted.
"Why are all of his friends idiots…?"
Meanwhile, Vivi tilted her head slightly, curiosity clear in her eyes.
"Kaya, is that your friend?"
Kaya nodded with a gentle smile.
"Yes. We met him and his crew a few weeks ago. Kael-san and Luffy became friends there."
"I see…" Vivi murmured.
Kaya continued, "There's also another friend of ours—Usopp. He's part of Luffy's crew too."
—
Back at the transponder snail—
Smack!
"OW!!"
Yep. That was Usopp hitting Luffy.
"Idiot! Who are you even talking to?!"
Luffy rubbed the bump on his head, confused.
"Huh? I don't know… I forgot I had this snail in my pocket. It suddenly rang, so I picked it up…"
Usopp stared at him in disbelief.
"You're seriously unbelievable!! What if it was some—"
Before he could finish—
Kael's voice finally came through.
"Yo, Luffy! Usopp! You idiots are as lively as ever, huh…"
The Straw Hats froze.
Even Roronoa Zoro and Sanji, who had been ignoring the bickering, turned their attention toward the snail.
Luffy and Usopp looked at each other—
Then shouted in unison:
"KAEL!!"
Usopp immediately snatched the snail.
"Kael?! Is it really you?!"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Yeah. It's really me."
"Oi!!" Luffy protested, trying to grab it back.
He succeeded a second later.
"Kael! It's been a while!! How are you?! Are you having fun?! Tell me! Tell me!"
Kael exhaled lightly.
"Alright, calm down. I'm fine. And yeah, we've been having fun. What about you guys?"
Luffy grinned.
"Shishishishi! We're having a blast too! You know, we met a giant whale—and an old man living inside it! Hahaha! It was amazing!!"
Kael nodded.
"So you've met Laboon, huh? That's good."
At that moment, Zoro stepped forward.
"We saw your Jolly Roger on the whale's head," he said casually. "Drew ours next to it."
Kael smirked.
"Yo, Zoro. Did you get that sword in Loguetown?"
Zoro's expression twitched.
"Don't remind me, bastard. What did you tell that shopkeeper? 'An idiot will come'?"
Sanji burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Kael, you should've said 'a moss-head will come.' Would've made it easier."
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
"Now that I think about it… you're right. Next time I'll—"
Zoro snapped.
"You damn bastards!! Kael, you better pray I don't find you! I'll kill you!! And you—curly-brows—I'm killing you right now!!"
He drew two swords instantly.
Sanji lifted his leg into a fighting stance.
"Bring it on, marimo!!"
And just like that—
They started fighting.
Again.
Behind Luffy.
Who started cheering.
"C'mon, Zoro!! C'mon, Sanji!!"
Usopp facepalmed.
"What a bunch of idiots…"
He picked up the dropped snail and spoke awkwardly.
"Um… Kael?"
Kael sighed.
"Are you guys normal now?"
Usopp glanced behind him at the chaos.
"…Not really. But go ahead—why did you call?"
Kael got straight to the point.
"Just to confirm… you guys don't have a navigator yet, right?"
Usopp froze.
Then exploded.
"OF COURSE NOT!! None of these idiots know how to sail! I've been doing everything myself! We've gone in circles so many times—it's a nightmare!!"
He dramatically wiped imaginary tears.
"It's hard being a captain… You're a captain too, Kael. You understand, right?"
Behind him, Luffy frowned.
"Oi! I'm the captain!!"
"You're an idiot!!"
"I'm the captain!!"
"I'm the—"
"Enough."
Kael's voice cut cleanly through the chaos.
Both of them stopped instantly.
"You don't need to worry about the navigator anymore."
Usopp blinked.
"…Huh?"
Kael smiled slightly.
"I have someone with me."
He glanced at the nervous Bon Clay beside him.
"He's not a top-tier navigator yet—but he has serious potential."
"WHAT?!" Luffy and Usopp shouted together.
Even Zoro and Sanji stopped fighting.
