As Kael made his way through the busy market streets of Alabasta, the noise of merchants and travelers gradually faded behind him.
Without realizing it, he had drifted into a quieter path.
His mind wandered.
Thoughts layered over thoughts—
Plans, possibilities, outcomes.
And then—
Thud.
He bumped into someone.
The sudden impact snapped him back to reality.
"HEY! Watch where you're going, bastard!!"
Kael turned.
His eyes landed on the man in front of him—
And widened, just for a fraction of a second.
An orange hat.
Decorated with a smiling and a sad face.
No shirt.
A familiar tattoo across his back.
Slightly shorter than him.
Kael's gaze sharpened.
(Ah… so you're already here.)
A faint smile formed on his lips.
But to the man in front of him—
That smile meant something else entirely.
"Oi… why are you smiling?"
His expression hardened.
"Don't tell me you did that intentionally…"
Kael paused.
Then—
An idea surfaced.
(Oh? This could be interesting…)
Just then—
[Host, don't—]
(Relax. It'll be fun. You'll see.)
Kael cut the system off casually.
Then he looked at the man with an amused grin.
"Do I really need to answer that?"
The man smirked, trying to appear intimidating.
"Of course you do."
He clenched his fists.
"Your answer will decide your fate."
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"I see…"
Then he smiled.
"What if I say it was intentional?"
For a moment—
The man stopped smiling.
Then—
"Good."
His grin returned, sharper than before.
"Honestly, I was hoping you'd say that."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And why's that?"
The man cracked his knuckles.
"It's simple."
"I just love humbling people like you."
Before Kael could respond—
The man moved.
Fast.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared beside Kael, his fist already driving toward his abdomen.
But—
Kael's right elbow moved just in time.
Boom.
The punch was blocked cleanly.
The force of the impact kicked up sand beneath their feet.
For a brief moment—
Dust filled the air.
Then it settled.
Kael stood a few steps away, calm and composed.
(Strong… and fast. As expected.)
Across from him—
The man stared, slightly surprised.
"Huh…"
"You reacted… and took that without a scratch."
Then he grinned again.
"You're impressive—for a bastard."
Kael smirked.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Thanks, I guess."
He paused.
"But I'm not stupid enough to pick a fight with Portgas D. Ace without having the ability to back it up."
Ace blinked.
Then smirked.
"Oh? So you know me."
"Of course," Kael replied calmly. "You're pretty famous."
Ace huffed.
"Cut it out. That's not saving you from the beating you deserve."
Kael chuckled lightly.
"I know."
He stepped forward slightly.
"Well then… since you're so serious about teaching me a lesson…"
He raised his fists.
In an instant—
They turned black.
Hardened.
"Let's fight properly."
"What do you think?"
Ace froze for a second.
(Armament Haki…? This guy can use it?)
Then he lowered his head—
And chuckled.
"I see…"
"So that's where your confidence comes from."
His own fists darkened.
Black as well.
"Good."
A grin spread across his face.
"I've been starving for a good fight."
Kael smiled faintly.
(Of course you can use it too…)
(It's been a while since I've had a proper fight like this…)
(Let's polish things up.)
[Host… you're unbelievable.]
(Maybe.)
Ace rolled his shoulders.
"Before we start…"
"Tell me your name."
Kael blinked once.
"Kael Sylvarion."
Ace nodded.
"Good."
He stepped forward, eyes sharp.
"Then, Kael…"
A grin.
"Shall we?"
Kael returned it.
"Yeah."
—
At that moment—
The initial anger was gone.
Replaced entirely.
By excitement.
Ace could feel it.
Kael wasn't weak.
Not even close.
(I wonder…)
(Between us… who's stronger?)
—
A second later—
They moved.
At the same time.
BOOM.
Their blackened fists collided mid-air.
The impact sent a shock through the ground beneath them.
Dust erupted.
The air trembled.
And then—
The fight began.
Blow after blow.
Strike after strike.
Each collision echoed.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
"You're strong, Kael!! Hahaha!!"
Ace laughed, his voice filled with excitement.
Kael smiled slightly.
(…He really is like Luffy.)
(Already forgot he was angry at me.)
Ace's expression had completely changed.
Gone was the irritation.
Now—
His eyes burned with passion.
With thrill.
With joy.
"What's wrong, Kael?!" he shouted, grinning. "Don't tell me you're done already!"
Kael shook his head.
"Not even close."
"Hahaha! That's what I like to hear!"
Ace tightened his stance.
"Give it everything you've got!"
"Otherwise, that pretty face of yours is getting wrecked today—I promise!"
Kael's mouth twitched.
"…Can't you just say I'm handsome?"
"What's with 'pretty face'?"
