The scene shifted.
Inside the restaurant, the crew—along with Ace—sat around a large table, waiting for their food.
The earlier tension had completely faded.
Now, the atmosphere was lively.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Kaya had already treated both Kael and Ace, their visible injuries gone without a trace—well…
Almost.
The girls were chatting among themselves, their voices light and cheerful.
Shopping bags rested beside their seats, occasionally being opened as they showed each other what they had bought.
After proudly showing Kael everything, Kaya soon joined the others again, laughing softly as the conversation continued.
Meanwhile—
Kael leaned back in his chair, a teasing smile forming on his face as he glanced sideways.
At Ace.
Who sat right beside him.
Silent.
Still.
With a very noticeable bump on his head.
Ace's arms were crossed, his expression clearly annoyed.
Kael chuckled.
"Yo, Ace. You're surprisingly quiet."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Something on your mind?"
Ace didn't respond immediately.
But his eye twitched.
Then slowly—
He turned.
"…Kael."
His voice was low.
Dangerously calm.
"You've got some nerve… teasing me after everything that just happened."
Then suddenly—
"YOU BASTARD!!"
Heads turned across the restaurant.
"How dare you treat me like this?! I thought I found a good friend today—but you're a traitor!!"
Kael didn't even flinch.
"C'mon, Ace. Don't lie."
He smirked.
"You know that's not true."
"I care about you, you know."
Ace's expression darkened.
"Oh yeah?"
"Then explain this."
"Why did you let that crazy woman hit me—"
"And on top of that, you even stopped the healer from fixing this damn bump on my head?!"
"Who are you calling a crazy woman?!"
Nami's voice cut in instantly.
Ace visibly flinched.
His back straightened.
"…"
Kael chuckled under his breath.
"Don't think too much about it."
He glanced at the bump.
"It suits you, Ace."
Ace snapped.
"Shut up, you jerk!!"
"I can't even wear my hat properly because of this thing!"
—
Across the table, the girls watched the exchange.
A mix of helplessness and amusement on their faces.
Kaya covered her mouth lightly.
"Kael-san is enjoying this far too much…"
Vivi nodded, smiling.
"Ace-san is surprisingly easy to provoke."
Nami scoffed, arms crossed.
"And this guy is supposed to be the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates…"
She shook her head.
"That's a Yonko crew, for god's sake."
Kaya nodded thoughtfully.
"…Kael-san really does make interesting friends."
Meanwhile—
Tashigi sat quietly.
Lost in her own thoughts.
Her gaze lingered on Kael for a moment… then shifted to Ace.
He must be incredibly strong…
To injure Kael-san that much…
Back at Kael—
Seeing Ace still sulking, he let out a small sigh.
(Alright… maybe I pushed it enough.)
He leaned forward slightly.
"Alright."
Ace paused.
Then slowly turned his head toward him.
"…What?"
Kael shrugged casually.
"How about this—"
"Eat as much meat as you want today."
"And drink whatever you like."
A small pause.
"I'll pay for everything."
"…That enough for you?"
Ace blinked.
Once.
Then again.
His ears perked up.
"Hey…"
He leaned closer.
"Hey, Kael…"
"Are you serious?"
"You do realize what 'paying for everything' means, right—?"
"Of course I do."
Kael replied without hesitation.
Ace stared at him for a second longer.
Then—
A wide grin spread across his face.
Instantly, he threw an arm around Kael's shoulders.
"I knew it!!"
"I always knew you were my real friend, Kael!!"
"Hahahaha!!"
Then he suddenly turned his head and shouted—
"WAITER!!"
The entire restaurant went silent for a moment.
"BRING ALL THE MEAT YOU HAVE!!"
"And the best booze too!!"
He pointed at Kael with a grin.
"My friend here is feeling very generous today!"
Kael closed his eyes.
Shook his head.
Defeated.
Then gave a small confirming gesture toward the waiter.
The waiter nodded quickly.
"Right away, sir!"
Back at the table—
The women stared.
Silent.
Processing.
Then Nami slowly turned toward the others.
"…Hey."
"Are you all absolutely sure…"
"…that the Whitebeard Pirates don't just accept anyone?"
A brief pause—
Then the other three exchanged glances.
And burst into soft laughter.
Meanwhile—
The chaos at the table was only just beginning.
The food finally arrived.
Plates upon plates were set down across the table—
Steaming.
Fresh.
A feast.
And the moment it did—
Ace attacked.
No hesitation.
No warning.
He dove in like a man possessed, devouring everything in sight at an alarming speed.
The crew froze.
Forks halfway lifted.
Eyes slowly turning toward him.
An awkward silence spread across the table.
Kael sighed, already expecting this.
"Don't mind him."
He casually pointed at Ace.
"Start eating. You must be hungry after running around the market."
The women exchanged glances.
Still a little unsure—
But nodded.
Slowly, they began eating as well.