Kael continued calmly,
"And Luffy… he's also a good fighter. I guarantee you'll like him."
Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"Really, Kael?! Thank you!!"
"I'm serious. But don't thank me yet."
"I'll send him to you. If you like him, invite him to your crew."
"NO!!"
Bon Clay flinched, tears instantly forming.
But Kael raised a finger, stopping him.
"Wait."
On the other side, Usopp snapped.
"What are you saying, idiot?! Kael is helping us and you're rejecting?!"
Zoro and Sanji frowned in confusion.
Kael chuckled softly.
"You're confusing them, Luffy. Say it properly."
Luffy nodded.
"Kael, if you're recommending someone… there's no need to test him."
"I trust you!!"
Silence.
Bon Clay's eyes widened.
Kael smiled at him.
"Told you."
Even on the other side, Usopp, Zoro, and Sanji nodded.
Kael continued,
"Alright. I'll send him to your current location."
"Okay!!" Luffy beamed. "I'm excited to meet my new nakama!! Is he there right now?! Let me talk to him!"
Kael smirked.
"Nope. It's a surprise."
"Awwww…"
"…Fine! I'll wait! Shishishi!"
Usopp leaned closer.
"By the way, Kael… where are you guys?"
"We're heading to Alabasta. Got some things to deal with."
"And you?"
"We just said goodbye to Laboon and the old man," Usopp replied. "We're heading to Whiskey Peak now. Hopefully we don't get lost again…"
Kael nodded.
"Good. I'll send Bon to Whiskey Peak. Wait there."
Sanji lit a cigarette.
"So his name's Bon, huh?"
Zoro said nothing—but nodded.
"Bon…" Usopp repeated.
Luffy grinned.
"Shishishishi! That's a funny name! He must be a good guy!"
Smack!
"What kind of logic is that?!" Usopp yelled.
Luffy rubbed his head, laughing.
"I don't know… just a feeling!"
Kael shook his head, smiling.
"The number of idiots on your crew is about to increase."
After a few more words, the call ended.
—
Kael turned toward Bon Clay.
"So?"
"How do you feel?"
Bon froze for half a second—
Then exploded.
"I'M VERY HAPPY!! KAEL-CHAN IS THE BEST!! YOHOOOOOO!!"
He spun dramatically—
Then suddenly stopped.
"…Wait."
"How am I supposed to get to Whiskey Peak?"
Kael stared at him.
"…Did you forget you have a ship?"
"And a crew?"
Bon blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"OH MY GOD!! I COMPLETELY FORGOT!!"
The women sighed.
"…We're not even surprised anymore."
—
A few hours later—
Bon Clay's crew finally arrived, rushing toward their captain.
After a chaotic reunion, Bon explained everything—his decision to leave Baroque Works, and their new destination.
Whiskey Peak.
Then came the farewell.
Dramatic.
Over-the-top.
Completely Bon Clay.
"GOODBYE, KAEL-CHAN!!"
"GOODBYE, CUTIES!!"
"DON'T MISS ME TOO MUCH, OKAY?! MUAH—!"
Flying kisses.
Winks.
Sparkles.
The women visibly shivered.
Nami snapped instantly—
"Just GO already!!"
—
Kael, however, simply stood there.
Smiling.
Calm.
He raised his hand and waved as Bon Clay and his crew sailed away, tears and theatrics trailing behind them.
Slowly—
Their ship disappeared beyond the horizon.
Silence returned to the sea.
The Sovereign Gale continued forward.
Steady.
Unstoppable.
Toward Alabasta.
Toward the storm waiting ahead.
Another day passed quickly.
The sun hung high in the sky as the Sovereign Gale cut through the waters, closing in on its destination.
Alabasta.
The coastline was now visible in the distance—vast stretches of sand, sunlit structures, and the faint outline of a bustling port city.
Kael stood at the front of the ship, his gaze steady.
"Nami, how much further?"
Nami glanced ahead, adjusting her stance slightly as she judged the distance.
"Less than fifteen minutes."
