The doors of the Baratie closed behind them with a heavy thud.
Inside, the atmosphere was far calmer than the chaos outside.
Warm lantern light spread across the wide dining hall, casting a golden glow over polished wooden floors and long tables filled with sailors, merchants, and wandering travelers. The steady rhythm of the sea could still be felt beneath their feet, gentle and familiar.
The smell of grilled fish, roasted meat, butter, and freshly baked bread filled the air—rich, inviting, and impossible to ignore.
Under normal circumstances, the place would have been loud and lively.
Full of laughter, arguments, and drunken songs.
Now it was… quieter.
Not silent.
Just… restrained.
Conversations continued. Plates clinked. Waiters moved between tables with practiced ease.
But every so often—
Someone's gaze drifted.
Toward the group that had just entered.
The same group that had turned the deck outside into a battlefield only minutes ago.
People didn't stare openly.
But they watched.
Carefully.
Some had witnessed the clash between Kael and Mihawk with their own eyes.
Others had only heard the aftermath in hurried whispers.
Either way, the conclusion was the same.
Two monsters had just walked into the restaurant.
And now they were here…
For lunch.
Completely ignoring the lingering tension, Kael walked calmly through the dining hall and chose a large table near one of the windows.
Sunlight filtered through the glass, reflecting faintly across the tabletop.
Mihawk followed without a word.
The world's greatest swordsman pulled out a chair and sat down with quiet ease, as if this were no different from any other day. His massive black blade rested beside him, its mere presence enough to discourage anyone from getting too close.
Kael sat beside him without hesitation.
To anyone watching—
It looked almost casual.
As if the two of them had met for drinks before.
Across from them, Zoro dropped into a chair with a slow, tired exhale.
His bandaged chest rose and fell steadily.
The duel from earlier had taken more out of him than he would ever admit aloud.
Still—
His single visible eye drifted toward Mihawk from time to time.
Not with fear.
But with quiet, burning determination.
Luffy immediately claimed the seat at the head of the table.
"Food smells amazing here!"
He leaned forward eagerly, nose twitching as he sniffed the air like a hunting hound.
Usopp slid into a chair beside him, still glancing around cautiously.
Even though the danger had passed, sitting at the same table as Mihawk still felt unreal.
Meanwhile, three more chairs were pulled out beside Kael.
Kaya sat down first.
Then Nami.
Tashigi hesitated only for a brief moment before joining them.
The arrangement naturally placed them close to Kael—almost as if they had gathered around him without thinking.
From a distance, it looked like a crew.
A strange one.
But a crew nonetheless.
Nami leaned slightly toward Kael, lowering her voice.
"You're really sitting beside him like that?"
Her eyes flicked briefly toward Dracule Mihawk.
Kael shrugged lightly.
"He accepted my invitation."
"That makes him a guest."
Nami stared at him for a moment, then leaned back with a quiet sigh.
"Unbelievable…"
Kaya glanced between the two swordsmen.
Only minutes ago, they had been clashing with enough force to shake the entire Baratie.
Now they were sitting side by side, waiting for food like ordinary customers.
And Kael acted like it was completely normal.
Tashigi quietly adjusted her glasses, still trying to process everything that had happened outside.
Her mind hadn't quite caught up yet.
Meanwhile, Mihawk rested his elbow lightly on the table.
His golden eyes drifted toward Kael for a brief moment.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Completely at ease despite sitting beside someone who had just tested his blade.
A faint thought crossed his mind.
That attitude…
For a moment, it reminded him of someone.
A red-haired pirate who used to stand before him with that same composure.
Shanks.
Mihawk closed his eyes briefly.
Then let the thought pass.
Meanwhile—
Luffy suddenly leaned across the table.
"Hey Kael!"
Kael glanced at him.
"What?"
Luffy pointed excitedly toward the kitchen doors.
"You'll like the cook here!"
As if on cue—
The doors swung open.
A blond waiter stepped out, carrying a tray of drinks with smooth, practiced movements.
His black suit was spotless, his posture straight, and a cigarette rested casually between his fingers.
This was Sanji, the Baratie's main cook.
He delivered drinks to another table before finally approaching their group.
Sanji stopped beside them and looked carefully at each person.
His gaze moved one by one.
Luffy.
Zoro.
Usopp.
Those three he already recognized.
Then—
Kael.
Tashigi.
Kaya.
Nami.
And finally—
It landed on Mihawk.
Sanji's brow twitched ever so slightly.
But he maintained his composure.
A professional didn't panic in front of customers.
He placed his notepad down lightly.
"Welcome to the Baratie."
His gaze lingered briefly on Kael… then Mihawk.
"Looks like we have some new faces."
Kael gave a small nod.
"Kael."
He gestured slightly beside him.
"And that's Mihawk."
Sanji gave a short, acknowledging nod.
"Sanji."
"The cook here."
Before anyone else could speak—
Luffy suddenly leaned forward with a wide grin.
"See, Kael?!"
