The wooden dock creaked softly beneath Kael's boots as he stepped forward.
Behind him, Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi followed calmly, though the countless stares from the Baratie's deck made the air feel heavier with every step.
Pirates.
Customers.
Cooks.
Everyone watched the newcomers with curiosity—
Some with suspicion.
Others with unease.
Then suddenly—
"Kael!! Kaya!!"
A familiar voice rang loudly across the deck.
Kael stopped.
Kaya turned instantly.
Standing near the railing, waving both arms wildly with a huge grin on his face, was none other than Usopp.
Kaya's eyes lit up.
"Usopp!"
She hurried a few steps forward.
Kael simply raised a hand casually, a faint smile forming.
"It's been a while, Usopp."
His calm gaze shifted past him.
"…Looks like you found yourself a crew."
Standing beside Usopp was a young man wearing a straw hat, grinning widely.
Monkey D. Luffy looked at Kael with clear interest.
On the dock, a few meters away—
A green-haired swordsman.
Roronoa Zoro was still struggling to remain upright, though his sharp eyes studied Kael carefully.
Usopp puffed out his chest proudly.
"Yes! I did!"
But their reunion had already drawn everyone's attention.
Several pirates nearby began whispering.
"Wait… did that long-nose just say Kael?"
Another frowned in disbelief.
"As in Kael Sylvarion…?"
Someone shook his head immediately.
"That can't be right."
Another pirate spoke, voice uneasy.
"That Kael? The one with the highest bounty in East Blue?"
A man further back swallowed.
"…It's really him. I saw that same flag at Syrup Village a few days ago."
"The pirate who defeated Kuro…"
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Why is he here?"
"Is he after Mihawk?"
"What the hell is happening today…?"
Those who hadn't heard the name looked even more confused.
Sanji, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his fingers, narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Eighty million?"
Nearby, the battered and furious Don Krieg clenched his teeth.
"…Damnit!"
It felt like the attention that once belonged to him had been completely stolen.
But one man seemed particularly amused.
Dracule Mihawk simply watched quietly.
The faint grin on his face widened.
Meanwhile—
Kael ignored all of them.
Completely.
Without sparing Mihawk even a glance, he walked straight toward Zoro.
The wounded swordsman frowned as Kael stopped in front of him.
Then Kael turned his head slightly.
"Kaya."
He gestured casually toward Zoro.
"Can you heal this idiot?"
The entire deck fell silent.
Zoro's eye twitched.
"Who are you calling an idio—"
"Shut up."
Kael cut him off instantly.
His voice remained calm, but firm.
"I commend you for challenging an opponent you couldn't defeat."
His gaze briefly moved toward Mihawk.
"But willingly taking a deep wound across your chest like that…"
He frowned slightly.
"Some people may find it cool."
"I don't."
A nearby pirate muttered under his breath, "He just roasted him in front of Mihawk…"
Shock rippled through the crowd.
"Wait…"
"Didn't he just arrive?"
"How does he know what happened?"
Zoro stared at him, eyes wide.
"How do you kn—"
"Kaya."
Kael didn't even let him finish.
Kaya simply nodded with a gentle smile.
"Okay."
She stepped forward and looked at Zoro.
"Please come with me. Let's treat those injuries."
Zoro groaned, clearly annoyed.
But despite that—
There was a hint of gratitude in his expression.
"…Tch."
He slowly followed her toward the restaurant.
Nami and Tashigi moved after them as well after receiving a small signal from Kael.
Luffy watched the scene with a bright smile.
Then he looked at Usopp.
"Your friend's a good guy."
Usopp grinned proudly.
"Told you!"
Meanwhile—
Kael turned and began walking toward the Baratie.
But this time—
A shadow stepped into his path.
Blocking the way.
Kael stopped.
Slowly, he looked up.
Standing before him was Mihawk.
The massive black blade, Yoru, rested casually in his hand.
Kael frowned slightly, though he had clearly expected this.
"…Is there something you want," he said calmly.
"…Mr. Mihawk?"
Mihawk's golden eyes studied him carefully.
"It was you I sensed a few days ago… wasn't it?"
Kael remained silent for a moment.
"…Maybe," he said lightly.
"I'm not sure."
"Don't pretend."
Mihawk's grin sharpened.
"Your aura is far stronger now… more refined."
"But I can still recognize it."
Kael shrugged faintly.
"Well, since you already know…"
"…why ask in the first place?"
Mihawk ignored the remark.
Instead, he slowly lifted the massive black blade.
The tip pointed directly at Kael.
"You are a swordsman."
His voice was calm—
Yet the challenge behind it was unmistakable.
"…So tell me."
"Don't you wish to test yourself against me?"
Silence spread across the Baratie.
No one spoke.
Just minutes ago, when Roronoa Zoro had challenged him, Mihawk had dismissed him with a tiny knife.
Yet now—
He was asking for a duel himself.
Zoro's fists clenched as his body trembled.
Damn it…
His eyes moved toward Kael.
Usopp said he was way stronger than us…
At that time, Zoro hadn't believed it.
But now…
Mihawk fought me with a small knife…
But he drew Yoru immediately against him…
Shit…
The gap can't be that big…
Nearby, Usopp looked both nervous and excited.
Meanwhile—
Kael let out a quiet sigh.