Kael nodded.
"Alright."
—
Behind him, Vivi grew quieter with each passing minute.
Her hands were clasped tightly together.
Her eyes, fixed on the approaching land, carried a mix of fear… and guilt.
Kael noticed.
He stepped toward her and spoke calmly.
"What's on your mind?"
Vivi flinched slightly, pulled out of her thoughts.
"Huh? S-Sorry, Kael-san! Can you repeat that…? I didn't hear you."
Kael sighed softly.
"I asked what's on your mind."
He paused briefly.
"Worried?"
Vivi fell silent.
Her gaze dropped.
"I… I just don't know."
Her voice grew quieter.
"I feel like I've put you and the others in danger."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Vivi immediately panicked.
"No! That's not what I meant! I'm not saying you're not capable enough to handle them!"
She hesitated, struggling to put her feelings into words.
"It's just… I should be the one getting my kingdom back from Crocodile's hands."
Her fists tightened.
"But instead… I'm making you do this."
Kael shook his head lightly.
"What are you talking about, silly girl?"
"I was coming here anyway. You're not the reason."
Vivi went quiet.
Then she smiled—soft, grateful.
But in her mind—
He won't accept it, will he…?
After everything she had seen…
After all the moments on this ship…
Vivi was certain of one thing.
I might not be the only reason you came here…
But I was the main one.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Are you really that embarrassed to admit it…?
—
Meanwhile, Kael's thoughts moved differently.
(Well… technically I'm not lying, right?)
(With the butterfly effect, I can't be sure things will follow the same path…)
(Crocodile might act faster than expected.)
His eyes narrowed slightly.
(That's why I came here early… skipping Little Garden… skipping Drum Island…)
(I can't afford delays.)
—
A few minutes later—
The ship finally reached the shores of Alabasta.
The anchor dropped.
The crew disembarked.
—
Standing on the land of Alabasta—
They took in the surroundings.
The lively market.
Vendors calling out.
Colorful fabrics swaying in the warm breeze.
People moving about in desert clothing, voices blending into a vibrant hum.
Kaya's eyes sparkled.
"So this is Alabasta…"
Kael grinned.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Tashigi smiled, nodding.
"Yeah!!"
Vivi smiled too—
But it didn't last.
Her expression dimmed slightly.
"It used to be even more beautiful…"
Her voice softened.
"People were happier…"
Kael stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything will return to how it was."
His tone was steady.
"Just trust us."
Vivi looked at him.
Her smile returned—this time more genuine.
She nodded.
—
A moment later—
Kael reached into his coat and pulled out a bag of berries.
The instant it appeared—
Nami's eyes lit up.
Literally.
They turned into shining symbols of pure greed.
She looked at Kael like a starving puppy.
Kael sighed.
"Alright… stop whatever that is."
He handed her the bag.
"Ahhh, Kael!! Thank you!!"
Nami jumped forward and planted a quick peck on his cheek.
Behind them—
Kaya and Tashigi rolled their eyes.
"And she said we were easy to please…"
Vivi turned slightly red.
Nami is way too bold…
Kael rubbed his cheek.
"…Go buy yourself something suitable."
He added,
"And Nami—share it with the others too."
Nami shot him an annoyed glare.
"Of course I will! What do you think of me, you idiot?!"
Kael shrugged.
"As long as you understand."
Kaya stepped forward.
"Kael-san, what will you do in the meantime?"
Kael smirked.
"I'll hang around here for a bit."
He turned and started walking away.
"Let's meet in an hour or two at the main restaurant."
"Okay?"
The women nodded.
As he continued walking, he spoke again—without turning back.
"And Tashigi…"
Tashigi straightened instantly.
"Yes, Kael-san!"
"Don't let anyone get hurt."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Yes, Kael-san!!"
Kael waved lightly—
Then disappeared into the crowd.
—
Behind him—
The women exchanged brief glances.
Then headed off toward the market.
Alabasta's streets welcomed them—
Unaware of the storm that had just arrived.