Ace smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
"Handsome? You?"
He laughed.
"Even Pops' butt is more handsome than you!!"
Kael froze.
[Pfft—]
Kael snapped instantly.
"Ace, you bastard!!"
"How dare you say that?!"
"And when—and why the hell did you see that old man's butt?!"
Ace burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!!"
And just like that—
The fight continued.
Back at a restaurant—
The four women stood waiting.
Minutes had already passed.
Then more.
And still—
No sign of Kael.
Nami groaned, arms crossed.
"Where did that idiot go? He's even later than us!"
Kaya chuckled softly.
"Calm down, Nami. Maybe something delayed him."
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, her tone serious.
"If that's true… I just hope that 'something' isn't dangerous."
Vivi stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry too much. It's Kael-san we're talking about."
She smiled.
But even then—
There was a faint worry in her eyes.
Nami noticed immediately.
"That idiot…"
Her brows furrowed.
"Making us worry like this… I swear, when he gets back, I'll beat some sense into him—"
Before she could finish—
An arm casually wrapped around her shoulders.
She stiffened.
The other three women froze instantly.
Eyes wide.
Locked onto the person behind her.
Then—
A familiar voice.
"Woah… did I hear that right?"
"Is Nami actually worried about me?"
"I might just shed a tear."
Nami blinked.
Then snapped, spinning around.
"Kael, you bastard!! Don't just show up like th—"
She stopped.
Frozen.
Kael stood there—
Smiling.
Bruises marked his face.
Faint streaks of blood stained his clothes.
Parts of his outfit were slightly torn.
And beside him—
Ace stood, looking even worse.
For a brief moment—
Time seemed to slow.
The lively chatter of the restaurant faded into the background.
Even the clinking of utensils and distant conversations felt muted.
All attention shifted.
A few nearby patrons glanced over, sensing the tension in the air.
Some stepped aside instinctively, creating space.
Not out of fear—
But because something about the scene felt… heavy.
And at the center of it—
Kael stood, smiling like nothing was wrong.
But the women didn't care about anything else.
Their focus was entirely on him.
Nami's expression shifted instantly.
Her hand reached up, gently touching a bruise on his face.
"What in the world happened to you?!"
Kaya stepped forward immediately.
"Kael-san! What happened—no, wait. Let me heal you first."
Vivi's expression tightened, guilt creeping in.
"Kael-san… did you run into someone from Baroque Works?"
"…This is my fault…"
Tashigi's grip tightened on her sword.
"If it was Baroque Works… they'll pay for this."
Kael blinked, slightly overwhelmed.
"Alright, ladies, calm down. It's nothing—"
"Shut up."
Nami cut him off instantly.
"Get healed first. Then you can talk."
Kaya stepped closer.
"Stand still."
Her voice softened, but firm.
"Let me treat your injuries."
—
Standing beside him, Ace watched the entire scene.
Then laughed.
"Hahaha!! Kael… this is your crew?"
"I wasn't expecting this."
The women finally turned their attention toward him.
Kael glanced sideways.
"And what exactly were you expecting?"
Ace shrugged.
"I don't know… maybe a bunch of burly men."
Kael's brow twitched.
"You haven't changed at all."
He paused.
"And you still haven't answered—why did you see that old man's—"
"SHUT UP!!"
Ace snapped instantly.
"What are you doing?! Don't embarrass me in front of your crew!"
Kael sighed.
—
Nami narrowed her eyes, pointing directly at Ace.
"Hey. Who's this weirdo?"
"And why does this idiot look in worse condition than you?"
Ace blinked.
"…Did she just call me an idiot?"
Kael chuckled.
"She sure did."
Ace stood there, momentarily speechless.
Meanwhile, Kael turned back to the women.
"Well… since you were asking who did this to me…"
He casually pointed at Ace.
"It was him."
Silence.
Then—
All four women turned sharply.
Their gazes locked onto Ace.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Ace stiffened.
Then turned toward Kael.
"Oi… what are you saying?! That makes it sound like I bullied you—"
He stopped.
A chill ran down his spine.
He could feel it.
Slowly—
He turned his head.
Nami was staring at him.
Smiling.
But there was nothing friendly about it.
"So…"
"It was you."
Ace gulped.
Then leaned slightly toward Kael, whispering urgently—
"Hey… Kael."
"We're friends, right?"
"Help me out here—"
Kael raised both hands immediately.
Amused.
"If the entire Navy were after you…"
"I'd definitely help."
He paused.
Then smiled.
"But her?"
"I'm sorry."
"I'll pray for you."
"Don't die."
Ace froze.
Then snapped.
"KAEL, YOU TRAITOR!!"