(I should've just gone straight to Loguetown…)
He looked at Mihawk and gave a slightly awkward smile.
"I don't want to fight."
A few people blinked in surprise.
"I can't win against you anyway," Kael continued calmly. "So let's just forget about it, okay?"
Mihawk frowned slightly.
"You do not wish to fight?"
His golden eyes narrowed.
"Do you not seek the title of world's greatest swordsman?"
"Then why refuse?"
Kael shrugged.
"See, that's the thing."
"I don't want any titles."
"World's greatest or anything like that."
He looked completely indifferent.
"So there's really no point in fighting."
Mihawk's frown deepened.
"…Then what is your dream?"
For a moment—
Kael was silent.
Then he spoke.
"I just want to live freely with my people."
His gaze drifted across the sea.
"In a world where no one has to suffer injustice."
"A world where criminals are hunted instead of the innocent."
"Where people of every religion, race, color, and background can truly live free."
The words settled over the deck like a storm.
Everyone stared at him.
Even Zoro was stunned.
Sanji's cigarette hung loosely.
Don Krieg stiffened.
But some reacted differently—
Usopp smiled proudly.
Nami crossed her arms with a smirk.
Kaya's eyes shone.
Tashigi looked at him with deep respect.
And Luffy—
Luffy grinned.
Heh…
Our dreams are kinda similar.
Mihawk studied him silently.
Then spoke.
"You do not understand what such a dream implies."
"You are speaking about the World Government."
Kael looked unconcerned.
"You mean them?"
He shrugged.
"I don't really care about them."
"They're on my hit list."
"…Those so-called 'gods' too."
The reaction was immediate.
The entire deck froze.
This man is insane.
Even Mihawk looked briefly surprised.
Then—
He laughed.
"That is quite the statement."
"Especially in front of a government-contracted pirate."
His eyes gleamed.
"What if I capture you and deliver you to them?"
Behind Kael, Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi tensed.
But Kael simply smiled.
"Don't pretend."
"You don't give a damn about the World Government."
"You're only a Warlord because it lets you live freely."
His eyes met Mihawk's.
"In that sense…"
"We're a little similar."
Mihawk stared quietly.
"I could ask how you know that."
"But I won't."
His smile returned.
"Now that I understand your dream…"
"I am even more interested."
He lifted his blade.
"Show me your resolve."
Kael shook his head.
"Nah."
"I'll pass."
"I'm just a normal swordsman."
"And I still don't have a reason to fight you."
He walked past Mihawk—
Completely ignoring him.
Mihawk exhaled softly.
"I see…"
"So you refuse."
His gaze shifted toward the sea.
"Then perhaps I must try another method."
Kael suddenly stopped.
His observation haki flared.
(Damn it.)
Mihawk swung Yoru.
The slash shot toward the sea—
Toward the Sovereign Gale.
Powerful enough to split it in half.
Everyone froze.
But Kael had already moved.
His body blurred forward.
For the first time—
He drew his sword.
Steel flashed.
CLANG!
He barely deflected the slash upward.
The attack exploded into the sky.
A thunderous shockwave scattered the clouds.
The heavens split.
For a moment—
No one breathed.
Zoro's jaw dropped.
"H-He… deflected it…?"
His fists clenched again.
Why is the gap so big… damn it…
Tashigi stared in disbelief.
"K-Kael-san…"
Her thoughts raced.
That attack…
Even Smoker-san…
Could he stop something like that…?
Nearby, Kaya and Nami exhaled in relief.
Luffy burst out laughing.
"WOOOAH!! That was awesome!!"
Usopp nodded rapidly.
"I-I told you he's strong!"
"…He's gotten even stronger."
Meanwhile—
Kael lowered his sword slowly.
(This clever bastard…)
Inside his mind, a familiar voice echoed.
[Wow, Host.]
[For a second there, you looked like Diamond Jozu.]
Kael scowled internally.
(Shut up, idiot. I don't have time for this.)
Across from him, Mihawk laughed.
"Hahaha."
"That is not something I expected from a 'normal swordsman.'"
His eyes gleamed.
"So tell me, Kael…"
"Is that reason enough to fight me now?"
Everyone turned toward Kael.
Inside his mind—
(System… what are my chances against Mihawk?)
The answer came immediately.
[Of winning?]
[Or survival?]
(Survival, obviously.)
A pause.
[Approximately fifty percent.]
[And that's only if Mihawk goes easy on you.]
Kael cursed silently.
(Damn it.)
He sighed and looked at Mihawk.
"Alright."
"But on one condition."
Mihawk raised an eyebrow.
"What condition?"
Kael rested his sword over his shoulder.
"We exchange a few strikes."
"That's it."
"I still have a long journey ahead."
"And I'd rather not get seriously injured just to satisfy your little test."
Mihawk considered it.
Then nodded.
"…Very well."
"A few strikes."
The two men stepped forward.
Facing each other.
Swords raised.
The air itself tightened.
Around them, everyone held their breath.
Kaya and Nami watched anxiously.
Tashigi stepped forward instinctively, hand on her sword—
But Kael shook his head slightly.
She stopped.
Zoro stood beside Usopp and Luffy.
Still injured, but unable to look away.
Usopp looked worried.
Luffy watched with rare seriousness.
Zoro's expression was complicated.
Across from Kael—
Mihawk smirked.
"Shall we begin?"