He pointed straight at Sanji.
"This guy is going to be the cook on my ship!!"
Sanji froze.
A vein throbbed on his forehead.
"I NEVER AGREED TO JOIN YOUR CREW!!"
Several diners flinched at the sudden shout.
Luffy burst into laughter.
"Shishishi!"
"You will eventually!"
Sanji rubbed his temple in frustration.
"Idiot…"
Meanwhile, Kael simply smiled.
"You have a good cook."
Sanji looked at him for a moment.
Something about the tone—
It didn't feel like empty praise.
It sounded like a calm, confident evaluation.
Sanji clicked his tongue lightly.
"Of course I am."
He straightened and flipped open his notepad.
"Now—what's everyone having?"
Luffy didn't hesitate.
"MEAT!"
Sanji's eyebrow twitched.
"What kind of meat?"
"All of it."
"THAT'S NOT AN ORDER!"
Zoro leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"Just bring whatever fills him up fastest."
Sanji scribbled something down with a sigh.
Usopp leaned over the menu like it held ancient secrets.
"Uh… fish… soup… bread… actually, just bring something normal."
Nami had already decided.
"I'll take grilled sea bass. And wine."
She glanced briefly toward Mihawk.
"Make that two bottles."
Mihawk's golden eyes flicked toward her.
He gave a small, approving nod.
Sanji smirked.
"Excellent taste."
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"I'll take the seafood stew."
Kaya pointed gently at the menu.
"That roasted fish looks nice."
Sanji noted everything quickly before turning to Kael.
"And you?"
Kael barely glanced at the menu.
"Chef's choice."
Sanji raised a brow.
"Trusting the cook?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"You introduced yourself confidently."
Sanji snorted.
"Fair enough."
Finally, Sanji turned to Mihawk.
"The gentleman with the sword?"
Mihawk rested one arm on the table.
"Red wine."
Sanji nodded.
"I'll bring something that matches the table."
He snapped the notepad shut.
"I'll have it ready shortly."
A few minutes later, the food began arriving.
Plates. Bowls. Fresh bread.
The aroma alone made nearby diners glance over again.
Rich. Warm. Mouthwatering.
Luffy didn't wait.
The moment the first plate touched the table—
He attacked.
"THIS IS AMAZING!"
Zoro grabbed a mug of beer.
Usopp reached straight for the bread.
Nami poured wine with practiced ease.
Tashigi tasted her stew carefully.
Kaya smiled softly, the tension from earlier finally melting away.
Across the table, Mihawk lifted his glass.
He took a slow sip.
Then glanced toward Kael.
"Your invitation was… unexpectedly pleasant."
Kael chuckled.
"I figured lunch would be better than another spar."
For a while—
The table relaxed completely.
Laughter.
Clinking glasses.
Food disappearing faster than Sanji could prepare it.
Around them, the restaurant slowly returned to normal.
Conversations resumed.
The earlier tension faded into nothing more than whispers.
Now, it looked like a group of travelers enjoying a meal.
Even if one of them was the world's greatest swordsman.
Eventually, plates were cleared.
The table quieted.
Outside the window, the sea rolled gently beneath the afternoon sun.
For a brief moment—
No one spoke.
Then Mihawk set his glass down.
His golden eyes turned toward Kael.
"There is something I wished to ask."
The table stilled instantly.
"It concerns the technique you used earlier."
Across from him, Zoro straightened slightly.
"You called it… Wind Breathing."
Kael nodded.
Mihawk continued.
"Your presence on the battlefield felt… unusual."
"The aura of a true swordsman—yet unlike any I have encountered."
His gaze shifted toward Kael's blade.
"And that sword."
"It is clearly a Supreme Grade weapon."
Zoro's eye widened slightly.
I knew it…
Mihawk's voice remained calm.
"Yet such a blade is not recorded anywhere."
"So I am curious."
"What exactly is this technique?"
For a brief moment—
The table was completely still.
Kael leaned back slightly.
"They're a family heirloom."
"I never learned everything about them."
"I didn't have the chance to ask my parents."
His voice stayed even.
"But the technique depends on affinity."
"With the elements."
"Wind, in my case."
Mihawk listened.
So did Zoro.
Tashigi nodded slowly, clearly intrigued.
After a moment—
Mihawk stood.
"I learned several interesting things today."
His tone carried quiet respect.
"Thank you."
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
Kael stood as well and held out a small Den Den Mushi.
Mihawk paused.
"For next time."
Kael smiled slightly.
"Drinks."
"And maybe another spar."
For a brief moment, Mihawk simply looked at him.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
He accepted it.
"Very well."
The two shook hands like old acquaintances.
Moments later, Mihawk stepped out of the Baratie.
Behind him, the table remained silent.
Usopp blinked slowly.
"Did…"
He pointed toward the door.
"…did Kael just become friends with Dracule Mihawk in one afternoon?"
No one answered.
But judging from the faint smile still resting on Kael's face—
It certainly looked that way.