Nami reached toward a dish.
Her fingers just about to grab it—
Gone.
Vanished.
She blinked.
Then slowly turned her head.
Ace was already chewing.
Nami's eye twitched.
"Leave something for others, you idiot!!"
Ace laughed mid-bite.
"Hahaha! Alright, my bad."
But even as he said that—
His hand moved again.
This time—
Toward Kael's plate.
"Hey, that's mine!"
Kael snapped.
"Give it back, you—"
Ace smirked, already taking it.
"You can give your share to me, right?"
Kael groaned, leaning back.
"Just take it, you bastard…"
"But it's not happening again!"
Ace grinned, unfazed.
"We'll see."
And just like that—
The food war began.
Dishes disappeared.
Plates emptied at an inhuman pace.
Nami occasionally snapped.
Kaya tried to keep things civil.
Vivi attempted to mediate.
Tashigi quietly ate whatever she could secure.
And through it all—
Ace remained unstoppable.
Nearly an hour later—
It was over.
The table looked like a battlefield.
Empty plates stacked everywhere.
Kael sat back in his chair.
A large bill in his hand.
His expression tired.
"…This hurts."
Meanwhile—
Ace leaned back shamelessly, completely satisfied.
"Haaaaa…"
"That was amazing!!"
Kael rubbed his temples.
"You're just like Luffy."
The women paused.
"Huh?"
Kaya tilted her head.
"Kael-san… you mean…?"
Kael nodded.
"Yeah."
"That straw hat idiot friend of ours."
He pointed lazily at Ace.
"He's Luffy's older brother."
Silence.
Then—
"What?!"
Nami's lips twitched.
"…Now it makes sense."
She pointed at Ace.
"Both the idiots are actually brothers!!"
Tashigi adjusted her glasses, observing him.
"…I can actually see the resemblance."
Kaya and Vivi chuckled softly.
Ace's expression shifted instantly.
"Oi!"
"Kael, you bastard!"
"How dare you call my little brother an idiot in front of me?!"
Kael grinned.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Ace blinked.
Then shrugged.
"…Not really."
"That crybaby is really an idiot."
"Hahahaha!"
He turned back casually.
"By the way—"
"When are we doing this again?"
Kael nearly choked on his drink.
"You shameless bastard…"
"Next time, you're paying."
Ace laughed.
"Hahaha! Of course I will."
Then—
His expression changed.
The carefree grin faded slightly.
His gaze sharpened.
"Kael."
"I meant what I said earlier."
"You're strong."
He extended his hand across the table.
"Kael…"
"Join the Whitebeard Pirates."
Everything stilled.
The women froze.
Eyes widening.
He's inviting him… to the Whitebeard Pirates?
Before Kael could respond—
Ace continued.
"Don't worry about the fight."
"It didn't have a clear winner."
"But I trust my judgment."
"And your strength."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If you join—"
"You'll be made a Division Commander immediately."
The table fell silent again.
"What?!"
"Division Commander… just like that?!"
Ace nodded confidently.
"Of course."
"If I can sense his strength—so can Pops."
"And he judges better than anyone."
He locked eyes with Kael.
"So…"
"What do you say?"
—
Kael remained silent.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
He spoke.
"Look, Ace…"
"I've said it before."
"I can't join the Whitebeard Pirates."
Ace frowned.
"But why?"
"You were overwhelming me earlier."
Kael sighed.
"You're exaggerating."
"You didn't even use your Devil Fruit."
Ace shot back immediately—
"And you didn't use your sword either!"
Kael paused.
Then shook his head.
"I can't, Ace."
"I have my own crew."
"My own goals."
Ace leaned back slightly, thinking.
"Your crew can join too."
"They can be under your division—"
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Wait…"
"Don't tell me your goal is to become Pirate King as well."
His tone sharpened.
"Because if that's the case—"
"Only Pops… or Luffy… will have that title."
Kael smiled.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Don't worry."
"It's not that."
Ace studied him for a moment.
Then exhaled.
"…So you're really not joining, huh?"
Kael nodded.
Ace leaned back.
"…Alright."
"I won't force you."
Kael gave a small nod.
"Good."
"Glad you understand."
Then—
His expression shifted.
The air around him changed.
Subtle.
But heavy.
"Now…"
"Let's talk about something else."
Everyone at the table felt it.
The shift.
Even Ace noticed.
"…Sure."
He frowned slightly.
"But what exactly?"
Kael looked straight into his eyes.
Sharp.
Focused.
"Why are you here…"
"In this part of the Grand Line…"
"…instead of the New World?"
Ace froze.
Just for a moment.
At the table—
The women exchanged glances.
They had wondered the same thing earlier.
A Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates… here?
Why?
Was it because of Crocodile?
If yes—then why?
To help him?
Or to stop him?
And if not…
Then why Alabasta at all?
The atmosphere grew heavier.
The answer—
Was no longer something simple.